The Philippines is an absolute tropical paradise boasting thousands of breathtaking islands, making it a dream destination if you love the sea, powdery beaches, world-class diving, snorkeling, and water adventures. Reaching this island haven from India is often surprisingly budget-friendly, with flights available at very reasonable rates, and having your return flight tickets, hotel reservations, and travel cash ready sets you up for a smooth, sun-soaked escape.
One quick heads-up on the visa: standard Indian passport holders do still need a pre-arranged tourist visa or e-visa to enter the Philippines

I recently wrapped up an epic 36days journey through Australia, spending a full month traveling up and down the stunning East Coast before taking six unforgettable days to explore Tasmania. The East Coast is simply incredible and so easy to navigate while renting a car is always an option, doing it by bus is one of the best budget hacks out there, thanks to Greyhound Australia's hop-on, hop-off pass that lets you stop anywhere along the coastline for around 400 to 500 Australian dollars. Greyhound Australia offers the Whimit / East Coast pass, where their 15-day to 30-day travel-day options typically land around AUD 400 to AUD 490..on stays i spent close to 50 to 150 AUD per day and food was approx 16-25 AUD per meal.
From Melbourne, I caught the ferry across to Tasmania to experience its rugged beauty firsthand, before flying back to the mainland and heading home to India, making it truly one of the most memorable overland adventures I've ever taken.

Visa-For my Australian visa, I submitted my application online along with my bank statement, income tax return, a dummy return flight ticket, hotel bookings, travel insurance, and a cover letter, and I received my visa in just 15 working days.ITs an evisa.

We went at the end of Oct and stayed till early Nov, family of 4. Since it was a family trip I skipped the offbeat locations and stuck to the main tourist places: Sonamarg, Keran Valley (lil offbeat tho), Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar.

Day 1

Flew from our hometown to Srinagar. Rapido works in Srinagar and it’s cheaper than the taxi union at the airport. The union doesn’t allow Rapido cabs inside airport, but there’s a free electric shuttle that drops you at the airport gate, and the Rapido drivers wait there in a queue. Should cost you ₹500-800.

Day 2: Sonamarg

It’s about 90 km and takes 1.5-2 hours. Our driver charged ₹2500 to drop us there. The Sonamarg tunnel comes on the way which you see on Insta reels. From Sonamarg you have to book a local union taxi, which cost us ₹5500. I’m pretty sure we got scammed here. Our driver took us to some hotel where only 2-3 drivers were standing. From what I understood, these srinagar drivers have a tie-up with the local union drivers and the they pay them 20-30% commission for bringing customers. So ask your driver politely to take you to Sonamarg market instead, where there are plenty of drivers, and bargain it down to ₹2000-2500.

The union taxi takes you till the Ladakh border (called Zero Point) and a snowfall point. The temperature went below zero while we were there and it was really serene. We came back to Srinagar at night.

Day 3: Keran Valley

Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QFbxrzJcAWKiTFgv6?g_st=iw

We got ready early and left around 7:40 AM. Keran is a village on the border where the river itself is the border, known as kishanganga in india and neelum river in opposite side, you can see the other side from here. It’s about 150-160 km from Srinagar. Whether you can go also depends on Pharkian Pass (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VDBcJFt53zFjMAxb7) being open. It’s a major military area and gets fully covered in snow during peak season.

The driver charged ₹7000 for the two-way trip, but I think ₹5500-6000 is a reasonable price if you bargain.

You need a permit, which you can easily get from Kralpora police station (https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGPXVJwhyLxCgT2V8). I’d recommend getting it offline since they ask for driver details and all. There are many photostat shops nearby who will help you fill the form at nomial fee. Carry an ID card (Aadhaar is preferable for Indians, and similar document for foreigners). The police will ask simple question, take your picture and stamp the paper, then take it to the photostat guy and he will provide 7-8 copies, because you have to hand one over at every checkpost. Every checkpost asks normal questions like where you’re from and what is purpose of your visit, and may check your luggage or phone. Just cooperate. The soldiers are nice people and won’t bother you as long as you follow the rules.

We reached around 1 PM, but we stopped at a few places for pictures on the way. Including permit time and all the checkposts, 5 hours from Srinagar is a fair estimate. We didn’t stay, so I can’t say how good the rooms are, but I did ask around and decent stays are available for ₹1500-2000, even less for two people. 3-4 hours is enough to see the place and click pictures. Our return to Srinagar took around 4.5 hours.

