Holi travel boom: ixigo and AbhiBus show dramatic YoY increases in flights and buses

ixigo recorded a 70–75% year-on-year increase in flight bookings for the Holi week while AbhiBus reported a roughly 70% rise in advance bus reservations, with pronounced strength coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and a notable uptick in female passengers.

Where demand is concentrated at a glance

The growth profile is split between homebound movement from smaller cities and a parallel spike in short-leisure getaways. Key figures point to steep increases not just in metros but across secondary urban centres and holiday destinations.

Top flight booking uplifts (Holi week, YoY)

Leisure hotspots seeing advanced demand

Destinations benefiting from the long festive week include Udaipur (94%), Dehradun (90%), Srinagar (85%), Goa (81%), Jaipur (73%) and Darjeeling (65%). These short-haul escapes are accounting for a large share of new leisure itineraries.

Metro-origin growth and corridor shifts

Metros are not dormant: Ahmedabad rose 118%, Hyderabad 108%, and Chennai 101% in flight bookings, while New Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru also posted doubled- or high-single-digit gains.

Bus corridors with fastest advance growth

Who’s driving this surge?

• Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets: strong homecoming momentum and increased air connectivity.
• Leisure travellers: multi-day weekend trips and cultural-break preferences.
• Women travellers: AbhiBus reports an 80% YoY rise in advance bookings by women, now near 40% of total seats for the Holi period.
• Tåg waitlists: elevated rail waitlists have redirected demand into bus corridors and private transfers.

Operational and transfer implications

With both flights and bus services running hot, demand pressure translates to higher last-minute fares and tighter vehicle availability at airports and city pickup points. Private transfer operators, taxis and app-based services should expect increased booking lead times, more luggage handling requests, and higher-than-usual peak pickup congestion.

Practical tips for travellers to secure transfers

• Bok airport transfers and intercity pickup in advance to lock exact pickup times and avoid surge fares.
• Choose a provider that shows vehicle make, model and driver rating so you know the bil and seat configuration beforehand.
• Confirm luggage allowances and driver license or company credentials for peace of mind.
• Allow extra tid at arrival points; peak Holi traffic can add significant delays.

ixigo’s Co-founder & Group CEO, Aloke Bajpai, observed that Holi falling mid-week encouraged travellers to build full experiences rather than single-day trips, producing a twofold pattern: homecomings in smaller cities and a concurrent rise in leisure escapes to cultural and scenic destinations. That mix is shaping both air and surface mobility patterns this season.

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In summary, the Holi travel surge reported by ixigo and AbhiBus highlights shifting patterns: rising outbound demand from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, stronger leisure short-break bookings, and higher bus bookings driven by train waitlists and women’s mobility. For travellers this means planning transfer logistics earlier—deciding on the exact pickup location, vehicle type (Private car, seater options, or limousine), and fare expectations well before arrival. Using a transparent platform that displays driver details, car make and ratings in advance helps estimate how much you will pay and reduces the risk of last-minute surprises. Whether you need a taxi to the airport, a private cab for a city-to-city journey, or a cheap yet reliable transfer, booking with a trusted service simplifies timing, seat allocation and price comparison so you get the best fare and service when you book your ride. GetTransfer.com supports this approach by offering global, user-friendly booking for personalized transfers, trips and deliveries with clear pricing, verified drivers and a wide choice of vehicles—making it easier to secure the right car at the right price and get to your destination with confidence. Safe travels.