India is huge, and how you move between cities can easily become the biggest line in your budget after your flight from Manila. The good news for Filipino travelers is that getting around India can be very cheap if you know which option to pick. A metro ride in Delhi costs less than a jeepney-plus-tricycle combo back home, and an overnight sleeper train can replace both a domestic flight and a night in a hotel. This guide breaks down what each type of transport actually costs in Indian rupees (₹ or INR) and in Philippine pesos, using a working rate of about ₹1 = ₱0.66 (mid-September 2026 levels — always check the live rate before you exchange).
Expect to spend about ₱400–₱900 a day getting around an Indian city by metro, auto-rickshaw, and app cab, plus roughly ₱300–₱2,500 per intercity train ticket or ₱2,600–₱4,000 per budget domestic flight.
- Delhi Metro tickets cost ₹11–₹64 (about ₱7–₱42) per ride after the August 2025 fare revision
- Long-distance trains are the cheapest way between cities — book on IRCTC using the Foreign Tourist Quota with your passport
- Delhi metered auto-rickshaws charge ₹30 for the first 1.5 km and ₹11 per km after that, plus 25% from 11 PM to 5 AM
- One-way Delhi–Mumbai budget flights usually run ₹4,000–₹6,000 (about ₱2,600–₱4,000) when booked ahead
- Most Filipino backpackers can keep local transport to roughly ₱400–₱900 per day in big cities
Quick Cost Overview: What Each Type of Transport Costs in India (₹ and ₱)
Before going into details, here is a simple price ladder so you know what to expect. Figures are per person, one way, and converted at about ₹1 = ₱0.66.
- City metro (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, etc.): ₹11–₹64 per ride (about ₱7–₱42)
- Metered auto-rickshaw (Delhi): ₹30 for the first 1.5 km, then ₹11 per km — a 5 km ride is roughly ₹70 (about ₱46)
- App cab (Uber, Ola, Rapido) for a 10–15 km city ride: roughly ₹250–₹500 (about ₱165–₱330), higher during surge
- Intercity train, Sleeper class (non-AC) for an overnight trip: often a few hundred rupees (about ₱200–₱450)
- Intercity train, AC 3-Tier (3A) or AC Chair Car: usually around ₹700–₹2,000 depending on distance (about ₱460–₱1,320)
- Budget domestic flight (for example Delhi–Mumbai): roughly ₹4,000–₹6,000 when booked early (about ₱2,600–₱4,000)
The pattern is simple: trains and metros are cheap, autos and app cabs are mid-priced, and flights are the expensive but fast option. The sections below explain each one step by step.
Step 1: Get From the Airport to Your Hotel Without Overpaying
Most Filipinos land in Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport, also called IGI) or Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport). Your first ride sets the tone, so know your options before you walk out of arrivals.
Delhi: The Airport Express Line of the Delhi Metro connects Terminal 3 to New Delhi railway station in roughly 20–25 minutes. A one-way ticket is about ₹64 (about ₱42) after the August 2025 fare revision. Trains run from early morning (around 4:45 AM) until close to midnight. If you arrive at Terminal 1 (domestic flights), the regular Magenta Line connects to the rest of the network.
Mumbai: There is no direct airport metro to the old city yet, so most travelers use the official prepaid taxi counter or an app cab. Mumbai's black-and-yellow taxis charge about ₹20.66 per km (non-AC) and ₹22.72 per km (AC), so a 20 km ride to Colaba or Churchgate lands around ₹400–₹600 (about ₱265–₱400) depending on traffic and tolls.
Tip: Use only the official prepaid counters inside the terminal or the marked app-cab pickup zones. Ignore drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall offering a "cheap" ride — they often quote double.
Step 2: Ride the Metro for the Cheapest City Transport
India's big cities now have modern, air-conditioned metro systems — think of them as a much bigger, cleaner version of the MRT/LRT. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) runs the largest network.
Delhi Metro fares (from 25 August 2025): minimum ₹11, maximum ₹64 on weekdays, with lower slabs on Sundays and national holidays. That is roughly ₱7–₱42 per ride.
How to pay:
- Token or QR ticket: Buy a single-journey QR ticket at the station counter or vending machine, or in the official DMRC Momentum 2.0 app (pay by card or UPI).
- Smart card: Gives a 10% discount on every trip, plus an extra off-peak discount. Worth it if you are staying 4 or more days.
- Multiple Journey QR ticket: A reusable QR in the app; you load a starting ₹150 and top up in multiples of ₹50.
Women-only coaches exist on most metro trains (usually the first coach), which many solo Filipina travelers find reassuring. Avoid rush hour (8–10 AM and 5–8 PM) if you have luggage.
