Double Up Holidays

Planning an International Trip? Take Your Partner Along Without Paying Double

Dec 24, 2025

6 mins Read

By Supriya Sahu

Here's the thing about a couple holidays: you can feel like a luxury reserved for the seriously wealthy. The costs pile up quickly: flights, hotels, meals, activities. By the time you've factored in everything, you're looking at a bill that makes you reconsider whether that romantic getaway is actually worth the financial strain.

But what if I told you there's a way to take your partner on an international holiday without the usual price tag?

Welcome to Double Up Holidays, a straightforward offer that lets your partner travel completely free when you book an international trip. No hidden conditions, no complicated terms. Just genuine savings that actually make sense for couples who want to travel smart.

If you're the type who likes planning ahead, researching thoroughly, and values time more than money, this one's for you.

What is Double Up Holidays, and how does it work?

Double Up Holidays is Alike's limited-time offering designed specifically for couples and families who want to stretch their travel budgets further.

Here's how it breaks down:

Your partner travels free

When you book an international trip for couples, your partner's entire land package: hotels, experiences, and activities, is completely on the house. You pay for one person; two people travel.

What's included in the free land package

Accommodation (hotels as per the itinerary)
Curated experiences and activities
All selected attractions are included in the package

The offer sounds almost too generous, but it's legitimate. Alike has negotiated these partnerships directly with hotels and experience providers across multiple destinations to make this possible.

Key details you need to know

Aspect	Details
Eligible destinations	6 countries, 17 cities across Southeast Asia and the UAE
Who can book	Couples (married or unmarried), friends travelling together, families with children below 8
Cost basis	You pay full price for one person; your partner's land package is free

The catch? Limited availability. Slots are capped across destinations, and with this kind of deal, they won't last long.

Double Up Holidays changes the game for couple holidays

Let's be honest. When you're planning an international trip for couples on a budget, the maths doesn't usually work in your favour.

Consider a typical 5-day holiday:

Flights: ₹40,000 to ₹80,000 (£400 to £800) per person
Hotels: ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 (£40 to £100) per night for a decent property
Activities & meals: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 (£20 to £50) daily per couple
Local transport: ₹500 to ₹1,500 (£5 to £15) daily

Even with careful planning, you're looking at ₹120,000 to ₹250,000 (£1,200 to £2,500) total for both of you. That's substantial money for a week away.

The usual workarounds: travelling during off-season, skipping activities, staying in budget hotels, leave you feeling like you're compromising on what should be a memorable experience.

Double Up Holidays flips this entirely. Instead of both of you paying full price and cutting corners, you're paying full price for one person, and your partner comes along at no additional accommodation or experience cost. The savings are real and immediate.

Destinations where this works best

Alike has curated seven countries under this offer, but some destinations deliver better value than others.

Here's what you should know:

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia)

Lower flight costs from India
Affordable accommodation, even in mid-range properties
Excellent value-for-money experiences
Peak seasons align well with Indian school holidays

Indonesia (Bali)

One of the most romantic destinations for couples
Strong hotel partnerships mean quality stays at reasonable rates
Activities like temple tours, water sports, and spa treatments are genuinely affordable
Direct flights from major Indian cities keep airfare competitive

United Arab Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

Higher upfront costs, but exceptional experience quality
Worth the investment for luxury-seeking couples
Iconic attractions with guaranteed quality standards
Year-round pleasant weather (though summer requires extra planning)

How to plan a budget romantic trip from India

Planning a budget romantic trip from India is now easier than ever.

Step 1: Choose your destination wisely

Not all destinations offer the same value proposition.

Here's a straightforward framework:

If you have 5-7 days, Southeast Asian destinations (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia) work best. Flight time is manageable, and you get the most bang for your rupee.

If you have 10+ days, Indonesia (Bali) becomes increasingly attractive. The longer duration justifies the slightly longer journey, and Bali's romantic appeal is worth the travel time.

If budget isn't your primary concern, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Yes, flights and activities cost more, but the experience quality and guaranteed infrastructure make these worthwhile.

Step 2: Navigate Alike's booking process

Starting your cheap couple's international trip booking is straightforward:

Head to Alike's best-selling holiday packages section
Use destination filters to narrow your options
Set your preferred duration and travel dates
Review the complete itinerary, inclusions, and terms
Click "Book Online" and complete traveller details

You'll be asked to provide names, contact information, and payment preferences. After confirming, you'll receive your booking confirmation via email or WhatsApp.

Step 3: Leverage the AI-powered trip planner

Alike's free trip planner, Eia, helps you customise your itinerary beyond the standard package.

This is where you can:

Adjust activity preferences
Add extra experiences if desired
Swap meals or accommodation within the package
Create a shared itinerary that your partner can review and input on

The collaborative features mean both of you have a say in how your holiday unfolds. No surprise activities or unwanted compromises.