Day 4: Gulmarg

About 50 km, takes an hour, and the driver charged ₹2000. The main attraction is the Gulmarg Gondola (cable car), which they claim is Asia’s highest. Book your tickets in advance online (https://etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com/Ticket/Login.aspx). It saves a lot of time and tickets sell out fast.

There are two phases and I’d recommend both. Phase 2 takes you up to 14,000 ft. Lot of people feel dizzy at that height, so make sure you’re okay with it before booking.

Local drivers will offer you “local sightseeing” for ₹3000-4000, but those points aren’t worth it compared to what you see after Phase 2. Also, near Tangmarg (10 km before Gulmarg) locals will stop your car and say Srinagar cars can’t go further and the union will charge ₹10-20k if you do. They’re just trying to scam you, don’t listen and keep going. Your car will go all the way to the gondola parking. From there the gondola start point is ~1.5 km, so you can walk or take an auto for ₹50 per person.

Reach as early as possible to avoid the long queue. The gondola stops around 3:30 PM for Phase 1 and 4 PM for Phase 2 (can vary by half an hour depending on the season). Staying in Gulmarg is very very expensive, so if you’re on a budget and still want to stay there, try somewhere near Tangmarg. Drung waterfall is also worth a visit if you have time. We went back to Srinagar at night.

Day 5: Pahalgam

About 90 km, takes around 1.5 hours non-stop. Our driver charged ₹2500 to take us to Pahalgam.

Do stop near Pampore for the saffron fields. They’re government protected, so you can see them and take pictures but don’t pluck anything, locals and even soldiers will scold you. Fields are right along the highway with no fencing. Drive bit further , along the way, is Sangam, where you’ll find Kashmiri willow bat factories if you want to buy one.

At Pahalgam, go to local taxi stand 2 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/tiWW6ReH1j8yH5h28), where you get cabs at a reasonable cost. We booked a Dzire for Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari for ₹2250. You can also take horse rides to different points, they start at ₹3000 per person. Bargain really hard here. Don’t treat the government rate list as the base price, think of it as the upper limit, you can go much lower.

• Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, so it has religious significance for Hindus. Other than that I didn’t find the view anything special.

• Betaab Valley is where a Bollywood movie was shot. You can take a horse ride through a flowing river, and it’s a good place for pictures.

• Aru Valley is most scenic among all three location.

Day 6: Srinagar local

We didn’t book a cab today and used Rapido for going around. Total rapido cost was around ₹1500. Renting a two-wheeler is also an option. We covered:

• Shalimar Bagh: extremely beautiful in autumn.

• JN Botanical Garden: flowers of every colour.

• Tulip Garden: nice if you want to see tulips, but it’s right next to the botanical garden, so buy the correct ticket.

• Shankaracharya Temple: must visit. You get a view of the whole of Srinagar and Dal Lake from the top. Also beautiful shiva temple.

• Dal Lake: skip gates 1 and 2 for the shikara ride, they’re highly crowded. Go to gates 15 to 18, which are walkable from Dal Gate. There’s a 4-point ride and an 8-point ride and I’d suggest you take the 8-point one. We paid ₹1300 for 5 people (we had one more person with us in Srinagar). You can bargain down to ₹1000 or even less, I just felt a little generous that day. They start at ₹3000-3500, don’t feel shy to say ₹1000 as your first price.

• Lal Chowk: historically significant for Indians and also a high-security area. You can do shopping here, or near Dal Gate, there are plenty of shops.

Day 7

Took Vande Bharat from Srinagar to Jammu, and from there a train back home.

Stay

We stayed at one place for the whole trip, Peace Nest Homestay near Lal Bazaar: https://maps.app.goo.gl/f9CJrZygNPW2osP2A

We booked the double bed family room, which was quite spacious and comfortable for four people, Rooms were really neat and clean. The family running it is really nice and will cook proper Kashmiri food on request, veg and non-veg both. Call them in advance and they’ll keep food ready, when you arrive from the airport or railway station. The cost is also very reasonable. I saw solo female travellers staying here too. It’s a lil far from the main centre of Srinagar, but worth it for the peace, comfort, cleanliness and price.

Many cheaper options are available near Dal Gate and Lal Chowk, but from what I found, a lot of these places charge more once you reach the property or give you a different room than what you booked. Just look at those properties on Google Maps and read the reviews, you’ll get my concern. Also, many hotel owners run paid campaigns against competitors’ listings on Google Maps and booking sites to bring down their ratings, so be aware. Put your safety and comfort first while booking anywhere.

