Don't just say you want to travel more and expect to get to it some time in June or July or never. Start planning. Now.
1. Sultanate of Oman
Muscat the capital of Oman was once the second best city to visit. (I don't know who hands out these titles, but if the internet says so, it's true). Oman is neatly located beside the Persian Gulf.
Credits: S A F 1 PHOTOGRAPHY
Air Tickets: Around INR 18,500. SkyScanner may have some good deals. (Try 5 months in advance)
Acommodation: Airbnb would have something for less that Rs. 2,500
Suggested Duration: 7 Days
Things to do: Turtle Spotting, Bird Chasing, Dolphin Tours, Adventure Sports & Activities
Places to Visit: Wadi Bani, Muscat, Misfat al Abryeen, Western Hajar, Nizwa, Mutttrah, Al Batinah.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia offers a diverse range of activities and attractions. Be it the volcano tours, it's cultural heritage or the opportunities to back pack. It's the perfect place to visit and they'll even give you a visa on arrival.
Credits: Mikaku
Air Tickets: AirAsia will give you something between INR 13K - 27K.
Stay: Airbnb will give you something as low as INR 1500 per person, for two people travelling together.
Suggest Duration: 7 Days
Things to do: Religious & Cultural Tours, Volcano Tours, Nature Tour, Local Sightseeing, Water Sports, Temple Tours
Places to Visit: Bali, Pangandaran Beach, Toba, Jakarta, Pangandaran, Derawan Island, Wakatobi, Toba, Jakarta, Batu Secret Zoo, and others.
3. Bhutan
Bhutan the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ or the ‘Druk Yul’ is no ordinary place. It is a Himalayan kingdom with a reputation for mystery, magic, untouched beauty and other natural wonders.
Credits: Aymaan Ahmed
Road Trip: INR 2,200 (around) from Siliguri. Save money by travelling in shared cabs/buses.
Stay: Airbnb has places starting at ₹822Per Night
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Things to do: Wildlife Tours, Adventure Sports & Activities, Local Sightseeing, Himalayan Tour, Cultural Tours, Religious Tours.
Place to Visit: Trongsa, Phuentsholing, Punakha, Trashigang, Haa Valley, Thimpu, and others
4. Singapore
If you haven't been to Singapore yet, you need to re-consider your life goals. Known for being clean, and one of the best places in the world to shop, it's definitely worth one or two visits in 2016.
Credits: Randy Tan Travelogue
Air Tickets: Between INR 9,000 – 14,000 (Book 4-5 months prior to your dates). AirAsia has some good deals.
Stay: A 7 day trip can cost as little as INR 2,000 per night. A cheaper option are hostels. They'd cost 800 – 2000 INR per night.
Suggested Duration: 5 Days.
Things to do: Shopping, Garden Festival, Nature Tours, Food Tours, Art & Culture Tours, Local Sightseeing, Wildlife Tours.
Places to Visit: Temple of 1000 Lights, Singapore Flyer, Merilon Park, Istana, Helix Bridge, Civilian War Memorial and others.
5. South Korea
Nestled in the midst of nature, South Korea offers some of the best treats to travellers. Why not take some time off and go backpacking in this heaven on earth?
Credits: mendhak
Air Tickets: INR 27,000 on Skyscanner . Try to fly from Kolkata.
Stay: INR 3000 per night on Airbnb. Or if you're on a tighter budget try Hostels.com, you'll get a great deal 1300-1500 INR per person per night.
Suggested Duration: 7 Days
Things to do: Mud Wrestling, Cultural & Traditional Tours, Museum Visits and Food Tours.
Places to Visit: Darangee Village, Seongsan Sunrise Peak, Kyeong-Wha Station, Ggotji Beach, Jeungdo Salt Farm, Gwang-An Bridge, Uleung Island Seaside Road and others.
6. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is very similar to India if one was to compare the culture, the landscapes and climate, so you'll feel right at home! It is also an amazing place to go backpacking and have a great time.
