Diwali Holidays 2026: International Tour Packages for Indian Travellers

What are the best international destinations for Diwali holidays from India?

The best international destinations for Diwali holidays from India include Bali, Thailand, Dubai, Singapore, Japan, and Europe. These destinations suit the 4–6 day break window, offer direct or one-stop flights from Indian metros, and have strong hotel availability for Indian travellers during October–November.

Bali is an Indonesian island destination with a flight time of approximately 5–6 hours from Mumbai or Delhi. Bali suits couples, families, and groups travelling during the Diwali break because the October–November period falls within Bali's dry-to-transition season.

Thailand is a Southeast Asian destination with Bangkok and Phuket as the primary entry points. Flight time from Indian metros to Bangkok is approximately 3–4 hours, making Thailand one of the most time-efficient Diwali holiday options.

Dubai is a city-state in the UAE with a flight time of approximately 3 hours from most Indian metros. Dubai suits first-time international travellers and families because visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders.

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia with a flight time of approximately 5–6 hours from India. Singapore suits families and couples who want a structured, urban itinerary within a short break.

Japan is an East Asian destination with a flight time of approximately 7–9 hours from India. Japan during October–November offers autumn foliage, which makes it a popular choice for travellers seeking a distinct seasonal experience.

Europe covers multiple countries including France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands. A Europe trip during Diwali typically requires 8–10 days, so travellers combining the Diwali break with adjacent leave days choose this option.

The destination choice directly affects the visa type, flight cost, and package duration — all of which are covered in the sections below.

When exactly do Diwali holidays fall in 2025 and 2026?

Diwali in 2025 falls on 20 October, which is a Monday. The Diwali holiday window in 2025 runs from approximately 18 October to 23 October, giving travellers a 6-day break. In 2026, Diwali falls on 8 November, a Sunday, creating a natural long weekend.

The Diwali festival date shifts each year because the Hindu lunar calendar determines the Kartik Amavasya date. Indian travellers planning international trips must confirm the exact school and office holiday schedule for their city, as state governments sometimes extend the break by one or two days.

The 2025 Diwali window of 18–23 October gives travellers up to 6 nights abroad without using more than 1–2 casual leave days. The 2026 Diwali window around 8 November suits a 4–5 night trip when combined with the adjacent weekend.

Tripstor recommends booking Diwali 2025 packages by June 2025 and Diwali 2026 packages by April 2026 to access early-bird flight inventory and preferred hotel allocations.

How much does a Diwali holiday package cost from India?

Diwali holiday package costs from India range from approximately ₹35,000 per person for a 4-night Dubai or Bangkok trip to ₹1,50,000 or more per person for a 7-night Europe or Japan package. Prices vary by destination, departure city, hotel category, and booking lead time.

The table below shows indicative per-person package price ranges for popular Diwali holiday destinations, based on double-occupancy 3-star and 4-star hotel categories, departing from major Indian metros.

Diwali holiday packages carry a price premium of 15–30% over the same itinerary booked for non-peak October dates. This premium reflects higher airfare and hotel rack rates during the Diwali travel surge.

Package inclusions typically cover return flights, airport transfers, accommodation, and daily breakfast. Visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses are usually excluded and charged separately.

The cost section connects directly to the visa requirements section below, since visa fees add ₹3,000–₹15,000 per person depending on the destination.

Which visa do Indian travellers need for popular Diwali holiday destinations?

Indian travellers need different visas for each Diwali holiday destination. Dubai offers visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders. Thailand offers visa-on-arrival or e-visa. Bali offers visa-on-arrival. Singapore requires a prior e-visa. Japan and Europe require advance visa applications submitted 4–8 weeks before travel.

The Dubai visa-on-arrival facility allows Indian passport holders to receive a 14-day or 30-day stamp at Dubai International Airport. The Dubai visa-on-arrival fee is approximately AED 100–150, payable at the airport.

The Thailand e-visa is an electronic travel authorisation that Indian passport holders can apply for online. Thailand e-visa processing takes approximately 3–5 business days and costs approximately ₹2,000–₹3,000 in fees.

The Bali visa-on-arrival is available to Indian passport holders at Ngurah Rai International Airport. The Bali visa-on-arrival fee is USD 35 for a 30-day stay.

The Singapore e-visa requires Indian passport holders to apply through an authorised agent or the ICA online portal. Singapore e-visa processing takes approximately 3–5 business days.

The Japan tourist visa requires Indian passport holders to apply at the Japanese consulate or through an authorised travel agent. Japan visa processing takes approximately 5–7 business days, and the application requires bank statements, confirmed hotel bookings, and a return flight itinerary.

The Schengen visa covers 26 European countries and requires Indian passport holders to apply at the relevant country's consulate. Schengen visa processing takes 15–30 calendar days, making early application critical for Diwali travel.

Tripstor assists with visa documentation for all destinations listed above as part of the package service.

Why do flight prices increase during Diwali holidays for international travel?