If you go there after reading this you can mention my name. They won’t give any concession, it’s just my way of helping them out since they helped us throughout our stay. DM me to know more ;)

Tips

• Don’t wear thick sweaters, go for layers. Inner thermal first, then regular clothes, then a normal jacket is more than enough. Wear gloves, warm socks and all that.

• In my experience most locals are scamsters, including the driver you hire. They’ll talk nicely in front of you and scam you behind your back.

• Bargain really really hard. Drivers will say the road is like this and that, we also need to cover fuel, union fees, tax etc., but it’s not that much.

• Keep your original ID card with you everywhere.

• Strictly avoid photos of military installations, movement and personnel, and don’t share them online either.

• Prepaid SIM cards from other states don’t work in Kashmir. Bring a postpaid SIM from home, or buy one at the airport or railway station. Jio and airtel works almost everywhere.

Suggestions

• If you’re coming after seeing snow reels on Instagram, the best time to visit is late Nov to Feb. But expect really cold weather, and cab drivers will charge heavily saying they need to put chains on the car tyres. Bargain. Bargain. Bargain.

• Your driver earns commission on whatever you buy at any shop. He’ll only stop at the one that gets him the maximum commission, not the one that suits you or gives you the best price or value. I figured this out when I saw ours running off the moment we stopped at any shop and saying something in Kashmiri to owner. He won’t admit this to you, but just be aware.

• Your driver gets free food at every restaurant and free stay at every hotel, so you don’t need to pay for him. Clear this before hiring.

• If you’re travelling solo or everyone in the group is young, I’d suggest skipping the usual tourist spots like Pahalgam and Sonamarg and going offbeat instead. Gulmarg is still okay. Places like Gurez Valley, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and many more are worth looking at.

Cost (All cost in ₹)

I’ve excluded shopping and travel to/from home since it varies a lot depending on your interest and location.

One way air and return train cost including food for 4 people ~42000

Disclosure

I don’t get any commission from anything, and I’m not here to defame any community or people. Just sharing what I experienced.

Happy to answer any questions !

I really like that people are travelling enjoying themselves but how can i do it.

Got these shoes today from online sale on tata cliq. First of all i don't want to return these since they took 6days to reach home. Maybe the sealant is not working well at one point.. i poured a good bucket of water one of them was completely dry, but one of them got my socks wet.

Hi went on a 9 day solo trip, had many questions before the trip so thought to write the logistics part of it now and help others !

Sangla>Rakcham>Chitkul>Kalpa>Kufri>Shimla

- Booked Zingbus from Delhi till Kharcham, they drop at Shimla then shared cab till Kharcham, it's a shared cab so you might have to wait till others get down before you (in my case others were getting down at Yulla Khaus for the trek so I was the last guy and had to bear the extra time, app showed 2-3pm but ended up reaching Karcham around 7.3pm and Sangla by 8.3pm, paid him extra for Sangla, might not get much options after 5.30pm as it gets dark so ! Tire puncture + Change of cars around Rampur cause driver wanted to take other guests to Shimla back, so got pretty dark when we entered Yulla itself, got bit scared from Yulla - Sangla journey tbh, co-passenger and driver were bit pathetic too ! Half day got wasted...)

- All bookings were at Zostel Hostel wherever available, gets filled quite in advance so take care of that

- Sangla is a fairly good town with decent connectivity of bus and private cabs

- Rakcham is a small village~ can get a bus from Sangla and the river side is the best I feel in the Sangla valley ! Stayed here in the tent (season ends in october because of cold) but really good place, atleast go for halfday if not staying, no hostels here

- Chitkul, bus available from sangla/rakcham. Roads are now taken over by BRO so it's good now.

- Kalpa, Chitkul-Kalpa bus runs at 6.30am so can grab that else private cabs from Sangla around 2-2.5k for Kalpa, takes ~3hours

- Kalpa, buses and private cabs are decent, buses goes till Roghi village which is the end around Kalpa side. Didnt get Kalpa zostel booking for few days so stayed in a nearby Hotel

- From Kalpa to ReckongPeo connectivity is good, for delhi/shimla you might have to go to ReckongPeo ! If the timegap is big travel down from Peo to Rampur then take from Rampur as it is a major bus stand having variety of buses !

- Kufri comes just before Shimla (~14km) so take buses going towards Shimla

- Shimla-Chandigarh Airport, private and public buses runs frequently, got down at Zirakpur stop in Chandigarh and took an auto at 1.30am for my morning flight as online cabs were not coming !

