Man drops Rishikesh plan after Rs 15,000-a-night hotels, books Sri Lanka instead

A traveller planning a quick getaway to Rishikesh ended up booking a holiday in Sri Lanka instead after comparing costs and finding the international trip offered better value. The story, shared on social media, has reignited a familiar debate about whether domestic travel in India is becoming increasingly expensive compared to overseas destinations.

The discussion began after content creator Paritsh Sharrma recounted a friend's experience while planning a vacation to the popular Uttarakhand town.

According to Sharrma, his friend started exploring accommodation and travel options for Rishikesh but was taken aback by the prices. He claimed that decent hotels in the destination were charging anywhere between Rs 9,000 and Rs 15,000 per night. Airfares added another layer of expense, with one-way flights from Mumbai to Delhi costing around Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000, not including the onward journey to Rishikesh.

“A friend was going to Rishikesh for a trip. Checked decent hotels, Rs 9K–15K per night. Flights from Mumbai to Delhi were Rs 7K–8K one way,” Sharrma wrote on X.

Faced with the rising costs, the traveller reportedly began exploring alternatives and eventually landed on an unexpected choice — Sri Lanka.

Sharma claimed that for roughly the same budget, his friend was able to book a significantly more premium experience overseas. According to him, sea-facing five-star hotels in Sri Lanka were available for around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per night, making the overall trip appear more attractive from a financial standpoint.

“On the same budget, he booked Sri Lanka instead,” he wrote, adding that the destination offered “better value for money”, cleaner surroundings and a more tourism-friendly experience.

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The post quickly drew attention online, with many users weighing in on the cost of domestic travel. Some agreed that hotel rates and airfares at popular Indian destinations have risen sharply in recent years, particularly after the post-pandemic tourism boom.

One user noted that domestic tourism demand has surged since COVID-19, which has contributed to higher prices. However, they also acknowledged that destinations such as Sri Lanka can sometimes offer a comparable, or even better, holiday experience at a lower overall cost.

The discussion has since evolved into a broader conversation about affordability, with travellers increasingly comparing domestic vacations against international alternatives before making their final booking decisions.