West Bengal- Travel Story
Most of the people loves to travel on vacations. We all do lots of planning and a everything depends on budgeting part.
I have done a trip to West Bengal from Bihar in 2018 with my family and I was able to cover maximum part with a very limited budget. I booked a 3rd AC ticket to Bandel from Patna which cost me around Rs. 800 (SL costs around Rs. 350).
A late night train which left Patna Junction around 9PM and reached Bandel Stn around 6 AM next morning. From there we took a auto rickshaw till Bandel Church which cost us Rs. 20/passenger. After visiting the powerful shrine of Mother Mary (Mother of Jesus Christ). We had our breakfast at local shop (Aloo-Luchi) which cost us Rs. 20/plate + mishti doi cost us Rs. 10.
Again return auto cost Rs. 20/passenger. From Bandel Station we took WB's local train (It was crazy but I was aware of the rush due to my previous visits) Ticket cost us around Rs. 20 till Howrah. From there we Took a afternoon train till Digha (Nearest Beach from Kolkata) which cost us Rs. 65/person on 2nd sitting (AC chair car costs Rs. 350) enjoyed the 3 n half hour journey with local vendors (Must travel in local trains when in WB).
In Digha we were able to get a AC room for as low as Rs. 800 (It was a brand new property and we were one of the early occupant there - Non AC room costs Rs. 500) Its at a walk able distance of 1 km from the beach.
If you are in WB then you never need to worry for the cost of the food as I thing its the most affordable in entire India. We stayed at Digha for 2 nights and total expenditure on food was around Rs. 500/person.
Return from Digha on morning train cost us Rs. 65/person again till Howrah. From there we kept our luggage in clock room and went out to explore Kolkata as our train was at night 11.55 PM from Shalimar. We headed out directly to the boat ride to cross the river which cost us Rs. 5/person. After crossing the road we took a bus till Esplaned which again cost us Rs. 10/person. There we explored New Market ate local food which cost us Rs. 50-80/ person and then took a Tram to a place I don't remember now, which cost me Rs. 6/person.
A local bus cost us Rs. 10/person to head back to Howrah Station. From there we had only option for a Yellow Taxi which cost us Rs. 200/car to Shalimar Station. Dinner + Rosogulla cots us Rs. 45/plate near the station.
Duronto train to Patna cost us Rs. 450/person for Non AC. This was our most affordable trip with family. If you want you can reduce your cost more by opting for NON AC options only everywhere.