Survey Reveals 2025’s Cheapest Destinations and Expert Travel Hacks For Stress-Free Trips – News18

Last Updated:January 16, 2025, 10:26 IST

One in three Indian travellers (31%) are inspired by affordable travel destinations, while almost one in four (23%) are motivated by knowing the cheapest places to visit

Even as the holiday season fades, the wanderlust of Indian travelers is far from settling. Remarkably, nearly half (49%) of Indian travelers are already planning their 2025 getaways, eager to set an adventurous tone for the year ahead.

Skyscanner data also shows that there is a 23% increase in flight searches when comparing 26 Dec – 2 Jan 2024 vs 26 Dec – 2 Jan 2025, and 52% increase in hotel searches when comparing the first week of Jan YoY.

However, the joy of travel often comes with its share of challenges. A significant 75% of travellers admit that planning trips can feel as overwhelming as navigating relationship goals. The report finds that 94% of Indians overthink their plans, which often makes it difficult for them to commit to a trip. 95% admit to grappling with cost concerns, and 96% cite worrying about making the “perfect” decision, is what’s holding them back from booking trips.

The constant revisiting of flight, hotel, and activity options only adds to the overwhelm, often leading to decision fatigue—a phenomenon neuroscientists call ‘Wanderlost.’

The travel platform aims to ease this burden with tools like the Cheapest Month feature and Explore Everywhere search, making it easier for travellers to plan budget-friendly trips.

Mohit Joshi, Travel and Destinations Expert shares, “Planning a trip should be exciting, but for many, it can feel like a daunting task. Our Wanderlost report highlights that over 1 in 5 (22%) Indian travellers take up to a month to finalise their holiday plans – a timeframe akin to deciding on higher education! Despite this, nearly half (45%) Indians ended up taking more holidays than they originally planned in 2024.”

Brain hacks to overcome ‘Wanderlost’

Skyscanner is tackling ‘Wanderlost’ with five neuroscience-backed exercises, developed with Dr. Faye Begeti (neurology doctor and neuroscientist), to help travellers simplify decisions and plan confidently for 2025. These are:

1. Combat Decision Fatigue: Decision fatigue can overwhelm your brain, making even simple choices feel exhausting. Narrowing down your options is key.
2. Prioritise Key Decisions Early: Tackle the big decisions – like selecting flights or accommodation – when your mental energy is highest. For less important choices, adopt a “good enough” approach. If a choice meets your criteria, select it and move on to avoid overthinking and decision fatigue.
3. Balance Mental Energy with the Right Holiday: Choose a holiday that aligns with your mental state. If you’re feeling mentally overloaded, opt for a nature-focused retreat to reduce sensory input and recharge. If you’re under-stimulated, consider a city break or an adventure holiday for a burst of novelty and excitement.
4. Leverage Anticipatory Dopamine: Our brain thrives on anticipation, making the build-up to a holiday feel as exciting as the trip itself so use it to your advantage. Bookmark your dream destinations in a saved list and revisit them as you refine your plans, making the planning a less stressful and more exciting experience.
5. Break Free from Routine: As we get older, time can feel like it’s moving faster, often because we get stuck in familiar routines. Overcome the status quo bias that keeps you locked into these patterns. Try stepping out of your comfort zone when planning your holiday and explore unexpected destinations; this can lead to more memorable experiences.

 Cheapest Destinations for 2025

One in three Indian travellers (31%) are inspired by affordable travel destinations, while almost one in four (23%) are motivated by knowing the cheapest places to visit. In 2024, high costs were a key barrier for Indian travellers, with 32% citing it as the reason for taking fewer holidays.

The travel platform has curated a list of the best value-for-money locations for 2025 that Indian travellers can look forward to, with prices as low as ₹8,390.