Is your 2026 vision board full of aesthetic travel postcards with that mandatory coffee aesthetic? It’s time to manifest and live it fully, as this year has 12 long weekends in store for you. Whether you’re looking for a sign to escape your work desk or finally begin your wanderlust era this year, you’ve come to the right place! Explore these budget-friendly Indian and international travel spots with your homies, family, and bae to make the most of all the long weekends in 2026.

Related: Stop Chasing Your Friends For A Trip: Try These 7 Travel Groups In Delhi NCR For Curated Experiences

1. Shoja: January 23-26

Vasant Panchami is on Friday this year, and Republic Day is on Monday, which gives you an extended long weekend of four fantastic days. This gives you the perfect excuse to take a trip to Shoja in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a great winter escape that will have you going back every year. Tucked near Jalori Pass, it offers snow-dusted forests, quiet village roads, and postcard views that will give you an amazing start to 2026. Once you finish the trek to Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake, you can explore Raghupur Fort and visit Waterfall Point and Tirthan Valley.

Average cost for one: Under ₹15,000

2. Colombo and Bentota: March 20-22

With Eid-ul-Fitr on March 20, 2026, Friday, this will be an ideal long weekend to experience the magical views of Colombo and Bentota in Sri Lanka. Colombo offers a lively mix of seaside promenades, buzzing markets like Pettah and the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, and historical sites, including Independence Square and Gangaramaya Temple & Seema Malaka. A short coastal drive takes you to Bentota, where you can immerse yourself in the chill vibe of the Bentota and Moragalla beaches. If you love adventure, you can indulge in some water sports and river safaris to see wildlife, including Sri Lankan monkeys and birds.

Average cost for one: ₹35,000-55,000

3. Theni and Meghamalai: April 3-5

Good Friday falls on April 3, 2026, this year. If summer makes you want to escape somewhere slightly breezy, Theni and Meghamalai make that possible in Tamil Nadu. You can enjoy the clear skies and cool mornings across forested hills and tea estates. With Suruli Falls and Vagai Dam close by, you can drive through misty roads to explore the stunning viewpoints, including Maharaja Mettu and Iravangalar. Don’t forget to stop by Vellimalai Hill for a restorative end to the trip.

Average cost for one: ₹15,000

4. Gurez Valley: May 1-3

May is the perfect time to visit Kashmir’s spectacular landscapes. With Buddha Purnima on Friday, May 1, 2026, you get a long weekend to take a short break from work. And if your idea of the perfect break is enjoying the underrated wild landscapes of India, head to Gurez Valley with your besties. This remote valley near the Line of Control opens up in May with beautiful rivers, meadows, and stunning mountain views. You can spend your days hiking along gentle trails, sitting by the Kishanganga River, or driving through serene villages to explore Kashmiri life. If you get time, you must visit Dawar Village and Habba Khatoon peak.

Average cost for one: Under ₹15,000

5. Almaty: May 23-26

Are you even manifesting international travel right if you don’t have Kazakhstan’s Almaty on your list yet? May 23-24 is a weekend, and Eid-ul-Zuha is on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. So, if you take that Monday off, you can easily enjoy a long weekend in Almaty. The city features aesthetic mountain backdrops with some hilltop cafés. You can hike or cable-car your way up to Big Almaty Lake, explore Kok-Tobe Hill, and end your day at a cosy coffee shop.

Average cost for one: ₹45,000-50,000

6. Punakha Valley: August 28-30

Raksha Bandhan is on Friday, August 28, 2026, and the weekend stretches to August 30. If you’re looking for a destination that’s lush, peaceful, and beautifully green, Punakha is the place for you. This valley in Bhutan offers riverside walks, suspension bridges, and one of Bhutan’s most striking dzongs (monasteries). You can also add Thimphu to your plan to see the massive Buddha Dordenma statue and Bhutan’s national animal at the Motithang Takin Preserve.

