New Delhi, Nov. 10 -- For Delhi-based Tobit Pinto, a New Year holiday in Goa was non-negotiable. Paying nearly Rs.1 lakh for three return flight tickets, however, wasn't.

When Pinto checked airfares for the year-end break, Delhi-Goa return tickets were selling for over Rs.30,000 per person. Rather than abandon the holiday, he made the journey a part of his vacation. He, along with his sister and brother-in-law, plans to drive to Goa from Delhi, turning what would have been a routine beach vacation into a multi-city road trip.

The trio will travel in their SUV, stopping in Indore for its famous street food and Nashik for its vineyards before reaching Goa. After a week at the beach destination, they will return via Mumbai.

"This plan has...