Summer travel hacks: Experts share guide to hottest trends and top tips for your next vacation

It's that time of the year again when everybody seems to be travelling to exotic destinations on Instagram. While emerging trends reveal the increasing popularity of visa-free and spiritual hotspots, planning your dream vacation during peak summer season can seem overwhelming. Whether you're a solo adventurer or someone who likes to explore with their family, choosing where to go and finding the best bargains requires a lot of research. We've got industry experts to delve into the hottest summer travel trends, and share travel hacks to help you grab the best deals. Get ready to explore cooler destinations, experience immersive cultural journeys, and create unforgettable memories all without breaking the bank.

Seeking refuge in cooler destinations
Soaring temperatures coupled with summer vacations are driving Indian travellers to seek destinations that offer some respite from the heat. According to Booking.com's Travel Predictions 2024, 76 per cent of Indian travellers are determined to use their holidays to cool down in places far from the scorching sun and 74 per cent mentioned that climate change is now a pivotal factor influencing their vacation plans pushing them towards cooler destinations.

"This trend is evident in Booking.com search data, with hill stations dominating the most searched summer destinations. Ooty tops the list of the most searched leisure destinations this summer followed by Manali, Darjeeling, Srinagar and Rishikesh. Other popular choices include Munnar, Kodaikanal and Mussoorie all experiencing an increase in searches as compared to the same time last year," says Santosh Kumar, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com

The increasing popularity of spiritual journeys among families
As per Booking.com, spiritual travel is among the top motivators for Indian families with destinations like Ayodhya, Vrindavan and Tirumala among the top 10 most searched summer destinations. "Spiritual tourism as a category is growing rapidly with Indian travellers seeking spiritual getaways to destinations like Ayodhya, Ujjain, Varanasi, Amarnath, Puri, Char Dham and Shirdi. These destinations not only offer spiritual solace but also an opportunity to immerse in the rich culture and heritage of the destination," observes Kumar.

He goes on to tell us that since the inauguration of the Ram Mandir, there has been a 550 per cent growth in searches for Ayodhya this summer. "As per our Booking.com search data, spiritual destinations like Ujjain, Badrinath, Varanasi, Shirdi among others are witnessing a y-o-y growth in searches this summer. This growth is further driven by various Government schemes and initiatives that have enhanced connectivity and infrastructure in these destinations," explains Kumar.

Visa-free destinations lure Indian travellers
Visa-free travel and easier visa policies are opening the world to Indian travellers, sparking a travel boom. "The ease of travel offered by visa-free countries allows for more impulsive trips," suggests Ashish Sidhra, co-founder of Alike.io Underlining the appeal of visa-free destinations, he says, "Today's tech-savvy generation is seeking seamless travel experiences, and visa-free destinations are a major draw. With minimal paperwork, booking a last-minute flight to a pristine beach paradise becomes a real possibility. This trend aligns perfectly with Gen Z's preference for shorter, experience-rich vacations over traditional long-haul adventures. The increasing disposable income of the youth population also provides them the financial freedom to go on last-minute holidays."

He also credits the role of social media and travel influencers in shaping this trend. "Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have witnessed a surge in popularity among Indian travellers. Captivating visuals and stories shared online have ignited a desire among young Indians to create unforgettable memories in these visa-free paradises," explains Sidhra.

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Seven hacks to find the best airfare
Skyscanner's recent research shows that Indian travellers are on the lookout to secure the best bargains - while 47 per cent of Indians are actively seeking the best deals, 20 per cent are waiting for last-minute steals. "Value for money remains the top priority for Indian travellers and an easy hack to hit that sweet spot is being flexible. By adjusting your travel dates, destinations, airlines, or airports, you can unlock a treasure trove of travel deals and turn your travel dreams into a reality," poses Mohit Joshi, travel and destinations expert at Skyscanner. Below, he shares money-saving tools and travel hacks to help you make the most of your adventures without blowing the budget.

