Have you been waiting to check off your travel bucket list? If so, 2024 offers 13 long weekends perfect for quick getaways across India or a short visa-free international trip. With some planning, you can utilise these long holidays in 2024 to organise incredible trips.
Here’s a handy guide to help you make the most of the extra time off and plan your perfect vacation.
Guide to organise the long weekends in 2024
Follow these steps to plan your long weekends this year:
1. Plan ahead
The first step is to look at the calendar and mark all the long weekends in 2024. This will give you an overview of the extended holidays spread through the year. Here is a list of the long weekends in 2024:
Months
Long Weekends
January
13th– 15th and 26th– 28th
March
8th– 10th, 23rd– 25th and 29th– 31st
May
23rd– 26th
June
15th– 17th
August
15th– 19th and 24th– 26th
September
5th– 8th
October
11th– 13th
November
1st– 3rd
2. Match destinations to seasons
When choosing where to go during the long weekends in 2024, keep seasonal factors like weather and festivals in mind. Below are some suggestions:
– The winter months of January and February are great for outdoor activities or wildlife safaris. Head to destinations like Rann of Kutch, Rajasthan, Amritsar or the national parks of Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
– As March-April brings warmer weather, plan trips to Kashmir to catch the snow or beach destinations like Gokarna and Pondicherry, which are pleasant before peak summer.
– Beat the May-June heat by escaping to the hills. Head to places like Tawang, Coorg, Leh-Ladakh, Shillong and the Himalayas.
– The monsoon months of July-August are ideal for the Western Ghats regions. Explore places like Kerala, Mahabaleshwar and Coorg, which are lush green and beautiful during the rains.
– Post-monsoon, September-November is perfect for treks in the Himalayas. The weather is cooler, and the landscapes are clearer. Choose from valleys like Spiti and Dharamkot, the rugged terrain of Ladakh or routes like the Markha Valley trek.
– As winter returns in November-December, head south to places like Puducherry, Gokarna, Andaman Islands, and Kerala, which have pleasant weather.
– Alternatively, enjoy winter activities in the north by going to Auli, Manali, Shimla and McLeodganj.
3. Match activities to interests
When planning your travel itinerary for long weekends in 2024, it’s important to consider your interests. There are plenty of options available for every kind of traveller.
For foodies, cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Amritsar and Kolkata offer a wide range of culinary delights to explore and enjoy. For those who love the outdoors, adventure sports like trekking in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, surfing in Kerala or thrilling activities in Rishikesh are perfect.
Wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers can visit the national parks of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh to spot exotic animal species like tigers, rhinos, and migratory birds.
Those seeking a cultural experience can immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Rajasthan, the art scene of Kolkata, or the vibrant festivals of Varanasi and Mathura. Water activity enthusiasts can head to tropical hotspots like Gokarna, Kovalam, Puri, Varkala or the Andaman and Lakshadweep islands to enjoy activities like snorkelling, sailing and jet skiing.
4. Embrace budget hacks for travelling and saving
To stretch your travel budget further during the long weekends in 2024, opt for destinations during off-peak seasons when accommodations and activities are more affordable. Experience the local culture and save money by indulging in budget-friendly street food and local eateries. Utilise travel reward programs, loyalty points, and credit card perks to score discounts on flights, accommodations, and activities.
Additionally, save on excess baggage fees by packing light and only bringing the essentials. Take advantage of free attractions, walking tours, and local events to enrich your experience without spending a fortune.
5. Research transportation options
Research and book transportation in advance to maximise your time during the long weekends in 2024.
For driving, use apps like Zoomcar to plan optimal road routes and make sightseeing schedules. If renting a car, book early to get good deals and availability. While booking flights, check which airports are closest to your destination and have the lowest fares.
Sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and MakeMyTrip help compare options across airlines. For public transport, online booking for trains and inter-state buses opens in advance. This secures your seat and saves time queuing on arrival.
Booking airport transfers or local taxis in the city is more accessible through aggregators like Uber and Ola. Compare costs across different classes of taxis, too.
6. Research accommodation options
Along with transport, accommodation is vital to an enjoyable 2024 long weekend. Do some research beforehand to find places that match your style and budget.
Luxury travellers can consider 5-star properties, boutique hotels, heritage havelis, or high-end homestays for a pampered holiday experience. Budget travellers can find great hotel, apartment, and hostel deals through apps like Oyo, Airbnb, and Goibibo.
Nature lovers looking for seclusion can browse apps like GlampEco and Vista Rooms for luxury tents and eco resorts in scenic locations away from crowds. For a more immersive local experience, platforms like IndiaSomeday offer stays in community homestays across villages.
7. Get work in order
To completely unplug on your holiday, wrap up pending tasks at work before you leave. Communicate your absence in advance to colleagues and set out-of-office messages via email and chat.
By planning your tasks around the long weekends, you can truly enjoy yourself without work concerns lingering over your holiday.
Finance your vacations during the long weekends in 2024!
Whether you love adventure, nature, or culture or need a relaxing break, the long weekends in 2024 present perfect opportunities to create memorable experiences.
So, start dreaming and finalising your bucket list now, and let TATA Capital’s personal loan for travel be your financial solution. With our flexible EMI options, attractive personal loan interest rates, and a 100% hassle-free online loan application process, you can quickly get the funds you need for your travel plans.
14 October 2024
6 mins read
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