Travel

Beyond Goa and Kerala: India’s alternative accommodation market looks to its next wave of destinations

From improving service standards and digital adoption to tapping the potential of spiritual tourism and emerging destinations, India’s alternative accommodation market is entering a new phase of growth. Booking.com’s Santosh Kumar explains why professionalisation, infrastructure and localised demand will be critical to unlocking its potential.

Mumbai–Bengaluru Vande Bharat sleeper train set for November 1 launch: Check route, timings, coaches and fare details

Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper may launch on November 1, 2026. Check the proposed route via Andhra Pradesh, stops, timings, fares and coaches.

German traveller shares 10 things she wishes she knew before travelling to India as a solo female traveller; watch video

A German traveller shares 10 things she wishes she knew before visiting India, from transport and SIM cards to food, visas and cultural differences.

Want a wildlife holiday this winter? Indian Railways launches 5 safari tour packages under IRCTC Vandarshan; check destinations, dates and price

IRCTC has launched five Vandarshan wildlife tour packages from November 19, 2026. Check destinations, train details, inclusions and starting price.

Skip Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya for Christmas and New Year: These 4 Thailand getaways could offer a better holiday this winter

Planning a Thailand holiday this winter? Explore 4 alternatives to Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, from Chiang Rai's temples to Koh Lanta's beaches, with tips to plan your trip.

Love Paris but hate the crowds? These 2 alternatives could offer a better holiday for less

Love Paris but hate the crowds? Explore Budapest and Montreal for historic streets, café culture and a different city-break experience, with estimated trip costs for two from Delhi.

5 best beach destinations to visit in November 2026

Planning a November getaway? Explore 5 coastal escapes, from Railay Beach in Thailand and Seychelles to Diani Beach in Kenya, Tel Aviv and Goa.

TravClan raises $5 million from Flipkart, others to expand network, AI capabilities

The company is building the supply, technology and fulfillment infrastructure required to make international travel affordable, co-founder and CEO Arun Bagaria has said

Air India introduces restaurant-style fine dining in business class on long-haul flights

Air India is introducing restaurant-style, multi-course Business Class dining on select long-haul flights, starting with India–UK routes.

Visiting Finland this winter? From cinnamon buns to salmon soup, 10 traditional Finnish foods Indian travellers should try

Visiting Finland this winter? Discover 10 traditional Finnish foods, from cinnamon buns and salmon soup to Karelian pies, cloudberry treats and salty liquorice.

After 79 years, Indian Railways reaches Rowghat for the first time since Independence: Where is this remote Chhattisgarh town?

Indian Railways reaches Rowghat in Chhattisgarh for the first time since Independence after 79 years. Find out where this remote town is and what the new rail link means for travellers.

Why spend more on Goa or Manali? These 4 alternative getaways could offer a better holiday experience at a lower cost

From the quieter Himalayan landscapes of Tirthan Valley to the heritage lanes of Bundi, these alternatives to India’s popular holiday destinations offer distinctive experiences and potential savings for travellers.

OPINION | Exploring Bengal beyond the pandals

Beyond the puja pandals, it is a historical Bengal landscape that is waiting to be explored

Air India to launch non-stop Delhi–Osaka flights in February 2027, boosting travel to Japan

Air India will launch four weekly flights between Delhi and Osaka from February 2027, adding a direct connection to Japan’s Kansai region for Indian travellers.

Couple went to Uttarakhand for a 3-month workation, quit corporate jobs to build a retreat with 200+ trees

Mahima and Rashmikant Jha left corporate careers after a three-month workation to build Shoonya, a nature retreat near Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand.

Ranthambore to Gir: Safari stay bookings rise 6.6x as Indians plan wildlife holidays

Safari stay bookings in India rose 6.6x year-on-year for October-December, with Ranthambore, Gir and Jim Corbett among the leading wildlife destinations.

From homestays to holiday rentals: India’s alternative accommodation market set to hit Rs 415 billion by FY29

Homestays, holiday rentals and apartments are gaining popularity in India, with the alternative accommodation market projected to reach Rs 415 billion by FY29.

Puri sees 318% surge in festive travel searches as Indians look for holiday getaways

Agoda data shows Sri Lanka and Puri recording sharp growth in Indian travellers' festive-season searches, with Bangkok, Phuket and Goa among popular destinations.

Boston Winter Guide 2026-27: 7 Best Things to Do

From ice skating at Frog Pond and winter markets to live performances, sports and cosy dining, explore the best things to do in Boston in winter 2026-27.

Rupsi, Assam: From wildlife forests to royal palaces, why this little-known destination is trending for 2027

Rupsi, Assam, is trending for 2027. Explore Raimona National Park, royal palaces, temples, how to reach and the best time to visit.

Cheap holiday, expensive mistakes: The travel costs Indians often overlook

From baggage fees and airport transfers to foreign exchange charges, tourist taxes and visa costs, here are the hidden expenses that can make a cheap holiday expensive.

Diwali check-ins, Christmas cash-ins: Hotels gear up for a bumper festive season

Hoteliers say Diwali remains the biggest demand driver across their portfolios, while Durga Puja and Navratri continue to fuel strong regional travel.

Indians want to travel more in 2027, but on their own terms: From Pilgra-merch to gymcations, 7 trends to watch

Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report reveals seven trends shaping Indian travel, from gymcations and shopping trips to budget-friendly destinations.

Nelong Valley: Forget crowded hill stations, this Himalayan valley will open for winter tourism in December 2026 for the first time

Nelong Valley in Uttarakhand will open for winter tourism from December 1, 2026. Explore its cold-desert landscape, historic India–Tibet trade route and travel details.

