₹15,000 a night in Rishikesh? Indian traveller skips Uttarakhand, books Sri Lanka instead: ‘Better value, - The Times of India

For years, Rishikesh has been one of the go-to destinations for Indians looking for a quick escape. The promise of the Ganga, yoga retreats, riverside cafés and mountain views has made it a favourite among travellers from across the country.But now, some people are beginning to wonder whether the experience still justifies the cost.A debate around the rising price of domestic tourism started after content creator Paritsh Sharrma shared a post on X about a friend who abandoned plans to visit Rishikesh and booked a holiday in Sri Lanka instead.The reason? Money.According to Sharrma, his friend was planning a trip from Mumbai to Rishikesh and started looking at accommodation options. What he found surprised him. Decent hotels, he claimed, were charging anywhere between ₹9,000 and ₹15,000 a night.The travel costs didn't help either. Flights from Mumbai to Delhi were reportedly around ₹7,000-8,000 one way, with the onward journey to Rishikesh adding more time and expense.Sharing the story on X, Sharrma wrote, “A friend was going to Rishikesh for a trip. Checked decent hotels, ₹9K–15K per night. Flights from Mumbai to Delhi were ₹7K–8K one way.”Faced with those numbers, his friend started exploring alternatives and eventually landed on Sri Lanka.According to the content creator, the island nation offered a surprisingly similar overall budget but a much more appealing package. Sea-facing hotels were available for as little as ₹3,000-5,000 a night, making the international trip feel like a better deal.“On the same budget, he booked Sri Lanka instead. Got a 5-star sea-facing hotel for ₹3K–5K, better value for money, cleaner air, more peaceful and tourism friendly,” Sharrma said. His post struck a chord with many travellers who feel that domestic holidays in India have become significantly more expensive in recent years, especially after the pandemic-fuelled travel boom.“Indian tourism is getting too expensive for what it offers. If this continues, the country will lose appeal as people find better value elsewhere,” he added.The post quickly sparked discussion online, with people sharing their own travel experiences and frustrations.One user pointed out that domestic tourism demand has surged since Covid-19, naturally pushing prices higher. “Domestic Tourism has skyrocketed post Covid. That is what is causing higher prices. But demand still keeps growing despite rising prices. Sri Lanka would be a good option for those looking for a good experience on a far more affordable budget,” the person wrote.Another user recalled spending far more than expected on a recent Uttarakhand trip. “I spent ₹1.5 lakh for three people from Mumbai to Rishikesh round trip. I booked last minute and went for my yoga teacher training so didn’t have much choice. But dad did mention that we could have gone anywhere in Asia in that price.”Not everyone agreed with the comparison, though.Some argued that comparing Rishikesh with an entire country misses the point. One user wrote that Rishikesh and Sri Lanka offer completely different experiences and attract different kinds of travellers. Others questioned the hotel pricing claims altogether, asking where exactly one could find a genuine five-star sea-facing property in Sri Lanka for just ₹3,000 a night.The discussion highlights a growing trend among Indian travellers. As international flight deals become more competitive and destinations like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Bali continue to attract budget-conscious tourists, the gap between domestic and overseas travel costs appears to be shrinking.For many travellers, the question is no longer whether they can afford an international holiday. It's whether staying within India still offers the best value for the money they're spending.Get the latest movie news, reviews, and celebrity updates. Download the TOI App.