Indians prefer to do travel bookings at the last moment

Indians are living up to their 'late Latif' reputation when it comes to booking trips, especially compared to European and American travellers, with many favouring last-minute bookings.

About 78% of domestic and 30% of international flights from India are booked within 15 days of departure, particularly for visa-free destinations like Thailand and Maldives, data from Ixigo and Cleartrip show.

Flexible work schedules, rising disposable incomes, and tempting last-minute offers from platforms like EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip are driving this trend, industry executives said.

"Travellers are increasingly opting for last-minute bookings, likely due to flexible work arrangements and the desire to secure the best possible deals," said Aloke Bajpai, chairman and CEO of Ixigo.
The booking behaviour of Indian travellers starkly contrasts with that of their European and American counterparts. According to an Ipsos report, 36% of European bookings occur four months in advance and over 63% are made more than two months ahead. In the US, travellers typically plan their trips 1-3 months in advance, reflecting a more structured approach to travel planning.

"While many Indians are still somewhat spontaneous, there's been a noticeable increase in people considering trips earlier than before," said Rajesh Magow, cofounder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip.

One of the driving factors behind late travel decisions is the rising popularity of visa-free destinations. Many travellers are now booking international flights for short-haul trips within 15 days of departure.

"There has been a remarkable 4x increase in instant bookings for visa-free short-haul destinations," said Rikant Pittie, cofounder of EaseMyTrip. "This highlights a growing trend among travellers seeking spontaneity and convenience."

Hotel bookings also reflect this trend. Cleartrip reports that 77.5% of hotel bookings are made between 14 to 2 days before the check-in date, with around 20.9% occurring just 5-6 days in advance.

This pattern demonstrates a clear preference for flexibility among Indian travellers who are taking advantage of short-notice deals.

The contrasting booking behaviours between Indian travellers and their European and American counterparts highlight cultural differences in travel planning, experts said.

While Europeans meticulously organise their trips, many Indians embrace the freedom of last-minute travel.

To be sure, there are some Indian travellers who like to plan ahead, particularly for longer trips or popular domestic holiday packages. International holiday packages are often booked 30 days in advance, while domestic packages are typically reserved 15-30 days before departure.

According to Expedia, the global average trip consideration window is around 71 days, with travellers spending about 33 days in the inspiration phase and 38 days in planning.