Rush Hour: Bus Travel Accelerates as Diwali Bookings Double Across India

With limited train tickets and surging airfares, Indians are turning to premium buses this festive season, driving a sharp rise in intercity travel demand. In the lead-up to Diwali, bookings have nearly doubled compared to regular weeks, making highways the new festive arteries of India.

Major players like redBus and IntrCity SmartBus are witnessing record-breaking growth as families and professionals gear up to travel home for the holidays. The festive period, which began with Dussehra on October 2 and stretches through Diwali on October 20, has pushed occupancy levels to their peak.

According to Prakash Sangam, CEO of redBus, bookings have surged by around 40% on average, with some regions reporting even higher demand. The platform has seen passenger counts double during Diwali compared to the same period last year. “Diwali consistently marks the single highest travel day of the year on our platform,” Sangam noted, adding that over half a million people also travelled during the August 15 long weekend.

Similarly, Manish Rathi, Co-founder and CEO of IntrCity SmartBus, reported a 35% growth in bookings this festive season versus last year, with more travellers opting for comfort-driven premium bus services. “The demand curve has stretched further this year due to consecutive long weekends between Dussehra and Diwali, keeping occupancy levels consistently high,” Rathi said.

Industry experts attribute this boom to improved road connectivity, better onboard facilities, and increased consumer trust in organised intercity bus operators. With train seats scarce and flight prices soaring, premium bus travel has emerged as the preferred choice for festive journeys.

As Diwali approaches, both companies expect an additional spike from last-minute travellers, reinforcing that India’s festive rush is not just confined to railways and runways anymore—this year, the highways are shining brightest.