Ever wondered where your hard-earned ₹1,00,000 stretches the furthest – be it for a month of student survival or a weeklong tourist adventure? Whether you’re enrolling at a European university or backpacking through Southeast Asia, understanding real costs abroad can make or break your plans.
Here’s a comprehensive look at where the Indian rupee packs the most punch for both students and tourists – and how choosing the right forex solution, like a Student Forex Card, can help you go even further.
What Does “Value for Your Rupee” Really Mean?
Getting the best value abroad isn’t just about the exchange rate – it’s about how much daily essentials cost, how long you can stretch ₹1 lakh, and whether you can still enjoy life beyond bills and groceries. We break down costs for both students and tourists in some of the top and rising international destinations for Indians in 2025.
Germany: Tuition-Free Universities, Efficient Living
Student Snapshot
- Monthly rent (shared): €350 – €500
- Groceries: €150 – €200
- Health insurance: €90 – €110
- Semester local transport: Often included
- Part-time work allowed: Up to 20 hours/week
₹1,00,000 Value: Covers rent, groceries, insurance, and leaves enough for a semester’s worth of doner kebabs and a used bicycle.
Tourist Experience
- Exchange Rate: ₹1,00,000 ≈ €1,100
- Hostel dorm per night: €25 – €35
- City transit day pass: €8
- Museum entry: €8 – €15
- Dinner out: €18 – €30
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: 10 days enjoying smart hostels, local eats, historical sights, and the occasional indulgence (Black Forest cake is non-negotiable).
Spain: Culture, Cuisine & Cost-Conscious Living
Student Snapshot
- Monthly rent: €250 – €600 (Madrid/Barcelona higher)
- Groceries: €120 – €200
- Tuition (public univ.): €750 – €3,500/year
- Transport: €40 – €60/month
₹1,00,000 Value: Supports a month of living – housing, food, and travel – plus tapas nights out.
Tourist Experience
- Mid-range hotel per night: €60 – €100
- Museum entry (e.g. Prado): €15
- Tapas meal: €10 – €20
- Intercity trains: €30 – €60
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: 10 – 12 days across multiple cities, sampling paella, flamenco, and Mediterranean beaches.
Australia: High Costs, High Quality
Student Snapshot
- Rent (shared): A$800 – A$1,200/month
- Groceries: A$250 – A$350
- Transport: A$80/month
- Phone/Internet: A$60 – A$80
- Part-time work allowed: 48 hrs/fortnight
₹1,00,000 Value: Covers one month of student living in most Australian cities – plus a start on school supplies or a surfboard.
Tourist Experience
- ₹1,00,000 ≈ A$1,800
- Hostel bed/night: A$40 – A$60
- Local transport/day: A$10 A$15
- Dinner out: A$20 A$30
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: Around a week in Sydney or Melbourne – if you mix hostels, public transport, and affordable eats.
Poland: Europe’s Affordable Hidden Gem
Student Snapshot
- Rent: €120 – €300/month
- Groceries: €80 – €120/month
- Tuition (public univ.): €2,000 – €3,000/year
- Part-time jobs: Up to 20 hrs/week
₹1,00,000 Value: Easily manages a month’s expenses, and even a shopping spree in Krakow’s Old Town.
Tourist Experience
- Mid-range hotel/night: €40 – €60
- Public transport (3-day pass): €7
- Pierogi dinner: €10 – €15
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: Up to two weeks of travel, historical sites, and hearty food on a modest budget.
United Kingdom: Prestige, Pricey Pounds
Student Snapshot
- Rent (shared): £500 – £800/month
- Groceries: £150 – £200
- Phone/Utilities: £50
- Transport (London): £147/month
₹1,00,000 Value: Covers basics for the first month, but London requires careful budgeting. Look towards cities like Manchester or Glasgow for a better stretch.
