Long weekend rush drives up domestic fares; travellers turn to international getaways and road trips
As the Independence Day weekend approaches, airfares from Ahmedabad to Goa have surged to around ₹28,000—33% higher than return fares to Dubai, which hover at ₹21,000 for the same dates, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Ahmedabad: With Independence Day falling on a Friday, followed by Janmashtami on Saturday and Sunday, many in Gujarat are planning short holidays from August 15–17. However, the three-day break is proving expensive for those looking to fly, especially to domestic hotspots like Goa.
Return fares to Goa from Ahmedabad between August 14 and 18 are averaging ₹28,000 on direct flights—significantly costlier than Dubai, where return tickets are around ₹21,000. Even other domestic destinations like Dehradun (₹17,000), Chennai (₹10,000), Mumbai (₹10,000), and Jaipur (₹9,000) are offering limited relief.
Goa tops the price charts for I-Day weekend getaways from Ahmedabad, while Dubai and nearby road trip destinations offer more budget-friendly options
According to travel agents, the price surge is driven by pent-up demand after a subdued summer vacation, when many families cancelled or postponed plans due to India-Pakistan border tensions and the Pahalgam terror attack.
“After months of uncertainty, this is the first real opportunity for a short escapade, and demand is exploding,” said Virendra Shah, ex-chairman of the Travel Agents’ Association of India (TAAI), Gujarat chapter. “People are scrambling to book or rebook, and the last-minute rush has pushed prices up even more.”
Goa remains the favourite, offering lush monsoon landscapes, beaches, gambling spots for Janmashtami, and direct flight connectivity. Shah noted that Goa’s charm during the monsoon and proximity from Gujarat makes it a perennial draw for quick breaks.
But it’s not just Goa in demand. International destinations like Maldives, Krabi, Bali, and Sri Lanka are seeing a spike in bookings. “Many are adjusting their leave around the weekend and opting for Southeast Asia,” said Manish Sharma, a travel expert based in Ahmedabad.
Those deterred by soaring airfares are shifting gears—literally. Road trips and staycations to places like Udaipur, Mount Abu, Polo Forest, Kutch, and Saurashtra are on the rise. “Self-drive holidays and quick family getaways are gaining traction, with platforms reporting last-minute searches. In fact, hotel rates in Udaipur have already gone up,” Sharma added.
Whether flying abroad or hitting the road, this August holiday window is shaping up to be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year for Gujarat’s vacationers.
