An Indian content creator has claimed that a friend abandoned plans for a holiday in Rishikesh after finding hotel prices too high and instead opted for a trip to Sri Lanka. Sharing the experience on X, Paritsh Sharrma argued that some international destinations are now as affordable as domestic travel options. Rishikesh accommodation and travel expenses surprised traveller According to Sharrma, his unnamed friend had initially planned a trip to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand but reconsidered after reviewing accommodation costs. He said that rates for decent hotels in Rishikesh were between Rs 9,000 and Rs 15,000 per night. In addition, flights from Mumbai to Delhi were expected to cost around Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 one way, with further travel required to reach Rishikesh. “A friend was going to Rishikesh for a trip. Checked decent hotels, Rs9K–15K per night. Flights from Mumbai to Delhi were Rs 7K–8K one way,” Sharrma wrote in his X post.— Paritolkks (@Paritolkks) Sri Lanka offered similar budget with lower hotel rates Sharrma said his friend ultimately chose Sri Lanka after finding that the overall trip could be completed within a comparable budget. According to the content creator, sea-facing hotels in Sri Lanka were available for between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per night. He added that the destination appeared to offer better value for money, along with a more peaceful environment and a tourism-friendly experience. “On the same budget, he booked Sri Lanka instead. Got a 5-star sea-facing hotel for Rs 3K–5K, better value for money, cleaner air, more peaceful and tourism friendly,” Sharrma said. He concluded by expressing concern about the rising cost of domestic tourism in India, stating that travellers may increasingly seek better value abroad if current trends continue. “Indian tourism is getting too expensive for what it offers. If this continues, the country will lose appeal as people find better value elsewhere,” he wrote.Social media users debate domestic versus international travel The post sparked discussion among social media users, with many sharing their views on the cost comparison between domestic and overseas holidays. One user, Aviraj Banerjee, said that domestic tourism demand had risen sharply after the Covid period, contributing to higher prices. He added that Sri Lanka could be an attractive option for travellers seeking a quality experience at a lower cost. Another user recalled spending Rs 1.5 lakh on a round trip for three people from Mumbai to Rishikesh, noting that the same budget could potentially have covered travel to destinations elsewhere in Asia.Some users question comparison and pricing claims Not all respondents agreed with the comparison. Some argued that Rishikesh and Sri Lanka offer different travel experiences and therefore should not be evaluated solely on hotel costs. One user said that accommodation prices vary significantly between destinations and suggested the comparison was inappropriate. Others questioned the hotel pricing cited by Sharma. A user claimed to have paid Rs 15,000 per night for a basic room at a Sri Lankan property during a recent visit and asked which five-star sea-facing hotel was available for Rs 3,000 per night.Disclaimer: This article is based on claims, statements, images, videos and other information shared by users on social media platforms. The ET.com has not independently verified the authenticity, accuracy or completeness of these claims unless expressly stated otherwise. The views, allegations and assertions contained in the social media content are those of the respective users and do not reflect the views of The ET.com. The publication bears no responsibility for the accuracy of such claims and readers are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent verification where necessary.