Tourist Experience
- ₹1,00,000 ≈ £900
- Budget hotel/night: £100–£150
- Fish & chips: £10–£15
- Museums: Many are free; a West End show: £30+
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: 5–6 days in London, or a full week up north with local experiences.
Thailand: The Rupee’s Champion Abroad
Student Snapshot
- Rent (Bangkok, studio): ฿8,000/month (~₹18,000)
- Groceries: ฿2,500–฿3,500/mo
- Street food: ฿30–฿60/meal
- Transport (metro monthly): ฿1,200
₹1,00,000 Value: Covers all needs for a month – rent, food, outings – and leaves enough for weekend getaways.
Tourist Experience
- Budget hotel/night: ฿800–฿1,200
- Street food meal: ฿50
- Intra-city travel: Cheap buses/metro
- Tours (island, elephants): ฿800–฿2,000
₹1,00,000 Itinerary: 10–14 days, comfortable travel, lots of food, adventure, and maybe even a Muay Thai match ringside.
Finland: Innovative, Quality Living
Student Snapshot
- Rent (shared): €350–€550
- Groceries: €180–€230
- Public transport: €50–€70
- Finnish universities: Low to moderate tuition for non-EU students
Tourist Experience
- Exchange Rate: ₹1,00,000 ≈ €1,100
- Budget travel: Dorm/hostel at €29–€35/night, budget meals at €14–€16, public transport day pass at €8–€10.
- Mid-range travel: Hotels at €69–€80/night, three-course meals at €34–€40, attractions €8–€25.
₹1,00,000 Value: One month of comfortable and safe living in a modern, student-friendly city – with world-class education standards.
Portugal: Laid-back Living, Affordable Europe
Student Snapshot
- Rent (shared, Lisbon): €300–€500
- Groceries: €100–€150
- Tuition (public): €1,200–€1,500/year
- Transport: €30–€40/month
Tourist Experience
- Exchange Rate: ₹1,00,000 ≈ €1,100
- Budget travel: Hostel dorms at €15–€25/night, meals €7–€10, public transport just €1.60–€2.00 per ride or €30–€40 for a monthly pass.
- Mid-range travel: Hotels at €55–€100/night, three-course meals at €20–€38, entrance to attractions €5–€12.
₹1,00,000 Value: Well covers a month’s basics, great weather, and a truly multicultural lifestyle.
Tourists vs Students: Where the Rupee Rules
| Country | ₹1L Tourist Value | ₹1L Student Utility |
| Germany | 10–12 days budget | 1–1.5 months essentials |
| Spain | 10–12 days | 1 month + entertainment |
| Australia | 5–7 days | 1 month basic |
| UK | 4–6 days | 1 month basic |
| Poland | 14+ days | 1–1.5 months plus treats |
| Thailand | 14+ days luxury | 1 month with savings |
| Finland | 7—10 days | 1 month, comfort |
| Portugal | 10–14 days | 1 month comfort |
Pro-Tip: Stretch Your Rupee with a Matrix Student Forex Card
- Fixed Exchange Rate: Lock in your rupee against major currencies before you travel. This protects you from volatile currency swings and helps you budget with confidence.
- No Hidden Fees: Enjoy better conversion rates than regular debit/credit cards, and avoid shock charges on every swiped transaction.
- Multi-currency Use: Pay for rent, groceries, or flights across continents using one secure card.
- Track Your Spending: Manage your international finances in real time and reload from home anytime.
With features tailored to international students, the Matrix Student Forex Card ensures you don’t lose value in every conversion. It simplifies payments, saves money, and ensures you never have to carry large amounts of cash or depend on unreliable ATMs abroad.
Final Thoughts
The “best value” destination for your rupee will always depend on your priorities – whether it’s a world-class degree, vibrant city life, or a wallet-friendly adventure. With the right research, currency tools, and a Matrix Forex Card, you can travel, study, and invest in your future without breaking the bank.
Ready for your journey? Let your rupee travel as smart as you do.