Step 3: Use Auto-Rickshaws and Know the Official Meter Rate
The auto-rickshaw ("auto" or "tuk-tuk") is India's version of our tricycle — a three-wheeled, open-sided taxi that fits 2–3 passengers. It is perfect for short hops of 2–8 km.
Delhi official meter rate: ₹30 for the first 1.5 km, then ₹11 per km. There is a 25% night surcharge from 11 PM to 5 AM. Using this rate:
- 3 km ride: about ₹47 (₱31)
- 5 km ride: about ₹69 (₱46)
- 8 km ride: about ₹102 (₱67)
Rates differ by city, so treat Delhi as a benchmark. In practice, many drivers refuse to use the meter for foreigners and quote a flat price. Two ways to avoid overpaying: (1) book an auto through Uber, Ola, or Rapido so the price is fixed before you get in, or (2) ask your hotel how much the ride should cost and negotiate to that figure before getting in. Never get in first and argue later.
Step 4: Book App Cabs (Uber, Ola, Rapido) for Longer or Late-Night Rides
App-based cabs are the closest thing to Grab in India. Uber works with a Philippine credit card and international number; Ola and Rapido often need an Indian number, so Uber is the easiest choice for most Filipino tourists. Getting a local prepaid SIM or eSIM on arrival makes booking much smoother.
Typical costs: Fares change with demand and city, so always check the in-app price. As a rough guide, a 10–15 km city ride in a basic hatchback or sedan usually costs about ₹250–₹500 (₱165–₱330). In Mumbai, the transport authority has directed aggregators to align their base fares with the black-and-yellow taxi rate (about ₹20.66–₹22.72 per km) and capped surge at 1.5 times the base fare.
Save money: Choose "Uber Auto" or "Moto" (motorbike taxi, for solo travelers with small bags) for short rides — they are often half the price of a car. Split a car with travel buddies for airport runs and day trips.
Step 5: Travel Between Cities by Train Using the IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota
Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world and the backbone of budget travel in India. Tickets are booked on the official IRCTC website (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation).
Train classes, from cheapest to most comfortable:
- Second Sitting (2S): non-AC seats, very crowded — only for short trips
- Sleeper (SL): non-AC bunks, cheapest overnight option
- AC Chair Car (CC): reclining seats on day trains like Shatabdi and Vande Bharat
- AC 3-Tier (3A): air-conditioned bunks, 6 per bay — the best value for most Filipinos
- AC 2-Tier (2A) and AC First (1A): more privacy, curtains, fewer people
- Executive Chair Car (EC): premium seats on fast day trains
How to book as a Filipino: Create an IRCTC account, add and verify your Philippine mobile number by OTP (one-time password), then choose "Foreign Tourist" ticket booking. You will need your passport number for each traveler, and you can pay with an international credit or debit card. The Foreign Tourist Quota sets aside seats for foreigners, which is a lifesaver on popular routes that sell out weeks ahead.
Price examples: The Delhi–Agra Shatabdi has historically cost around ₹540 in Chair Car and ₹1,040 in Executive (about ₱360 and ₱690), while a Vande Bharat on a longer route like Delhi–Bhopal is about ₹1,665 in Chair Car (about ₱1,100). Fares were last revised on 26 December 2025 by up to 2 paise per km, so always confirm the current price on IRCTC.
Step 6: Decide When a Domestic Flight Beats the Train
India is wide — Delhi to Goa is about 1,900 km by rail, and Delhi to Kerala is even farther. For trips longer than about 12–15 hours by train, a budget flight usually makes more sense.
Main budget airlines: IndiGo (the biggest, with the most departures), Akasa Air, Air India Express, and SpiceJet.
Typical fares: On the busy Delhi–Mumbai route, recent fare searches show one-way prices starting around ₹4,200–₹5,300 (about ₱2,800–₱3,500) when booked ahead, with typical prices closer to ₹10,000 (₱6,600) near the travel date or during peak season.
Ways to save:
- Fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays — midweek fares are often the lowest.
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead.
- Check the baggage allowance; the cheapest fares often allow only 15 kg checked and 7 kg cabin, and excess baggage fees add up fast.
- Add the airport transfer cost (₱200–₱400 each way) when comparing with a train that drops you in the city center.
Step 7: Use Local Trains and Buses Carefully
Mumbai local trains are famously cheap — the national fare revision in July 2025 left suburban fares unchanged. Second-class tickets cost only a few rupees for short hops, first class starts at about ₹25 (₱17) for up to 5 km, and AC local trains start at about ₹35 (₱23). The catch: during rush hour they are extremely crowded, so ride outside 8–11 AM and 5–9 PM, and use the ladies' coach if you are a woman traveling alone. Buy tickets in the UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app or at the counter.
City buses are the cheapest of all but can be confusing because route signs are often in Hindi or the local language. Use Google Maps transit directions and keep small change ready.