Credits: Daran Kandasamy
Air Tickets: Tickets of around INR 9,000-15,000 are available on GoIbibo.
Stay: Two people travelling together can stay for INR 1,000 per night
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Things to do: Wildlife Tours, Art and Culture Tours, Religious Visits, Adventure Sports, Heritage Tours, Plantation Visits
Places to Visit: Colombo, Kirinda, Sabaragamuwa, Galle, Kandy, Tissamaharama, Panduwasnuwara, Matara, Kataragama, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa Kurunegala and others
7. United Arab Emirates
UAE has long been the perfect luxury destination for travellers all around the world. If you're headed there, definitely go to Dubai! Jumping off buildings, and zip-lining is really catching on there.
Credits: Fatima
Air Tickets: SkyScanner has flights for around INR 15,000.
Stay: Airbnb has places to stay for as low as INR 7,000. Hostelbookers is perfect for 2-3 people at INR 1700-2100 per person per night.
Suggested Duration: 7 Days
Things to do: Adventure Sports, Business Tours, Shopping, Sports Tourism, Desert Safaris, Cultural Tourism, Luxury Tours, Water Sports
Place to Visit: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
8. Qatar
Credits: Jonybraker
Air Tickets: As low as INR 17,000 if lucky. Check Skyscanner. (TIP: Take Mumbai flight).
Stay: Airbnb for INR 9,000 for a 6 day tour
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Things to do: Dune Bashing, Helicopter Rides, Beaches, Cultural Tours, Camel Rides, Nature Tour, Local Sightseeing.
Place to Visit: Khor Al Adaid Natural Reserves, Dhal Al Misfir, Doha, Katara Cultural Village, Ras Abrouq Natural Reserves, Zubarah Fort.
9. Hong Kong
Credits: Dhilung Kirat
Air Tickets: As low as INR 19,000 if planned on time. Check Skyscanner . Suggested: Fly from Chennai.
Stay: Can be managed in INR 5,000 for 6 day tour per person. As low as INR 1,162 per person/night, book awesome places to stay at Airbnb.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 6 Days
Things to do: Religious Tours, Adventure Sports, Recreational Visits, Local Sightseeing, Local Shopping, Wildlife Tours
Place to Visit: Lantau Island, Central District, Stanley Market, Nathan Road, Happy Valley, Cheung Chau Island, Sai Kung and others
10. Malaysia
Credits: MEMANG RIZALIS ENT.
Air Tickets: AirAsia INR3,399 from Kochi to Kuala Lumpur in April 2016.
Stay: Airbnb has places at INR 850 a night.
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Things to do: Nature Tours, Cultural Tour, Local Sightseeing, Leisure Tours, Shopping, Wildlife Tours,
Place to Visit: Miri, Kangar, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Pangkor, Redang Island, Sarawak, Rantau Abang Island, Kapas Island, and others
11. Thailand
Credits: Cat Burton
Air Tickets: Approx INR 6,260 Kochi to Bangkok (March 2016 - on Air Asia).
Stay: 6 days can be booked for round INR 5,500 using Airbnb.
Suggested Duration: 6 Days
Things to do: Elephant Tourism, Floating Market Tour, Local Shopping.
Places to Visit: Lumphini Park,Phuket, Wat Phra Kaew, Santikhiri, Tarutao and others
12. Vietnam
Vietnam is a hit with everyone who visits with the bustling streets of Hanoi or the villages of Sapa, there's something for everyone here.
Credits: Antonio Vianello
Air Tickets: As low as INR 16,000 if planned on time. Check Skyscanner. Suggested flight from – Chennai.
