TOP 8 Travel Franchises in India for 2025

After a few tough years due to global travel bans, India’s travel industry is growing again. More people now have extra money to spend, and many families want to explore new places, both within India and abroad. Because of this, travel has become important again for many Indians.

This growth has opened a great opportunity for business owners. Travel franchises are a smart way to enter the market. These businesses come with a well-known brand name, helpful support, and a ready-to-use business model. It’s a simple and effective way to start a travel business with less risk and more chances of success.
Whether an experienced investor or a new entrepreneur, travel franchises provide a risk-free, high-return way into one of the most exciting sectors.

From online booking websites to full-scale tour operators, opportunities are varied and promising. In this blog, we look at the top 8 travel franchises in India for 2025, their distinguishing features and their investment costs.

TOP 8 Travel Franchises in India for 2025

1. Thomas Cook India

Founded: 1841
Franchising Since: 2009
Initial Investment: ₹5–15 lakhs
Franchise Units: 40+

Thomas Cook is the world's one of the oldest and most reliable travel brands. It has its presence in 72 cities of India with almost 180 locations with over 40 Gold Circle franchise partners. The company provides a diverse array of services such as holiday packages, foreign exchange, visa services, and travel insurance.

Thomas Cook is a well-known and trusted travel brand, which makes it attractive to people who want to open a franchise. It gives strong support to its partners and runs special programs like "Book & Win," where top performers can win big prizes such as free trips abroad or even cars.

2. Happy Miles

Founded: 2008
Franchising Since: 2009
Initial Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs
Franchise Units: 20–40

Happy Miles is a different travel firm that combines tourism and education. It specializes in providing educational tours for students of schools and colleges in India. The tours are made informative as well as entertaining in nature, visiting places that provide cultural, historical, and scientific significance.

The franchise model is straightforward and inexpensive, so it's perfect for educators or entrepreneurs who want to get into youth travel. With low upfront and high returns, Happy Miles is an excellent opportunity to capitalize on increasing demand for experiential education.

3. EaseMyTrip

Founded: 2006
Franchising Since: 2008
Initial Investment: ₹10,000–₹50,000
Franchise Units: 500

EaseMyTrip is among India's top online travel websites with offerings of flight tickets, hotel bookings, package holidays, and more. It is an IATA-approved company with a friendly interface and cheap fares.

EaseMyTrip stands out with its extremely low investment, just ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. With such a small amount, one can be a part of a huge network and earn commissions on bookings. The company is targeting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in huge numbers, hence making it more accessible to many.

4. Akbar Tours & Travels

Founded: 1978
Franchising Since: 2006
Initial Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs
Franchise Units: 100+

Akbar Travels is a large travel company in India with services extending from airline booking to overseas holiday packages. It has a significant presence in India and overseas, and its travel portal makes it easy for customers to book.

Franchisees get the advantage of a well-established brand reputation and extensive support. Akbar Travels gives franchisees training, marketing support, and utilization of its booking portal, which facilitates business operation.

5. Yatra

Founded: 2002
Franchising Since: 2017
Initial Investment: ₹2–5 lakhs
Franchise Units: 20–50

Yatra is a popular online travel portal dedicated to making "happy travelers." It deals with a broad spectrum of services such as flights, hotels, holiday packages, and bus reservations. The brand is growing its franchise network, particularly in southern and western India.

Yatra's franchise is intended for rapid setup and hassle-free management. Franchisees receive the company's booking engine, marketing aids, and customer services. It's a perfect choice for those who want to venture into the travel business with an established brand.

6. MakeMyTrip

Founded: 2005
Franchising Since: 2008
Initial Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs (₹15–16 lakhs in metro cities) Franchise Units: 20–50

MakeMyTrip is an online travel pioneer in India. It provides end-to-end travel solutions such as flights, hotels, trains, buses, and holiday packages. The company has a huge customer base and is highly regarded for its trustworthy service and technology-first attitude.

Franchisees are helped by MakeMyTrip's good brand recall and robust backend assistance. Training, marketing tools, and access to its booking engine are offered by the company. Although the investment is a bit higher in metro cities, so are the returns.

7. SOTC

Founded: 1949
Franchising Since: 1997
Initial Investment: ₹11–34 lakhs
Franchise Units: 100+
Royalty Fees: 20%

SOTC is India's premier outbound tour operator. Owned by Kuoni Travels, a multinational premium tour operator, SOTC provides escorted holidays, independent travel, special interest holidays, and domestic vacations. It's a premium brand with a focus on middle and upper-middle-class travelers.

The franchise model is more investment-heavy but yields high returns. The franchisees are given robust training, marketing aid, and access to high-end travel packages. SOTC is suited for those who wish to venture into premium markets.

8. Cox & Kings

Established: 1758
Franchising From: 2009
Initial Investment: ₹5–10 lakhs
Franchise Units: 150+ Royalty Fees: 0%

Cox & Kings is one of the oldest travel companies in the world. It has offices in both India and the UK and offers holiday trips and educational tours in many countries. What makes its franchise model different is that franchise owners pay a fixed management fee instead of sharing profits through royalties. This means you can keep more of what you earn while still getting support from the company.

Key Points To Consider Before Investing

Prior to selecting a travel franchise, take into consideration the following:

• Budget: Align your investment capability with the requirements of the franchise.
• Location: Select a town or city with low travel demand.
• Brand Reputation: Go for brands with a track record of success and customer confidence.
• Support System: Make sure the franchisor provides training, technical support, and marketing assistance.
• Scalability: Seek models that enable you to scale gradually.

Final Thoughts

Travel is more than just a business, it’s a passion that connects people, cultures, and experiences. As India’s travel industry rebounds, franchising offers a smart way to enter this vibrant market with confidence. Whether you’re drawn to online platforms like EaseMyTrip or full-service operators like SOTC, there’s a travel franchise that fits your goals and budget.

Each one of the top 8 franchises featured here offers something different. With low-entry models that fit small budgets to high-end travel experiences, the options are varied and enticing. If you stay focused and plan well, your travel franchise can help you earn good money and also give you personal satisfaction. It’s a chance to build a successful business while doing something you enjoy.