Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Chittagong

Accommodation

$8-20 per night

Dormitory beds in backpacker hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms

Food & Dining

$3-8 per day

Street food stalls, local tea shops, traditional rice and curry meals, market snacks

Transportation

$1-4 per day

Local buses, shared rickshaws, walking, occasional CNG auto-rickshaws for longer distances

Activities

$2-8 per day

Free walking around markets and waterfront, occasional museum entry, local temple visits

Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants - typically 60-80% cheaper

Use local buses and shared transport instead of private taxis - saves 70-85% on transportation costs

Stay in areas away from the main tourist zones where accommodation is typically 30-50% less expensive

Shop at traditional bazaars rather than modern malls for 40-60% savings on souvenirs and clothing

Book accommodation directly with properties rather than through international booking sites to avoid commission markups of 15-25%

Travel during monsoon season (June-September) when prices are generally 25-40% lower across all categories

Use ride-sharing apps instead of street taxis to avoid tourist pricing and save 20-35%

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the local transport system - costs 3-5 times more than buses and shared rickshaws

Eating only in hotel restaurants or tourist areas - typically costs 100-200% more than local establishments

Not negotiating prices at markets and with rickshaw drivers - can result in paying 50-100% above local rates

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak season - often results in 40-80% higher rates than advance booking