Onam travel nightmare: Private bus fares surge, Bengaluru, Chennai–Kerala routes hit hard

MALAPPURAM: Interstate private bus operators have started increasing ticket fares ahead of the Onam travel rush, with Malayalis returning home for the festival expected to bear significantly higher costs. Ticket prices for services from Bengaluru and Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode have already risen for journeys between August 20 and 24.

Passengers booking tickets now are paying nearly double the regular fare on several routes. AC sleeper tickets from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram are currently priced between ₹2,700 and ₹3,100, compared to the usual ₹1,400–₹1,950.

Private bus operators are making use of dynamic pricing on ticketing platforms, under which fares increase as demand rises. As Onam approaches and bookings surge, ticket prices are expected to climb further.

Fares could rise further

In previous years, fares under the dynamic pricing model have increased to more than three times the normal rate during the last few days before Onam. In 2025, an AC sleeper ticket from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram had touched ₹4,500.

Industry observers say fares have not risen further so far because tickets are still available on KSRTC services, while the Indian Railways is also expected to announce additional special trains for the festival season.