April 29, 2026 TnH Global

Skyscanner Smarter Summer Report: 77% of Indians confident to travel

Nearly 9 in 10 Indians are planning or have already booked their Summer 2026 holiday, with “hidden gems” topping travel wish-lists. Indian travellers are choosing smarter summer holidays by embracing offbeat destinations, flexible travel dates, and last-minute bookings.

Sustained Travel Intent amid Uncertainty

Despite a backdrop of uncertainty, summer travel remains a priority for many, with 77% of Indians confident about travelling in the next three months. Currently, nearly 9 in 10 Indians are planning or have already booked their Summer 2026 holiday. While about 38% are yet to book, they are actively looking, showing a sustained desire for travel despite ongoing fluctuations in the landscape.

Factors Shaping Complex Planning

Planning is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by several key considerations that reflect a more cautious approach to travel. Nearly half of travellers, or 48%, are now factoring in fluctuating flight prices, while 45% are weighing total travel costs more carefully to ensure overall trip value. Additionally, travel advisories are influencing decisions for 34% of travellers, and operational disruptions, such as airport closures, are impacting 32% of plans.

There are early signs of more informed planning, with 58% believing July offers cheaper flights compared to August, highlighting a growing awareness of when to travel for better value.

Dynamic Adaptability in Travel Choices

As travellers navigate these trade-offs, planning is becoming more dynamic than ever. Rather than locking in early, many are keeping an eye on price movements and exploring alternative destinations before committing. Neel Ghose, Travel and Destinations Expert at Skyscanner India, stated that Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most intent-driven travel seasons seen in India, but noted that the way intent translates into action is changing. He observed that travellers are not stepping back but are instead adapting within constraints. Instead of cancelling, they are staying flexible on where they go, with many willing to switch destinations in response to changing costs and conditions.

Ghose further noted a clear shift in mindset from “where everyone is going” to “where else can I go,” signaling a more confident and value-aware traveller who is open to switching plans if it improves the overall experience.

Shift Toward Offbeat and Community Driven Travel

This shift is already visible in destination choices and travel patterns, as 81% of respondents are open to lesser-known destinations and 60% are actively seeking quieter, less crowded places. Furthermore, 9 in 10 say it is important that their holiday spend benefits local communities and small businesses. This signals a significant behavioural shift away from crowded hotspots toward more meaningful, offbeat, and community-driven experiences.

Zostel, a hostel network available on Skyscanner, is already seeing this shift in action. Aviral Gupta, CEO of Zostel and Zo World, said that offbeat destinations across their network grew 88% year-on-year, and a significant 60% of those guests were first-time travellers, many from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He noted that smaller-town India is no longer just a backdrop for travel stories but is where the story begins.

Flexibility and Group Coordination Challenges

While travel intent remains strong, flexibility is reshaping how plans are executed. Although 58% of travellers have fixed travel dates due to work or school commitments, 30% are choosing to switch destinations rather than cancel trips, showing how adaptability is becoming central to travel planning.

However, planning group summer holidays remains a high-effort task. On average, Indians spend over 15 hours coordinating a group trip, with nearly half saying it is more stressful than major life events such as moving house or planning a wedding. The biggest challenge often lies in aligning preferences, budgets, and schedules, making group travel one of the most time-consuming parts of the journey.

Emotional Connectivity and the Rhythm of Travel

Beyond the logistics of planning, travel remains an emotional experience shaped by the moments and sounds that stay with travellers long after the trip ends. Complementing these insights, Skyscanner has curated a summer soundtrack in collaboration with musician and artist Mayur Jumani. Created from familiar sounds of travel, from planes taking off to security checks, luggage trolleys, and airport announcements, the campaign brings the rhythm of the journey itself to life. The campaign is set to launch on Skyscanner India’s official Instagram on 1st May.

Analysis of Cost-Effective Destinations

An analysis of flight bookings reveals several budget-friendly options for Indian travellers this summer. Kozhikode leads as the most affordable destination with an average seat price of Rs. 4,984.80, followed by Diu at Rs. 6,808.84 and Puducherry at Rs.11,435.28. Outside India, George Town in Malaysia stands out as a cost-effective international choice at Rs. 12,029.24. Other domestic locations providing competitive value include Jammu at Rs. 13,126.64 and Shillong at Rs.13,751.60. For those looking slightly further afield, Krabi in Thailand averages Rs.18,355.72, while Phnom Penh in Cambodia and Victoria in Seychelles are positioned at Rs. 24,599.12 and Rs. 46,836.04 respectively.

Most Popular Summer Destinations

In terms of overall popularity, Bangkok, Thailand, secures the top spot for Summer 2026, followed closely by Denpasar, Indonesia, and Singapore. The top five is rounded out by Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tokyo, Japan. Southeast Asia continues to dominate Indian travel preferences, with Phuket, Thailand, ranking sixth and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, ranking seventh. Other frequently sought destinations include Colombo in Sri Lanka, Seoul in South Korea, and Kathmandu, Nepal, highlighting a strong interest in pan-Asian travel for the upcoming season.

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