Why Indians travel: Religion drives overnight trips, medical trips most expensive

India's domestic tourism survey conducted between July 2025 and June 2026 reveals that religious observances drive overnight trips, with health and medical reasons being the most expensive. Tamil Nadu leads in holiday trips, contributing nearly a quarter of all overnight trips. Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar account for over 30% of health-related overnight trips.

The number of rural households taking overnight trips has decreased, while urban households are holidaying more frequently. Rural families are visiting destinations for holidays and recreation less often, while urban families are increasing their holiday frequency. Overall, holidaying accounts for 22% of trips, pilgrimage and religious trips make up 48%, and health and medical reasons are behind almost 30% of them.

The costliest trips are health and medical, with urban households spending more than rural ones. Same-day trips are also common, with Tripura leading in this category, while Lakshadweep sees the least.