As the rupee remains under pressure against major global currencies, Indian travellers are reworking their international holiday plans. They're opting for shorter, sharper trips planned closer to departure, rather than long-haul vacations booked months in advance.

Data from Cox & Kings shows that last-minute international bookings made within 15–20 days of travel have risen nearly 30% compared to last winter, with more than 65% of these trips lasting under five days.

The pressure of currency fluctuations, rising airfares and festive-season pricing has made travellers more value-conscious, but it hasn’t dampened demand. Instead, destinations with easy visas, strong flight connectivity and the ability to pack multiple experiences into a short itinerary are benefiting the most.

Dubai and Vietnam are emerging as the biggest winners this season. Despite being peak winter destinations, both are seeing strong traction from Indian travellers planning quick getaways. According to Cox & Kings, nearly 45% of last-minute winter bookings are now coming from families travelling with children and senior citizens, particularly to Dubai.

“What’s changed most this winter is who is travelling at short notice,” said Karan Agarwal, director at Cox & Kings. “Nearly 45% of our last-minute winter bookings are coming from families travelling with children and senior members, especially for destinations like Dubai. At the same time, Vietnam is seeing a sharp rise in young adults and first-time international travellers.” 

As per PeekABoo, Cleartrip’s travel trends tracker, Vietnam has recorded a 133% jump in traffic, making it the top international destination this season. Other popular destinations include Thailand, especially Phuket and Bangkok, along with Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Dubai continues to dominate as an “instant winter escape,” driven by direct connectivity from multiple Indian cities and short 3–4 night itineraries built around shopping festivals, indoor attractions, desert safaris and family-friendly theme parks.

The currency-led caution is also reshaping traveller behaviour during disruptions. “While currency fluctuations do tend to impact bookings made after the development, most international trips, including year-end and December festive ones, are still booked two to three months in advance, allowing travellers to lock in fares before short-term volatility sets in,” said Priyaah Sundaraam, vice president and head of Customer Experience and Fulfilment at Cleartrip. 

Instead, she says, they're seeing travellers becoming more value-conscious and planning smarter. 

“Compared to the same time last year, we have seen a significant 100% growth in travellers opting for Cleartrip Flex and Flexmax, along with third-party travel insurance,” she adds.

According to Cleartrip, this rise reflects a growing preference for safeguards such as flexible cancellations, rebooking options and refund clarity as travellers navigate a volatile currency environment and seasonal disruptions.