Valentine's Day 2026: Vacation Planning Costs Soar As Couples Opt For More Experience-Led Holidays

There has seen a noticeable shift in vacation planning in relation to Valentine's Day travel in 2026. Couples are moving away from short, symbolic trips and are opting for international ones with focus on customised experiences, rather than quick celebrations.

Travel plans are no longer focused on standard sightseeing or itineraries. Couples are prioritising flexibility, privacy and exclusive experiences, which is also impacting the way destinations and travel packages are planned for the season.

According to travel industry data from Pickyourtrail, this change towards experience-led travel is also being accompanied by longer duration stays, costlier budgets, and a greater demand for personalisation during the Valentine's Day period.

Maldives, Bali, Thailand And Dubai Drive Demand

Maldives, Bali, Thailand and Dubai remain the most sought-after Valentine's Day destinations. Their popularity is closely tied into the ease with which trips can be customised. Around 60-70 per cent of couples actively look for personalised itineraries when planning their Valentine's Day travel.

About 45 per cent personalise certain experiences, such as private beach dinners, floating breakfasts in pools, sunset cruises, and exclusive tours. These destinations offer a variety of luxury, leisure, and local experiences, enabling couples to create their own trips according to their preferences and budgets.

Longer Stays Become The Norm

Valentine's Day trips are becoming more of a long holiday rather than a short break. The average travel period is around 3-5 days, with many choosing the long weekends to make their stay longer. Longer trips allow couples to explore more as well as balance relaxation with planned activities.

Accommodation choices are changing too. Couples have shown a 33 per cent higher preference for luxury hotels than solo travellers with privacy, comfort and personalised services, taking on higher importance during Valentine's Day trips.

Spending Rises Sharply In 2026

The budget for international Valentine's Day trips has risen by 20-33 per cent year-on-year in 2026. This increase has mainly gone for upgraded and improved accommodation, curated experiences, and first-class services.

Couples opting for adventure-activities make up a major portion. Around 60-65 per cent chose soft adventure experiences with average spends on trips being around Rs 2.50 lakh. Travellers who are focussed on boutique stays prefer premium properties, and spend between Rs 20,000-40,000 per night.

Overall, 42 per cent more is spent by couples on personalised stays than other traveller groups, reinforcing their position as the highest valued sector during the Valentine's Day travel period.

Millennials And Gen Z Drive The Growth

Millennials and Gen Z are fuelling a 15 per cent year-on-year growth in experiential Valentine's Day travel. These travellers are attracted to countries in Southeast Asia, such as Bali and Thailand, where adventure activities can be combined with flexible itineraries.

Older couples in higher income brackets, meanwhile, still prefer luxury-led destinations, like the Maldives, with a focus on luxury accommodation and private experiences.

Planning Windows And Repeat Travel Strengthen

Most Valentine's Day trips are planned 16-30 days in advance. This booking window represents a balance between planning in advance and flexibility around last-minute decisions, while still being able to access customised experiences and preferred hotels.

First-time international Valentine's Day travel is up by 7 per cent while the share of repeated travellers has gone up by 13 per cent.