When it comes to holidays, everyone wants some luxury. In India, you won’t be short of finding top-notch luxury holiday destinations in some of the expensive cities in India. There are stunning hill stations, beaches, backwaters, royal palaces, lush forests, and everything you could visit. In fact, in 2024, India has set a new record in tourism for leisure and travel. These luxury holiday destinations are an amalgamation of charming experiences, ultra-luxurious hotels, villas, and palaces turned into hotels to live in opulence.
If you’re browsing through the Internet for the most expensive city in India to visit in 2024, search no more and read this blog to find the top 10 most expensive cities in India that you will love to stay at. So book your train tickets to see these beautiful cities in India. You can check PNR status from the Railmitra app incase of a waitlisted ticket.
1. Mumbai: The City of Dreams
It should not come as a surprise that the financial and entertainment capital of India is also the country’s most expensive city to live in and among the top 20 costliest cities surveyed in Asia for expatriates. With the sea spanning the entire three sides of the city and leaving little room for breathing, Mumbai had to grow vertically, leading to higher demand and a much higher density of population. Some estimates suggest that the most expensive place in Mumbai is costlier to live in than Frankfurt or Seattle. Mumbai has jumped 25 places in this year’s Mercer Cost of Living Survey, making it the 57th most expensive city in the world.
Luxury Dining In Mumbai: Lotus Root and Celery Dim Sum, Beijing Duck, and many more luxurious feasts can wallow in the stellar luxury Taj Hotel, Mumbai.
Railway Station in Mumbai: Mumbai central railway station
Average Cost of living in Mumbai: Rs 82,000/month
2. Delhi: The City of Hearts
New Delhi, the capital of India, is best known for its expansive spaces, parks, and delicious street food. However, in recent years, as a result of the rapid development of its satellite cities of Gurgaon, Noida, and Ghaziabad, Delhi has become the costliest city in India. While Delhi was second to Mumbai in the 2017 Mercer Rankings, at 99, it also recorded the steepest rise to 31 places.
Luxury Dining in Delhi: Dal Muradabadi, Meethaachaar Pork Ribs, and Chili Hoisin Duck Kulcha, ChemeenThoren, Malabar Meen Kari and Vegan Ice Cream.
Delhi Railway station: New Delhi Railway station (NDLS)
Average Cost of living in Delhi: Rs 16,500 to Rs 33,000 a month
3. Chennai: Gateway of South India
India’s fifth-largest metropolis is also the third most expensive city in India, according to the 2017 Mercer Cost of Living rankings, beating Kolkata and Bengaluru. Chennai remains one of the most popular expatriate cities and regularly attracts more international traffic than any city in India other than Mumbai and Delhi. There are a variety of beaches and tourist hubs in the city, and some of the great locations to be found which include Boat Club, Poes Garden, and others.
The average rent in Chennai is estimated at between Rs 12,000 and Rs 29,000.
Luxury Dining in Chennai: Braised lamb cheeks served with tempered semolina and a curry leaf sorbet, Ambalapuzhapaalpayasam (kheer) and the Mangaluru-style AnjalRava fish fry.
Railway station in Chennai: Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS). Get an accurate real-time train running status online before planning a trip to Chennai.
Average Cost of living in Chennai: Rs 12,000 to Rs 29,000 a month
4. Bengaluru: The IT capital of India
Bengaluru is a beautiful combination of chaos and hope, glamour and peace, modernity, and tradition. The average house rent in Bengaluru is relatively cheaper than Mumbai or Delhi at Rs 12,000 to Rs 26,000. Bengaluru still ranks higher than cities like Leipzig and Cape Town, ranking 166 in the Mercer rankings. Bangaluru has the top most luxury hotels in India. Bangaluru streets and malls are full of international brands.
Luxury Dining In Bengaluru: Maine lobster with Sevruga caviar, seared black cod, Wagyu tenderloin.
Railway station in Bengaluru: KSR Bengaluru railway station (SBC)
Average Cost of living in Bengaluru: Rs 12,000 to Rs 24,000
5. Kolkata: The City of Palaces
Kolkata is the cheapest city among India’s five major metros. Although one of India’s most populated areas, Kolkata has steadily expanded its borders to a well-established transportation system that includes the country’s oldest metro rail system. The Cost of lunch with drinks in Kolkata is around Rs 324, which is considerably lower than in other cities of similar sizes. Due to a very high population, there is a rise in almost everything, turning Kolkata rank among the costliest cities in India.
