From chaos over a forgotten phone charger to the comforting presence of homemade namkeen, Indian travellers’ journeys are shaped by several quirks, relatable practices and unexpected moments
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Travelling is not just about visiting a new destination and exploring tourist places. From planning to packing, and from cultural immersion to nostalgic connection, a complete holiday experience entails several behind-the-scenes moments that may not always make it to conversations (and social media feeds).
From the chaos over a forgotten phone charger to the comforting presence of homemade namkeen, Indian travellers’ journeys are shaped by several quirks, relatable practices and unexpected moments, according to a new report.
What didn’t make it to the trip
Despite having been thorough with your vacation packing, have you ever had the feeling that you are missing something? It might be your phone charger! The report by travel platform Booking.com reveals that 35 per cent Indian travellers forget their phone chargers or adapters while packing.
Besides this most forgotten item, 33 per cent travellers forget toothbrushes or toothpaste, 29 per cent miss carrying essential medicines, and 28 per cent don’t have earphones to accompany them on their journey, because well, they forget them at home.
Beyond these usual items, travellers also sometimes miss packing things like umbrellas and sunglasses. Critical travel documents are also in the list with 21 per cent Indians forgetting to carry this essential item.
What didn’t make it back home
Things are missed not only while packing before the trip, but also while returning from the vacation. Nearly half (42 per cent) of Indian travellers leave behind clothing items like socks, shirts and tops during their holidays, the report states.
Other commonly forgotten items include electronics like earphones, chargers or power banks (37 per cent), toiletries (36 per cent), glasses (30 per cent) and jewellery or watches (22 per cent). Around 17 per cent Indian travellers have also forgotten important documents such as passports or IDs. Some truly unexpected items in this list include hair extensions or wigs (15 per cent), teeth aligners (13 per cent), and even pets (12 per cent).
Home away from home
For some Indian travellers, going away from home for vacation doesn’t necessarily mean parting ways with home-cooked food. The report reveals that 37 per cent of Indians prefer travelling with the comfort of home-cooked foods such as thepla, paratha or puri.
When it comes to travel snacking, Indians’ top picks are dry snacks like namkeen, khakhra and biscuits (54 per cent), followed by energy-boosting dry fruits and nuts (41 per cent), and chocolates, candies or mints (39 per cent) that offer a readily available treat. For 33 per cent travellers, coffee and tea sachets are also essential.
Bringing back memories
Souvenirs act as tangible reminders of experiences, and Indian travellers wholeheartedly embrace them, bringing memories of their travels home. For 64 per cent of respondents, clothing items unique to the destination are their top souvenir picks. This is followed by edible snacks sourced from local supermarkets or vendors (58 per cent).
Classic mementos like fridge magnets, mugs, snow globes and keychains (50 per cent) also remain popular, in addition to local crafts (46 per cent).
Commenting on the findings of the report, Santosh Kumar, regional manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, "It’s fascinating to see how Indian travellers seamlessly blend convenience with cultural connection on their journeys. While packing quirks and forgotten essentials are common, these habits reflect a deep emotional connection to both home comforts and local experiences. The data highlights that while unexpected travel twists may disrupt the best-laid plans, it’s often these moments, along with the memories of local experiences, that truly define a traveller’s journey.”
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