Average cost for one: ₹30,000-40,000

7. Tawang: September 4-6

September kickstarts the festivities in India, leaving you low on productivity. So, if you’re not big on celebrating the festivals and want to escape to a quieter, therapeutic place, head to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. With Janmashtami on Friday, September 4, you can use this long weekend to walk through the lush valleys, low-hanging clouds, and waterfalls of Tawang. You can also visit Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, Nuranang Falls, and Dirang for a classic road-trip adventure.

Average cost for one: ₹12,000-18,000

8. Luang Prabang: September 12-14

And here comes the second long weekend of September to get your travel plans sorted. September 12-13 is already a weekend, and then comes Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, September 14, 2026. Take this long weekend to travel to Luang Prabang in Laos, and return just in time to celebrate the festive spirit in your city. You can spend your days at Kuang Si waterfalls, cruise on the Mekong, and climb to Phousi Hill to catch a beautiful sunset. You must enjoy the local food and visit the Royal Palace Museum to have an authentic Laos experience.

Average cost for one: ₹35,000-45,000

9. Bundi: October 2-4

October 2026 offers two long weekends, so you can escape work stress twice. Gandhi Jayanti is on Friday, October 2, 2026. So, why not spend this weekend in Bundi, Rajasthan? It’s offbeat and aesthetic, offering blue lanes, stepwells, and beautiful palace murals that will make your artsy heart happy. October’s moderate weather is ideal for long walks at Taragarh Fort, Garh Palace, and Raniji Ki Baori.

Average cost for one: ₹7,000-10,000

10. Siem Reap: October 17-20

October 17-18 is a weekend, Dussehra is on Tuesday, October 20, and if you take a Monday off, you get to see the beauty Cambodia has to offer. Siem Reap is more than just temple hopping. Beyond visiting the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex, you can explore cycling trails through villages and floating settlements on Tonlé Sap Lake. Don’t miss out on the Cambodian nightlife at Pub Street.

Average cost for one: ₹38,000-48,000

11. Mandrem and Morjim: November 7-9

If you want to experience the calm vibes of Goa, don’t wait till the year-end. Instead, take a chill road trip in November. Diwali is tentatively on Monday, November 9, 2026. So, you have this long weekend to experience the soothing vibe of Mandrem and Morjim beaches. The white sands and clear waters will help you wind down easily. You can also spot Olive Ridley turtles if you’re lucky.

Average cost for one: ₹9,000-14,000

12. Hoi An: December 25-27

There’s no better place to end the year than in Vietnam. Christmas is on Friday, December 25, 2026, giving you the last long weekend of the year. Think lantern-lit streets, riverside cafés, and heritage homes that set the mood for a relaxed year-end break. You can explore the UNESCO Ancient Town’s Japanese Bridge and old houses, catch the sunset at An Bang beach, take basket boat tours, try the street food, and experience the local life at Tra Que Vegetable Village.

Average cost for one: Under ₹50,000

Related: 7 Budget Honeymoon Destinations In Asia For A Memorable Vacation With Your Bae

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FAQs

Q1. Which country is best for a 3-day trip?

Countries like Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan are among the best countries to enjoy a 3-day trip from India.

Q2. What is the cheapest country to visit from India?

Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia are among the cheapest countries to visit from India.

Q3. What are the best places to visit in India around Holi?

If you want to experience the traditional Holi celebrations in India, visit Mathura & Vrindavan, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Pushkar.

Q4. What’s the best time to book flight tickets from India to get cheaper rates?

For domestic travel, you can book flight tickets 30-35 days ahead, and two to three months before for international getaways.

Q5. What are the best places to visit in India in the month of April?

For April travel in India, head to cool Himalayan destinations like Manali, Shimla, Darjeeling, Gangtok, or Auli for mountain escapes. You can also explore the beaches and water sports in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, or find greenery in South Indian hills like Munnar, Coorg, and Kodaikanal.