If you’re planning a trip, you’re likely figuring out how to keep your travel budget in check. According to Skyscanner’s Smarter Summer Report 2025, 96% of Indian travelers plan to take the same or more trips as the previous year, and a growing number, 95% to be precise, are actively looking to spend less without compromising on experience. That’s literally everyone.
This “maximizer mindset” is all about getting better value and staying flexible. While it sounds great in theory, how do you put it into practice when you’re booking flights, hotels, and everything in between? Let’s break it down with some practical strategies that can help you save on your travel bookings.
- Book flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Airlines regularly change their ticket prices based on demand, and mid-week searches, particularly Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings, tend to show lower fares than weekend searches. This applies across IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air on most domestic routes. Airlines also release unsold seats at reduced prices mid-week to maintain load factors.
Setting fare alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner for your route and waiting mid-week to purchase is a simple habit that pays off. It’s best to avoid searching and booking on Sunday evenings, when prices tend to be at their highest.
- Follow the 4-5 week rule for domestic flights
If you’re booking a domestic flight in India, timing matters more than brand loyalty. For most major routes, the sweet spot is around 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Book too early and airlines haven’t opened up competitive pricing yet. Book too late and you’re paying surge rates.
Routes like Mumbai-Delhi or Bengaluru-Hyderabad behave predictably. Tier-2 routes like Indore, Surat, or Coimbatore can sometimes work better with a shorter window of 2 to 3 weeks, since seat competition is different. While there’s no universal formula, watching prices a month and a half out will help you notice patterns.
- Don’t trust the first price you see
Dynamic pricing is very real in the travel ecosystem. If you keep checking the same flight repeatedly, prices can creep up by 8 to 12%. Using incognito mode helps, switching browsers helps too. While it’s not dramatic every single time, it does reduce visible inflation triggered by repeated searches.
Also, don’t rely on one platform. Compare across at least two travel platforms before paying. Different portals push different bank offers and discounts daily. And yes, always check for travel discount codes before checkout. A two-minute search for a coupon can knock a meaningful amount off your total.
- Look beyond Tatkal for train bookings
When it comes to trains, most travelers think their only options are booking early or paying for Tatkal. But there’s a smarter middle ground. Certain waitlisted tickets have strong historical confirmation rates. Platforms like ConfirmTkt and Where Is My Train show probability estimates based on past data. A WL/5 on the right route can carry a 90 to 95% confirmation probability.
Tatakal on a 3AC berth over 1000 km can cost Rs.500 to Rs. 900 extra per person. If confirmation odds are high, skipping Tatkal can save you a solid amount. Also, check convenience fees. Booking directly on IRCTC costs Rs. 15 to Rs. 30 per ticket, depending on class. Some third-party apps charge Rs. 35 to Rs. 60, and while it doesn’t feel like much, regular travelers feel the difference over time.
- Call the hotel after you compare
Online travel agencies typically charge hotels 15 to 25% commission, according to Mews’ 2025 OTA vs Direct Bookings report. That cost is built into the rate you see. If you’re booking an independent hotel, especially a heritage property in Rajasthan or a boutique stay in Himachal, try calling them directly after checking OTA pricing. Many smaller properties are willing to offer 10 to 15% lower rates for direct bookings because they avoid commission.
This usually works best with properties under 50 rooms. Large hotel chains typically follow rate parity agreements and rarely adjust. Also, note that hotel discounts are common. MakeMyTrip’s data shows that nearly 96% of domestic hotel bookings used a coupon or bank offer.
- Travel off peak and let timing do the work
Dates influence pricing more than most people realize. According to Outlook Money’s December 2025 coverage, Indian travellers who booked off-peak dates saved up to Rs. 40,000 on Maldives and Dubai trips, and around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 on Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The same logic applies within India. For instance, Goa in early October costs significantly less than Goa in December, and Rajasthan in August sees lower hotel rates than winter. So, if your schedule allows flexibility, shifting your travel dates even by a week or two, can save you a ton of money.
- Package deals can work, but compare first
Holiday packages are not always cheaper, but they offer one thing independent bookings don’t: access to pre-negotiated hotel rates and activity pricing that isn’t available through public OTAs. Packages tend to offer better value for international trips from India, say Bali, Dubai, or Europe, where managing currency, logistics, and multiple aspects independently takes more effort than the savings justify.
For domestic destinations like Goa, Manali, or Coorg, independent bookings are almost always cheaper if you’re willing to spend an hour or two comparing options.
- Credit cards do more than most travelers use them for
Cards like HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus, and SBI Card Miles convert everyday spending into air miles redeemable with IndiGo BluChip or Air India Flying Returns. With consistent use over 10 to 12 months, you can build enough miles for a one-way domestic trip.
Most premium travel cards also include airport lounge access, travel insurance up to Rs. 1 crore, and compensation for flight delays. These benefits often go unused because most cardholders haven’t read what they’re entitled to. The benefits document is worth one read, so make sure you go through it.
The bottom line
Honestly, most people don’t overpay on travel because they’re careless. They overpay because the booking process is designed to move fast, and fast usually means full price. Take an extra ten minutes before you confirm anything. Compare across platforms, check the waitlist odds, call the hotel, dig up a coupon code. That’s it. The savings aren’t a hidden secret. They’re just one extra step that most people skip.
