Festive season is all about heading home, catching up with family, or squeezing in a quick getaway between the celebrations. And if you’ve been planning a trip around Dussehra or Diwali, chances are you’re not the only one looking at bus tickets. Intercity bus travel sees a significant spike during this time, with some routes recording a 30-50% rise in daily passenger demand compared to a regular week! Scroll on to know more about this.
Intercity Bus Travel Sees Uptick During Festive Season
According to travel data shared by Fresh Bus, which analysed the travel patterns of over six lakh passengers across key intercity routes, festive journeys are becoming more concentrated, with bookings peaking two to three days before a festival.
If you’re travelling across South India this festive season, a few routes are particularly busy. Fresh Bus identifies Hyderabad-Vijayawada and Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam as key corridors for passengers heading home to celebrate with family. Bengaluru-Tirupati also sees a spike, with many travellers combining their festive plans with a pilgrimage.
Here’s where the festive travel rush is most noticeable:
- Hyderabad-Vijayawada: A popular route for working professionals and families travelling back to their hometowns ahead of Dussehra and Diwali.
- Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam: Another busy corridor, driven largely by homebound festive travel.
- Bengaluru-Tirupati: A key route for those planning a temple visit alongside their holiday plans.
- Bengaluru-Pondicherry and Chennai-Pondicherry: These routes see increased movement as travellers make the most of extended holidays for short leisure breaks.
- Bengaluru-Chennai: Demand typically rises around Diwali as more passengers travel between the two cities.
Also Read: Diwali 2026: 8,000+ Special Trains, Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat & More Announced
When Should You Book Your Festive Bus Tickets?
Here’s something worth keeping in mind if you’re planning to travel during the festive rush: the busiest days aren’t necessarily the festival dates themselves. According to Fresh Bus, passenger demand typically peaks two to three days before a festival, followed by a surge in return journeys once the celebrations are over.
Evening departures are among the first to fill up, as many travellers prefer to finish work before setting off. So, if you’re planning to leave after office hours, booking early is a good idea, especially on popular intercity routes.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on your return journey. While everyone focuses on getting home before the festivities, seats can be equally difficult to find when it’s time to head back to the city.
Festive travel isn’t just about going home anymore. Many passengers are using the holiday calendar to plan short breaks, while pilgrimage trips are adding another layer to the seasonal rush. This means demand is no longer spread evenly across routes or days; instead, it builds around specific destinations and departure windows.
Also Read: Puri Sees 318% Rise In Searches As Indians Look Beyond Goa For Festive Travel Plans
So, whether you’re planning a trip home to Vijayawada, a pilgrimage to Tirupati, or a quick Pondicherry escape, it’s worth sorting out your bus tickets in advance.
Cover Image Courtesy: Pexels/Khaya Motsa (representative image)
FAQs
Which bus routes in South India see a surge in demand during the festive season?
Hyderabad–Vijayawada, Vijayawada–Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru–Tirupati, Bengaluru–Pondicherry, Chennai–Pondicherry and Bengaluru–Chennai are among the popular routes seeing increased demand.
When should you book bus tickets for Diwali travel?
Passenger demand typically peaks two to three days before a festival. Booking tickets early is advisable, particularly for popular routes and evening departures.
By how much does festive bus travel demand increase?
According to Fresh Bus, daily passenger demand on some intercity routes rises by 30–50% during the festive season compared to a regular week.
