Ahead Of Holi 2026, Women’s Bus Bookings Up 80% & Udaipur Flights Jump 94%, Says Survey

Holi is no longer just about colours and water. For many travellers, it’s the perfect time to explore new places or head back home. And that’s exactly what’s happening this year. According to ixigo, one of India’s leading AI-based travel platforms, flight bookings for the Holi week have seen a big jump. Scroll down to know more!

Booking Demand Soars Ahead Of Holi

Travel demand has shot up across the country. As per ixigo, one of India’s leading AI-based travel platforms, flight bookings for Holi week 2026 have jumped by 70–75% compared to last year. That’s a massive spike! Buses are seeing the same festive rush. AbhiBus, ixigo’s bus business, has recorded over 70% year-on-year growth in advance bus bookings. 

Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are clearly stealing the spotlight this Holi. A lot of people are flying back home to celebrate with family, and the numbers prove it. Gorakhpur also witnessed 94% rise in flight bookings. Bhopal wasn’t far behind; it witnessed 89% jump, and Kanpur recorded an 86% increase. Darbhanga witnessed a 76% growth, while Varanasi saw bookings go up by 72%. Lucknow reported a 68% rise, Ranchi saw a 67% increase, and Patna recorded a 54% jump compared to last year. 

Also Read: This Holi, Order Gujiya To Your Train Seat As Swiggy Expands Food On Train Service To 152 Stations

Which Cities Are Leading In Holiday Rush?

It’s not just hometowns; even holiday spots are buzzing this Holi. Udaipur led the festive getaway rush with a 94% jump in flight bookings. Dehradun followed at 90%, while Srinagar saw an 85% rise. Goa recorded an 81% increase, Jaipur saw 73%, and Darjeeling wasn’t far behind with 65% growth. Looks like many people are turning Holi into a mini vacation too — why celebrate in one place when you can travel, right?

Metro cities are also seeing massive action. Ahmedabad topped the list with a huge 118% surge in flight bookings. Hyderabad recorded a 108% rise, and Chennai crossed the 100% mark with 101% growth. Kolkata saw an 89% increase. New Delhi and Pune both reported 80% growth. Bengaluru registered a 77% rise, while Mumbai recorded a 54% increase compared to last year.

Buses are equally packed, especially as train tickets on busy routes move into long waiting lists. The Delhi–Lucknow and Delhi–Varanasi routes saw over 60% growth in bus bookings. Mumbai–Pune and Mumbai–Nagpur recorded a strong 75% rise. Hyderabad–Vijayawada and Hyderabad–Bengaluru both saw a 70% increase. The Bengaluru–Chennai route grew by 65%. Even eastern routes like Kolkata–Durgapur and Patna–Ranchi saw strong double-digit growth.

And here’s something interesting — women travellers are driving a big part of this surge. AbhiBus reported nearly 80% year-on-year growth in advance bookings by women. In fact, women have booked close to 40% of total bus seats so far this Holi season. Now that’s a festive travel wave you can’t ignore!

This Holi, where are you travelling to? Tell us in the comments below!

Also Read: What Is ‘SheTravel Policy’, Himachal Pradesh&s Initiative To Raise Solo Women Travellers By 35%?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ alvarog1970