New Year, New Journeys: Skyscanner Reveals Top Trending Destinations for Highly Personalised Travel in 2026

Indian travellers are stepping into 2026 with a renewed appetite for discovery, and Skyscanner’s latest data shows a clear shift towards places that offer depth and culture. Next year is shaping up to be all about deeply personal journeys, from chasing crisp mountain air with the “Altitude Shift” trend, to diving into “Shelf Discovery” through everyday flavours found in local markets and grocery aisles. Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 data shows that travellers are planning with intention, with 59% wanting to travel more. These search patterns also reveal a rising curiosity for places that feel fresh, soulful and experience-first.

To make your planning easier, we’ve pulled together some fast-rising destinations: the ones experiencing the biggest year-on-year search surges, paired with clever travel hacks to help you snag better fares, savvier stays and maximise your time on the ground.

1. Jorhat, India (+493‏%)

~Tea estates, river islands and a gentle, soul-filling start to the new year

If your 2026 energy is all about slowing down, breathing and resetting, Jorhat is the place to begin. Beyond its famous tea gardens, you can explore the century-old Tocklai Tea Research Institute where scientists have been studying tea since 1911 – a geek-out moment for anyone curious about how Assam’s flavours came to define global tea culture! Set aside a day to hop over to Majuli, the world’s largest river island, where traditional mask-makers at Samaguri Satra still craft elaborate mukha-bhaona masks used in devotional performances. In town, you’ll find old Assamese satras, textile workshops specialising in muga silk, and riverfront sunsets that feel like a soft reset for the soul. Jorhat offers a surprisingly rich cultural deep-dive if you’re willing to wander.

Skyscanner Brand Ambassador, and captain of the Indian Men’s T20I cricket team, Suryakumar ‘SKY’ Yadav says, “Jorhat is a place that’s been on my bucket list for a while. Everything I’ve heard about it, from the tea gardens and the culture to the calm of the place, makes it sound like the perfect reset. I’m always looking for destinations that rejuvenate me and are unique, so Jorhat is definitely on my list of places to visit for that reason. If you’re looking to start the year with something peaceful, this is one place you should consider!”

• Delhi to Jorhat (JRH)
• Mumbai to Jorhat (JRH)
• Bengaluru to Jorhat (JRH)

2. Muscat, Oman (+211‏%)

~Arabian sunsets, luxury and winter sun done right

Muscat is where rugged mountains meet turquoise water, but the city truly comes alive when you explore beyond its postcard views. After visiting the iconic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, wander into Mutrah’s back alleys, where small Bedouin shops sell incense blends unique to Oman, or explore Old Muscat’s museum cluster including Bait Al Zubair, which has an impressive collection of ancient Omani and tribal artefacts. Drive out to Wadi Al Arbeieen, one of Oman’s most dramatic wadis, still under the radar for most travellers, or spend an evening at the Royal Opera House catching a world-class performance in a setting so luxurious it feels surreal. If Muscat is calling you for a getaway, here’s a savvy travel hack to get you there for less: use Skyscanner’s Mix & Match function. Search by flying out with one airline and back with another (or even mixing departure airports) often unlocks quieter routes and lower fares, leaving you with more to spend on those sunset souqs and seaside coffees!

• Delhi to Muscat (MCT)
• Mumbai to Muscat (MCT)
• Bengaluru to Muscat (MCT)

3. Queenstown,NewZealand (+151‏%)

~Adventure at sunrise, vineyards by noon, hot pools by sunset

It is one of those places where the landscape instantly resets your senses! January to March is when the whole region turns crisp and sunlit, and every shade of blue and green feels dialled up in the most stunning way. Start your day with a gondola ride up Bob’s Peak, hike a bit of the Ben Lomond Track, or zip across the water on a jet boat, and then slow everything down with a vineyard lunch in the Gibbston Valley. Make time for Queenstown’s quieter corners too: the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, a preserved 19th-century neighbourhood that tells the story of Chinese gold miners, or the lakeside trails around Kelvin Heights Sculpture Park where art and nature meet. If you’re planning a classic Kiwi road trip, drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy – it’s a short yet breathtaking and scenic route dotted with hidden coves, walking trails and mirror-like lake views that make you slow down and soak it all in.

Neel Ghose, Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, Skyscanner, says, “With the rise of global ‘Altitude Shift’ trend, travellers are choosing mountain destinations for clean air, wide-open scenery, cooler weather and a sense of peaceful reset. With 92% of Indian travellers considering a mountain escape, Queenstown fits perfectly into the 2026 craving for alpine calm without compromising on adventure. If you’re mapping out this dream getaway, here’s a smart hack: set up ‘Price Alert’ on Skyscanner the moment you spot a route you like. It monitors fares in the background and lets you know the moment they drop, making planning a whole lot simpler.”

• Delhi to Queenstown (ZQN)
• Mumbai to Queenstown (ZQN)
• Bengaluru to Queenstown (ZQN)

4. Chiang Rai, Thailand (+133‏%)

~White temples, green hills and architectural wonders

If you love discovering a destination through its flavours, Chiang Rai is great for the global Shelf Discovery trend, where travellers “eat like a local” not just at restaurants, but in neighbourhood supermarkets. With nearly 4 in 5 Indian travellers now browsing grocery aisles abroad, and if you duck into a local family-run mini-mart this is where you’ll find region-specific snacks, herbal teas, mochi-filled sweets and quirky Thai drinks you won’t get back home. It’s one of the easiest ways to understand everyday life in northern Thailand. Night markets here are also intimate and full of craft stalls you won’t see elsewhere.

