Intercity bus travel from Delhi is projected to rise sharply this summer, with young travellers accounting for more than half of total bookings, according to redBus data
Intercity bus travel from Delhi is witnessing strong growth this summer, with bookings projected to increase by 38 per cent during the peak travel period, according to data from online ticketing platform Redbus.
The projection is based on bookings recorded between 1 May and 17 May 2026, compared with the same period last year. The data reflects rising demand for short-haul leisure travel, early summer getaways, and increased movement towards hill destinations and neighbouring states.
Individuals in the 18–30 age group account for 56 per cent of total bus bookings from Delhi, indicating a strong shift in travel behaviour driven by Gen Z and young millennials.
Booking patterns also show a preference for flexibility in travel options. Around 53 per cent of travellers opted for seater buses, while the remaining chose sleeper services, suggesting higher demand for shorter intercity routes during the summer season.
Gender-wise distribution shows male travellers accounting for 72 per cent of total bookings, with a majority of them belonging to the 18–30 age group. Female travellers make up 28 per cent of bookings, and more than half of them are also within the younger demographic.
Route-wise, key corridors seeing the highest traffic from Delhi include Delhi–Lucknow, Delhi–Gorakhpur, Delhi–Rishikesh, Delhi–Dehradun and Delhi–Jaipur.
Within the capital, major boarding points such as ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Anand Vihar, Dhaula Kuan, Akshardham Metro Station, Mori Gate and Karol Bagh continue to handle the highest passenger volumes.
To support increased seasonal demand, Redbus has introduced its Red Hot Summer Sale, running from 27 April to 15 May 2026. The offer provides discounts of up to Rs 300 on bus, hotel and train bookings.
The overall trend indicates a sustained rise in intercity bus travel from Delhi, driven by younger travellers, improved connectivity, and a growing preference for short, flexible road trips during the summer season.
