Diwali Travel 2026: Bangkok, Tokyo and Puri Gain Attention as New Flight Routes Expand

Diwali Travel 2026: Bangkok, Tokyo and Puri Gain Attention as New Flight Routes Expand

Indian travellers are exploring more choices for their festive-season holidays in 2026, with overseas city breaks, beach destinations and domestic cultural trips attracting attention. According to accommodation-search data reported by Agoda and published by The Economic Times on October 28, Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo were among the most-searched international destinations for the Diwali period. Within India, Goa, Puri and Udaipur featured prominently, reflecting interest in different kinds of holiday experiences.

Thailand, Japan and Vietnam attract international interest

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The Agoda data showed year-on-year growth in accommodation searches for Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. Sri Lanka also recorded a sharp rise in searches. At city level, Bangkok and Phuket saw increased interest, while Tokyo searches rose as travellers considered Japan's autumn foliage season. Vietnam's Phu Quoc and Hanoi also gained attention. These figures reflect searches made on the platform, not confirmed bookings or actual tourist arrivals, so they indicate travel interest rather than final visitor numbers.

Puri, Ooty and Munnar draw domestic holiday searches

Indian destinations are also gaining attention ahead of the festive break. Puri recorded a 318% rise in accommodation searches in the data, followed by Ooty and Munnar. Goa and Udaipur also featured among popular choices. The mix suggests that travellers are considering beach holidays, hill-station escapes, heritage visits and spiritual journeys instead of following a single travel trend.

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New flights improve international connectivity

Airline developments are creating additional options for Indian passengers. SWISS launched its first nonstop Zurich–Bengaluru service on October 28, with flights scheduled five times a week. Air India Express also began flights between Abu Dhabi and Amritsar and resumed direct Abu Dhabi–Goa services on October 25, with both routes operating three times weekly. These connections can support business trips, family visits and leisure travel, while giving passengers more direct choices.

The latest developments point to a varied festive travel season, with Indian holidaymakers considering both familiar destinations and new experiences. Travellers planning a trip should compare flight schedules, hotel prices, visa requirements and cancellation conditions before booking. Search popularity can offer ideas, but the best destination will depend on each traveller's budget, available leave and preferred holiday style.

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