Christmas 2026 flight bookings: When should you book tickets to get the best fares?

Planning a Christmas 2026 holiday? Find out when to book flights, track airfare changes and use five tips to save money on year-end travel.

Indian interest in Bangkok rises 43% ahead of November grand final

Indian travellers' interest in Bangkok rises 43% ahead of the Eurovision Asia Grand Final on November 14, Agoda data shows.

From Naxalism to Tourism: Bastar writes a new story as Dussehra puts tribal culture in the spotlight

Bastar is emerging as a travel destination known for its tribal culture, forests, waterfalls and the unique 75-day Bastar Dussehra festival.

Dussehra 2026 long weekend: Best places to visit in India from October 17–20

Dussehra 2026 falls on October 20. Take October 19 off and plan a four-day trip from October 17–20. Check the best places to visit in India.

Mumbai to Ladakh bike trip: “The mountains decide your itinerary,” says rider after battling snowfall and rough terrain

Mumbai to Ladakh bike trip: Harsh Sagar shares his first-hand experience of riding from Mumbai to Ladakh, tackling rough terrain, snowfall, water crossings and Umling La.

Festive travel takes off despite 25% airfare spike; Durga Puja, Diwali fuel rush from Hanoi to Goa

International destinations are emerging as the biggest beneficiaries of the festive travel rush this year with Southeast Asian countries topping Indian travellers list amid West Asia crisis.

MakeMyTrip launches Price Drop Protection feature for flight bookings

New feature refunds fare difference if ticket prices fall after booking

Cleartrip launches holiday packages, eyes high-single-digit share of business in first year

Cleartrip expects domestic holiday packages to generate average ticket values ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh, while international packages typically fall between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh

5 international destination dupes for your next holiday in 2026

From Austria instead of Switzerland to Sri Lanka instead of Bali, check out 5 destination dupes for your next international holiday.

OPINION | Forgotten forts, green ramparts after the rains

Explore forgotten forts across India after the monsoon. Kalinjar, Bayana, Narwar and Gingee offer history, greenery, quiet trails and fascinating ruins away from crowds 

Anand Mahindra shares stunning Himachal road view: Dhauladhar mountains appear to sit at the end of a rainbow

Anand Mahindra shared a stunning video from Himachal Pradesh's Kangra-Ranital road, where the Dhauladhar mountains appear to sit at the end of the road.

Passport, visa, forex and more: 10 things to check before an international trip

Planning an international trip? Check these 10 essentials before travelling abroad, including passport validity, visa, forex, flights, insurance and medicines.

The ‘boring’ holiday is having a moment: Why Indian travellers are choosing to do less

For a growing number of Indian travellers, the perfect holiday is no longer about seeing more. It is about coming back less depleted.

Radisson South Asia chief sees the next hotel gold rush in Bharat

The convergence of spiritual tourism, wedding travel and rising consumption in smaller cities is reshaping where future hotel demand will come from, says Radisson's Nikhil Sharma.

Cleartrip launches loyalty programme, eyes higher customer retention and acquisition

The launch comes as online travel companies look for new ways to improve customer loyalty amid rising competition and increasingly price-sensitive consumers.

No airport. No currency. No language of its own. Yet this tiny country is one of the world’s richest

Liechtenstein has no airport, currency or language of its own. Yet the tiny country between Switzerland and Austria is one of the world's richest.

New Delhi is India’s most revisited city in 2026; Tokyo beats Bangkok to top Asia ranking

New Delhi is India’s most revisited destination in Agoda’s 2026 ranking, while Tokyo overtakes Bangkok to top Asia’s repeat visitor list.

IATO seeks to double tourism’s GDP contribution to 10 percent

IATO also proposed a joint working mechanism with the Andhra Pradesh government to develop tourism circuits and marketable experiences in the state.

Forget ChatGPT 80s look: These 10 places in India offer the real retro charm of the 1980s

Want to experience the 1980s for real? Explore 10 places in India with old-world streets, heritage stays, vintage cafés, hill stations and classic railway journeys.

Thailand vs Vietnam: Which is better for Indian travellers?

Thailand or Vietnam for your next international trip? Compare visa rules, flights, costs, food, beaches, nightlife and experiences for Indian travellers.

Escaping In-Laws, Noisy Neighbours Or Even Work Meetings? Why Indians Are Now Travelling ‘Just Because’

From escaping in-laws and noisy neighbours to celebrating small wins, a Booking.com-YouGov survey reveals why Indians are travelling ‘just because’.

10 Flight Booking Mistakes That Can Make Your Tickets More Expensive

Avoid these 10 common flight booking mistakes that can increase your travel costs, from baggage fees and add-ons to choosing the wrong airport.

Kerala’s rare Neelakurinji flowers bloom again 4 years early: Best places to see the purple carpet in 2026

Kerala’s rare Neelakurinji flowers are blooming around Munnar in 2026. Know why they are flowering four years before 2030 and the best places to see them.

Swiggy-backed CREW forays to travel concierge services, targets premium travellers

The service will offer member-only hotel pricing through its partner network and provide destination-specific recommendations through local partners rather than generic travel listings.

Delhi to Patna in 4.5 hours? Proposed Delhi-Patna bullet train could cut travel time across UP and Bihar

Delhi to Patna could take just 4.5 hours under a proposed bullet train corridor covering Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Patna.

Janmashtami 2026: Planning a Mathura-Vrindavan trip? Here’s the 2-day itinerary, what to see and where to stay

Planning a Mathura-Vrindavan trip for Janmashtami 2026? Check this 2-day itinerary covering Krishna Janmabhoomi, Banke Bihari, Prem Mandir, ISKCON and more.