Best International Trips for Indian Couples Under 1.5 Lakh (From Someone Who’s Actually Done It)#

So, quick confession. Me and my wife used to think foreign trips are only for, you know, rich people on Instagram with matching suitcases and unlimited leave. But once we actually sat down, checked flights, did some proper jugaad with dates and cards and sales… we realised you can 100% do an international couples trip under 1.5 lakh. Comfortably. Without eating only Maggi for 7 days.

Over the last few years we’ve managed a few budget-but-romantic international trips from India – mostly in Asia, because that’s where your rupee actually behaves nicely. I’m just putting everything here in one place: what worked, what was overrated, actual costs, and some very desi tips I wish someone told me earlier.

First, Quick Reality Check on Budget#

When I say “under 1.5 lakh”, I mean total for 2 people, approx 5–7 days, including:

  • Flights from India (usually from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai – smaller cities may cost a bit extra)
  • Decent hotel or Airbnb (not hostel dorms, unless you really want that vibe)
  • Sightseeing, local transport, SIM/internet, some shopping
  • Food – mix of street food + 1–2 fancy dinners

You’ll have to track flight deals, avoid crazy holiday dates, and be a bit flexible with travel month, but it’s totally doable. And ya, international travel rules keep changing once in a while – so always double check visa, e-visa and safety updates before booking. Indian passport power is not the greatest, but Asia still loves us, thankfully.

1. Thailand – Classic Honeymoon on a Budget (And Still Not Boring)#

I know, I know, everyone and their chacha has been to Thailand. But honestly, for couples on budget, it’s still one of the best value-for-money trips. And it’s become way more couple-friendly than the old cliché 'bachelor party' destination image.

Typical budget for 2 for 6N/7D: around ₹1.1–1.4 lakh if you plan smart. Bangkok + Phuket or Krabi is a good combo. Direct flights from major Indian cities, frequent sales, so keep an eye on them during big airline and credit card offers.

Best time to go: Nov to Feb is peak and most pleasant. We did early Feb once – weather was perfect, not too hot, still sunny beach vibes. Shoulder seasons (March, late Oct) can be cheaper, but more humid and occassionally rainy.

What made it special for us:

  • Krabi sunsets – we just sat at Ao Nang beach with coconut water, no agenda, and honestly that was more romantic than any candle-light dinner
  • Island hopping from Phuket or Krabi – Phi Phi is touristy but still gorgeous, especially if you book early morning tours
  • Night markets in Bangkok – we ate like monsters… mango sticky rice, pad thai, coconut ice cream, and everything was still cheaper than a Domino’s order in India

Stay options: You get super cute boutique hotels for ₹3,000–6,000 per night. We once booked a Krabi hotel with pool access from the balcony for around ₹4,500 per night in an early bird deal. Don’t blindly book the first thing on some random site – compare on 2–3 apps. Newer hotels often give crazy discounts just to get reviews.

Safety & updates: Thailand is quite safe for Indian couples, even late nights in popular areas. Latest trend I noticed – more Indians going for self-drive scooters. It’s fun, but please, for the love of biryani, wear helmets and don’t drive drunk. Also, carry travel insurance. These small costs save you from big headaches.

2. Bali, Indonesia – For the "Pinterest Couple" Vibes Under Budget#

Bali is that place where suddenly every couple starts posting 'lost in paradise' captions. I used to think it’s overhyped, but when we actually went, I got it. It’s not just pretty – it’s also surprisingly affordable if you stay away from super fancy resorts.

Budget estimate for 2 (6–7 days): around ₹1.3–1.5 lakh if you plan flights in advance and balance between Ubud + one beach area like Seminyak or Nusa Dua. From India, flights are usually via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok, unless you get a lucky direct/seasonal flight from some cities.

Best time: April to October is generally dry and more comfortable. We went post-monsoon – late September – and it was perfect. Green everywhere, less crowds than peak summer.

What we actually loved:

  • Private pool villas in Ubud – Most couples think villa means super expensive, but we got a lovely one for around ₹6–7k per night with breakfast. For honeymooners, this is honestly dreamy.
  • Tegalalang rice terraces & waterfalls – yes, touristy, but if you go early morning it’s quiet, and the views are insane
  • Beach clubs in Seminyak – even if you don’t drink much, just take a day bed, watch sunset, chill with mocktails. Very "cinematic" vibes.

