June is the time where everyone in India starts traveling as a family. Schools break up, the temperature crosses forty-five degrees on the plains of India, and every single family who owns a passport book those same two weeks. The airline tickets from India are the most expensive ones throughout the whole year, and the hotels at the most popular locations know this fact.
This is the real truth, and the advice given is going to change radically. In June, you do not look for the most beautiful place anymore. You look for the place which is in the best season of its life while other destinations are having the off season. Such destinations exist and even much more exist which most people do not even know about.
This guide is the list of top places you should visit during June according to continent and price level, with a true opinion about whether an Indian passport holder needs a visa for the particular destination and also one geographical rule to help you avoid booking the wrong coast of the right destination.
June at a Glance for Indian Travellers
| Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Why June is difficult | Indian school holidays push airfares to their yearly peak |
| Cheapest window in the month | The first week and the last week, on either side of the rush |
| Best weather region | Europe, at its longest days and before the July heat |
| The June speciality | Midnight sun in the far north, around the solstice on 21 June |
| Peak safari season | Starts across East and Southern Africa as the dry season sets in |
| Easiest entries | Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives |
| Hardest entries | Schengen Europe, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand |
| Apply for hard visas by | March, since June is peak application season too |
| Avoid entirely | The Gulf, Japan’s main islands, and the Caribbean |
| The rule that saves trips | In June, one country can have two opposite seasons |
The Coast Flip Rule: The Most Useful Thing on This Page
June is when the southwest monsoon season comes to the countries of South and Southeast Asia. But the monsoon does not arrive uniformly because of the mountains and large landmasses that block its path. Therefore, one side of the country gets wet from rain, while the other side remains dry and hot.
Travel guides will definitely suggest that you avoid Thailand and Sri Lanka in June, but they would only be partly right, and their wrong part provides some good travel opportunities for you.
| Country | The Wet Side in June | The Dry Side in June |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman coast get the monsoon | Koh Samui and Koh Phangan on the Gulf coast stay largely dry |
| Sri Lanka | Colombo, Galle and the south and west turn wet | Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay on the east are in season |
| Indonesia | Very little of it, as this is the dry season | Bali and Java are in their best stretch of the year |
| Japan | Honshu and Kyushu enter the rainy season | Hokkaido escapes it almost entirely |
| India, for reference | The west coast and most of the country | Ladakh and Spiti finally open up |
Arugam Bay is perhaps the most obvious example. It is considered to be the surfing center of the country, the season begins in May until September, and the place functions well only during that very time when one should not visit the rest of the country. Same passport, same cost for an airplane ticket, and completely another holiday.
The Visa Reality for an Indian Passport
June is also the period that sees an influx in travel and visa applications – similar to flights. Therefore, in case you have plans of applying for Schengen, UK, USA, Australia, or New Zealand visas in June, it is best to have the process completed by March.
| Term | What It Actually Means for You |
|---|---|
| Visa-free | Turn up with a passport, return ticket and hotel booking. Nothing to apply for and nothing to pay. |
| Visa on arrival | You land, queue at a separate counter, fill a form and pay in cash. Carry the exact fee in the currency they specify. |
| eVisa | Applied for online before you fly, usually approved in one to three working days. Print it and carry it. |
| Travel authorisation | A lighter online permission, often cleared within hours, but you still cannot board without it. |
| Free but still required | The fee has been waived, the paperwork has not. Sri Lanka is the current example for Indian travellers. |
It is also necessary to note the differences in the vocabulary used in the article as most authors tend to use them interchangeably.There are other countries which require a free electronic arrival form apart from a visa. This is the case with both Thailand and Malaysia. It takes only a few minutes to complete and airlines check this at the departure gate.
The policies keep changing. Thailand has made changes in the duration of the Indian visa exemption policy on more than one occasion. The exemption policy of Malaysia is not valid permanently but has an expiry date. Visa free access policy to Iran for Indians was withdrawn.
