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10 cheap international holidays from India

1. Krabi, Thailand

Krabi is one of those cheap international holiday destinations about which you can safely say – “Ah, the pictures weren’t photoshopped!” The white beaches, blue waters and coral reefs are actually that lovely. Scuba diving enthusiasts can have a whale of a time here, while there’s plenty of exotic flora and fauna in the tropical forests if you’re up for some exploring. Of course, for the beach bums, this is paradise – lounge as you sip your minty cocktails!

 2. Kathmandu, Nepal

Very often, we forget about our immediate neighbors and tend to focus on far away cheap abroad trips. Just across the border and a very cheap flight away from New Delhi sits Kathmandu – with promises of mountains and spirituality. Apart from being a gateway to the Himalayas for mountaineering enthusiasts, a trip to Kathmandu is a nice blend of the old and the new, the modern and the traditional. Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has several palaces and temples within the complex waiting to be explored. The Thamel area has tons of shops selling everything from mountaineering gear to souvenirs. The Pashupatinath Temple is the city’s oldest Hindu temple, while the Bodhnath Stupa is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the world.

 3. Singapore

Yet another ideal destination when you have limited time and a tight budget is Singapore. The glitzy city has much more than the fashion labels at Orchard Street. Soak in the culture at Chinatown Heritage Centre, or take a cruise on the Singapore River. Visit the Singapore Zoo, which is one of the best in Asia, and also make sure you don’t miss the Night Safari. Spend an evening at the Marina Bay area. Explore the many dining options by the River at Clarke Quay. Plan your trip early for cheap flight tickets and book your hotel in advance too, and make Singapore on top of your list of cheap international holiday destinations from India. 

Wondering when is the best time to book your trip abroad?

Check out our data below to see how many weeks before your intended departure date is the cheapest time to book your flight! Generally, we see that flight prices tend to increase drastically 2 months before the departure date, so make sure you book early to get the cheapest deals! Click the graph below to find the best flight offers we’ve found to these top destinations.

  4. Malacca, Malaysia

We’ve all heard of Kuala Lumpur, but how many of us have really given thought to Malacca? With its Portuguese influence clearly visible in the buildings and streets, Malacca is truly one of the top cheap international holiday destinations from India, and a city that is brimming with history. Jonker Street is a great place to stumble upon antiques and other collectibles. With its myriad colours, Malacca is a photographer’s delight too. Get here by road after a cheap flight to the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur; it’ll just take you about an hour and a half.

 5. Colombo, Sri Lanka

Most people briefly stop in Colombo before heading to the gorgeous beaches on the western coast of Sri Lanka. But if all you have is a few days off, and you want to get out of the country, head to Colombo and give it a chance. Visit the Gangaramaya Temple and other nearby Buddhist temples for a spiritual experience. Walk around in the Colombo Fort area where every building has a rich history, and so many tales to tell. Bargain to your heart’s content at Pettah Market, Colombo’s huge open market where you will find everything from fruits to jewellery. Savour delicious Sri Lankan food, especially if you like seafood. But vegetarians, don’t worry, there’s plenty for you too in one of the best cheap international holiday destinations from India!

6. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Surprised that it made our list of the best cheap international holidays from India? Guess what? It takes a while for an outsider to look beyond the layers of glamour that Dubai seems to have become synonymous with. But when you do, you’ll notice that there is so much you can do in this incredible city. A long walk around the old Bastakiya district is a must do for history buffs. Whether or not you want to make a purchase, you must definitely visit the Deira Gold Souk just for the experience. Get away from the traffic and crowds and take a desert safari and do some dune bashing. Or just be a tourist and visit the Burj Khalifa and other notable skyscrapers, if only for the splendid views.

 7. Bangkok, Thailand

How many of you have asked friends to purchase electronic goods or branded accessories from Bangkok? Why not head there and buy them for yourself, because if you plan reasonably well in advance, tickets to Bangkok are pretty cheap from Mumbai, New Delhi or any other major Indian city. And Bangkok is not just a retail therapy haven, but it is also full of beautiful Buddhist temples, lip smackingly delicious street food and lovely floating markets.