Food & culture: Bali has a strong Hindu culture, so as Indians you’ll instantly connect with temples, rituals, and even some of the words. We randomly ended up at a local temple ceremony once and the people were so welcoming, explaining everything patiently even though my Bahasa was basically zero.

Costs to keep in mind:

  • Local transport – There’s no proper public transport like in Europe. Most couples either hire scooters or book full-day taxis. A full-day cab with driver can be around ₹3,000–4,000 if you bargain or book locally.
  • SIM & internet – Get a local SIM at the airport itself, works out cheaper and easier than relying only on hotel WiFi.

Just remember: a lot of fancy Instagram places have entry fees or minimum spend, so don’t get carried away planning 10 such spots in one day. Pick 2–3 and actually enjoy them instead of running around like it’s some assignment.

3. Vietnam – Honestly My Favourite Under-1.5L Trip So Far#

If you ask me which country surprised me the most, Vietnam wins hands down. I expected it to be nice. But it was like… wow. Super kind people, amazing food, places that look like Windows wallpaper, and it’s still one of the more affordable countries for Indian travellers right now.

Budget for 2 (7 days, 2–3 cities): around ₹1.2–1.4 lakh with smart planning. We did Hanoi + Ha Long Bay + Ninh Binh, but you can also do Da Nang + Hoi An + Hanoi. Flights from India usually go via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, so try to bundle a long layover and do a tiny extra city if you want.

Best time: Oct to March is cooler in the north. Summers can be pretty hot and humid. We went in November – light jacket in evenings but mostly comfortable.

Couple experiences that felt really special:

  • Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise – This was honestly the most romantic part. You’re literally floating between those limestone cliffs, watching sunrise from the deck. We took a mid-range 4-star style boat, cost us around ₹18–20k for 1 night for both, including all meals.
  • Café hopping in Hanoi Old Quarter – Vietnam is a coffee heaven. Egg coffee sounds weird but tastes like dessert. We spent an entire evening just walking, stopping at random cafes, talking, people-watching.
  • Ninh Binh boat ride – Often called “Ha Long Bay on land”. Slow boat through rice fields and caves, very peaceful, less crowded than the main tourist areas.

Stay: Good hotels or homestays start from ₹3,000–5,000 per night in most cities. Many include breakfast. I found Vietnam to be more value-for-money than Bali honestly.

Safety & current vibes: Vietnam feels very safe for couples. Just standard big city precautions like you’d take in Mumbai. The country is welcoming to Indian tourists, visas are mostly e-visa based and the process has become smoother compared to a few years back. Just don’t exchange money at shady places, and always double check tours and cab prices.

4. Dubai & Abu Dhabi – For Couples Who Want City Glam + Desert Feels#

If you and your partner are more into skyline, shopping, big city lights instead of beaches and rice fields, then UAE is a solid option. It’s not as cheap as Vietnam or Thailand, but if you pick the right dates and stay a bit outside the most expensive zones, it can still fit under 1.5 lakh for 4–5 days.

Budget for 2 (4–5 days): around ₹1.3–1.5 lakh, including flights, mid-range hotel, desert safari, Dubai Frame/Burj area, some basic shopping. Direct flights from almost every Indian metro, and sometimes you get mad deals from smaller cities too.

Best time: November to March is pleasant. Summer is brutally hot, like walking-into-oven hot. We once went in May and spent half the time darting between air-conditioned malls and metro stations.

Our favourite couple moments there:

  • Desert safari with BBQ dinner – typical tourist thing but fun. Dune bashing, sunset photos, dinner under the stars. Choose a slightly better operator, not the absolute cheapest one, because quality of food and car matters.
  • Strolling around Dubai Marina at night – safe, breezy, and just nice to walk hand-in-hand without worrying about traffic honking every 3 seconds like back home.
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – even if you’re not very religious, the architecture is mind-blowing. Dress modestly and follow rules, they are quite strict but organised.

Stay: Decent hotel rooms in Dubai city can be around ₹5,000–8,000 per night if you book early and stay a little away from Burj / Marina hotspots. Areas along the metro line are the most practical for tourists.

