AbhiBus reports 35 per cent surge in Gujarat bus travel as premium and spiritual trips rise

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s bus travel is shifting into a higher gear. Fresh data from AbhiBus, the bus business of ixigo, shows demand for bus journeys to and from the state rose 35 per cent year on year in 2026, driven by a mix of business travel, family holidays, pilgrimages and growing preference for premium buses.

The online ticketing platform said both bookings and seat demand recorded strong growth over the past year, with May emerging as the busiest month. Searches and bookings during the month climbed 44 per cent from a year earlier, supported by summer vacations, family travel and increased intercity movement.

The findings were released at Prawaas 5.0 in Gandhinagar, where AbhiBus showcased trends shaping India’s intercity bus market.

Ahmedabad retained its position as Gujarat’s biggest travel hub, while Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara continued to record healthy demand. Smaller centres such as Jamnagar, Junagadh, Dwarka, Palanpur, Vapi, Gandhidham and Mehsana also saw increasing passenger traffic, indicating that bus travel growth is spreading well beyond the state’s established corridors.

AbhiBus chief operating officer Rohit Sharma said Gujarat remains one of India’s fastest-growing bus travel markets, supported by a balanced mix of business, leisure and spiritual journeys.

He added that demand is rising across both established and emerging routes, with travellers increasingly opting for premium travel experiences as digital adoption and connectivity continue to improve.

Religious tourism emerged as one of the strongest growth engines during the year. Bookings to Dwarka, Somnath and Porbandar rose sharply, with Somnath recording a 62 per cent increase and Porbandar registering an 82 per cent jump compared with the previous year.

Interstate travel also gathered pace. Delhi was among the fastest-growing destinations for passengers travelling from Gujarat, with bookings rising 86 per cent year on year. Routes connecting the state with Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and northern India also witnessed sustained demand.

Passengers are increasingly choosing comfort over cost, according to the data. AC sleeper bookings climbed 59 per cent during 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing categories across Gujarat routes. Higher-priced ticket segments also expanded steadily, suggesting travellers are willing to spend more for better onboard amenities.

Travel habits also point to increasingly spontaneous journeys. Most passengers booked tickets either on the day of travel or a day in advance, while Fridays and Saturdays remained the busiest days of the week as weekend getaways and short breaks continued to gain popularity.

Women travellers played a significant role in the market’s expansion. Bookings involving at least one woman passenger increased 35 per cent year on year, while solo female bookings rose 41 per cent, reflecting growing confidence in intercity bus travel.

Private operators outpaced state-run services, registering 44 per cent growth against 25 per cent for road transport corporation services. Even so, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation remained the single largest operator across Gujarat routes, highlighting the complementary role of public and private players as demand for bus travel continues to accelerate.