Stay: Can be managed in INR 8000 for 7 day tour
Duration: Suggested trip duration 6 Days
Activities/Things to do: Sightseeing, Yacht or Boat Cruises, Local Market Tours, Caving, Cultural Tour, Island Tours, Wildlife Tours
Place to Visit: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, Mekong Delta and others
13. Nepal
Credits: Mike Behnken
Air Tickets: approx INR 8,000 , check out SkyScanner for great deals, plan 5-6 months in advance. Bus journeys are also available at INR 2,300
Stay: As low as INR 686 per night. Book awesome places to stay at Airbnb like this one.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Adventure Sports & Activities, Nature Tours, Religious & Cultural Visits, Local Sightseeing
14. Turkey
Turkey promises an enchanted vacation. Istanbul, once the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, features prominently in most travel plans, but there are many more great destinations like Ankara, Mardin, and Konya.
Credits: Moyan Brenn
Air Tickets: INR 30,000- 35000 , check out SkyScanner for great deals, plan 5-6 months in advance.
Stay: As low as INR 686 per night, book awesome places to stay at Airbnb.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 6 Days
Activities/Things to do: Beach Vacations, Leisure and Fun Cruises, Religious & Cultural Tours
Place to Visit: Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Trabzon and others
15. Taiwan
With its all-around adventure landscape, feted night market scene, and heritage-rich capital, Taiwan is the perfect destination for your next big international trip.
Credits: Kovis Lo
Air Tickets: INR 25,000 – 30,000 (Ideal to book 4-6 months in advance) . Check Skyscanner for deals.
Stay: As low as INR 754 per night. Check out places to stay at Airbnb
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Religious & Cultural Tours, Local Market Visits, Nature Tours, Museum Visits, Wildlife Spotting
Place to Visit: Taipei, Taroko National Park, Anping, Caoling, Dajia, Dasi, Jiaoxi, Jinguashi and others
16. Maldives
Air Tickets: INR 10,000 - 15,000. Suggested: Fly from Kochi. Check Skyscanner for amazing deals.
Stay: 1000 per night. Check out Airbnb
Duration: 6 days
Places to visit: Utheemu Ganduvaru, Biyadhoo Island Resort, Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque), Banana Reef, Bluetribe Moofushi
17. China
Credits: Pixabay
Air Tickets: INR 17,500 – 20,000 (Ideal to book 4-6 months in advance) . Check Skyscanner.
Stay: Stay of 5 days can be done in as low as INR 6,000 per person for two people travelling together.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 5 Days
Activities/Things to do: Local Sightseeing, Historical & Cultural Tour
Places to Visit: Beijing, Xuchang, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Luzhi, Macau and others.
18. Cambodia
Air Tickets: Best deal I found was for – INR 26,000 on Skyscanner. Flight from Chennai
Stay: INR 6,000 ( 12K for 2 people on Airbnb ).
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Cultural Visits, Religious Tours, Recreational & Leisure Tours
Place to Visit: Angkor Wat, Silver Pagoda, Koh Ker, Bayon Temple, Tonle Sap, Preah Vihear, Sihanoukville, Tonle Sap and others
19. Jordan
Credits: Visitjordan
Air Tickets: As low as INR 23,000 if planned on time. Check Skyscanner. Suggested flight from – Kochi.
Stay: Hostels are available for a range of 500 – 1000 INR like the ones on Hostelbookers
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Nature Tours, Historic & Cultural Tours, Water Sports & Adventure Activities, Food Tours
Place to Visit: The Dead Sea, Petra, Jerusalem, Jerash, Wadi Rum Desert, Aqaba, Madaba and others
20. Myanmar
Credits: Drouyn Cambridge
Air Tickets: INR 20.000- 21,500 ( Ideal to book 4-6 months in advance, use Skyscanner )
Stay: As low as INR 5,000, per person. Book awesome places to stay at Airbnb like this one.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 6 Days
Activities/Things to do: Hot Air Balloon Rides, Cultural & Historical Tours, Nature Walks, Local Shopping and Food Tours
Place to Visit: Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Golden Rock Pagoda, Kyaing Tong,Monywa, Putao, Ngwe Saung Beach and others
21. Kenya
Credits: Diana Robinson
Air Tickets: INR 26,000-30,000(Ideal to book 4-6 months in advance, use Skyscanner)
Stay: As low as INR 7000 for 6 days per person, book awesome places to stay at Airbnb.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Wildlife & Nature Tours, Eco Tourism, Local Shopping & Sightseeing, Cultural Tours, Sport Tourism
Place to Visit: Masai Mara National Reserve, Mount Kenya, Lamu Island, Nairobi National Park, Lake Nakuru, Samburu National Reserve, Malindi and others
22. Egypt
Credits: omdaa
Air Tickets: approx INR 30,000 , check out SkyScanner for great deals, plan 5-6 months in advance.
