What is the story about?
Travel in India in 2025 wasn’t just about ticking off famous spots. It became a way of living — mixing work, joy, culture, and even smarter spending. From
quick weekend escapes to longer workations, travel habits changed in several striking ways.
Weekend Escapes Took Off
One of the biggest shifts in 2025 was how often Indians chose short, fun trips close to home. According to travel data, road trips under two days made up 71% of all road travel in India, up from 66% in 2023. This shows that people liked just hopping into a car and taking off for a peaceful break over the weekend.
This spike in short breaks wasn’t just about convenience. Many travellers wanted flexibility. With unpredictable flight issues — like the major IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025 — more people preferred the reliability of road travel and local stays.
Local places such as hill stations, coastal escapes, and heritage towns saw huge crowds, especially during festive seasons. Hotel bookings soared in places like Rajasthan and Kerala during Christmas and New Year’s time, mostly driven by domestic tourists choosing regional getaways over long flights.
Workcations Became A Real Thing
2025 saw a big rise in workcations — travelling for longer periods while working remotely. With many companies allowing flexible schedules and remote work, Indians didn’t want to sit at home or in an office. Instead, they picked scenic destinations and blended productivity with leisure. Longer trips of over seven days increased by about 28% last year, signalling that people weren’t just travelling for short holidays, but choosing to stay longer when they could work from anywhere.
Workcations were especially popular among young professionals and digital nomads. The idea was simple: wake up to mountain views or beach breezes, work for a few hours, then explore local culture and food after sundown. This mix of work and travel redefined vacations in 2025.
More Tech, More Personalised Travel
Digital tools played a big role in shaping travel decisions last year. About 83% of Indian travellers said mobile apps, online check-ins, and contactless services mattered more than ever when booking trips. Flexible check-in/check-out and personalised experiences ranked high on travellers’ wish lists. Social media also influenced choices — people discovered destinations through short videos, shared their experiences online, and planned unique itineraries based on real traveller stories.Beyond the Usual Spots
The travel mindset shifted from classic beaches and cities to quieter, offbeat, and cultural places. Over half of Indian travellers in 2025 preferred quieter retreats over-crowded, mainstream hotspots. This meant forest lodges, lesser-known hill towns, and small heritage spots became popular picks.
It wasn’t just about exploring India, either. Affordable Asian destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka drew in even more Indians. Sometimes, trips to these countries actually cost less than going to some popular spots within India. People went where they found the best value, and they weren’t shy about venturing a little farther for it.
