The Cost of Travelling for Chemotherapy — From a District
Six cycles means six trips at minimum — and for most families, two days of lost wages each time. Here is what travel adds to your cost of treatment, whether any cycles can be given near home, and which schemes may help.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Owais Mohammed, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026
- Six trips is the minimum — Most regimens run six to eight cycles, each requiring at least one trip, sometimes two if bloodwork must be done the day before.
- Lost wages often cost more than the fare — Two days out of work per trip — travel day and treatment day — adds up across a five-month course for both patient and attendant.
- Some cycles can be given locally — District hospitals may be able to administer standard cycles if your Hyderabad team agrees to a shared-care arrangement.
- Schemes exist but must be applied for — Aarogyasri and PMJAY cover treatment costs. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund and some NGOs may help with travel. These are not automatic.
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A standard chemotherapy course involves six to eight cycles, each needing at least one trip to Hyderabad. For families travelling from a district, indicative travel costs across a full course often run to several thousand rupees. Lost wages on each travel day can exceed the bus fare. Some cycles can be given closer to home — ask your oncologist.
What does each trip to Hyderabad actually cost?
| Cost item | Per trip — patient and one attendant | Across six cycles |
|---|---|---|
| Bus or train, return journey | ₹500 – ₹2,500 | ₹3,000 – ₹15,000 |
| Auto-rickshaw at each end of the journey | ₹100 – ₹400 | ₹600 – ₹2,400 |
| Meals across the travel and treatment day | ₹300 – ₹700 | ₹1,800 – ₹4,200 |
| Accommodation — one night if appointment is early morning | ₹500 – ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹6,000 |
| Lost wages — patient, two days per trip | ₹700 – ₹1,400 | ₹4,200 – ₹8,400 |
| Lost wages — attendant, two days per trip | ₹700 – ₹1,400 | ₹4,200 – ₹8,400 |
| Travel total — no accommodation, no wages counted | ₹900 – ₹3,600 | ₹5,400 – ₹21,600 |
| Travel total — with one night's stay and both wages | ₹2,900 – ₹7,100 | ₹17,400 – ₹42,600 |
How many trips will you actually need to make?
The number of trips depends on your regimen. Most standard chemotherapy regimens run six to eight cycles, spaced two to three weeks apart, so treatment covers roughly three to five months.
Some regimens require a blood test the day before each cycle. That can mean two trips per cycle instead of one. Ask your oncologist whether the pre-cycle blood test can be done at a laboratory in your district and the result sent ahead electronically.
Weekly regimens require more frequent travel. If your team recommends weekly chemotherapy and you live far from the centre, raise the question of a local arrangement at your very first appointment — not after months of weekly trips.
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Can any cycles be given at a centre closer to home?
Some standard chemotherapy regimens can be administered at a district hospital or a community oncology centre, if your treating team agrees to a shared-care arrangement. Not all regimens qualify — the local centre must have the specific drugs stocked and trained staff available.
The first cycle is almost always given at the main centre so your team can monitor how you respond. Subsequent cycles may be possible locally. Ask your oncologist specifically: 'Can cycles three onwards be given near home?' Bring the name of your nearest government hospital to that conversation.
If travel is becoming a financial or physical burden mid-treatment, say so directly. Your team may be able to shift review visits to telemedicine, reducing the number of in-person trips needed.
Government schemes do not cover travel, but support exists. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund can sometimes assist with travel and accommodation — ask the hospital social worker on your first visit to start the application. Some NGOs near major hospitals in Hyderabad also provide free or subsidised lodging for patients travelling from outside the city.
Is it better to treat every cycle in Hyderabad or arrange some locally?
| All cycles in Hyderabad | Shared care — some cycles locally | |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist oversight | Full oversight at every cycle | Key cycles in Hyderabad; others by local team with close communication |
| Drug availability | All drugs available at the treating centre | Depends on district hospital formulary — confirm before agreeing |
| Scans and review visits | At treating centre or partner imaging | Key scans may still require travel to Hyderabad |
| Travel per cycle | One to two trips per cycle throughout | Travel mainly for first cycle and key review visits |
| Travel cost across six cycles | Full indicative travel cost every cycle | Potentially reduced to two or three round trips for the whole course |
| What it requires | Consistent care; higher travel burden | Lower travel burden; needs clear written communication between both teams |
What to organise before your first trip
- Ask whether your pre-cycle blood test can be done at a local lab and the result sent electronically to your oncology team — this alone can halve the number of trips.
- On your first visit, ask the hospital social worker about the Chief Minister's Relief Fund application and any NGO lodging near the centre. Do this at visit one, not halfway through treatment.
- Carry your PMJAY or Aarogyasri card and your card number to every visit. Confirm the card is linked to the treating centre before you travel.
- Ask your oncologist directly whether cycles from the third onwards can be administered at your nearest district hospital under a shared-care arrangement.
- If you or your attendant is a daily wage worker, ask the hospital for a letter confirming treatment dates. Some employers accept this for leave purposes.
- Book your return travel only if your team has told you the infusion will finish well before the last bus — many cycles run longer than the scheduled time.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Aarogyasri or PMJAY cover travel and accommodation costs?
No. Aarogyasri and PMJAY cover eligible treatment procedures but not travel, accommodation or meals. For travel support, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund is the main government route — your hospital social worker can initiate the application on your behalf. Some cancer support NGOs operating near major hospitals in Hyderabad also provide free or subsidised lodging for patients travelling from outside the city. Ask the social work desk at your treating centre on your first visit, not mid-course.
How do I find out if I can be treated closer to home?
Ask your oncologist directly at your first appointment whether your regimen can be administered at a district hospital under shared care after the first cycle. Bring the name of your nearest government hospital to that conversation. Your team will tell you whether the drugs in your regimen are stocked there and whether coordination is feasible. Not all regimens qualify, but the question is always worth asking before you commit to travelling for every cycle.
Is there free accommodation near hospitals in Hyderabad for outstation patients?
Yes. Several dharamshalas, religious trusts and cancer-specific NGOs provide free or subsidised lodging near major hospital clusters in Hyderabad. Availability varies and rooms are often in high demand. Ask the hospital social worker at your first visit for a current list — they know which organisations have vacancies and what documents are needed to apply. Do not wait until you are midway through treatment to ask; availability is harder to find at short notice.
What if I cannot afford the travel and need to skip a cycle?
Tell your oncologist or the hospital social worker immediately — do not simply miss the appointment without explanation. Missing a cycle because of financial hardship is both a medical and a welfare concern, and your team has options: emergency support through the CM Relief Fund, a referral to a cancer charity, or a clinical discussion about whether the schedule can be temporarily adjusted. A skipped cycle is not a minor matter, and your team needs to know so they can respond appropriately.
Can my family member take leave from work to accompany me?
There is no universal entitlement to paid leave for accompanying a family member for cancer treatment. Many employers will grant leave on request, particularly if supported by a letter from the hospital confirming treatment dates — ask your treating centre whether they issue such letters. State government employees may have access to special leave under service rules; this varies by department and is worth checking with your HR office. Some private employers also have provisions; it is always worth asking rather than assuming the answer is no.
My district has a government hospital. Why am I being sent to Hyderabad?
District hospitals can deliver many standard chemotherapy regimens, and if yours has the facility, your treating oncologist may agree to a shared-care arrangement after your first cycle. The most common reasons for travelling to a tertiary centre are access to a specific drug not stocked locally, a regimen requiring close monitoring in the first cycle, or specialist assessment not available in your district. Ask your team to explain specifically why each Hyderabad visit is necessary — once treatment is established, some visits may no longer require the full journey.
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