Savings generator
It's a powerful money-saving tool designed for travel enthusiasts who are on the hunt for great value deals. The Savings Generator helps travellers score the best bargains by displaying average monthly prices, highlighting the best times to book popular destinations, and even suggesting more affordable alternatives. It's your go-to companion for planning unforgettable trips without breaking the bank.

Using the whole month search
Skyscanner's Whole Month search tool allows you to view flight prices for an entire month, identify the cheapest days to travel and adjust your plans accordingly to save money.

'Everywhere' search
If you are uncertain about the destination or open to exploring a new destination, this tool ranks destinations by price, offering you the opportunity to discover new locations worldwide and find the best travel options based on your selected travel dates and budget. According to our data, ‘Everywhere' is the most-searched-for destination for Indians on Skyscanner in 2023.

‘Savvy' search
Powered by Open AI's ChatGPT technology, this new tool lets you describe your ideal trip and provides up to three curated destination recommendations with rich descriptions and images, directing you to Skyscanner's flight search to compare the best prices.

Set up price alerts
If you find a flight you like but not the price, set up a Skyscanner Price Alert. It will monitor the flight for you and send an email or push notification when prices change. It's the smartest way to snag a deal if you have a few weeks or months before you plan to buy.

Mixing and matching airlines/airports
Instead of booking round-trip flights with the same airline, mix and match airlines and airports for potentially cheaper fares. For example, you might fly out with one airline and return with another, or depart from one airport and return to another.

Catch the red-eye flight
Check for a departure flight in the evening after work or overnight. Depending on how long the flight is, you could get an extra evening, morning or full day at your destination. Flying at slightly less popular times means you are likely to get them cheaper too.

When is the best time to book your flight?
Skyscanner's recent research suggests that 78 per cent of Indian travellers are planning to get away this summer, but 39 per cent haven't booked yet. The main reasons? Indecision on dates (51 per cent) and destinations (50 per cent). Indian travellers are on a mission to snag the best bargains, with 47per cent actively hunting for deals and 20 per cent waiting for last-minute steals.

"If you're also waiting for a last-minute deal or wondering when the best time to book is, Skyscanner's analysis into the cheapest weeks to travel this summer reveals that while the initial week of July is popular, it also comes with higher prices. However, after analysing tens of thousands of data points, we found that Indian travellers can save 10 per cent by opting to fly during the week starting July 15, compared to the following week. This translates to substantial savings," explains Joshi.

He further tells us that based on Skyscanner's data and flight price trends, Tuesday is the prime day to secure bookings. "With airlines often launching discounts on Monday nights, Tuesday mornings are the golden window for snagging the lowest prices, usually offering savings between 15 per centand 25 per cent," concludes the travel and destination expert.

5 Pro tips for booking hotels on a budget
"Exploring lesser-known, emerging destinations can result in significant cost savings, as rates tend to be lower and the overall atmosphere more relaxed. These locations often offer unique experiential opportunities at a fraction of the cost of more popular tourist hubs.," shares Saurabh Gahoi, vice president of Ramee Group of Hotels. Below, he shares 5 expert strategies to help you score the best hotel deals.

Be flexible with timing
For the best hotel deals, aim to book early, especially if you have your heart set on a specific location or date of travel. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, with weekends and holidays being the most expensive. If you are flexible with your travel dates, choose weekdays over weekends for cheaper hotels.

Consider package deals
Researching travel packages that bundle flights, hotels, meals, and even activities can be a cost-effective option. By combining these elements, you might find a better overall price in comparison to booking everything separately.

Be price-savvy
To maximise flexibility and potentially score last-minute deals, consider setting price alerts and opting for refundable rates.

Contact hotels directly
Don't limit yourself to online booking platforms. Contacting hotels directly can sometimes unearth exclusive deals not advertised online. This personal touch might lead to unexpected savings or upgrades.

Leverage loyalty programs
Sign up for loyalty programs with your favourite hotel chains or booking platforms. When you sign up for a loyalty program, you will earn points for every stay that you book. These points can then be redeemed for free nights, room upgrades, and other perks.