Diwali 2025 Travel Trends: Extended Getaways, Spiritual Journeys & Family Adventures
Diwali 2025 is set to redefine how Indians celebrate the festival of lights. Beyond the traditional diyas and sweets, families are embracing travel as a way to bond, explore, and create memories, turning Diwali into a festival of journeys.
From extended family vacations and spiritual tours to luxury cruises and offbeat adventures, travellers are blending tradition with exploration, making the festive season as much about discovery as it is about celebration.
Families Choose to Celebrate Away from Home
“There’s a marked trend where multigenerational families are choosing to celebrate Diwali by travelling, combining quality family time with exploration,” said Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited.
Families are increasingly extending their holiday breaks, moving from traditional 3-day trips to 6–12 day getaways, with millennials and working professionals combining weekends with festive holidays to maximize travel and bonding time.
International and Domestic Hotspots in Demand
Globally, Europe continues to lead festive travel wishlists, with Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Spain, and Portugal topping the charts. Nature and adventure seekers are drawn to Australia and New Zealand, while Japan and South Korea attract younger travellers with a mix of tradition, technology, and pop culture.
For shorter trips, destinations like Vietnam, Oman, Maldives, Bali, and Cambodia are seeing rising interest. Visa-free or easy-visa locations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Indonesia, and the Philippines also remain popular.
Domestically, Indians are rediscovering the charm of Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and the Andamans, alongside spiritual circuits like Char Dham, Kailash Mansarovar, Ayodhya, and Varanasi.
Rise of Festival Travel Planning
With travel gaining momentum during Diwali, prices are expected to rise closer to the holidays. Kale notes that early bookings are becoming common as travellers secure airfares in advance. Thomas Cook’s festive portfolios combine tradition with exploration, offering regional group tours featuring on-tour pujas and curated vegetarian meals.
Strong Demand from Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities
SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head, Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, emphasizes that travel is becoming a new way to celebrate Diwali. Families are increasingly opting to celebrate away from home, blending relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.
Interest is rising not just in metros but also in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with young migrant professionals extending weekends to travel back home and spend the festive season with family.
Diwali 2025 is more than a festival of lights; it’s a festival of journeys, experiences, and memories that last a lifetime.
