Indian women travelling more solo, prefer beach destinations over hill stations

New insights from Scapia reveal that Indian women are travelling more independently, with solo trips rising sharply and beach destinations emerging as the top choice ahead of International Women’s Day.

• Solo travel among Indian women has grown nearly 9X year-on-year
• Beach destinations are popular for domestic and international travel.
• Gen Z women prefer value travel; millennials opt for luxury stays

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With International Women’s Day just around the corner on March 8, new travel insights are highlighting how Indian women are increasingly taking charge of their journeys — travelling more frequently, planning trips independently and embracing solo travel like never before.

According to new data released by the travel-fintech platform Scapia ahead of the global celebration of women’s achievements, Indian women are not only travelling more but are also making independent decisions about destinations, transport and accommodation.

The report points to a significant shift in travel behaviour, with women increasingly booking their own flights, trains, buses and stays instead of relying on group or family travel planning.

Solo travel among Indian women sees sharp rise

One of the most striking trends highlighted in the data is the surge in solo travel among women, which has grown nearly 9X year-on-year on the platform.

This surge reflects a broader shift in how women are approaching travel — prioritising independence, flexibility and personal experiences. From quick weekend escapes to international holidays, women travellers are increasingly taking control of their travel plans.

The growth is visible across multiple travel modes, including flights, trains, buses and accommodation bookings, suggesting that women are travelling more frequently and exploring a wider range of destinations.

Beach destinations dominate women’s travel choices

When it comes to leisure travel within India, beach destinations clearly dominate women’s preferences. According to the data, more than 80% of domestic leisure bookings made by women are for beach destinations rather than hill stations.

Popular coastal locations include Goa, Port Blair, Kovalam, Poovar, Varkala and Diu.

The preference for beach getaways also extends to international travel. Among solo female travellers, island and coastal destinations across Southeast Asia remain especially popular, including Krabi, Phuket, Langkawi, Phu Quoc, Bali and Gili Trawangan.

Spiritual destinations continue to attract women travellers

Spiritual tourism continues to play a strong role in women’s travel decisions, although preferences differ across age groups.

Among Gen Z travellers, scenic and culturally rich destinations such as Varanasi and Rishikesh are becoming increasingly popular. These locations combine spirituality with heritage and visually striking landscapes, making them appealing to younger travellers.

Meanwhile, millennial women tend to favour established pilgrimage centres including Shirdi, Haridwar, Amritsar and Velankanni.

Gen Z women favour value travel and cultural destinations

The report from Scapia also highlights clear generational differences in travel preferences.

Gen Z women are largely opting for mid-range accommodations, which account for nearly half of their bookings and have grown around 8X year-on-year, suggesting that younger travellers are prioritising value-driven trips while travelling more frequently.

They are also showing a strong interest in heritage and culture-focused destinations such as Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Hampi, Agra and Varanasi.

Many Gen Z travellers are also exploring Tier-3 cities and offbeat destinations, along with quick weekend getaways near metro hubs such as Lonavala.

Millennials driving luxury travel growth

Millennial women, on the other hand, are increasingly opting for premium and luxury travel experiences. Nearly one-third of millennial women travellers choose luxury stays, the highest among all age groups.

Coastal destinations such as Goa and Pondicherry remain particularly popular among this segment.

Southeast Asia dominates international trips by women

When it comes to outbound travel, Southeast Asia continues to dominate women’s travel choices. The report shows that Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent together account for 62.6% of international trips by women on the platform.

Destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka remain especially popular, largely due to visa-free or visa-on-arrival access.

More than 60% of the top international destinations booked by women do not require advance visas, highlighting how ease of travel and accessibility influence decision-making.

Among these, Vietnam has emerged as a fast-growing favourite, with travellers visiting cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Ha Long and Sa Pa.

Japan and island destinations remain strong draws

Outside Southeast Asia, Japan has emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations among women travellers.

Cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hakone and Fujikawaguchiko feature prominently in bookings.

Island destinations including Mauritius and Seychelles are also gaining traction, particularly among younger travellers.

Central Asia emerges as a new favourite

Another notable trend is the growing interest in Central Asian and Eurasian destinations. Countries such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are steadily gaining popularity among Indian women travellers.

Among them, Georgia stands out as a leading destination, with visitors exploring cities such as Tbilisi, Batumi and Borjomi. Similarly, cities like Almaty and Tashkent are becoming increasingly popular among travellers seeking destinations beyond traditional tourist routes.

Europe remains aspirational but selective

While Europe continues to hold aspirational value for many travellers, it represents a smaller share of trips overall. Most visits remain concentrated in iconic cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam and Vienna.

This suggests that European holidays are often carefully planned milestone trips rather than spontaneous short getaways.

Women’s mobility across transport modes rising sharply

The report also highlights a surge in women’s mobility across different modes of transport.

Train bookings by women have increased 16.5 times year-on-year, while bus bookings have grown 11X and flight bookings have risen 8.2X. The trend suggests that women are travelling more frequently across regions, particularly within southern India and neighbouring states.

As International Women’s Day approaches, these insights highlight a broader shift in the travel landscape — one where Indian women are exploring the world on their own terms, choosing destinations, experiences and travel styles that reflect greater independence and confidence.