Share costs on holidays: Maximising your savings

When you book through Double Up Holidays, your actual savings depend on the package cost.

Here's a practical example:

Sample 5-day Bali package (Per person, Land content only):

Accommodation: ₹15,000-₹25,000 (£150-£250)
Activities & meals: ₹10,000-₹15,000 (£100-£150)
Total land package per person: ₹25,000-₹40,000 (£250-£400)

With Double Up Holidays:

You pay: Full price for yourself
Your partner pays: ₹0 (completely free)
Your savings: ₹25,000-₹40,000 (£250-£400) on accommodation and experiences alone

Add to this the flights you both need (which you'd be paying for regardless), and your total couple trip cost is dramatically lower than booking separately.

Additional ways to stretch your budget

Beyond the Double Up offer, here are practical strategies:

Timing your travel

Book shoulder season trips (April to May or September to October)
Avoid peak holiday periods (December to January, school breaks)
Flexibility with dates can save 20 to 30% on flights

Booking All-in-One Rather than juggling multiple vendors, booking everything through Alike means:

Consistent quality standards
Single point of contact for support
No hidden fees scattered across different platforms
Easier refund or modification processes

Holiday destinations and packages worth your attention

Best value: Southeast Asia on a budget

Thailand: Cultural temples, island beaches, and Bangkok's vibrant street food scene. Flights from India are often the cheapest to Southeast Asia, making this an economical choice.

Vietnam: Emerging as a romantic destination with remarkable affordability. Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi offer diverse experiences without premium price tags.

Malaysia and Singapore: Perfect if you want a mix of urban exploration and beach relaxation, with excellent mid-range accommodation options.

Best experience-to-cost ratio: Bali

Bali deserves special mention. Here's why it's ideal for saving money on couple getaways:

Strong hotel partnerships mean quality 3-4 star properties at reasonable rates
Curated activities include everything from spiritual experiences (temple visits, yoga) to adventure (water sports, trekking)
Dining out is genuinely affordable, even at nice restaurants
It's positioned as a romantic destination, so experiences cater to couples
Direct flights from Indian metros keep costs competitive

Premium but worth it: UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

If you're willing to invest a bit more, the UAE offers unmatched experience quality and guaranteed reliability. Dubai's Tourist Pass gives you access to 70+ attractions whilst saving up to 50%, and Abu Dhabi has increasingly sophisticated attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Building your holiday budget

Here's a realistic budget framework for a 5-day international trip for couples:

Cost category	Budget range (INR)	Budget range (GBP)
Flights (both of you, economy)	₹60,000-₹120,000	£600-£1,200
Hotels (4-night stay, mid-range)	₹20,000-₹40,000*	£200-£400*
Activities & experiences	₹15,000-₹25,000*	£150-£250*
Meals (mix of restaurants & casual)	₹10,000-₹15,000	£100-£150
Local transport & transfers	₹3,000-₹5,000	£30-£50
eSIM & miscellaneous	₹3,000-₹5,000	£30-£50
Total (Both of you)	₹111,000-₹210,000	£1,110-£2,100

With Double Up Holidays, your partner's hotel and activity costs are free, effectively halving these line items.

The Double Up advantage: Real numbers

Let's compare two scenarios for a budget romantic trip from India:

Scenario A: Traditional booking

Person 1: ₹65,000 (£650)
Person 2: ₹65,000 (£650)
Total: ₹130,000 (£1,300)

Scenario B: Double Up Holidays

Person 1: ₹65,000 (£650)
Person 2: ₹0 (completely free land package)
Total: ₹65,000 (£650)
Savings: ₹65,000 (£650), a 50% reduction

These aren't theoretical savings. They're actual reductions in what you'll pay.

Making your decision: Is this offer right for you?

Double Up Holidays works best if:

You've been delaying a couple of holidays due to cost concerns
You value convenience and prefer not to juggle multiple vendors
You want quality-assured experiences rather than budget compromises
You have flexible travel dates around the February 2026 window
You're willing to book now rather than waiting

It might not suit you if:

Your preferred destination isn't on the list
You're looking for ultra-budget backpacking (this is mid-range travel)
You prefer complete flexibility to customise every single detail

Booking via Double Up Holidays

Ready to plan an international trip for couples on a budget?

Visit Alike's holiday packages section and browse destinations that appeal to you
Use the trip planner to get a sense of what's included and customise as needed
Check availability for your preferred dates

If you have questions at any stage, Alike's chat support is available to help, not just during booking, but before, during, and after your trip.

Couple holidays shouldn't require financial gymnastics. With Double Up Holidays, you get to enjoy a shared travel experience without the usual cost burden. Whether you're heading to the beaches of Bali, the temples of Thailand, or the modern marvels of Dubai, you're doing it together, without paying double.