ACKO has released its latest travel insights report highlighting the top five international destinations Indians are visiting this winter, based on analysis of the travel insurance policies issued in December.
The data reveals a clear preference for visa-friendly, experience-rich destinations, with Thailand continuing to dominate winter travel, alongside rising interest in Europe and Southeast Asia. The report also shows that family travel is emerging as the strongest growth driver, while young professionals and students are shaping demand for select short-haul destinations.
Top five winter travel destinations for Indians – December 2025
Thailand
Thailand tops the list as India’s most preferred winter destination, driven by its easy visa access, short travel time, affordability, and appeal across age groups. The country sees particularly strong traction among young professionals, alongside families and working adults.
Germany
Germany ranks second, attracting families, working adults and a higher share of senior travellers. Christmas markets, festive experiences and Europe’s winter charm continue to draw Indian travellers.
Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged as a fast-rising winter favourite, supported by budget-friendly travel, simplified visa processes and strong interest from young professionals and students, making it one of the most age-diverse destinations this season.
France
France continues to attract Indian travellers seeking iconic winter experiences, art, culture and seasonal celebrations, with demand led largely by families and working professionals.
Italy
Italy rounds off the top five, appealing to travellers drawn to history, cuisine and festive winter streets, with consistent interest from family and couple travellers.
Who is travelling this winter
Winter travel this season is being driven primarily by families and working adults aged 30 to 49, who account for the largest share of multi-person trips across most destinations. Young professionals in the 20 to 29 age group show a strong preference for short-haul leisure markets such as Thailand and Vietnam, while students below 20 are most active in destinations like the UAE and Vietnam. Senior travellers aged above 50 form a relatively higher share of visitors to long-haul destinations such as Germany and the United States.
Indian cities fueling the December travel surge
The highest outbound travel activity is seen from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Gurugram, Kolkata, Noida and Ahmedabad, reflecting strong demand from both metro and emerging urban centres.
Travel categories: What’s growing fastest
- Family travel is the fastest-growing segment and accounts for the highest share of passengers, especially for winter holidays
- Solo travel is rising steadily, particularly to destinations like Thailand, the USA and UAE, though it remains smaller in scale
- Couple travel shows stable growth, led by Southeast Asian leisure destinations
ACKO on evolving travel preferences
Commenting on the findings, an ACKO spokesperson said: “Winter travel this year highlights a clear preference for ease, comfort, and meaningful experiences. We are seeing a noticeable rise in family holidays, along with greater confidence among young professionals and students to travel overseas. As travel patterns become more frequent and varied, the need for reliable travel protection is naturally becoming part of the planning process. At ACKO, we aim to enable this evolving travel mindset with fast, digital-first insurance solutions that help travellers enjoy every journey with peace of mind.”
