India sees surge in festive travel demand for Diwali

India is experiencing a significant spike in travel demand ahead of the Diwali festive season, affecting both domestic tourism and commuter transit. Airbnb data indicates that domestic searches in India have grown nearly 40% year-on-year, driven largely by Gen Z and families. Popular destinations include spiritual hubs like Varanasi, coastal areas such as North and South Goa, and urban centers like Bengaluru and Kolkata.

The surge has placed heavy pressure on transportation networks. Railway reservations for many regular routes are fully booked, leading to extensive waiting lists. While railway authorities have introduced special trains to accommodate the rush, many of these are also reaching capacity. In regions like Jalgaon, flight bookings to destinations such as Goa, Pune, and Hyderabad have seen high demand, resulting in increased ticket prices.

Commuters in areas like Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are facing challenges due to limited station stops for special trains, prompting some to seek alternative transport via buses or private vehicles.