Luxury Dining In Kolkata: Kolkata beckti, Tuna Carpaccio appetizer
Railway station in Kolkata: Kolkata railway station (KOAA).You can check the Kolkata trains schedule from the Railmitra app anytime.
Average Cost of living in Kolkata: Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 a month.
6. Pune: The Queen of Deccan
The higher transport and rental costs make Pune India’s seventh-largest city in terms of living costs. According to Expatistan’s Cost of living, housing in Pune ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 21,000. With strong industrial backing and a booming local economy, Pune has been on a steady growth path and is expected to continue to grow steadily in the future. Also, Pune boasts of a higher quality of life compared to both Mumbai and Delhi, according to recent estimates.
Luxury Dining In Pune: Kung Pao Chicken, English Tea Cake Loaf
Railway station in Pune: Pune junction railway station (PUNE)
Average Cost of living in Pune: Rs 10,000 to Rs 21,000
7. Hyderabad: The City of Pearls
Among India’s major cities, Hyderabad is not only the least expensive city in India to live in, but it is also the top city in terms of quality of life, according to the Mercer Quality of Living Index 2017. Hyderabad is home to a robust IT industry and corresponding services such as Internet and connectivity, as well as significantly lower rental and food prices.
Luxury Dining In Hyderabad: Hyderabadi biryani, Tub Tim Grob.
Railway station in Hyderabad: Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station (HYB)
Average Cost of living in Hyderabad: Rs 21,320 for a single person (without rent)
8. Ahmedabad: Boston of India
Gujarat’s largest city, Ahmedabad, has consistently ranked better than its peers in terms of Cost of living. Ahmedabad scores are high in terms of the low cost of utilities (such as the Internet) and transport. Ahmedabad is the most expensive city in India in terms of the quality of available housing, due to the robust growth of satellite cities and townships. It is a fast-growing tourist destination and globalization hub. Most of the billionaires are from Ahmedabad like AchalBakeri, Chairman & MD of Symphony.
Luxury Dining in Ahmedabad: Gujjuthali, Mohanthal
Railway station in Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad junction (ADI). Check out the train schedules and their time table on the Railmitra app and book a ticket online.
Average Cost of living in Ahmedabad: Rs 10,000 to Rs 26,000 a month
9. Jaipur: Paris of India
Also called the Pink City, the capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, has been ruled by the Rajputs for many centuries. You can taste the expensive heritage delicacy, ride like an aristocrat by booking a vintage car, and staying in royal palaces of this expensive city in India. Housing rental cost is rated as the 9th most expensive city in India. It is also popular for its various forts and is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country.
Luxury Dining in Jaipur: Lapsi and Rajasthani thali
Railway station in Jaipur: Jaipur Railway station (JP)
Average Cost of living in Jaipur: Rs 11,000 to Rs 23,000 a month
10. Chandigarh: The Beautiful City
Chandigarh is the city to be in if you want a combination of fresh air, natural surroundings, and urban living. Chandigarh is one of those cities that speak of the magnificence of the country. Luxury vacations in Chandigarh ensure that no element of lavishness is missed during the trip. From luxurious hotels to expensive dine outs at Chandigarh, living is somewhat expensive here. There’s a lot of beautiful architecture and sights to explore in the city as well.
Luxury Dining In Chandigarh: Amritsari Kulcha and Brick Firewood Pizza.
Railway station in Chandigarh: Chandigarh railway station (CDG)
Average Cost of living in Chandigarh: Rs 75,000 a month (for a family of four)
Best tips to sustain oneself in the expensive cities in India
- Set a Budget to tour the top costly cities in India. Jot down what financial commitments you have. And make room for investments. Subtract your investments, rental costs, and other financial commitments. Do spend in the limit.
- Using your Smartphone can save you time and money in expensive cities. You’ll more easily be able to book cabs, compare rental rates, dine out, or get stellar deals at restaurants, and much more. It’s a real-life hack.
- Rent a Bike or walk as it’ll also save you money. And prefer walking for short distances.
- Eat homemade food and make your meals at home. Eating out will cost you about three or four times more than the amount you’d need to buy groceries and make it yourself.
- Use your credit card or pay online using net banking; it doesn’t hurt you that much. Avoid using cash, as you will realize how much you’re spending.
- Don’t do impulsive shopping in the top costly city in India. Just try to slash your bill as much as possible.
You can expect the highest average Cost of living in India by choosing from the top 10 most expensive cities in India. Pack your bags, plan a comfortable train journey, and relish your favorite food on the train from RailRestro App while being on the wheels.
Hopefully, our tips would help you get more insights into the most expensive cities in India.
