Wow! Here's where Indian travellers are looking to go this monsoon season

With summer almost over, the monsoon season brings with it renewed hoped of a colourful season, and that is the best opportunity to travel outdoors, and Indians are already in the process of planning their getaways, according to a new report.

Earlier this year, Booking.com’s Travel Predictions 2026 defined this year as the “Era of You”, where travellers are increasingly shaping trips around their personal interests, lifestyles and travel aspirations. 

This monsoon season, accommodation search data from the online travel platform suggests Indian travellers are putting that mindset into practice, moving beyond traditional seasonal escapes and seeking more unique destinations that reflect how they want to spend their time away.

Domestic travel: Travellers seek different ways to experience the monsoon

While Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi remain among the most searched destinations this monsoon, search trends suggest travellers are looking for a wider range of experiences during the season. From spirituality and outdoor experiences to mountain escapes and cultural exploration, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that reflect how they want to spend their time away.
 
Among the most notable shifts in this year’s rankings was the rise of Rishikesh, which moved from number 18 to number 3 among the most searched domestic destinations, with searches up over 200 per cent year-on-year. Mussoorie also climbed the rankings, rising from number 22 to number 6 and recording over 160 per cent increase in searches.
 
Destinations including Ooty, Kodaikanal and Darjeeling also recorded increases in searches, highlighting continued interest in destinations known for cooler weather and natural surroundings during the monsoon season. At the same time, Jaipur and Udaipur remain among the most searched destinations, reflecting travellers’ continued interest in destinations that offer cultural and heritage experiences.

Top 10 most searched domestic destinations for all Indian travellers travelling between July 1 to August 31 this year, based on accommodation search data from the online travel platform, are Mumbai, Bengaluru, Rishikesh, New Delhi, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Chennai, Kolkata, Udaipur, and Hyderabad.

International travel: Familiar favourites meet experience-led exploration

Internationally, Indian travellers continue to balance established favourites such as London, Paris, Dubai and New York with destinations across Asia; five of the top ten most searched international destinations are located within the region. While global cities remain popular, search trends also point to growing interest in destinations that offer distinct cultural, lifestyle and leisure experiences.
 
Japan continues to gain interest from Indian travellers looking for a mix of culture, food, shopping and urban experiences, with Tokyo rising in ranking from number 12 to number 6 among the most searched international destinations.
 
Interestingly, Indonesia is increasingly on travellers’ radar, especially Bali, with Ubud retaining its place among the top 10 most searched destinations and both Seminyak (number 16 to number 13) and Canggu (number 40 to number 18) climbing the rankings year-on-year. The popularity of these destinations reflects how Indian travellers are increasingly seeking different experiences within the same destination. While Ubud is known for its cultural and nature-based experiences, Seminyak and Canggu appeal to travellers looking for dining, leisure, lifestyle and beachside escapes.
 
Top 10 most searched international destinations for all Indian travellers travelling between July 1 and August 31 this year, based on accommodation search data from Booking.com, are London, Singapore, Paris, Bali, New York, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Berlin.

Santosh Kumar, who is the regional head, South Asia with the platform said, “This monsoon season, Indian travellers are looking beyond traditional seasonal escapes and increasingly choosing destinations that reflect their individual travel interests and aspirations. The growing popularity of destinations such as Rishikesh and Bali reflects a broader shift toward experience-led travel; whether it’s relaxation and wellness, cultural immersion, adventure, or simply taking time to slow down and reconnect.”