Honeymoon destinations by month from India
Match the destination to your wedding date: the best honeymoon in every season, from Bali and the Maldives to Switzerland and Kashmir.
Honeymoon searches peak in November and December, when most weddings in South India are being planned. The best honeymoon is the one that's in season when you travel, so it makes sense to start from your wedding date rather than from a destination. A Maldives honeymoon in July is a different trip to one in February; Switzerland in October is very different from Switzerland in January.
Here's where to go, month by month, with what makes each choice special and the visa lead time to plan for.
At a glance
| Months | Where to go |
|---|---|
| November to February | Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan |
| March to April | Japan for cherry blossom, Kashmir in spring, Vietnam, Bali, Maldives |
| May to June | Switzerland, Paris, Turkey, Bali, Kashmir, Ladakh |
| July to August | Bali, Switzerland, Europe, Masai Mara for the migration, Ladakh |
| September to October | Switzerland, Turkey, Japan in autumn, Kashmir, Georgia |
November to February: the peak wedding season
This is when most South Indian weddings happen, and it's the best time for beaches and warm-weather destinations.
- Maldives: dry season, calm seas, water villas. The classic, and an hour's flight from Kerala.
- Thailand: Phuket and Krabi at their best, with a few nights in Bangkok. Visa-free for 30 days.
- Vietnam: Hoi An's lanterns and a Ha Long Bay cruise; good value.
- Sri Lanka: the south and west coasts and the hill country, close to home.
- Dubai: pleasant weather, desert dinners and the shopping festival.
- Close to home: Kerala houseboats, Goa and the palaces of Rajasthan.
March to April: blossom and spring
- Japan: cherry blossom in Tokyo and Kyoto in late March and early April. Book by December; see when to go.
- Kashmir: Srinagar's tulip garden and blossom in the Mughal gardens.
- Bali: the end of the rainy season, with pool villas in Ubud and Seminyak.
- Maldives: still dry, and quieter than the winter peak.
May to June: Europe and the mountains
- Switzerland: green valleys, snow on the peaks and long days. Lucerne, Interlaken and the Jungfraujoch.
- Paris: often combined with Switzerland.
- Turkey: Istanbul and a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia.
- Kashmir and Ladakh: the escape from the southern heat.
Apply for the Schengen visa six to eight weeks ahead; May and June are the busiest months for appointments.
July to August: dry-season escapes
- Bali: its dry season, and one of the best-value honeymoons anywhere.
- Europe: long sunny days, but the busiest and most expensive time.
- Masai Mara: the great migration, with a luxury tented camp. An unforgettable alternative.
- Ladakh: high passes and Pangong Lake at their most accessible.
September to October: golden autumn
- Switzerland: quieter after the summer peak, with clear days and autumn colours.
- Turkey: warm, not hot, and ideal for Cappadocia.
- Japan: autumn leaves arrive in November in Kyoto, and it's quieter than spring.
- Kashmir: golden chinar trees and clear skies.
- Georgia: wine harvest in Kakheti and mountain drives.
Five tips for honeymoon planning
- Plan visas around the wedding. Switzerland, Paris, Japan and the UK need visas; start six to eight weeks ahead, and remember you'll be busy in the weeks before the wedding.
- Check your names. If the bride's name will change, book tickets and file visas in the name on the passport. Changing the passport afterwards is fine; mismatched documents are not.
- Bring the marriage certificate. Resorts often offer honeymoon benefits if you show it within six to twelve months of the wedding.
- Don't over-plan. After the wedding, most couples want rest. Fewer places, more nights.
- Leave a day before flying home. A buffer day protects you from missed connections before work.
Our most popular honeymoons
- Maldives: water villas and reefs.
- Bali: pool villas and sunsets, great value.
- Switzerland: lakes, mountains and scenic trains.
- Vietnam and Japan: the rising stars.
- Kashmir and Kerala: romantic and close to home.
Tell us your wedding date and budget, and we'll suggest two or three options in season. See all honeymoon packages.
Questions, answered
Which is the best honeymoon destination in December?
The Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Dubai are all in season. Closer to home, Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan are at their best.
Where should we honeymoon in May or June?
Switzerland, Paris and Turkey are lovely in early summer, and Kashmir and Ladakh offer an escape from the heat. Bali's dry season starts too.
How early should we book a honeymoon?
Three to four months ahead, or earlier for the Maldives in December and January. Start visas six to eight weeks before travel.
Should we book in the bride's maiden name?
Book flights and file visas in the name exactly as it appears on the passport you'll travel with. You can update the passport after the trip.
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