India on the move: Choosing the road less traveled

A few years ago, the idea of quitting your job to travel may have sounded radical. Today, it’s a reality for a growing number of millennials and families in India, who are swapping career ladders and city leases for backpacks, booking sites, and open roads. From the Himalayan hamlets of Spiti to the mangroves of Sundarbans and the surf-friendly beaches of Varkala, India is witnessing a groundswell of travel—more spontaneous, more purposeful, and more personal than ever before.

This shift isn’t just anecdotal. According to industry reports, Indian millennials are now spending upwards of 35 days a year on travel—whether for leisure, work, or what’s increasingly being called “bleisure,” a blend of business and leisure. They’re looking for more than sightseeing. These travellers are searching for meaning: a digital detox in the hills, cultural immersion in a forgotten village, or even a deeper connection with their spiritual roots. Social media may have introduced these destinations, but what keeps travellers hooked is the profound sense of discovery that comes with stepping away from the familiar.

Much of this movement was catalyzed by the pandemic. With remote work taking hold, the boundaries between desk and destination began to blur. Suddenly, professionals could take a client call from a café in Udaipur or draft pitch decks from a cottage in Mukteshwar. Travel-friendly work policies allowed young Indians to turn once-in-a-year holidays into month-long stays. In one such example, a couple from Bengaluru spent two months travelling 15,000 kilometres across the country with their parents, living on a modest budget, booking Airbnbs, and working online from wherever the road took them.

What once may have felt irresponsible is now gaining social approval. Social media feeds are full of travel diaries and scenic workstations. 

Quitting your job to travel is no longer a cautionary tale—it’s a badge of courage. Preethi Parthasarathy, a former bank executive and now Peppy Trave Girl, left her job to become a full-time traveller and writer. She’s now one of a growing tribe of digital nomads using platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Substack to fund their journeys. There are many more. Nadia Said, a US-based Indian IT manager who resigned amid burnout to budget a year in Asia—partly to reconnect with her heritage in India and invest in personal growth. Sayali Goyal, who left fashion marketing to launch Cocoa & Jasmine (an independent print cultural publication) travelling across India and Europe in search of creative inspiration 

“People were sceptical at first, but now I am no longer the only one. Quitting your job to focus on travel is no longer strange; in fact, it’s seen as aspirational,” says Naina Rajsingh, an advertising executive who moonlights as a travel writer. “My family was worried about financial stability, which is why I also continue to take up advertising projects and work remotely,” she says. 

What makes this shift even more significant is that it’s not limited to young singles. Many families and couples are embracing a more mobile lifestyle. Parents are realising that education can come as much from experience as it does from the classroom. Travelling with children is no longer just a vacation; it’s an immersive lesson in geography, history, and empathy. Families are driving across states, working remotely, and choosing slow travel over quick holidays.

The reasons for this travel boom are layered. The economic freedom of the urban middle class plays a part, as does the psychological urge to live in the now after years of pandemic-induced uncertainty. But it’s also about values. Owning property or chasing promotions has lost its sheen for many in this generation. 

“What we want instead are stories, experiences, connections—and sometimes, a home in the hills we can share with friends or strangers. It’s no surprise that platforms offering fractional ownership of vacation homes are growing in popularity as are travel loans,” says Abhilasha Dewan, a work-from-anywhere graphic designer who aims to transition into travel writing. 

Another crucial driver is content. The rise of Indian travel influencers like Varun Vagish of Mountain Trekker—whose YouTube channel draws over a million subscribers—has transformed travel into a viable career. These creators offer more than pretty pictures. Their detailed videos and practical guides help others navigate costs, connectivity, and cultural etiquette. They also champion responsible tourism, zero-waste habits, and respect for local communities, nudging their audiences toward a more sustainable style of travel.

Interestingly, this quest for movement is also bringing travellers closer to home. While international trips are on the rise, many Indians are rediscovering the richness of their own backyard. Destinations like Tawang, Ziro, Orchha, and Valparai—long overlooked in favour of the popular trio of Goa, Manali, and Pondicherry—are becoming travel hotspots. Spiritual destinations such as Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Puri are witnessing a revival, as younger travellers seek mental clarity and a reset far from the noise of urban life.

It’s not just about where people are going—it’s about how. The desire for offbeat, immersive, and meaningful travel is reshaping the industry. Boutique homestays, eco-lodges, artist residencies, and farm stays are fast replacing cookie-cutter resorts. Whether it's working on a coffee estate in Coorg, weaving with artisans in Kutch, or joining a musical residency in Shillong, the lines between tourism and life experience are blurring. These journeys aren’t about escape; they’re about expansion.

For travel businesses, content creators, and tourism boards, the message is clear: the future of travel in India is not only transactional—it’s transformational. As this new generation of travellers reshapes the map, they’re also rewriting the narrative. Travel is no longer just a break from life; for many, it has become life itself.

As American author Susan Sontag once wrote, “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” For India’s wanderlust generation, that list only keeps growing—and it’s no longer a dream deferred.