The Sheer Cost of Traveling in the United States for Indians
An Indian influencer recently dropped a video, a candid one, about the sheer cost of traveling in the United States. It immediately sparked a massive debate online. People just started saying they understood that financial anxiety—the stress of spending in dollars while earning in rupees.
Aakriti Pandey shared her experience, documenting the reality after arriving in the US. It’s all about the massive difference in purchasing power for Indian travelers abroad.
She talked about transport, food, the daily grind of expenses. It blew up the conversation about international travel, and that constant headache of converting foreign currency into INR.
She explained how travelling in countries with stronger currencies just feels overwhelming for Indians. Reflecting on landing in the US, she hit a nerve. She said, “The world has become an expensive place for us Indians.”
This video was partly a comparison. She contrasted Malaysian Ringgit and Thai Baht against the rupee, and now she’s here. And this whole trip just makes her question everything.
Then there’s the infrastructure. The lack of affordable public transport in American cities really stood out. Especially when you land late.
She shared a specific nightmare. “Public transport? It’s basically non-existent,” she wrote. “If you land at midnight, your Uber will cost you almost your entire night’s stay. I paid $67 yesterday just to get to my hotel, or motel, if you know what I mean.”
Food became another huge talking point. Comparing prices to India. Even basic coffee felt ridiculously expensive. “Coffee,” she sighed. “I think it’s the best time for a caffeine break. Maybe three to four dollars for a coffee at 7-Eleven. Yuck. Back in India, they serve fancy beans with almond milk for that price.”
The shock factor really hit when she talked about simple things. She was talking about buying dosa in California’s Bay Area. She found it unbelievable. “Yesterday we felt like eating dosa for breakfast. Today, three dosas in the Bay Area cost you $57. That’s 5,300 rupees for three dosas!” Disbelief in her voice.
She then tackled the common advice. People always tell Indian travelers to just stop converting everything into rupees. She pushed back on that idea. “People tell me all the time, ‘Stop converting to INR, forget about it,’ but excuse me, how can you if you earn in INR and spend in dollars?”
The caption she put up just let the stress spill out. “Earning in INR, spending in dollars, and converting every meal and cab ride. Does this happen with you guys too? The big American dream? ”
The reaction was immediate. Users flooded the comments with shared frustrations. People were echoing the same feeling about the weakening rupee and the rising global travel costs.
One commenter summed up the feeling of being out of sync. “As a person who travelled only two countries and planning a third one, I can totally relate. Even if someone is travelling for the first time, they start getting this feeling as soon as they land somewhere else.”
Another one was blunt. “That’s the sad reality of the rupee right now. Thanks for highlighting it. Indians who dream of travelling the world need to know this. Travelling abroad can seriously burn a hole in your pocket. Don’t just go by those Instagram perfect reels. The reality is very different.”
There was a focus on the sheer cost of entry. One user pointed out the insane barrier. “Spending once you’re there is one thing. But having to spend 45k just for a new visa fee? That’s bonkers!”
Another one just aGreed, a bit more resigned. “Sure true yaar! Completely aGree with it. It’s getting expensive for us to travel anywhere as the rupee is falling like crazyyyyy!”
Even some people just reacted with a bit of dark humor. “Don’t crib or don’t travel. 😂 Best option.”
Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board
Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.
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