A new survey by Booking.com in collaboration with YouGov has revealed the endearing quirks, packing habits, and snack preferences of Indian travellers, highlighting the blend of chaos and comfort that shapes their journeys. From the most forgotten items to unexpected takeaways, the research offers a glimpse into what truly defines the Indian travel experience.
According to the study, 35% of Indian travellers most commonly forget phone chargers or adapters, followed closely by toothbrushes (33%), medicines (29%), and earphones (28%). Surprisingly, 21% even forget important travel documents like passports or IDs. On the flip side, nearly 42% leave behind clothing such as socks and tops at their destination, while others forget electronics (37%), toiletries (36%), and even glasses and jewellery. Some humorous slip-ups include leaving behind hair extensions, teeth aligners, and in rare cases, pets.
Travel slip-ups don’t stop at packing. Top travel challenges include transport delays (37%), weather disruptions (34%), difficulty in finding suitable food (30%), overpacked itineraries (27%), and noisy hotel neighbours (26%). Despite the hiccups, Indians bring humour into their holidays with 52% admitting to botching local language attempts, 42% walking into the wrong hotel room, and 38% experiencing luggage mix-ups.
Food remains a comfort zone for Indian travellers. Dry snacks like namkeen, khakhra, and biscuits are the top travel essentials (54%), followed by dry fruits (41%) and chocolates (39%). Home-cooked meals like thepla or paratha also find space in travel bags for 37% of respondents. Coffee and tea sachets are essential for 33%, ensuring a quick caffeine fix on the go.
When it comes to souvenirs, 64% of travellers prefer buying destination-specific clothing, while 58% take back locally sourced snacks. Fridge magnets, mugs, and keychains (50%) remain classic choices, along with local handicrafts (46%).
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com, said, “It’s fascinating to see how Indian travellers balance cultural nostalgia with the joy of new experiences. Despite forgotten items or travel blunders, it’s these moments combined with local discoveries that create lasting memories. At Booking.com, our goal is to simplify travel by offering seamless access to accommodations, flights, rentals, and experiences all in one place.”
