2025 travel trends in India reflect a dynamic shift in how citizens approach intercity mobility, with a strong surge in pilgrimage travel, weekend getaways, and regional travel patterns. According to the redBus 2025 Travel Trends Report, India saw a significant rise in pilgrimage tourism, with 88 percent growth compared to 2024, and an increasing preference for weekend travel. These trends, paired with a growing demand for comfort and convenience, reveal evolving travel behaviours that are reshaping the intercity bus industry.

India’s massive pilgrimage network, alongside modern travel preferences, has created a robust domestic tourism sector in 2025. The redBus report highlights how the country’s major spiritual circuits, such as the routes between Delhi, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and other destinations in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, accounted for significant growth in intercity travel bookings. With Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh Mela drawing millions, this spike reflects how deeply rooted spiritual and cultural tourism is becoming.

Surge in Weekend Travel and Intercity Mobility

Weekend travel has emerged as a dominant feature of India’s intercity tourism landscape, particularly with young professionals and students opting for short trips over the weekend. According to the redBus report, travellers now favour weekend getaways for relaxation and exploration, contributing to 25 percent growth in bookings for short‑distance routes. Popular routes such as Hyderabad–Bangalore, Bangalore–Chennai, and Chennai–Madurai have experienced high occupancy rates, driven by quick, affordable access to leisure destinations.

The shift towards short, frequent trips mirrors a growing preference for affordable, yet comfortable travel options. AC buses and sleeper seats were the top choices for travellers looking for a convenient, high‑comfort experience. This has prompted travel platforms and bus operators to upgrade their service offerings, introducing more premium seat options, cleaner travel environments, and night buses on routes popular for weekend travel.

Tier‑3 and Regional Growth Fueling Mobility Across India

The 2025 report also highlights a notable increase in travel from Tier‑3 towns, with smaller cities and rural areas contributing to over 61 percent of travel demand. These shifts underscore the growing digitisation of travel booking and improved connectivity between smaller towns and major metropolitan areas. As more travellers from Tier‑3 regions access intercity travel services, such as bus routes and rail systems, there is a marked expansion of travel demand that has traditionally been concentrated in large urban centres.

Intercity Travel Demographics and Preferences

According to the redBus report, younger generations, particularly millennials (26–40) and Gen Z (under 25), now dominate intercity travel markets, accounting for 77 percent of total bookings. This aligns with broader travel behaviours, where young travellers increasingly prefer digital, environmentally conscious travel choices. The report highlights that women travellers represented 32 percent of intercity bus passengers, which indicates a rise in inclusive, solo travel options for various demographics.

Enhancing Travel Experience and Infrastructure

The growing focus on comfort and personalised travel experiences has led to an increase in AC buses (73 percent of all bookings), as well as sleeper seats, which now account for 50 percent of sales. These travel preferences reflect the importance of service quality in shaping customer satisfaction and loyalty in the intercity travel market. The redBus report also reflects that weekend travel peaks on Sundays, with Fridays and Saturdays trailing as secondary high‑traffic days.

Impact on Domestic Tourism Growth

In addition to the redBus 2025 report, India’s domestic tourism statistics published by the Ministry of Tourism reveal that domestic travel has become a major contributor to the nation’s tourism sector. In 2025, India’s domestic tourism industry reached over 303 million tourists by the end of August, reflecting the broader trend of local exploration across smaller towns and cultural destinations. This has directly contributed to the development of regional tourism infrastructure in lesser‑known areas.

Transforming Domestic Travel Habits in India

The 2025 intercity travel boom is reshaping how Indians approach mobility, from weekend getaways and pilgrimages to more comfort‑driven and digitally enabled travel experiences. As Tier‑3 markets expand and younger travellers increasingly demand sustainable, tech‑driven options, the country’s intercity travel networks are evolving to meet these needs. The redBus 2025 trends are not only indicative of changing travel preferences but also show India’s continued move toward sustainable, accessible, and diversified tourism experiences that reflect the evolving aspirations of domestic travellers.

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