The summer has arrived, and Indians are making the most of the holiday season for travelling.
Skyscanner's Smarter Summer Report 2025 reveals that 96 per cent of Indian travellers will be taking the same or even more trips as in the previous year. Yet, this year's trips are being booked with a clearer eye on saving.
Smart Planning Starts With Flexibility
One of the largest cost-cutting decisions travellers are taking is changing their travel dates.
According to Skyscanner, 84 per cent of Indian travellers are willing to change their travel dates in order to get better fares, and 47 per cent are willing to travel on off-peak days.
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"Even a difference of one day can reduce your cost by thousands,” said Mohit Joshi, destinations and travel expert, Skyscanner.
"Sunday is now the cheapest day to fly, and the week of 25 August is probably the cheapest,” he said.
According to Skyscanner, travellers should ideally check travel booking apps for the "flexible dates" feature to compare prices for the entire month. This will allow them to select the cheapest week and day to fly.
Traveling Off-Season Reduces Expenses
According to Skyscanner, most Indians are opting for shoulder seasons—those slower times before and after the peak tourist rush.
The report indicates that 50 per cent of travellers are willing to travel during these periods. This not only translates into cheaper airfares and accommodation rates, but also a more pleasant experience, Skyscanner said.
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Besides, 52 per cent now opt for less popular places, as they are relatively cheaper.
“There's a budgetary benefit in opting for off-tourist-town destinations. You save on accommodation, food, and ticket fees as well as miss the overpriced tourist traps,” Skyscanner said.
According to Skyscanner, one should opt for small towns or unconventional places over more popular places to cut overall costs by 20-30 per cent.
Savings Go Beyond Just Airfare
Smart travel does not end with flight bookings. The choice of accomodation also plays a huge role.
According to the report, 62 per cent of Indians actively seek affordable stays, and 56 per cent make use of price comparison platforms to travel smart.
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Skyscanner said that travellers should check if the hotel they are considering for stay provides cheaper rates on aggregator sites. Paying in cashback or as rewards on credit cards will reduce net expenditure on stay, Skyscanner said.
Still Can't Decide? Make This Time Count for Budgeting
Strikingly, 49 per cent of Indian tourists haven't booked their holidays yet.
Of these, 38 per cent claim they are still undecided about where they want to go. This procrastination can prove to be a cost-saving opportunity, according to Skyscanner.
Skyscanner said travellers can create fare alerts and monitor hotel prices on a daily basis. Travellers should also avoid booking on weekends when prices are likely to peak.
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Cooler Destinations, Lighter Expenses
Abour 50 per cent of Indian tourists are now choosing cooler destinations—largely mountains and hill stations—which are becoming affordable options compared to conventional beach destinations.
Sherwin Rebello, co-founder of Land of Wanderlust, said: "People prefer more experiential experiences. Backpacking to high-altitude destinations isn't only more economical—it provides longer durations at a lower price tag and is suitable for digital nomads and family vacations as well.”
According to Rebello, one can pick places where public transport is readily accessible. This is cost-saving compared to car rentals and allows one to travel like a local.
Make Travel a Line in Your Budget
To start with, one can make a travel fund, even in the form of an ongoing deposit. It's advisable to self-fund travel goals rather than borrow money and subsequently pay back with interest.
According to Skyscanner, with 96 per cent of travellers booking trips and more than 80 per cent opting for value and flexibility, summer breaks are no longer a privilege—it's a booked, affordable aspiration. And with intelligent tools, flexible timing, and off-beat destinations, a great vacation doesn't need one to break the bank.