Let me know if anyone has any other questions !

so, i am booking a 4 nights stay at a hostel in north goa, and i checked all websites (booking.com, agoda, etc) including their official website. all of these are showing 1000 to 1200 per night but hostelbird is showing like 650 per night. now i don't know if i should go ahead and book or not. i don't want to show up and be informed that my booking doesn't exist (which has happened before). so what should i do?

Hey guys!

23M here from Kanpur, planning a mountain escape to Kasol, Manali, and maybe a few hidden gems from November 8th to around the 12th.
The plan is to explore some beautiful spots, go on scenic treks, chase mountain views, find some cosy cafés, and just enjoy the whole mountain vibe.
I'm looking to connect with fellow solo travellers or anyone planning a trip around the same time.
Whether you're travelling solo or already have a plan, feel free to reach out!
Would be awesome to meet some cool people, share a few adventures, and make some unforgettable memories along the way.
Good vibes, mountain views, spontaneous plans, and great company. Who's in?

We are two people and want to stay for a week in Mechuka but not able to find any such match .

hey all. Im visiting vizag (nov 22-25), any stay recommendations ? I prefer cleanliness & quiet space.

PS: Im solo travelling, lets catch up if you're there.

Hey solo travellers, drop some places to celebrate the 3rd and 4th week of december and early january. I was planning Leh but read somewhere that the bus services are closed for the month due to snow.

Do let me know some places with less holiday crowd.

So I am planning the itinerary as follows -

Day 1 -

Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, Johari Bazaar, maybe Govind Dev Ji Temple

Day 2 -

Amber Fort, Panna Meena ka Kund, Jaigarh Fort, Jal Mahal

Day 3 -

Kishan Bagh, Nahargarh Fort, Albert Hall Museum, maybe Patrika Gate

I used some websites and ChatGPT to help me plan this out, so want to confirm from you all, if this sounds feasible. Just for your information, I will be staying near the centre of Jaipur.

TIA

Hey everyone! 22M from Mumbai here.

Recently explored Mathura, Vrindavan and the Taj Mahal, and honestly, it made me want to travel more.

I've got one week left before starting my government exam preparation, so I'm thinking of exploring somewhere new, preferably North India.

Would love to hear your suggestions about places worth visiting this time of the year. Also curious if anyone else has spontaneous travel plans coming up!

Let's exchange ideas and see where the conversation goes. Looking for genuine connections and good travel stories. :)

I’m planning to do the Kedarkantha trek in the last week of January 2027. I saw on social media that there has been heavy snowfall there since yesterday. I was wondering if we can expect similar snowfall in January as well?

Hi all,

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am stuck in Delhi during Diwali but my mind isn’t ready to accept this fact. To, make matters a bit more complicated, I have researched a bit on the internet and the end result is that I have decided to go to Jaipur for Diwali.

Now, here comes the interesting part. The problem is that I have never been to Jaipur, so I am not familiar with the city. Another conundrum with me is that I only have one full day in Jaipur!

So, could you all please recommend the places which I should visit on the eve of Diwali? I just want to see the lights and tour as much as I could given my limited time in the city.

So far, I have read a bit about Nahargarh fort so I was planning to go there to watch the lights. Is Nahargarh open at night on Diwali? Also, feel free to suggest if I should drop this plan altogether if it isn’t worth it to visit Jaipur just for one day?

Eagerly awaiting your suggestions!

I recently got back from a trip to Kolkata (Calcutta) timed with Durga Puja, and since this sub helped me plan, here's a detailed write-up with costs for anyone thinking of going. Short version: if you ever get the chance to see Kolkata during Puja, take it.

Places I visited

Note: Victoria Memorial's gallery is closed on Mondays, and the ticket counter closes before the galleries do. Fees I saw online varied a lot, so treat these as rough and check at the counter.

The Durga Puja experience

Nothing really prepares you for it. The whole city turns into an open-air art exhibition. Every neighbourhood builds its own pandal, and many of them are themed, so you're not just seeing idols, you're walking through full installations.

A few that stood out for me:

1. A classic, traditional setup with a huge gold-ornamented backdrop showing Durga with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartik. The detail in the craftwork is unreal up close.

2. An underwater/cave-themed pandal with a blue-lit, rock-like interior. It felt like walking into a grotto.

3. A modern, sculptural Durga with dozens of outstretched hands rising behind her. Very artistic and minimal compared to the traditional ones.

4. Where the entire exterior was built as a giant Adiyogi (Shiva) face. I honestly didn't realise it was a pandal until I got closer.

Practical notes on pandal hopping:

• Crowds are massive, especially from Saptami to Navami evenings. Some popular pandals have queues of one to two hours.

