Indian Woman's US Travel Reality Check: Three Dosas Cost Rs 5,300, Coffee Feels Like Luxury

An Indian traveller’s candid remarks about the high cost of travelling in the United States have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users relating to the financial stress of spending in dollars while earning in Indian rupees. Aakriti Pandey shared her experience through an Instagram video, explaining how constantly converting expenses into rupees made her trip feel overwhelming and significantly more expensive than expected.

In the video, Aakriti said international travel had become increasingly costly for Indians due to currency differences and rising global expenses. She pointed out that the value of the US dollar, which she estimated at around Rs 93 to Rs 95, made even ordinary purchases feel expensive. Comparing her recent experiences in countries like Malaysia and Thailand, she remarked that the United States appeared far more expensive and emotionally draining from a budgeting perspective.

Aakriti also highlighted transportation costs during her stay, saying the lack of easily accessible public transport in certain areas added to her expenses. She recalled arriving late at night and having to spend nearly $67 on a cab ride just to reach her accommodation. According to her, such unexpected costs quickly increased the overall budget of the trip and made daily travel decisions stressful for visitors converting every dollar into Indian currency.

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Food and beverage prices became another major talking point in her video. Aakriti mentioned that even a simple coffee from a convenience store cost around three to four dollars, which she compared to premium coffee options available in India for similar prices. She further shared that she and her companions were surprised after spending $57, roughly Rs 5,300, on three dosas in California’s Bay Area, a moment that particularly shocked many viewers online.

The video also addressed a common suggestion often given to international travellers — avoiding currency conversion calculations while abroad. Aakriti questioned how travellers earning in rupees could realistically ignore exchange rates when making purchases in dollars. She added that travelling in countries like the United States becomes easier when expenses are covered through company-sponsored trips or business funding, but independent travellers may experience significant financial anxiety during their stay.

Her comments resonated with many social media users, especially young Indian travellers dealing with fluctuating exchange rates and rising tourism costs worldwide. In the caption accompanying her post, Aakriti wrote that converting every meal, coffee, and cab fare into rupees created constant stress throughout the journey. The video has since generated conversations online about affordability, travel budgeting, and the growing gap between Indian incomes and expenses in Western countries.

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