The Four Budget Bands in June
These are realistic per-person figures for about seven nights including return flights, mid-range stays, local transport and food. They are higher than the same trip in March, because June airfares out of India are.
| Band | Roughly | What It Realistically Buys |
|---|---|---|
| Shoestring | Under Rs 75,000 | Nepal, Sri Lanka’s east coast, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand’s Gulf islands. |
| Comfortable | Rs 75,000 to 1,50,000 | Bali, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Almaty and the Caucasus. |
| Serious trip | Rs 1,50,000 to 3,00,000 | Europe, Hokkaido, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia. |
| Big one | Above Rs 3,00,000 | Iceland, Norway, Peru, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand. |
Asia in June
| Destination | Why June Works | Visa for Indians | Budget Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali and Java | Dry season at its peak, the best stretch of Indonesia’s year | Easy entry, though whether it is free or paid on arrival has shifted, so confirm | Comfortable |
| Sri Lanka, east coast | Trincomalee and Arugam Bay are in season while the south is wet | Online authorisation required, though the fee for Indians has been waived | Shoestring |
| Thailand, Gulf coast | Koh Samui and Koh Phangan stay dry while Phuket does not | Currently exempt, but the permitted length keeps changing. Digital arrival card also needed | Shoestring |
| Vietnam | Hot but manageable, and prices drop sharply in low season | eVisa online, straightforward and usually quick | Shoestring |
| Nepal | Green and cheap, though trekking is limited by the monsoon | No visa needed for Indians, carry photo ID | Shoestring |
| Kyrgyzstan | Alpine summer begins, lakes and passes open up, almost no crowds | eVisa online, simple and quick | Comfortable |
| Uzbekistan | Silk Road cities are hot but empty, and prices reflect it | Straightforward eVisa, with occasional visa-free windows | Comfortable |
| Georgia and Armenia | Mountain season opens, wine country green, long evenings | eVisa, and easier still if you hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa | Comfortable |
| Hokkaido, Japan | The one part of Japan that escapes the June rainy season | Visa required, though an electronic route exists for Indians | Serious trip |
| Kazakhstan | Almaty and the mountains around it at their most pleasant | A short visa-free stay has applied for Indians, confirm the current terms | Comfortable |
The pick of Asia in June
Bali, just in case you want to give the safe response. June is really the right month because then the dry season will be very firmly established, and the visa is the easiest in the world if you’re using an Indian passport.
Arugam Bay, if you want a brainy response. Going to Sri Lanka in June would be only a fraction of the cost of going to Bali, the dry season is firmly established on the eastern coast, and you would be one of a handful of Indians there.
Europe in June
June is arguably the best month on the continent. Days run to fifteen or sixteen hours, the weather is warm without July’s heat, and the worst of the crowds have not arrived. The obstacle is entirely the visa.
| Destination | Why June Works | Visa for Indians | Budget Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | Midnight sun in the north around the 21 June solstice, fjords at their greenest | Schengen visa, apply by March | Big one |
| Iceland | Near-continuous daylight, every road and highland route open | Schengen visa | Big one |
| Finland | White nights, lakes, and the midsummer celebrations | Schengen visa | Big one |
| Switzerland | Alpine passes open, meadows in flower, before the August rush | Schengen visa | Serious trip |
| Portugal | Warm, sunny and the cheapest of the western European options | Schengen visa | Serious trip |
| Croatia and Slovenia | Adriatic warm enough to swim, prices below July levels | Schengen visa | Serious trip |
| Turkey | Coast in season, Cappadocia comfortable, better value than the EU | eVisa, much easier if you hold a valid Schengen, US or UK visa | Comfortable |
| Serbia | Cheap, green and easy on paperwork for Indian travellers | Visa-free access has applied here, so confirm the current position | Comfortable |
However, when you can only afford one activity for yourself during the month of June in Europe, go north and experience the phenomenon known as solstice. On June 21, the sun will not set in the vicinity of the Arctic Circle, and hence, in the northern reaches of Norway, Iceland, and Finland, days consist of daylight alone.