By day, make sure to visit the Black House (Baan Dam) – a surreal complex of dark-wood buildings, filled with intricate carvings, sculptures and tribal artefacts. Drive north into Chiang Rai’s tea country, where the plantations around Doi Mae Salong offer stunning vistas, and little tea houses run by Yunnanese families who settled decades ago.

• Delhi to Chiang Rai (CEI)
• Mumbai to Chiang Rai (CEI)
• Bengaluru to Chiang Rai (CEI)

5. Varanasi, India (+120‏%)

~Ancient rituals, riverside calm and a truly introspective escape

Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest living cities, and every corner here feels layered with age-old stories. Besides the famous ghats and Kashi Vishwanath Temple, explore lesser-known spots like Ramnagar Fort, home to a royal museum, or take a heritage walk through the weaving neighbourhoods that keep Banarasi silk alive. A boat ride at dawn turns the entire riverfront into a slow-moving tapestry of rituals, colours and chants. And once you’re done exploring the neighbourhoods, nothing beats a bowl of hot kachori-sabzi from a decades-old shop tucked inside the labyrinthine lanes – so stop by and soak in the magnetic energy of the temple town through its palate!

Varanasi also fits beautifully into the rise of family miles trend: multigenerational groups looking to reconnect through shared experiences. The city’s walkable heritage quarters and sensory-rich rituals make it a meaningful pick for families travelling with parents and grandparents, giving everyone something to hold onto – spiritually, culturally, and emotionally.

• Delhi to Varanasi (VNS)
• Mumbai to Varanasi (VNS)
• Bengaluru to Varanasi (VNS)

6. Manila, Philippines (+108‏%)

~Colour, cuisine and a launchpad to island-hopping magic

Manila is equal parts heritage, colour and charm and that’s what makes it irresistible. Wander through Intramuros, the Spanish-walled district with churches, cobblestone lanes and jeepneys buzzing past. Hop across to Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, for dim sum trails and centuries-old bakeries. Museum lovers can explore the National Museum of Fine Arts or Ayala Museum’s gold collection. Nature lovers can escape to Tagaytay for lake-and-volcano views. Manila also makes an excellent base for island-hopping to Boracay, Cebu or Siargao. For smarter planning, use Skyscanner’s Whole Month search. It gives you a bird’s eye view of fares available across the month helping you spot the cheapest dates to fly.

• Delhi to Manila (MNL)
• Mumbai to Manila (MNL)
• Bengaluru to Manila (MNL)

7. Tbilisi, Georgia (+105‏%)

~Thermal baths, wine bars and winter charm made for wandering

Tbilisi draws you in instantly but truly reveals its magic only when you slow down. Wander around Old Town with pastel balconies and sulphur bathhouses, then hop on the cable car to Narikala Fortress for sweeping views. For lesser-known gems, visit the Leghvtakhevi Waterfall tucked right behind the bath district, or explore the Wine Museum where you’ll learn about the world’s oldest winemaking tradition. The cafe culture here is vibrant, mixing Georgian pastries with artsy spaces perfect for slow mornings. If you’re hunting for a great fare to get here, DROPS feature, on the Skyscanner app, is a clever shortcut: it highlights flights prices that have dipped by over 20% in the last week, making it easier to spot the sweetest deals at a glance.

• Delhi to Tbilisi (TBS)
• Mumbai to Tbilisi (TBS)
• Bengaluru to Tbilisi (TBS)

8. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (+98‏%)

~Pho for breakfast, skyline views by lunch, markets by night

Ho Chi Minh City pulses with energy, from motorbike-filled boulevards and French-colonial facades to coffee shops on every corner. Explore the War Remnants Museum, shop at Ben Thanh Market, and take a Mekong Delta day trip to reset in lush green landscapes. Beyond the usual attractions, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the city’s most atmospheric temples, and make time for a Mekong Delta day trip to experience floating markets, lush canals and fruit orchards. If you are a coffee lover, you will surely find paradise in the city’s hidden specialty cafes: from egg coffee to coconut coffee to Vietnamese cold brews.

• Delhi to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
• Mumbai to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
• Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)

9. Port Louis, Mauritius (+93‏%)

~Creole culture, markets and beaches perfect for New Year downtime

When in Port Louis, start the day by strolling through the bustling Central Market, exploring the Blue Penny Museum’s postal artefacts, or soaking in the art and café culture at Caudan Waterfront. For a quieter and more thoughtful experience, visit Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage site that traces the arrival of indentured labourers – a window into the island’s multicultural identity. From the city, scenic drives, coastal hikes, and day trips to pristine lagoons are easily within reach. When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay, Skyscanner’s interactive Hotel Map makes it effortless. Simply zoom into the harbour or waterfront and use quick-select filters like Best, Top Reviews or Nearest First to find stays that match your vibe, while extensive filters help you refine everything from amenities to ambience.

• Delhi to Mauritius (MRU)
• Mumbai to Mauritius (MRU)
• Bengaluru to Mauritius (MRU)