Travel planning on the rise as 73% start in January; new tools and insights aim to ease decision-making

Indians are stepping into 2026 with a strong interest in travel, but planning trips is not always easy. Many are keen to go abroad, yet unsure about costs, timing and where to go. New data from leading global travel app Skyscanner shows that 84% of Indian travellers are considering international trips this year. At the same time, 81% say booking travel for 2026 feels daunting because of rising prices and too many choices.

These insights were shared at an event in Delhi, where experts discussed how Indians are planning their trips. Speaking there, Neel Ghose, Travel Trends & Destinations Expert, said: “January is a peak moment in the travel cycle. We’re already seeing searches in the first week of January 2026 up 25% compared to the same period in 2025[1] - highest volume recorded since 2024 - signalling that Indians are heading into the year with renewed intent for travel planning in January… The real opportunity, in January, is to replace that anxiety with clarity…”

The data also shows that 73% of travellers start planning in January, and 67% do so to rest after a busy year. Many are making lifestyle trade-offs to afford travel. Around 49% have cut back on everyday spending, while others are skipping shopping or social outings to save.

Cricketer Suryakumar ‘SKY’ Yadav also spoke about his travel habits, saying: “With a packed schedule, finding time to plan travel isn’t always easy… Skyscanner’s new Cheapest Destination Planner makes those decisions simpler and quicker…”

The analysis found that Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly on average in 2026. While many expect fares above ₹30,000, some international return tickets are starting under ₹10,000, showing that affordable travel options are still available.