Skyscanner Unveils 2026 Travel Insights And Affordable Destinations For Indian Explorers

Discover Budget-Friendly Destinations And Smart Planning Tools

As Indians step into 2026, their desire to travel internationally remains strong, with 84 per cent of travellers considering trips abroad this year. However, planning the perfect journey is becoming increasingly difficult, 81 per cent of them find booking travel overwhelming due to uncertainties around prices, timing, and the multitude of available options. To help ease these challenges, Skyscanner released its list of the Top 10 Cheapest Destinations for Indian Travellers in 2026, alongside launching a new Cheapest Destination Planner.

At an event hosted in Delhi, Neel Ghose, Travel Trends & Destinations Expert, Skyscanner, said, “January is a peak moment in the travel cycle. We’re already seeing searches in the first week of January 2026 up 25 per cent compared to the same period in 2025 - highest volume recorded since 2024 - signalling that Indians are heading into the year with renewed intent for travel planning in January. Travellers are keen to explore in the year ahead, 89 per cent say they’re open to alternative or lesser-known holiday destinations, while 77 per cent plan to splurge on a luxury hotel stay on the final night of their holiday, yet they’re navigating post-year fatigue, rising cost perceptions and an overwhelming number of choices. The real opportunity, in January, is to replace that anxiety with clarity, which is why we’ve introduced our new Cheapest Destination Planner to help travellers instantly compare options by month, see the cheapest destinations to fly to, and plan with greater confidence and value.”

This year, Indian travellers are showing a strong trend towards early planning, with 73 per cent beginning to organise their trips right at the start of the year. This surge is largely motivated by an emotional need to unwind and recharge, as 67 per cent specifically choose to take holidays in January to create space for rest after a busy year. However, many are making significant lifestyle sacrifices to afford their travels. Nearly half of Indian travellers, 49 per cent, report cutting back on personal expenses such as dining out or haircuts to fund their last holiday. When it comes to saving for trips, 46 per cent are willing to forgo purchasing new clothes, and 32 per cent have reduced social activities with friends. Despite high travel intentions, many remain uncertain about their plans. Around 46 per cent feel anxious about travel costs, 45 per cent are unsure about the best time to travel, and 40 per cent are undecided about their destination, contributing to a sense of overwhelm in finalizing their 2026 trips.

About 50 per cent Indian travellers say they would be more likely to book their holidays in January if they simply had clarity on the cheapest destinations and the cheapest day to fly. To help travellers compare options, Skyscanner has launched its NEW Cheapest Destination Planner, designed to cut through the stress of decision-making, allowing travellers to select their preferred month and instantly see the cheapest destinations to fly to, alongside average flight prices and the cheapest day to travel.