For the Indian traveller, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of self-expression on the road. According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 report, journeys are becoming more intimate and passion-driven—inspired by books, beauty rituals, family bonds, and even grocery aisles.
The data points to a confident, curious, and digitally savvy generation of explorers who are travelling more—but also smarter. Three in five Indians (59 per cent) plan to travel more in 2026, with many ready to spend the same or more on flights (58 per cent), accommodation (49 per cent), and car hire (35 per cent) than they did in 2025. Yet the urge to explore doesn’t come at the cost of prudence: food (63 per cent), flight costs (60 per cent), accommodation (56 per cent), and visa requirements (48 per cent) remain key decision factors when planning trips.
It’s a balance between indulgence and intelligence, a reflection of a traveller who wants experiences that enrich, not exhaust, both mind and wallet.
“Marked by a shift towards deeper meaning and hyper-personalised choices, we’re witnessing a change in how Indians are approaching travel,” said Neel Ghose, Skyscanner’s travel trends and destinations expert. “One in three travellers are steering clear of touristy spots in favour of quieter, authentic alternatives. Social media motivates them to seek experiences that genuinely reflect their individual tastes.”
Technology, he added, is shaping that evolution. Eighty six per cent of Indians say they feel confident using artificial intelligence (AI) to plan and book trips, the highest figure globally. Skyscanner’s own AI-powered “Savvy Search,” developed with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, caters to this growing trust in digital tools, suggesting personalised itineraries based on traveller preferences.
“Travel is no longer just about escaping life—it’s about discovering deeper ways to connect with it,” Ghose said.
The 2026 report, based on Skyscanner’s proprietary search data and a survey of 2,000 Indian travellers, identifies seven key travel trends that define this changing mindset.
Forget landmark-hopping, 82 per cent of Indian travellers now pick destinations for their accommodation experience—not the other way around. Whether it’s a cliffside penthouse, a bohemian boutique hotel, or a villa built for Instagram, the place you sleep is fast becoming the reason you travel. The travel platform notes that travellers are increasingly using filters to find stays that match their mood, vibe, or even design preferences, making the search itself part of the adventure.
The humble grocery store is now a window into a country’s soul. Nearly eight in ten Indian travellers say they visit local supermarkets abroad, while 73 per cent make it a point to stop at convenience stores for a taste of everyday life. For 60 per cent, it’s a cultural deep dive—not shopping, but storytelling through flavours, packaging, and the rhythm of local life. From Tokyo’s konbini aisles to Italian farmers’ markets, “shelf discovery” is the new souvenir hunt.
In 2026, self-care is not left at home—it’s packed in the carry-on. Fifty seven per cent of Indian travellers stock up on skincare and beauty products abroad, and almost half choose destinations for their wellness appeal. “Skincare has seeped so deeply into our routines that it’s become a ritual rather than a one-off,” said Mini Sood Banerjee, marketing director of Laneige India. “With travel becoming a form of self-expression, skincare moves with you.”
Duty-free shopping (53 per cent), cult beauty store visits (48 per cent), and local spa treatments (45 per cent) are now part of the modern travel checklist—proof that wellness and wanderlust are blending flawlessly.
The mountains are overtaking the sea. Ninety two per cent of Indian travellers now dream of alpine escapes year-round, showing how the appeal of snow-dusted adventures extends beyond winter. For Gen Z (51 per cent) and millennials (47 per cent), the motivation is as much about personal achievement as scenery—scaling peaks, earning badges, or joining trek collectives such as The Land of Wanderlust. The result is a new generation of highland pilgrims chasing meaning at altitude.
Family travel remains deeply rooted in Indian culture, but it’s evolving in form. Forty seven per cent of travellers have journeyed with their parents as adults, 44 per cent with children under 18, and 38 per cent across three generations. For many, these trips represent shared discovery, bridging generations while exploring the world together. From heritage town visits to slow-travel vacations, the “family mile” is becoming a cherished marker of connection.
For 87 per cent of Indians, travel has sparked a new friendship, romance, or human connection. Whether it’s a stranger met on a group trek or a fleeting airport chat that turns into something more, Indian travellers are embracing the emotional unpredictability of the road. Travel, in 2026, is as much about the people as the places.
A novel way to travel is quite literally inspired by novels. Nearly eight in ten Indians have booked or considered a book-inspired getaway—from tracing the steps of favourite fictional characters to visiting story-rich libraries and indie bookshops abroad. Reading lists are becoming bucket lists, as literature turns into itinerary.
If 2026 is about personal meaning, the destination choices mirror it. Skyscanner’s data shows Indian travellers are expanding their maps to include emerging and meaningful getaways, places rich in culture and character rather than commercial allure.
Jorhat in Assam leads the list of trending destinations with a staggering 493 per cent rise in searches, followed by Jaffna in Sri Lanka (+325 per cent), Muscat in Oman (+211 per cent), Queenstown in New Zealand (+151 per cent), and Chiang Rai in Thailand (+133 per cent).
For those balancing discovery with thrift, Skyscanner highlights the best-value destinations for 2026: Tirupati tops the list with an 18 per cent drop in flight prices, followed by Langkawi (-17 per cent), Berlin (-16 per cent), Dehradun (-14 per cent), and Phuket (-13 per cent).
“What we’re seeing is that Indian travellers are becoming more intentional and strategic,” Ghose said. “The rise in searches for Jorhat and Jaffna shows a hunger for lesser-known gems rich in heritage and local flavour. Meanwhile, improved connectivity and new routes are making destinations like Berlin more accessible.”
The numbers reveal a traveller who is both grounded and adventurous — one who scrolls through AI-curated trip ideas, fills their skincare pouch before their passport, and seeks meaning in markets, mountains, and bookshops.
In 2026, the Indian traveller isn’t just exploring the world; they’re designing experiences that mirror who they are. From beauty counters to grocery aisles, the journey has become deeply personal — and in that personalisation lies the future of travel itself.
Q1. What are the top travel trends for 2026?
According to Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends report, key trends include AI-assisted trip planning, beauty and wellness tourism, book-inspired travel, mountain adventures, and multi-generational family trips.
Q2. How are Indian travellers changing in 2026?
Indian travellers in 2026 are prioritising personal meaning, smart spending, and authentic local experiences. They’re also using AI tools to customise travel itineraries and exploring destinations beyond traditional tourist hotspots.
Q3. What is the ‘Glowmad’ travel trend?
‘Glowmad’ travellers combine beauty, wellness, and wanderlust—seeking destinations for spa retreats, skincare shopping, and self-care experiences that rejuvenate mind and body.
Q4. What destinations are trending among Indian travellers for 2026?
Top trending destinations include Jorhat (India), Jaffna (Sri Lanka), Muscat (Oman), Queenstown (New Zealand), and Chiang Rai (Thailand)—all seeing major spikes in searches.
Q5. How is AI transforming travel in 2026?
AI-powered platforms like Skyscanner’s Savvy Search are helping travellers find personalised routes, experiences, and stays based on preferences—making trip planning more efficient and intuitive.
