India Experiences Unmatched Travel Demand Across Flights, Buses and Spiritual Destinations During the Christmas and New Year Period

Published on December 1, 2025

India is witnessing an extraordinary surge in travel as the Christmas and New Year season approaches, with both domestic and international bookings climbing to unprecedented levels. The current trend highlights the nation’s strong appetite for leisure, adventure, and cultural exploration, as travellers actively seek a mix of winter retreats, beach vacations, spiritual journeys, and overseas destinations. Industry insights point to one of the busiest festive seasons in recent years, driven by growing confidence in travel infrastructure and the desire to make the most of year-end holidays.

Air travel is leading the surge, with international flight bookings recording a remarkable 40 to 45 per cent growth compared with the same period last year. Domestic flight interest has also risen sharply, with searches for December trips increasing 45 to 50 per cent month on month. This demonstrates a significant uptick in both early planning and spontaneous booking behavior, reflecting a renewed enthusiasm for travel among Indian consumers. Families, friends, and solo travellers alike are seeking a wide spectrum of experiences—from cultural immersion and adventure to relaxation and scenic exploration.

Road travel is similarly experiencing a boom. Searches for intercity buses have more than doubled compared with the previous year, signaling a strong preference for accessible and flexible travel options. Hill stations and mountain retreats have emerged as the most popular destinations, with cooler climates and natural beauty offering an ideal escape from the heat and bustle of city life. The rise in bus travel suggests that many travellers are opting for short-distance getaways, often combining convenience with leisure and adventure.

Winter destinations are dominating the domestic travel scene. Mountainous regions are seeing nearly five times the demand of coastal destinations, with Srinagar leading the surge. December flight searches to the city have more than doubled month on month, while Dehradun and Jammu are also registering substantial increases of 54 per cent and 39 per cent, respectively. Bus travel to Mussoorie, Manali, and Dehradun mirrors this growth, each route showing more than 100 per cent year-on-year increase. These patterns indicate a shift in travel preferences toward scenic landscapes, cooler weather, and immersive outdoor experiences.

Coastal and heritage cities continue to attract consistent attention. Goa remains a perennial favourite, with flight searches up 67 per cent month on month, while Port Blair, Udaipur, and Jaipur have seen steady increases of 38 per cent, 32 per cent, and 24 per cent, respectively. On the road, bus travel to Visakhapatnam (Vizag) has surged 55 to 60 per cent year on year, demonstrating that beaches and culturally rich urban centres continue to appeal to travellers seeking a combination of relaxation, history, and local culture.

Internationally, short-haul destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East are leading the growth. Bali has recorded over 100 per cent increase in bookings year on year, while countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam continue to show steady demand. These destinations offer accessible, visually appealing, and culturally enriching experiences, making them attractive options for Indian travellers seeking a blend of leisure and adventure.

Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries are also emerging as popular choices. Bookings to Almaty, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan have increased 40 to 42 per cent year on year, while Qatar and Oman show growth of 35 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively. These destinations are drawing interest due to their unique attractions, ease of travel, and distinctive cultural offerings, reflecting a trend toward more diverse and unconventional international travel experiences.

Spiritual tourism remains an important segment of the festive travel landscape. Flight bookings to Varanasi, Tirupati, and Ayodhya have risen 25 to 30 per cent year on year, while bus searches to Srisailam, Bhadrachalam, Tirupati, Kurnool, and Kadapa have grown 50 to 55 per cent. This demonstrates the continued appeal of pilgrimages and cultural journeys, with travellers seeking meaningful experiences that combine spirituality, heritage, and scenic surroundings during the holiday season.

Overall, India’s travel landscape is experiencing a transformative festive period, with a remarkable increase in domestic, international, and road-based travel. The combination of mountain retreats, coastal escapes, international trips, and spiritual journeys highlights the diversity of Indian travellers’ preferences. With bookings at record highs across flights, buses, and pilgrimage destinations, the upcoming holiday season is set to be one of the busiest and most dynamic in recent memory, marking a clear resurgence in India’s travel momentum.