Where Are Indians Travelling This Dussehra and Diwali? Top Destinations Revealed

The festive season is almost here, with Navratri starting on 22 September, Dussehra on 2 October and Diwali on 20 October. For many Indians, the holiday period is a chance to travel with family and friends. Over the past few years, festivals and cultural gatherings have become a major driver of travel. "The traditional 'return to hometown' trip is now being balanced by a desire for celebratory getaways. A holiday is no longer a break from celebrations, but an integral part of them," notes Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com.

More Indians are looking to travel this festive season

Based on Booking.com data, over one-third of Indian travellers are planning trips around specific events. The data shows:

• 71% prioritising cultural experiences unique to a region or community;
• 59% looking to travel to experience a different culture; and
• 56% keen to explore local festivals.

Festive travel is increasingly being used as a way to bridge cultures, traditions and people, with Indians using the season not only to celebrate but also to travel meaningfully.

Also Read: Who Spends More On Holidays In India? Millennials Or Gen Z? The Answer Is...

Top Indian destinations for festive travellers

"As per our accommodation search data, Rajasthan, known for its vibrant culture and scenic destinations, is a top choice for festive travellers this year," shares Santosh Kumar.

Cities and places trending for festive travel this year include:

1. Udaipur (110% year-on-year increase in search volume)
2. Jaipur (among the top five)
3. Darjeeling
4. Goa
5. Varanasi
6. Munnar
7. Ooty
8. Varkala
9. Rishikesh

Vrindavan is seeing a notable surge, with accommodation searches up 150% compared with the same period last year.

Also Read: Why Young Travellers Are Choosing Strangers Over Going Solo In 2025

International destinations for festive travel in 2025

"On the international front, Indian travellers are actively travelling within the APAC region," says Santosh Kumar.

Dubai remains the leading international destination among Indian travellers. Other popular choices include:

1. Singapore
2. Tokyo
3. Bangkok
4. Osaka
5. Phuket

Also Read: India Is Witnessing A Rise In Cultural Tourism In 2025: Report

Note: The data covers search sessions between 1 August 2025 and 30 August 2025, with check-in dates between 2 October 2025 and 31 October 2025. These figures reflect search interest and do not necessarily equate to confirmed bookings.