Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Indianapolis
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $48-132 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Indianapolis
Accommodation
$25-60 per night
Hostels with shared rooms, budget motels on outskirts, or shared Airbnb rooms
Food & Dining
$15-35 per day
Fast food, food trucks, casual diners, grocery store meals, and happy hour specials
Transportation
$3-12 per day
Public bus system, walking, occasional rideshare for longer distances
Activities
$5-25 per day
Free museums, walking tours, parks, occasional paid attraction with student discounts
Currency: $ US Dollar
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Indianapolis
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local diners and food trucks instead of downtown tourist areas for typically 40-60% savings
Use the public bus system which costs under $2 per ride versus $15-25 for rideshare trips
Visit free attractions like parks, monuments, and some museums instead of paid tours to save $20-50 daily
Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for typically 20-35% lower rates
Take advantage of happy hour specials at restaurants and breweries for 30-50% off food and drinks
Stay slightly outside downtown core for accommodation savings of 25-40% while still having easy access
Look for combination tickets and city passes that bundle attractions for 15-30% savings
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Relying only on rideshare transportation instead of public transit, which typically costs 5-8x more per trip
Eating exclusively in downtown tourist zones where prices are typically 50-100% higher than local neighborhoods
Booking last-minute accommodations during major events when prices can surge 200-400% above normal rates