Flight prices increase during Diwali holidays because demand from Indian travellers spikes sharply across all major departure cities simultaneously. Airlines apply dynamic pricing, and available seats on popular routes fill 6–10 weeks before the Diwali date, pushing fares 20–40% above normal October levels.

Dynamic pricing is an airline revenue management system where ticket prices rise as seat availability decreases. Dynamic pricing affects all major Indian metro airports — Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata — during the Diwali window.

Routes to Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, and Bali see the highest demand surge during Diwali because these destinations have short flight times and strong Indian traveller preference. Seats on these routes typically sell out 8–12 weeks before Diwali.

Booking flights for Diwali holidays 3–5 months in advance reduces the per-person airfare by an estimated 20–35% compared to booking 4–6 weeks before departure.

Tripstor blocks group flight seats on Diwali departure dates in advance, which allows the Tripstor packages to offer more stable pricing than individual last-minute bookings.

What types of Diwali holiday packages does Tripstor offer?

Tripstor offers three types of Diwali holiday packages: fixed-departure group tours, customised private packages, and family-specific packages. Each type covers a different traveller profile — solo travellers and couples suit group tours, while families and honeymooners suit private packages with flexible daily schedules.

Fixed-departure group tours are pre-scheduled packages with confirmed flight dates, set itineraries, and group sizes of 10–20 travellers. Fixed-departure group tours for Diwali are cost-effective because Tripstor negotiates group rates on flights and hotels.

Customised private packages are itineraries built around a specific family's or couple's preferences, travel dates, and budget. Customised private packages allow travellers to choose their hotel category, add optional excursions, and adjust the daily schedule.

Family-specific packages are designed for groups of 3–8 travellers including children. Family-specific packages include child-friendly hotel selections, age-appropriate activities, and airport assistance for families travelling with young children.

All three package types include return flights, accommodation, airport transfers, and a Tripstor trip coordinator contact number for in-destination support.

The package type a traveller selects affects the total cost, flexibility, and booking lead time — all factors that connect to the booking timeline guidance in the next section.

How early should Indian travellers book Diwali holiday packages?

Indian travellers should book Diwali holiday packages at least 3–5 months before the Diwali date. Booking this far in advance secures preferred flight timings, hotel availability, and early-bird pricing. For Europe and Japan, which require advance visas, booking 5–6 months ahead is strongly recommended.

The Diwali holiday booking window opens as early as April–May for an October Diwali. Tripstor releases fixed-departure group tour dates for Diwali in the April–June period each year.

Travellers applying for a Schengen visa or Japan visa need confirmed hotel and flight bookings as part of the visa application. This requirement means the package booking must be completed before the visa application is submitted.

Last-minute Diwali bookings made within 4–6 weeks of the festival date face limited flight availability, higher airfares, and reduced hotel options in popular destinations.

Tripstor accepts a booking deposit to hold the package price and flight seats while the traveller completes the visa process. The deposit amount and payment schedule are confirmed at the time of booking.

What should Indian families check before booking a Diwali holiday abroad?

Indian families should check five things before booking a Diwali holiday abroad: passport validity of at least 6 months beyond the return date, visa eligibility for all family members, school holiday dates for their city, travel insurance coverage, and the package's child pricing policy for children under 12.

Passport validity is a document requirement where the passport must remain valid for at least 6 months after the planned return date. Many Indian travellers discover expired or near-expiry passports only weeks before travel, which causes booking cancellations.

Visa eligibility for children requires the same documentation as adults in most countries, including a birth certificate and parental consent letter for minors travelling with only one parent.

School holiday dates vary by state and school board in India. CBSE schools, ICSE schools, and state board schools do not always share identical Diwali break dates, so families must confirm their specific school calendar before selecting travel dates.

Travel insurance is a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost baggage. Travel insurance is mandatory for Schengen visa applications and strongly recommended for all international Diwali travel.

Child pricing policies differ by package and destination. Some Diwali packages offer complimentary stays for children under 5 on a sharing basis, while others charge a reduced child fare for ages 2–11.

Which Indian cities have the most Diwali holiday flight options for international travel?

Mumbai and Delhi have the most international flight options during Diwali holidays, with direct connections to Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo, and major European hubs. Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai have strong direct connectivity to Dubai and Southeast Asia. Pune and Kolkata have fewer direct international routes.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is India's busiest international airport by passenger volume. Mumbai airport operates direct flights to over 40 international destinations, giving Mumbai-based travellers the widest Diwali holiday flight choice.

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is India's second-busiest international airport. Delhi airport offers direct Diwali holiday flights to Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Amsterdam, among other destinations.

Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore handles direct international flights to Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. Bangalore travellers flying to Europe or Japan typically connect through Dubai or Singapore.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and Chennai International Airport both offer direct flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok. Pune Airport and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata have more limited direct international routes, requiring a connection through Mumbai or Delhi for most long-haul Diwali destinations.

Tripstor selects the most practical routing for each departure city when building Diwali holiday packages, minimising total travel time for travellers from Pune and Kolkata.