Africa in June
It is here that June turns to brilliance. It is during the dry season when vegetation is sparse, water is scarce and animals gather. Game viewing is enhanced during June and continues to get better until October.
| Destination | Why June Works | Visa for Indians | Budget Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Dry season begins, Mara game viewing strengthens through the month | Travel authorisation applied for online | Serious trip |
| Tanzania | Serengeti dry season, and the migration moves north | Visa on arrival or eVisa, generally simple | Serious trip |
| South Africa | Winter, dry and cool, the best game viewing months in Kruger | Visa required, apply well ahead | Serious trip |
| Namibia | Dry, cool nights, clear desert skies for stargazing | Visa on arrival has applied for Indians, confirm current terms | Serious trip |
| Zambia and Zimbabwe | Victoria Falls still running strong after the rains | eVisa, with a joint permit option covering both | Serious trip |
| Egypt | Very hot, but empty and cheap if you start at dawn | eVisa online, with visa on arrival available in some cases | Comfortable |
| Mauritius | Cooler and windier winter season, good for kitesurfing | Visa-free entry for Indian tourists for a generous period | Comfortable |
One honest word about Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands. In June, it is the start of the cool and breezy season. It is lovely and inexpensive, but not quite what you were thinking if you thought turquoise waters and hot sunshine.
The Americas in June
| Destination | Why June Works | Visa for Indians | Budget Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | Dry season begins, and Inti Raymi fills Cusco on 24 June | Visa required, apply well ahead | Big one |
| USA and Canada | Summer opens, national parks accessible, Alaska in near-endless daylight | Visa required, and interview waits from India can be very long | Big one |
| Brazil | Winter, meaning dry and comfortable for Rio and the Amazon | Visa required, electronic route available | Big one |
| Costa Rica | Green season, fewer tourists, lower rates, brief daily rain | Visa required, though certain other visas ease entry | Big one |
| Mexico | Warm and green, but this is where the Atlantic hurricane season starts | Visa required, though a valid US visa can allow entry without a separate one | Serious trip |
A special mention needs to be made about Peru. The dry season is from around June until August, making June the first month for the optimal trekking season for Machu Picchu and also marks the biggest festival of the Andes calendar, called the Inti Raymi festival that falls on 24 June.
Oceania in June
| Destination | Why June Works | Visa for Indians | Budget Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Winter, which means dry season in Queensland and the Top End | Visitor visa required, apply online with time in hand | Big one |
| New Zealand | Ski season opens in Queenstown and Wanaka | Visitor visa required | Big one |
| Fiji | Dry season begins, and cyclone risk has passed | Visa-free entry has applied for Indian tourists, confirm current terms | Big one |
The surprising thing is that the ideal time for Australia’s tropical north comes when Australia experiences its winter. This is when The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Darwin, and Kakadu are all experiencing their dry season in June.
Under Rs 75,000: The Cheap Wins in an Expensive Month
| Destination | Why It Still Fits the Budget | How Long to Go For |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka, east coast | Short flight, low season rates nationally, and the east is dry | 6 to 8 nights |
| Nepal | No visa, short hop, and monsoon pricing on everything | 5 to 7 nights |
| Vietnam | Genuine low season, so hotels and tours discount heavily | 8 to 10 nights |
| Thailand, Gulf islands | Low season prices while the weather stays usable | 6 to 8 nights |
| Malaysia | Direct flights, no visa fee, and reliable year-round weather | 5 to 7 nights |
The bigger saving in June is timing rather than destination. Indian school holidays cluster the demand into the middle of the month. Flying out in the first few days of June or after about the 25th can cut the airfare significantly on the same route.
Where Not to Go in June
- The Gulf. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat go up to forty-five degrees and all outdoor activities are impossible. Shopping and staying inside is fine, but not for sightseeing.
- Major islands of Japan. Honshu and Kyushu have their rainy season beginning in June. The exception is Hokkaido, which stays clear all month.
- Caribbean and Mexican Caribbean Coast. The hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean starts officially on 1 June.
- Phuket, Krabi, and the Thai Andaman coast as well as the southern and western parts of Sri Lanka. These two places are not on the right side of the monsoon.
- Maldives, except when price is the only thing that matters. It rains there in June, so it’s cheaper and unreliable.
- Any place requiring a Schengen, US and Australian visa if you haven’t got it yet. You should have arranged it in March.
Practical Tips Most June Guides Skip
- Shift your dates ahead or back a week. Since the June holidays bring school children off campus, the first and last week are particularly cheap along the same route.