 8. Bali, Indonesia

Rice plantations so green that you wonder if nature has some kind of photoshop. Intricately sculpted temples, blue-green seas and sandy beaches – these are just a few things from the mixed goody bag that is Bali. Experience a little of everything when you’re on this beautiful foreign trip. Laze on the glorious beaches of Seminyak and Nusa Dua. Visit the crafts villages in Ubud and the surrounding villages. Water sports enthusiasts have tons of options to go surfing or diving. If you’re feeling more adventurous, trek up Mount Batur, one of Bali’s active volcanoes. After your trek, treat those sore muscles to a relaxing Balinese massage.

9. Male, Maldives

The Maldives, with its turquoise waters, colourful sea life and exotic spas, has in recent years been wooing the Indian traveller like never before. Male, the capital of the Maldives, is located in the North Male Atoll, and is connected by air to major Indian cities. The underwater life in the sea lends a whole new meaning to the term colourful, and scuba diving enthusiasts are set to have a highly memorable experience. After a few days in the capital, head out to explore another inhabited island to get a true taste of the culture in this beautiful country. And yes, despite its majestic and otherworldly feel, it’s amazingly one of the cheap international holidays from India.

 10. Phuket, Thailand

Yes, Thailand features again in our list of cheap international holidays from India. That’s how budget friendly it is. The world first noticed Phuket after the 1974 James Bond flick The Man with the Golden Gun was shot there. And it continues to attract travellers with its sandy beaches, clear waters and vibrant nightlife. Whether you are looking to have a quiet time by the beach or party hard, Phuket is a great option.

Also read : 

Best International Travel Destinations on Budget We Love

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Why I Booked a Trip to the Maldives Last December

No matter how you slice it, the Maldives is really far for Americans — and really expensive. To get from New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB) and on to Male (MLE), the capital of the Maldives, it’s about an 8,730-mile journey — some 200 miles longer than the ultra long-haul from Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD). And once you get to Male, your journey has just begun. To get to your final atoll, you may need to take any combination of boat, seaplane or propeller jet — and the cost of those travels may be even more expensive than your long-haul flights there!

So, why do Americans bother when Hawaii and the Caribbean are a stone’s throw away? First, because the Maldives is far away and expensive, the islands are pretty exclusive. The only traffic you’ll face at most resorts is that of a golf cart whizzing down a wooden walkway. You feel disconnected, and since they’re in the middle of the Indian Ocean, far from the hustle and bustle of major cities, the stargazing is spectacular. Add in the world-class scuba diving and ultimate Instagram bragging rights, and the Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon destination — or simply for those who want to spike their likes on Instagram.

Intergalactic spaceship to planet ZEN. Or Overwater Villa. You can’t redeem Hyatt points for them, but you can upgrade regular point redemptions (25,000 points a night) with cash for $560 a night based on availability. For my stay during peak season there were no points rooms left, so I paid $1,560 a night for the Overwater Villa and I’ll get the 4th night free for using the Citi Prestige card. Not cheap, but this stay allows me to re-qualify for Diamond for 2017 and I’ll earn 3x points for paying with Prestige.

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Dec 20, 2016 at 5:37am PST

I went to the Conrad Maldives in November 2013 when I locked in the rate of just 50,000 (then HHonors) points per night. I was going to India for the first time, and I was recently scuba certified. So, I figured I’d tack on a Maldives trip, risking the fact that May through November is rainy season. And sadly, my luck didn’t pan out as it rained five out of the six days I was there, though I was still able to get in some decent dives since the underwater world isn’t as affected by rain showers as terra firma. Even though the room was a great deal using points, food was extremely expensive (especially the underwater restaurant).

In addition to costs being expensive while you’re there, most hotels using points are really pricey:

Category  Points per Night Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa  SPG Category 6  20,000-25,000 W Maldives  SPG Category 7  90,000 St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort  SPG Category 7  90,000 Conrad Maldives Rangali Island  Honors Category 10  95,000 Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa  Hyatt Gold Passport Category 6  25,000

As you can see from the above chart, the best value is probably the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, at 25,000 points per night — worth $450 based on my most recent valuations — and rooms routinely go for $800+, so this is a solid redemption for a beautiful resort (stay tuned for more in my upcoming review).