Stay: As low as INR 1035 per night. Book awesome places to stay at Airbnb.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 5 Days
Activities/Things to do: Sand Boarding, Road Trips, Heritage & Cultural Tours, Local Market Visits, Religious Tours, Adventure Tours
Place to Visit: Cairo, Alexandria, Giza Necropolis, Dahab, Luxor, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor, Dahshur, Hurghada and others
23. Japan
Credits: Moyan Brenn
Air Tickets: INR 27,500 – 30,000 (Ideal to book 4-6 months in advance) . Check Skyscanner for deals.
Stay: Stay of 7 days can be done in as low as INR 1506 per night.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Religious Tours, Cultural & Historical Tours, Island Trips, Recreational Tours
Place to Visit: Tokyo, Kyoto, Ski Niseko, Nikko, Kamakura, Magome, Takayama and others
24. Russia
Credits: Mariano Mantel
Air Tickets: approx INR 29,000 , check out SkyScanner for great deals, plan 5-6 months in advance.
Stay: As low as INR 6,300 per person, book awesome places to stay at Airbnb.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Cultural and Religious Tours, Food Tours, Nature Tours, Sightseeing
Place to Visit: Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Samara, Novgorod Veliky, Kaliningard and others
25. Bangladesh
Credits: Sam Thesyst
Air Tickets: As low as INR 7000. Suggested: Fly from Kolkata. Check Skyscanner.
Stay: Can be managed in INR 8000 for 7 day tour.
Duration: Suggested trip duration 7 Days
Activities/Things to do: Cultural & Religious Tours, Leisure and Recreational Visits, Nature Tours, Local Sightseeing
Place to Visit: The Sundarbans, Cox’s Bazar, Bagerhat, Nafa-Khum
Travel Hacks
Time to start saving! Write down all your current expenses so you can determine where you are spending money and how you can cut back.
While you’re working to save money, get a travel credit card so you can earn sign-up bonuses to redeem miles and points for free flights and hotel stays.
When booking flights and hotels online enable private browsing. Travel sites often track your visits and will raise the price simply because you’ve visited before.
Subscribe to all meta search engines like Skyscanner etc for midnight deals.They definitely are your best friend.
Sometimes flying two different airlines and booking two one-way tickets is cheaper than booking a round-trip, plus it may get you better arrival and departure times as you mix and match flights.
Pretend you’re somewhere else when booking to score discounted fares.
Clear those cookies.
Download your airline’s app.
Google alerts are a game changer, they'll keep you up to date sooner than anyone else.
Along with Airbnb, check out Tripvillas, Hostelbookers, Hostelworld, VacationRentals,hostels.com and Homestay.com to stay.
At $10 youth hostels give you access to cheap accommodation worldwide.
Get lucky on twitter contests. Earn discount vouchers.
A minimum of one empty page in your passport, for those last minute deals.
A valid Schengen visa goes a long way.
Become a member of as many flight/travel loyalty programs as possible.
YAHI is a good places to get access to hostels worldwide.
Off-Season travel almost always pays off.
Some travel websites use cookies to increase ticket prices, use an Incognito window to outsmart these guys.
Getting cheap flights is the first priority, the rest is usually much easier.
While travelling cheap is important stay at hostels and Airbnb's to get the most out of your travel!
Most importantly, have an amazing time, travelling like a local!
Note: The flight rates mentioned here are subject to change according to season and other factors.