Rishikesh

Where to stay

Budget travelers mostly settle in the Laxman Jhula area or the Tapovan neighborhood just north of it. Both have the densest concentration of hostels and cafes, and you can walk between them in under fifteen minutes.

Getting around

• Haridwar Junction, about 25 kilometers south, is the nearest major railhead. Share taxis and local buses from there to Rishikesh cost a fraction of a private cab and run throughout the day.
• Rafting operators clustered right at Laxman Jhula charge premium rates. Arranging a trip that puts in upstream near Shivpuri gets you the same stretch of river, often at a noticeably lower price.
• The evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat is free to attend. Skip the paid VIP seating pitched by touts and just show up early to claim a spot on the ghat steps.

When to go

Prices are lowest during the monsoon months of July and August, when some outdoor operators close. Hostels fill up and rates climb from late September through November, and again in February and March.