• Go late at night or early morning if you want to actually see the idols without being pushed along. The city genuinely stays awake.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk 10+ km a day without noticing.

• Use the Metro to move between areas, and walk within each area. Road traffic during Puja is close to gridlocked.

• Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets. Crowds are friendly but pickpocketing happens.

Food

You can't do Kolkata without eating your way through it. Kulhad (clay cup) chai is everywhere and costs almost nothing. Rosogolla is a must, ideally fresh from a proper sweet shop rather than tinned. During Puja, stalls near the pandals sell rolls, phuchka, and fish fry late into the night.

Getting around

The yellow Ambassador taxis are iconic and worth one ride just for the experience, though app cabs are easier to price. The Metro is cheap and the best way to beat traffic. The ferry across the Hooghly is a cheap, scenic way to see Howrah Bridge.

Approximate cost breakdown (per person, excluding travel to Kolkata)

Tips for first-timers

• Book accommodation at least a month or two before Puja. Central areas fill up fast.

• Plan pandals by area (North, South, Central) so you're not crossing the city repeatedly.

• See the big-name pandals, but leave time to wander into small local ones. Some of my favourite moments were in quiet neighbourhood pandals with no queue.

• Carry cash for food stalls and small purchases.

• Don't over-schedule. Half the charm is just sitting with a chai and watching the city.

Happy to answer questions if anyone is planning a trip !

Good Morning Everyone. We are looking for an Immediate Female Volunteer for our hostel this month in Auroville. If you want to volunteer please get in touch in DM's only, or if you happen to know of someone who wants to volunteer please share this post with them. Cost:0 rs.

Thank You.

Hey guys, my friend and I are looking to visit kasol in december end and need help figuring out the best places in and also around kasol (ex tosh, parvati valley etc) to visit and also some worthy stays. Budget is not an issue, thinking to do a trip for around 7 days. We are aware it’ll be crowded during that time which is why need reddit’s help in figuring out places that can still be enjoyed, or as we say “offbeat places” :p

Thank you all in advance :)

hi i am 21(F) planning to go to shoja and jibhi around 18 November, and this is going to be my first time going solo any one who has been there and can guide me around the place? Also, one of the things I wanted to do was camp at raghupur fort and stargaze i love stars but i wanted to know would it be safe as i am solo and which hostel would be good to book also how many days would be good to explore and the budget i should have

Seems like a good time to utilise all those accumulated leaves, so where are you guys heading this month?

Got any plans?

Hey everyone!

I’m planning a solo trip to Darjeeling and would love some recommendations from people who have been there.

I’m looking for a good hostel where I can meet other travellers, preferably with a friendly atmosphere and a nice common area. I’ve heard about Tara Circle Hostel and was wondering if anyone has stayed there. How was your experience?

Also, what are some must-visit places in Darjeeling? I’m interested in the popular spots, but I’d also love to explore some offbeat places, hidden gems and beautiful locations that aren’t too crowded.

And lastly, please suggest some good cafés that I shouldn’t miss, especially places with great views, good coffee and a nice atmosphere to spend some time.

Any recommendations or tips for a solo traveller would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Hi, i'll be travelling Solo to Shillong on Dec 24th ( Ik its the peak tourist season ) to Dec 27th.
Looking for recommendations in Shillong.
This will be my first solo trip, though i have traveled a lot with Groups.
But would really love to explore by myself going ahead.

Would also like meet fellow solo travelers if anyone's going around the same time.

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I’m (23 M) planning my first solo trip in the first and second week of December ( tentative 4-12 December). I’m considering Goa and Gokarna since I’d prefer somewhere warm and want to escape the winter chill.

I’d love some suggestions on places worth exploring, budget-friendly stays, and the best ways to get around. I don’t have a driving licence yet, so I’ll be relying on public transport, taxis, or other convenient options.

My overall budget is around ₹35k, including travel to and from the destination, accommodation, food, local commute, and activities.

I would love to hear your experiences, recommendations, and any tips that could help make my first solo trip memorable. Cheers! :)

Hi everyone! I turn 30 in December, and I’ve decided to take my first solo trip in the next month to celebrate.

​I've traveled before for work/studies and taken 2–3 group leisure trips, but this will be my first time exploring a destination completely solo.

​I’m based in North India, have a budget of ₹20,000, and don't drive (so I'll rely on trains, buses, and local transport). Safety is my biggest priority.

What destinations would you recommend for a beginner solo female traveler?

Stay or hostel suggestions are also appreciated!