Travel Like A Local, Spend Like A Local: The New-Age Budget Traveler’s Guide | Travel News

New-age travellers are embracing authentic local experiences and smarter budgeting to explore more meaningfully.

The way India travels is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Today’s travellers are no longer chasing luxury hotels, all-inclusive packages, or rushed sightseeing itineraries. Instead, they’re seeking something more grounded, travel that feels real, rooted, and reflective of the places they visit. Whether it’s choosing homestays over high-end hotels, exploring neighbourhoods on foot, or curating local food trails, new-age travellers are reshaping India’s tourism landscape with authenticity and affordability at the centre.

Travel Is Now About Real Experiences, Not Expensive Ones

According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder, EaseMyTrip, young travellers are favouring “authentic, on-ground experiences rather than high-budget stays and flights.” He explains that many travellers now want deeper cultural connections, local cuisine, community-led stays, and flexible itineraries that allow them to explore at their own pace.

An interesting shift, Pittie observes, is that “more than 60% of travellers are now viewing the stay as the destination itself,” increasingly choosing boutique resorts and homestays that mirror the local way of life.

This shift is driven by multiple factors, remote work, easy online booking tools, improved connectivity, and a growing sense of safety for solo, especially women travellers. Social media also plays a pivotal role in spotlighting offbeat, sustainable destinations and inspiring travellers to move beyond conventional routes. As Pittie notes, this marks “a clear shift from checklist tourism towards travel that is grounded, experiential, and purposeful.”

Smart Booking = Smarter Savings

Budget travel isn’t just about spending less, it’s about planning smartly. Pittie emphasises that early planning can help travellers save 20–35% on year-end holidays.

He explains, “Those who book domestic flights at least a month in advance can save up to 20–25%, while planning two-three months ahead for popular routes can increase savings even further.”

Flying on weekdays, particularly Thursdays, often results in lower fares compared to weekend departures. Bundled packages that combine flights, hotels, and transfers add extra value, especially when paired with loyalty programs and early-bird offers. Flexible dates, a feature now widely available on travel platforms, help travellers find better deals effortlessly.

With just a bit of foresight, travellers can enjoy seamless, affordable, and memorable holidays without overextending their budgets.

The Rise of Financially Conscious Travellers

Travel choices today are not only about where to go, but also how to fund the journey responsibly. According to Rishabh Goel, founder and CEO, Credgenics, modern travellers are becoming more aware of the financial implications of impulsive travel spending.

Goel notes, “Instead of splurging impulsively on credit, people are adopting a more measured and mindful approach where sound financial management is integral to a good travel experience.”

More Indians are now consciously avoiding debt-heavy options like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) or Travel Now Pay Later (TNPL) schemes, preferring to travel within their means. They save in advance, set micro-budgets, and make informed choices that preserve long-term financial well-being.

At Credgenics, Goel sees this as a positive shift, “Financial discipline, once considered restrictive, is gradually becoming a gateway to smarter and more fulfilling travel.”

He believes the new mantra, travel like a local, spend like a local, and live like a financially confident global citizen, reflects India’s evolving credit mindset. Responsible money habits are becoming part of lifestyle choices, even in how people choose to explore the world.

The New-Age Budget Traveler Is Redefining Tourism

Today’s Indian traveller is thoughtful, connected, budget-aware, and experience-driven. They choose authenticity over extravagance, flexibility over rigid tours, and long-term financial well-being over impulsive purchases.

From exploring homestays to planning ahead, supporting local communities, avoiding unnecessary debt, and embracing sustainable tourism, the new-age traveller is reshaping the industry in meaningful ways.

In this era of conscious exploration, the real luxury is not in lavish spending but in travelling deeply, responsibly, and with intention.