44% Of Indian Travellers Admit Taking Hotel Toiletries, Survey Reveals Quirky Travel Habits

The most important part of a holiday is not the destination, but all the goofy events during the trip that leave us mad, confused, worried, surprised and sometimes laughing so hard that it hurts. Travel is so much more than going to a new place; it's an experience that promises a different adventure every single time. Desi travellers have their own style of trotting the globe. From stuffing namkeen packets in our backpacks to happily packing all soaps and shampoos from our hotel rooms, we all can relate to several quirks likened to Indian travellers. Booking.com's latest research, in collaboration with YouGov, delves into these unforgettable aspects of the Indian holiday experience. Take a look:

Most Common Things We Forget To Pack - Check Twice!

The most forgotten item by Indian travellers when packing includes phone chargers or adapters (35 per cent), followed by toothbrushes or toothpaste (33 per cent), medicines (29 per cent) and earphones (28 per cent). Indians often miss essentials like umbrellas (26 per cent), sunglasses (25 per cent) and even critical travel documents (21 per cent).

What? 12 Per Cent Of Indians Forgot To Bring Their Pets Back

Nearly half (42 per cent) of Indian travellers leave behind clothing items like socks, shirts, and tops during their holidays. Other commonly forgotten items at the destination include electronics like earphones, chargers or power banks (37 per cent), toiletries (36 per cent), glasses (30 per cent) and jewellery/watch (22 per cent). 

Important documents such as passports or IDs (17 per cent) are also left behind. Some unexpected items forgotten at the destination include hair extensions or wigs (15 per cent), teeth aligners (13 per cent) and even pets (12 per cent).

Also Read: From Solo Trips To Big Fat Weddings: How Indian Parents Are Travelling In 2025

Stuff We Are Totally Taking From Our Hotel Rooms

Some of the items that make it back home as a memory of their trip include toiletry kits including shampoo, lotion and brushes (44 per cent), followed by coffee or tea bags (41 per cent), slippers (25 per cent) and newspaper (28 per cent).

Surviving On Namkeen And Biscuits

What food are we packing for the trip? When it comes to travel snacking, Indian travellers' top picks are dry snacks like namkeen, khakhra and biscuits (54 per cent), followed by healthy dry fruits and nuts (41 per cent), and then some chocolates, candies or mints (39 per cent). 37 per cent of Indians prefer carrying home-cooked foods such as thepla, paratha or puri.

Most Common Events That Ruin Our Holiday

For Indian travellers, the top spoilers for a getaway include transportation issues like delays and cancellations (37 per cent), closely followed by unpredictable weather disrupting outdoor plans (34 per cent).  Some other common hiccups include the struggle to find suitable food options that cater to personal preferences or dietary needs (30 per cent), the exhaustion of a packed itinerary that leaves little time to relax (27 per cent), and lastly, the discomfort of noisy hotel neighbours (26 per cent).

42 Per Cent Of Indians Have Accidentally Walked Into Wrong Hotel Room

Among the funniest travel incidents, the most common one is the attempt to speak the local language with hilariously wrong results (52 per cent). Another 'oops moment' is accidentally walking into the wrong hotel room (42 per cent). Interestingly, one out of four Indians revealed reaching the airport on the wrong date was among their top slip-ups.

Also Read: Why Bakery Tourism Is The Sweetest Travel Trend Right Now

What Desis Are Buying As Souvenirs

Travellers often look for souvenirs as tangible reminders of their experiences. A majority of desi travellers (64 per cent) revealed that their top souvenirs are clothing unique to the destination, followed by edible snacks sourced from local supermarkets or vendors (58 per cent). Classic mementoes like fridge magnets, mugs, snow globes, and keychains (50 per cent) continue to remain popular.

Methodology Behind The Report

'Summer Travel Research 2025' was commissioned by Booking.com and YouGov, conducted among 1000+ consumers across 10 cities in India, with 100 respondents from each city, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur. The sample included is an even split between domestic and international travellers. The survey was taken online and took place in April-May 2025.