Oh no my dear, I didn't say that India is not worthwhile!
It absolutely is. But for 3 weeks including the cost of your visa, potential meds if you decide to take them, flights, daily expenses and in-country travel, 700 pounds is NOT enough.
In my opinion (read: just my opinion, but I have been there twice) for 3 weeks in North India you should plan on having about 700 pounds (or 800, preferably) for
spending money alone. There's a good chance you won't spend it all, but I easily went through more than that for 4 weeks. And I was staying for free whenever I went through Delhi!
- Your flight alone will run you about 400-500 pounds, and that's a good price.
- The visa fee is only 30 pounds for British citizens, but there's a catch you must be aware of:
The visa is valid for 6 months/180 days from the date of issue: NOT THE DATE OF ARRIVAL IN INDIA. If you only go for 3 weeks and don't plan on going back anytime soon afterwards, basically what this means is don't apply for the visa too early (but don't wait too long either).
- Jabs if you decide to get them aren't going to be cheap, and malaria meds won't be either. I don't have any estimate to give you about those costs in the UK, sorry.
- Get travel insurance. Don't think about it, just do it. It's worth it.
- Getting around in India isn't hideously expensive but you'd be surprised at how fast it all adds up.
If you can get your flights and visa/medical/travel insurance covered before touching the 700 pounds, do it. Is your birthday coming up any time soon?
Any odd jobs you can pick up here and there to make some extra cash to squirrel away?
Good luck. I really hope you can make it there, India is a wonderful, beautiful, strange, beguiling, frustrating, chaotic, friendly place that I have come to love very much.
One more parting piece of advice: If you do go, it's a good idea to start yourself on a regimen of probiotics about a month before you go and continue taking them while you're there. They help A LOT with digestive issues. You can get heat-stable ones that don't need to be refrigerated now. Also make sure that you dress somewhat demurely: do not go over there planning to wear shorts and low-cut and/or sleeveless shirts all the time. It's going to be hot, but you'll live. Shorts are a pretty big no-no, and so are sleeveless shirts, but the two combined are likely to get you stared at (and possibly photographed by leering locals) much more than you would if you were wearing proper trousers and shirts with sleeves. Aside from offending the locals, it will also prohibit you from entering most temples, mosques, and other religious sites that no visit to India would be complete without.