Intercity buses (government and private sleeper buses booked through apps like redBus) fill gaps where trains do not reach, such as mountain routes in Himachal Pradesh or parts of Goa and Rajasthan. Expect roughly ₹800–₹2,000 (₱530–₱1,320) for an overnight AC sleeper bus, depending on route and season.
Step 8: Sample Transportation Budget for a 7-Day India Trip
Here is a realistic transport-only budget for a classic Golden Triangle route (Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi) for one person, at ₹1 = ₱0.66:
- Airport Express metro, arrival and departure: ₹130 (₱86)
- Delhi Metro, 3 days × 4 rides at about ₹40: ₹480 (₱317)
- Autos and app cabs in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, about ₹500 per day × 7: ₹3,500 (₱2,310)
- Delhi → Agra train, AC Chair Car: about ₹600 (₱396)
- Agra → Jaipur train, AC 3-Tier or Chair Car: about ₹700 (₱462)
- Jaipur → Delhi train, AC Chair Car: about ₹900 (₱594)
Estimated total: about ₹6,300, or roughly ₱4,200 for the whole week — around ₱600 per day. Hiring a private car with driver for the same loop instead costs several times more, usually ₹3,000–₹4,500 per day (₱2,000–₱3,000) before tolls, parking, and tips — only worth it if you split it among 3–4 people.
Step 9: Safety and Money-Saving Tips for Filipino Travelers
- Carry small notes: Auto drivers often say they have no change for ₹500 bills. Keep ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, and ₹100 notes handy.
- Use UPI carefully: India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface) QR payments are everywhere, but foreign tourists usually need a special prepaid wallet; cash and cards remain the simplest fallback.
- Share your ride: Use the trip-sharing feature in Uber to send your live location to a travel buddy or family back home, especially at night.
- Avoid touts at stations: Anyone who tells you your train is "cancelled" and offers to take you to a "tourist office" is running a scam. Check status on the official IRCTC or National Train Enquiry System instead.
- Expect delays: Long-distance trains, especially in winter fog season (December–January in North India), can run hours late. Do not book a tight connection to an international flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you stick to metros, trains, and shared autos, about ₹600–₹1,400 per day (roughly ₱400–₱900) covers city transport in places like Delhi, Mumbai, or Jaipur. Intercity trains or flights are extra: around ₱300–₱1,300 for most AC train rides and ₱2,600–₱4,000 for a budget flight booked early.
Yes. Create an account on the official IRCTC website, verify your Philippine mobile number using the one-time password sent by SMS, then select Foreign Tourist ticket booking. You will enter each traveler's passport number and pay with an international credit or debit card. Book early because popular trains sell out quickly.
Uber operates in most major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Agra, and it accepts most international Visa and Mastercard cards as well as cash. Local apps like Ola and Rapido are sometimes cheaper but often require an Indian phone number, so a local SIM or eSIM helps.
The Airport Express Line from IGI Airport Terminal 3 to New Delhi railway station costs about ₹64 one way (around ₱42) after the August 2025 fare revision. The ride takes roughly 20–25 minutes, and trains run from early morning until close to midnight, making it far cheaper than a taxi.
AC 3-Tier (3A) is the sweet spot for most Filipino travelers. It is air-conditioned, includes bedding on overnight trains, and costs a fraction of AC 2-Tier or First Class. Sleeper class is cheaper but non-AC and crowded, which can be uncomfortable in India's hot months from April to June.
The official Delhi meter rate is ₹30 for the first 1.5 kilometers and ₹11 for every kilometer after, with a 25% surcharge from 11 PM to 5 AM. A typical 5 km ride should cost around ₹70 (about ₱46), though drivers often quote higher flat prices to tourists, so book via an app when possible.
The train is almost always cheaper in fare, especially in Sleeper or AC 3-Tier class. However, for routes longer than 12–15 hours, such as Delhi to Goa or Delhi to Kerala, a budget flight costing ₱2,600–₱4,000 can save a full day and a night's hotel, making it better value overall.
Yes, carry some. Metros, IRCTC, and Uber accept cards or app payments, but many auto-rickshaw drivers, local buses, and small vendors prefer cash. Keep around ₹1,000–₹2,000 (₱660–₱1,320) in small notes for daily rides, and exchange or withdraw from bank ATMs rather than airport money changers for better rates.
Conclusion
Getting around India does not have to eat up your travel fund. Use the metro wherever a city has one, book AC 3-Tier or Chair Car trains early through the IRCTC Foreign Tourist Quota, and save flights for the really long jumps across the country. With app cabs and metered autos filling the gaps, most Filipino travelers can keep transport to about ₱600 a day on a Golden Triangle trip. Recheck fares and the exchange rate a week before you fly, since Indian transport fares and the rupee-peso rate both move during the year.
