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When Vacations Beat Emergencies : The Hidden Danger of Travel Loans in India
August 29, 2025

EMIs Don’t Make Memories Better: Say No to Travel Loans

In the past, vacations were synonymous with visiting family or exploring local hill stations and seaside resorts. Travel was a carefully planned, budget-conscious affair. However, the travel landscape has undergone significant evolution.

In comparison, today, with advancements in infrastructure and technology, the world is open to everyone, and curiosity and the desire for new experiences are steadily increasing.

Tourism generates revenue, and governments are spending lavishly to promote tourist attractions to visitors based on historical sites, cultural experiences, leisure activities, sports, or even retail opportunities. 

Connectivity has increased, and travelling halfway across the globe is no longer a challenge. Bookings can be made online, covering everything from travel tickets to room reservations, with packages available for exploring the destination. 

Instead of saving, it is now about spending on holidays to enjoy new experiences. Travel loans in India have become the new mantra, offering easy affordability with a healthy bank balance or by supplementing expenses with a personal loan in India or a credit card. 

Going on a vacation, take note of the following:

Planning your holiday is crucial: Choose a travel date that aligns with school holidays or your work schedule. Select a destination and create an itinerary that ensures a memorable vacation. Remember, a well-planned trip is a financially responsible trip.

Create a Budget: As they say, when you are travelling, pack light and spend wisely. While travelling, aim to be comfortable and plan your funds for transport, accommodation, food, and leisure activities. Set aside money for emergencies and unforeseen changes that may arise unexpectedly.

Arrange for funds: Ensure you have sufficient funds available before embarking on your vacation. If you have been saving in advance for a holiday, it will serve you well. However, if you do not have sufficient funds, consider applying for a personal loan for travel to cover any shortfalls.

How to apply for a Personal loan for Travel?

Banks and NBFCs offer personal loans for travel and holiday expenses. Salaried individuals can apply for a personal loan to enjoy a well-earned holiday after enduring continuous work pressures. Personal loans for travel in India are typically dependent on the lender’s eligibility criteria. Key points to note before applying for a personal loan for travel are as follows:

Identify a suitable Lender: To apply for a personal loan, you must check if you fulfil the eligibility criteria of the lender. Essential criteria to be noted are:

  • Your net income must be above 35k per month, and your salary must be transferred to the Bank account regularly.
  • Your employer must be included in the Approved list of companies for processing personal loans.
  • Your CIBIL score must be above the required benchmark of 730 points, without any delays or delinquencies in repayments.

Negotiate for the best terms: Survey the market offerings for the lowest interest rate and other charges. If you want to repay your loan soon, the prepayment charges will significantly impact the cost of your loan.

Apply for the loan amount required: Determine your budget and then apply for the loan amount you need. Remember, the loan amount you borrow is a form of credit that needs to be repaid responsibly.

Confirm the EMI applicable: Use the EMI calculator to check the EMI you will need to pay for the borrowed loan amount. The EMI should fit comfortably into your monthly budget; if it does not, apply for a lower amount or a longer tenure.

What are the advantages of a personal loan for travel?

Most lenders offer a convenience to personal apply online, the online process for personal loans, allowing you to apply from the comfort of your home or office with minimal documents easily at hand. This hassle-free process ensures you can focus on planning your trip without added stress.

Unsecured loan: Banks offer personal loans for travel without requiring any collateral. Applicants can apply for a personal loan for travel, holidays, and vacations without providing security or guarantees.

Repayable via EMI: The personal loan amount is repaid through suitable EMI over a tenure of 24 to 72 months. Customers can opt for an EMI according to the amount they can allot towards repayment after accounting for monthly expenses.

Multiple usage allowed: A personal loan for travel is disbursed once and can be used as desired for travel expenses, such as ticket payments, hotel expenses, and other ancillary costs.

What are the uses of a credit card for travel?

 Today, a credit card is in the possession of most individuals earning a regular income; some have the benefit of holding multiple credit cards, which can be used to pay for various expenses, including travel. When planning a vacation, a credit card can be used for:

  • Online booking of Air or railway tickets.
  • Swipe your credit card for room booking in hotels.
  • For dining in restaurants.
  • Shopping and for emergency usage.

Precautions to Take When Using Credit for Travel Expenses.

  • Appending credit for travel and holiday expenses as a personal loan or credit card is easy. Still, credit seekers need to ensure they can repay the amount taken as per the repayment schedule. 
  • It’s crucial to plan for the EMI payments for a personal loan. Ensure there are sufficient funds in your account to cover the EMI. This responsible approach will help you avoid bounced charges and maintain a clear repayment track.
  • If you are short of funds at any time, arrange for the funds to be deposited into your account from personal sources or consider taking an additional amount as a personal loan top-up or a parallel loan.
  • With a personal loan top-up online or an HDFC Bank parallel loan, you can ask for an extended tenure. Check the EMI using the online EMI calculator to find an affordable EMI that can help you overcome your financial crunch.
  • If you have used your credit card to finance your vacation, ensure that you have sufficient funds in your account to cover the bills on the due date for payment. Interest is charged on unpaid dues at a rate of 36% to 42% per annum.
  • Unable to pay the credit card bill, convert the unpaid dues into monthly instalments to avoid the high rate of interest charged for the rotation of funds, or take a balance transfer of your credit card dues to a personal loan at a lower interest rate.
  • If you lack the necessary savings to cover your planned holiday costs, taking credit to fill the gap can be effective, but all borrowing incurs a fee. Plan your expenses carefully to avoid falling behind on your payments, as this can negatively affect your CIBIL score

In Conclusion, having a good lifestyle and going on pleasure trips is the new normal. Still, it is a good idea to be conservative and plan your finances so that you can make pleasant memories without compromising your financial health.

Questions you need to ask yourself before applying for a personal loan to go on a vacation are:

Am I overstretching myself, or can I really afford the vacation I am taking?

Aspirations for higher standards and luxuries are a common goal today. When planning your vacation, take a reality check of your finances. If your budget is stretched, it is wiser to postpone your vacation plans.

Can I budget my expenses a little more?

Creating a budget and spending within your means always serves you well. Similarly, when planning your holiday, take time to check for costs and cheaper options available, as money saved is money earned.

Am I doing this for the sake of my prestige, or will I really benefit from the break?

Living up to your compatriots can cause you to spend beyond your means; comparisons can prompt you to make extravagant purchases. Do not choose a destination beyond your means and incur expenses that will lead you to a debt trap.

Should I save further or go for the credit facility? Am I disciplined enough to repay?

The decision to take out a personal loan or use your credit card should be a calculated one. Taking credit, which is repaid as due, helps build your credit score and teaches you credit management. However, if you are already behind on your credit dues, taking on more credit will hurt your finances further.

Do I have the cushion for emergencies, or will I default if unexpected expenses arise?

Your vacation is important, but it is not a priority to enjoy your holidays stress-free; the most crucial aspect is managing your finances. You would rather take a personal loan for emergency. Build your savings and keep a cushion for unexpected expenses before planning a vacation. If you know the correct answers, you can make the right decision to avail yourself of credit and go ahead with that dream vacation, or hold on for some time until it becomes more affordable.

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