Ebix Travel projects an unprecedented surge in Rail, Bus and air travel demand as the country enters its peak festive season. Early booking behavior, coupled with a cultural imperative to reunite with families, is driving multi-fold growth in both search volumes and confirmed reservations for Durga Puja and Diwali travel.
Smarter planning and digital-first adoption
Commenting on the outlook, Ankur Sharma, Chief Business Officer, Via.com (Ebix Travel) said: “Festive travel in India is more than mobility—it is a cultural movement that connects families, traditions, and destinations.
This year, travelers are planning smarter and earlier with booking lead times rising to 7–15 days. We are also witnessing a surge in digital-first adoption, with UPI emerging as the fastest-growing payment mode, reflecting how India’s travelers are embracing convenience alongside tradition. As the season unfolds, we remain committed to ensuring every journey is seamless, memorable, and reflective of India’s cultural spirit of togetherness”
Strong demand in bus travel
Occupancy on premium intercity bus routes is expected to hit 95–100%, with fares rising 1.5 to 3X above baseline levels. Tier 2 and Tier 3 corridors are driving festive mobility, accounting for nearly 62% of total bookings. Metro-to-hometown routes like Bengaluru to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during Dussehra, and Delhi to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for Diwali, are registering peak load factors. In Eastern India, Durga Puja traffic is centered around Kolkata’s outbound routes to Asansol, Durgapur, and Siliguri.
Shifts in aviation traffic
In aviation, festive season travel is shifting sharply toward leisure. Family and holiday trips now make up 65–70% of bookings, while corporate travel dips to 15–20%. Pilgrimage accounts for another 10–12%, highlighting cultural demand. Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Patna, and Kolkata lead domestic travel, while Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok dominate outbound leisure.
Rail supply crunch fuels demand shift
Traditionally the backbone of long-distance travel in India, trains face a severe supply crunch during the festive season. With limited seat availability, millions of travelers are compelled to shift to buses and flights, triggering a cascading surge in demand and fares across these modes.
Millennials and Gen Z drive festive travel
Ebix Travel data shows millennials (26–40 years) account for 40% of festive travelers, with Gen Z (18–25 years) at 28%. The gender split stands at 70% male and 30% female. Single travelers form half of all bookings, followed by couples (30%) and groups (20%). UPI adoption is surging, complementing cards and reinforcing India’s shift to digital-first travel spending.
