Diwali holidays are increasingly becoming an opportunity for Indians to explore new destinations, meet fellow travellers and spend more on experiences. A new report by experiential travel organisation WanderOn suggests that group travel is emerging as a favourite among holidaymakers, with spending on festive trips also seeing a significant jump.
How Indians Are Travelling This Festive Season
According to the Great Indian Diwali Festive Travel Report 2026, community-led group travel accounted for 65% of WanderOn’s trips in October 2026, up from 57% in October-November 2025 and 48% during the corresponding festive period in 2024.
The report also highlights a rise in average spending on festive holidays, alongside continued interest in domestic destinations and international getaways.
Unlike Bring Your Own Group (BYOG) trips, which involve travelling with friends or family, community-led tours bring together people who may be meeting for the first time. This allows solo travellers to explore new destinations while being part of a group.
From mountain adventures in Spiti and Ladakh to international holidays, curated group itineraries are also giving travellers an opportunity to meet new people while exploring different places.
Also Read: Diwali Travel: Guwahati Sees 386%, Jaipur 306% And Patna 271% Increase In Flight Bookings
Average Spending On Diwali Travel Rises 60%
Indians are also spending more on their festive holidays. The report records a steady increase in the average ticket size for trips, rising from ₹35,000 in 2024 to ₹49,000 in 2025. In October 2026, the average spending figure reached ₹56,000.
This marks a 60% increase over the 2024 figure, indicating that travellers are willing to spend more on their festive getaways.
Domestic destinations continue to attract travellers, with Meghalaya and Spiti featuring among WanderOn’s most popular choices. Indian destinations accounted for 60% of the organisation’s total bookings, reflecting sustained interest in exploring the country’s mountains, valleys and lesser-known landscapes.
International travel, meanwhile, accounted for 40% of trips in both 2025 and October 2026, compared with 30% in 2024.
Vietnam and Thailand have retained their popularity among international travellers. Vietnam’s itineraries include destinations such as Hanoi, Sapa, Da Nang, Ha Long Bay and Phu Quoc, offering a mix of mountain experiences, cultural exploration, cruises and island stays.
Thailand is another popular choice, with itineraries ranging from island-hopping holidays to trips planned around the November lantern festival.
Georgia and Sri Lanka are also emerging as destinations to watch in WanderOn’s festive travel portfolio, offering alternatives to the more established international favourites.
Also Read: ₹5.8 Lakh Goa Villas And 27% Higher Hotel Rates Could Make Diwali Travel Costlier
Overall, the report points to changing Diwali travel preferences, with Indians increasingly opting for group experiences, exploring new destinations and allocating a bigger budget to their holiday plans.
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels
FAQs
How much are Indians spending on festive holidays in 2026?
The average ticket size for festive trips reached ₹56,000 in October 2026, up from ₹49,000 in 2025 and ₹35,000 in 2024.
Which domestic destinations are popular among Indian travellers during Diwali 2026?
Meghalaya and Spiti are among WanderOn's most popular domestic destinations, attracting travellers interested in mountains, nature and offbeat experiences.
Which international destinations are Indians choosing for Diwali holidays?
Vietnam and Thailand continue to be popular international choices. Georgia and Sri Lanka are also emerging as destinations to watch.
