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An Indian influencer’s candid Instagram video about the high cost of travelling in the United States has triggered a debate online, with many of whom said they could relate to the financial anxiety of spending in dollars while earning in Indian rupees.
The video, shared by Aakriti Pandey, documents her experience after arriving in the US and highlights the stark difference in purchasing power for Indian travellers abroad.
Her observations about transport, food, and daily expenses have triggered a wider online discussion about the realities of international travel and the pressure of constantly converting foreign currency into INR.
In the video, Aakriti explained how travelling in countries with stronger currencies can feel overwhelming for Indians.
Reflecting on her recent arrival in the US, she said, “The world has become an expensive place for us Indians.
This is the video that I recently made comparing Malaysian Ringgit and Thai Baht to INR, and now I have landed in the US, and I find it funny. One dollar is Rs 93 to Rs 95 as of today, and this trip is making me question my life.”
She also spoke about the lack of affordable public transport options in many American cities, especially for travellers arriving late at night.
Sharing one such experience, she said, “Firstly, public transport, it’s non-existent. If you land at midnight, your Uber will cost you almost close to your one-night stay. Like, I paid $67 (approx. Rs 6,300) yesterday night just to reach my hotel, or motel I would like to call it.”
Food expenses became another major talking point in her video. Comparing prices with India, she remarked that even basic coffee felt expensive. “Coffee, I think it’s the best time to take a caffeine break for me, or maybe a three to $3-4 (Rs 350) coffee at 7-Eleven which is yuck. In India, they serve fancy coffee beans with almond milk for this price,” she said.
What particularly surprised viewers, however, was her experience of buying dosa in California’s Bay Area. “Yesterday we felt like eating dosa for breakfast, and three dosas in the Bay Area today cost you $57, which is 5,300 rupees for three dosas!” she said in disbelief.
Aakriti also addressed a common suggestion often given to Indian travellers abroad — to stop mentally converting every expense into rupees. Responding to that idea, she said, “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?”
In the caption accompanying the post, she further opened up about the stress associated with international travel expenses.
“Earning in INR, spending in dollars, and converting every meal and cab ride. Does this happen with you guys too? The big American dream? It’s almost time for me to start looking for jobs. Is it just me, or does everyone have general money anxiety these days? But who am I to complain? My friends with jobs in the US would probably have a good laugh at this,” she wrote.
The post quickly attracted reactions from users who shared similar experiences and frustrations about the weakening value of the rupee and rising global travel costs.
“As a person who travelled only 2 countries and planning a third one I can totally relate. Even if someone is travelling for the first time they will start understanding this feeling as soon as they land in another country,” commented one user.
Another wrote, “That’s the sad reality of the rupee at the moment. Thanks for highlighting it. Indians who dream of travelling the world should know that travelling abroad can seriously burn a hole in your pocket. Don’t just go by those Instagram perfect reels, the reality is very different.”
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“Spending once you’re there is one thing, but having to spend 45k (new visa fee) just to get there is bonkers!” another user pointed out.
“Sure true yaar! Completely agree with it. It’s getting expensive to us to travel anywhere as rupee is falling like crazyyyyy!” read another comment.
One traveller shared a similar experience from a recent US trip, writing, “I totally agree 💯. I was in US last week and a banana cost about a dollar. I kept thinking, how do I even compare that with rupees? It just makes no sense 🤷🏻♂️”
Meanwhile, another user reacted humorously, saying, “Don’t crib or don’t travel 😂best option”.
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