Cost of Living in Hyderabad — During Cancer Treatment
Your medical bill is only part of the cost. If you are coming from outside the city for treatment, rent, food, transport and daily incidentals add up — and for a family staying for several months, the total is a significant planning item.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- A second household — Staying in Hyderabad for treatment means running two households at once. The costs are real and worth planning in advance.
- Plan for the full duration — A treatment course typically runs several months. Budget for the whole period rather than week by week.
- Shared accommodation helps — Many families reduce rent and food costs by staying together with others in similar situations.
- Free emergency transport exists — The government 108 ambulance service costs nothing and operates around the clock across Hyderabad and Telangana.
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The non-medical cost of staying in Hyderabad during cancer treatment — rent, food and local transport — varies by how many people are with you, where you stay and how you eat. This page models the main expenses a family from outside the city should plan for across a multi-month stay.
What goes into the monthly cost beyond your medical bill?
If you are staying in Hyderabad for treatment, you are effectively running a second household. Rent, food, cooking fuel, local transport, phone balance and unexpected incidentals all need to be accounted for.
The total depends on three things: how many people are staying with the person receiving treatment, whether you are renting a full room or sharing, and whether you cook or depend entirely on meals from outside.
For a family of two or three staying through a course of chemotherapy — typically several months — the non-medical costs are a significant planning item, not an afterthought.
What to budget for before you leave home
- First and last month's rent, plus an advance deposit if renting privately
- Daily food for every family member staying with you, not just the person receiving treatment
- Local transport to and from the treatment centre on every clinic and treatment day
- Phone balance for calls to the treating team and to family at home
- A buffer for unexpected days: delayed results, extra appointments, or tests added at the last minute
- A small emergency reserve — the 108 ambulance is free, but not every situation qualifies as an emergency call
- Any comfort or religious items that help during a long stay away from home
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. Each centre also names the areas it serves, so you can place it without a map. Consultation and day-care Chemotherapy run at every one of them.
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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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Care closer to home
35+ centres, so most treatment does not mean relocating to a metro.
What affects the cost of staying near a cancer centre?
Accommodation very close to a treatment centre is convenient but tends to carry higher rents. Areas with reliable bus or metro connections to the centre may offer more room in the budget without adding much travel time.
Dharamshalas and charitable guest houses — including those attached to large hospitals — offer significantly lower rates than private accommodation. Availability is limited and varies by location, so ask when you first contact the centre.
Cooking your own meals reduces food costs considerably compared with eating outside every day. If you have a choice between two accommodations and one has a kitchen, that difference is worth factoring into your decision.
Accommodation and transport options: a rough comparison
| Option | Cost level | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dharamshala or charity guest house | Generally lower | Ask at the hospital or CION centre when booking; availability varies and cannot be guaranteed |
| Shared paying guest room | Moderate | Often includes meals; sharing with another family reduces the per-person cost considerably |
| Private room or small flat | Moderate to higher | More space for a family; expect an advance deposit and a minimum rental period |
| TSRTC city bus | Among the lower-cost daily options | Covers most of the city; slower than metro but runs frequently on most routes |
| Hyderabad Metro Rail | Moderate | Faster for routes it covers; day passes are available |
| Auto-rickshaw or app cab | Higher for regular daily use | Useful on clinic days or when unwell; adds up quickly if used for every trip |
Did you know?
The government 108 ambulance service in Hyderabad and Telangana costs nothing and runs around the clock.
If you are accompanying a family member and there is a sudden medical emergency, you do not need to arrange a paid vehicle first.
Source: Telangana State Government Emergency Medical Services
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a family spend per month on non-medical costs in Hyderabad?
There is no single figure, and citing one would be misleading because the range is wide. A family sharing a paying guest room and cooking most meals will spend considerably less than a family renting a private flat and eating outside every day. The number of people staying, the distance from the treatment centre, and whether you have access to a kitchen are the main variables. Plan your budget around your specific situation rather than a general average.
Are there subsidised or charity places to stay near the hospital?
Yes. Dharamshalas and NGO-supported accommodation exist in and around major hospital areas in Hyderabad and offer rates well below the private market. Availability is not guaranteed, and some have eligibility criteria. Ask the hospital social worker or patient support desk as early as possible — sometimes before your first appointment — so you can be added to a waiting list if needed.
Is the 108 ambulance service in Hyderabad really free?
Yes. The government 108 ambulance service costs nothing and is available around the clock across Hyderabad and Telangana. It is for medical emergencies — situations where the person needs urgent help getting to hospital. For routine trips to and from clinic appointments, you would need to arrange your own transport. Keep the number saved so you are not searching for it in a stressful moment.
How do families manage food costs during a long stay?
Cooking is the most effective way to reduce food costs over several months. Many families bring a small cooktop if the accommodation allows it, and buy staples in bulk. If cooking is not possible, tiffin services — home-cooked meals delivered by local providers — are significantly less expensive than restaurant meals and are widely available in neighbourhoods near hospitals. Ask other families at the centre which providers they use.
Can I get financial help for non-medical costs like rent and food?
Some state government schemes and charitable organisations provide assistance with travel and accommodation costs for cancer patients coming from outside the city. Eligibility and availability change, so ask the hospital social worker directly rather than relying on secondhand information. Bring documentation of your treatment plan and proof of address when you enquire, as most schemes require this. The social worker is the right starting point, not the treating oncologist.
What should I ask the treatment centre before arriving in Hyderabad?
Ask three things: whether the centre has a list of nearby accommodation options it can share, whether there is a social worker or patient support person you can speak with before arriving, and how many days per week you will be expected to attend. The answer to the last question shapes everything else — daily attendance means staying close, while weekly attendance may allow you to travel from a more affordable location and stay only on treatment nights.
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