Domestic travel surges ahead of Holi as bookings jump across categories

Flight, bus and hotel bookings are rising sharply ahead of Holi, with strong tier-II and III demand and a surge in destination searches as travellers plan extended festive getaways

The Holi long weekend is underway, and, with fervour rising, domestic travel activity is picking up pace.

 

According to ixigo, flight bookings during the Holi week — Holi will be celebrated on March 4 — recorded a 70–75 per cent uptick compared to last year. Its bus services vertical, AbhiBus, also witnessed over 70 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in advance bookings. 

“As people travel back home and reconnect with family for Holi, Tier-II and Tier-III cities are powering bookings across flights and buses,” the platform said. Gorakhpur led flight bookings with a 94 per cent rise, followed by Bhopal (89 per cent) and Kanpur (86 per cent). 

Destinations such as Darbhanga, Varanasi, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Patna also recorded over a 50 per cent uptick in bookings. 

Advance bus bookings, too, remain strong amid long waitlists on train routes. “According to AbhiBus travel data, Delhi–Lucknow and Delhi–Varanasi recorded over 60 per cent Y-o-Y growth, while Mumbai–Pune and Mumbai–Nagpur saw a 75 per cent Y-o-Y uptick,” the platform observed.

 

“Holi falling mid-week has unlocked something interesting this year — travellers aren’t just celebrating for a day; they’re building full travel experiences around it,” said Aloke Bajpai, cofounder and group chief executive officer at ixigo.

 

Meanwhile, Agoda data shows a rise in travel interest for traditional destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur, and Vrindavan, as well as temple towns, compared to last year.

 

Jaipur, known for its palace-led Holi celebrations, registered a 282 per cent increase in accommodation searches Y-o-Y on the platform. The pilgrimage town of Pushkar, where festivities unfold around Pushkar Lake and its 52 bathing ghats, saw a 195 per cent rise in searches.

 

Northern cities Vrindavan and Mathura, famed for their flower Holi celebrations and traditional festivities, recorded increases of 126 per cent and 109 per cent, respectively.

 

“Santiniketan in West Bengal, known for its Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) — a distinctive cultural interpretation of Holi centred on music and art — registered a 43 per cent increase in travel interest,” the platform said.

 

Hotels are also stepping up offers. Araiya Hotels & Resorts, founded by Leela Hotels scion Amruda Nair, is offering a 50 per cent discount on the second night across its properties.

 

“Holi is no longer just a festival; it has become an integral travel moment in the Indian calendar. With it falling mid-week, travellers are planning extended holiday windows, transforming what was once a single-day celebration into multi-day cultural and leisure journeys,” said Karan Agarwal, director, Cox & Kings.