Recent trend I noticed: A lot of Indian couples are combining Dubai with quick work trips or visa runs, and shopping has kind of shifted from only gold and phones to perfumes, cosmetics, and branded clothes in outlet malls. Also, rules around behaviour, photography and public spaces are strict, so always stay respectful. No couple PDA experiments please.

5. Sri Lanka – Under-rated, Close, And Very Cozy for Couples#

Sri Lanka honestly feels like India’s chilled-out cousin. Similar warmth, slightly familiar food, but roads are cleaner, traffic is calmer, and beaches are gorgeous. Post the economic issues they faced, tourism is coming back strongly, and prices are still quite reasonable for Indian travellers.

Budget for 2 (5–6 days): around ₹90k–1.2 lakh depending on how fancy you go with stays. Flights from South India can be surprisingly cheap if you catch an offer.

Best time: For the south and west coast (Colombo, Galle, Mirissa), Dec to March is ideal. For the east coast (Arugam Bay etc.), June to September works better. Climate is a little tricky there, so plan based on which side you’re focusing on.

Couple highlights:

  • Train ride from Kandy to Ella – Those shots you see on Instagram of people sitting on doorways with tea plantations around? That’s here. It’s a bit crowded, but if you get seats and some snacks, it’s a beautiful slow journey together.
  • Galle Fort sunsets – We just walked on the fort walls, grabbed ice cream from a small shop, and watched the sky change colours.
  • Mirissa & Unawatuna beaches – More chilled than Goa honestly. You can find quiet spots, little cafes, and do nothing guilt-free.

Costs: Mid-range hotels and homestays cost around ₹3,000–5,000 per night. Food is similar to Indian pricing or slightly cheaper in local places. If you eat only in fancy tourist cafes, it’ll obviously climb up.

Safety & current situation: Things have stabilised a lot compared to the peak crisis phase. Tourists are back, ATMs work, fuel is fine, and locals genuinely appreciate Indian visitors. Still, I’d say keep a little extra cash buffer, and always check latest news or government advisories before you book, just to be safe.

How to Actually Keep Your Trip Under 1.5 Lakh (Without Fighting About Money There)#

When you’re travelling as a couple, money fights are the worst. So before you even book, sit down and roughly split your budget like this for 2 people:

  • Flights: 35–45%
  • Hotels: 25–30%
  • Food + Local transport: ~20%
  • Activities + visa + SIM + misc: ~10–15%

Some very desi, very practical hacks we use:

  • Always check flights in incognito mode and across 2–3 portals. Sometimes airline’s own website gives better final price than aggregator.
  • Travel off-peak: Avoid long weekends, Diwali, Christmas–New Year if you’re strict on budget. Go just before or just after, prices drop a lot.
  • Book stays with breakfast included. One proper breakfast keeps you going till late lunch, and you save hidden costs.
  • Use local apps: In Vietnam, Thailand etc., Grab is cheaper and safer than random taxis. In Dubai, use metro as much as possible.
  • Don’t convert everything in your head all the time, you’ll go mad. Decide a daily spend limit in INR and roughly stick to it.

And ya, please get a basic travel insurance. It’s boring, I know, but after seeing a fellow Indian couple in Bali struggle with sudden medical costs, I am that annoying friend who keeps reminding everyone now.

Final Thoughts – Pick the Vibe, Not Just the Country#

If you’ve read this far, I’m guessing you and your partner are seriously planning something soon. My two paisa: first decide the vibe, then the destination.

  • Beach + party + easy veggie food = Thailand, Bali
  • Culture + landscapes + budget-friendly = Vietnam, Sri Lanka
  • City lights + desert + shopping = Dubai / Abu Dhabi

Don’t overthink perfection. Our first international trip as a couple was full of small mistakes – wrong metro, overpaying one cab guy, forgetting sunscreen, small arguments because I booked a hotel too far from the main area. But when we look back now, those are the stories we laugh about.

So ya, if you’re an Indian couple dreaming of your first or next international trip under 1.5 lakh, it’s not some distant fantasy. It’s actually possible with a bit of planning, some sale-hunting, and realistic expectations. Pick a place, block your dates, start watching flight prices… and just go.

If you want more down-to-earth travel guides like this (not the usual copy-paste brochure stuff), I keep sharing my trips and tips on AllBlogs.in – you can check there for more ideas before you book your tickets.