These sunrises, though! Stay tuned for a Facebook Live from my Overwater Villa at Park Hyatt @hadahaa http://bit.ly/2ayMSkU

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Dec 22, 2016 at 5:19pm PST

But when we wrote about the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort offering overwater villas for just 32,500 Starpoints per night — worth $878 based on my valuations — or 26,000 per night with the fifth night free, I jumped on it. I was eyeing a late-December Christmas holiday, and to my delight, five nights were available from December 23-28 over Christmas.

Best use of 26,000 @spg points ever #drunkonrelaxation

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Dec 28, 2016 at 6:13am PST

From there, I decided I might as well compare it to the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, but sadly no rooms of any type were available for award redemptions, so I paid $1,560 per night, getting the 4th night free with Citi Prestige Card for a Park Sunset Water Villa. A splurge for sure, but I wanted to be able to review an overwater villa at the Park Hyatt and St. Regis head to head. I’ll review the resort later, but here’s an early tip: Spending 25,000 points for a regular villa on land is a great option, and paying full price for the overwater villas is not worth it in my opinion (though if you can upgrade for a couple of nights to experience it, it isn’t a bad option).

I met a ton of TPG readers today, which makes total sense since this is one of the best Hyatt point redemptions out there- 25,000 points a night for rooms that are $1,200+ per night! Think about that- you can get FOUR nights here from the 100k Sapphire Reserve sign-up bonus (two nights with the Hyatt credit card). You need to get here, which ain’t cheap (transfers from Male to the resort are $520 per person), but the serenity is worth it in my opinion!

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Dec 19, 2016 at 6:47am PST

To cap off the trip, I decided to spend New Year’s Eve at the No. 1 hotel in the world per Travel + Leisure, Nihiwatu in Sumba, Indonesia (a 45-minute flight from Bali). The hotel isn’t part of any points program, though it is part of the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts portfolio. If you book through Amex FHR, you’ll get noon check-in when available, a room upgrade when available, daily breakfast for two people, guaranteed 4:00pm late checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi and a unique property amenity of a complimentary 50-minute massage for two people. For my stay, however, I again decided to use my Citi Prestige Card and paid $1,381 per night for lodging (including meals and activities) and got the 4th night free.

Not a terrible way to spend the last day of an exhausting, but fulfilling year✈🤙

A post shared by Brian Kelly (@thepointsguy) on Dec 30, 2016 at 8:48pm PST

For flights, I went with Singapore Suites from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA) to Singapore (SIN) and finally on to Male (MLE) in business class. If I were to have used cash, my flight would have cost more than $10,000 — however, I redeemed 191,250 KrisFlyer miles for the Suites flight JFK-FRA-SIN and 29,750 miles for the SIN-MLE flight in business class. In all, the 221,000 KrisFlyer miles I redeemed were worth $3,315 based on my valuations — a fantastic redemption given the price of the ticket.

It can be pretty difficult to get from the Maldives to Nihiwatu, but here’s the best way to do it: Redeem Singapore KrisFlyer miles to fly from Male (MLE) to Singapore (SIN) and then on to Bali (DPS) for 29,750 miles + $200 at the business saver level or 15,725 miles + $173 at the economy level. From there, you can get a one-way ticket from Bali (DPS) to Sumba (TMC) on Garuda Indonesia for $70 or a round-trip ticket for $129.

And for the return, I went from Bali (DPS) to Seoul (ICN) and on to JFK in Korean Air first class for 95,000 miles (thanks to my 100,000-point Chase Sapphire Reserve sign-up bonus) + $190 in taxes and fees. For a ticket that cost more than $7,000, I got some great value from that redemption.

All in all, my trip wasn’t cheap but I still saved a huge amount using miles and points, and it was truly the trip of a lifetime — more on that later.