What a cricket tour of India actually costs
Published July 2026 · Maidan Cricket Tours
Almost no tour operator publishes what a cricket tour of India actually costs. Committees are asked to "enquire for a quote" — which makes it hard to even table the idea at an AGM. So here are real numbers, based on Maidan's own cost modelling for Australian club sides touring India in 2026–27.
What's inside a land-only package price
A properly built package price for a club tour of India should include all of the following. If a quote you receive is missing any of these, it isn't cheaper — the cost has just been moved somewhere you can't see it yet.
- Accommodation — twin-share hotels for every night of the tour, breakfast included. This is typically the largest single line after airfares.
- Internal flights — most good itineraries include two domestic sectors (for example Mumbai → Udaipur → Jaipur), at roughly A$100–150 per one-way sector.
- All ground transport — a private air-conditioned coach for airport transfers, match days and sightseeing. Never rely on ad-hoc taxis for a group of 20.
- Cricket costs — ground hire, umpires, scorers, match balls and opposition hospitality. Budget roughly A$70–150 per person across a tour depending on the standard of venue.
- Sightseeing — entry fees and guides for the headline sites (forts, palaces, the Taj Mahal on northern itineraries).
- Most meals — breakfast in the hotel rate plus a lunch and dinner allowance or included group meals.
- On-ground support — either shared local coordination (value tiers) or a dedicated tour manager travelling with the group (premium tiers).
What participants pay on top
| Item | Approx. cost (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return international airfare | $1,100–1,600 | Economy, Australia–India; varies by city and booking window |
| India e-Tourist Visa | ~$40 | US$25 government fee (peak season) plus card surcharge |
| Travel insurance | $110–150 | Essential — most clubs make it a condition of touring |
| Personal spending | $200–300 | Shopping, extra drinks, optional activities |
How that compares with other destinations
India is not the budget option many clubs assume. Established UK operators price school and club tours to India slightly above Sri Lanka and only modestly below South Africa — because the price of a touring package is driven by logistics, fixtures and group services, not by local hotel rates alone. What India offers instead is unmatched cricket culture: genuine opposition at every standard, historic grounds, and crowds that actually turn up to watch a club fixture.
Three questions to ask about any quote
- Is it land-only or flights-inclusive? Australian groups often depart from different cities, so land-only quotes with individually booked flights are usually fairer — but make sure you're comparing like with like.
- What's the twin-share basis, and what does a single room cost? Single supplements of A$800–1,000 on a 10-night tour are normal. If they're not stated, ask.
- Are free places built in? Established operators commonly build in one free place per 8–12 paying tourists to cover an organiser or coach. If it isn't offered, it's worth asking for.
Thinking about taking your club to India?
Maidan builds fully-managed cricket and sightseeing tours of India for Australian club sides — fixtures, hotels, internal flights and transfers, all arranged through a network built over a decade of playing club cricket in India.
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