- Arrange for long haul flights in January or February. Flights to India in June are progressively costly starting from about March onwards.
- For the mid-summer midnight sun, secure accommodations before air travel. Accommodations in Northern Norway, Iceland and Lapland are limited, and bookings for the solstice period are made first.
- Confirm the side of the country you are traveling to. In a country experiencing the effects of monsoons, your selected beach resort might be in the wet side while the other side, two hours by road transport away, could be relatively dry.
- Pack rain wear even if traveling to the dry side. Monsoon systems are messy, and showers are expected throughout the region.
- Ensure you have travel insurance against weather related cancellations. June is the month during which flight cancellations are highest for both monsoon and European summer trips.
- Renew your passport if it expires within one year. Most countries require at least six months validity beyond the travel date, and Indian passport renewals are slower in the summer.
Trivia You Can Use to Sound Like a Regular
- On or around the Arctic Circle on 21 June, there is no sunset, and therefore northern Norway and Iceland have daylight throughout the day for approximately several weeks.
- Thailand consists of two coasts that experience different monsoons, and thus it is possible for Koh Samui to have sunshine, while Phuket has rainfall within the same week.
- Sri Lanka is a good holiday destination in the surfing season of Arugam Bay of the eastern coast during the months of May and September, but the tour guides recommend avoiding visits to the country in this period.
- Caribbean prices fall sharply after 1 June due to the start of the hurricane season on this date.
- The only area in Japan without the summer rainfall season is Hokkaido.
- Inti Raymi is the Inca Sun Festival that takes place in Cusco on 24 June and is the second biggest festival in South America after Rio Carnival.
Final Take: Buy the Season, Not the Postcard
Best destinations for June outside of India can be divided into two parts. Firstly, this group includes places where the season coincides with June. These are Europe with the longest day time, the Arctic with the midnight sun, eastern and southern Africa in the early days of dry season and Peru when the trekking season starts. All of them are expensive; in June, it is double the price.
Secondly, there are destinations where the season coincides with June but these destinations are less known for that. For example, Bali during its driest month, Arugam Bay during its surfing season, islands in the Gulf of Thailand when the Andaman coast is flooded and Hokkaido when Japan is wet everywhere else. It is the kind of trip that is worth doing because in June, no matter where you go, air tickets will be expensive, and the only thing you can influence is the return on your investment. All you have to do is to check the coast and your visa before booking and change the dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best country to visit in June from India?
A Bali holiday will be safer in light of the fact that the month of June is the beginning of the dry season in Bali and there will be no problems entering the country using an Indian passport. An Sri Lanka holiday on the eastern coast will be cheaper because both Trincomalee and Arugam Bay can be visited during the season.
Why are flights from India so expensive in June?
School Holidays. The need for the whole country becomes high in the middle of the month, and tickets depend on that. With shifting the schedule to travel in June early or later than the 25th, you can reduce your ticket expense.
Is Thailand worth visiting in June?
Yes, provided that you choose the correct coast. While the Andaman coast comprising Phuket and Krabi is hit by the monsoons, the Gulf coast, which comprises Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, remains relatively dry until June. In one country, opposite climates and low-season rates everywhere.
Which countries can Indians visit in June without a visa?
However, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives are some of the easiest, and so are some countries in Southeast Asia which have special provisions for passports of Indians. However, there have been some recent changes or some of these exemptions expire within a certain time limit.
Where can I see the midnight sun in June?
Northern Norway, Iceland and Finnish Lapland, and particularly at the time of the summer solstice, which is around 21 June. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets for a few weeks. All of these require a Schengen visa, which must be arranged before March.
Is June a good time for an African safari?
This is the beginning of the best period. The dry season is approaching in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, reducing the foliage and attracting wildlife to waterholes. Sightings continue to get better from June up to October.
Note: Visa rules, fees and exemption periods for Indian passport holders change frequently and often at short notice. Seasonal and weather patterns vary year to year. Everything here is indicative only. Confirm current entry requirements on the destination country’s official immigration website before booking travel.
Also read about: Ranthambore Places to Visit: The Zone Decides Everything
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