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If you travel by bus in India even a few times a year, you’ve likely seen how fast ticket prices can change. A route that felt reasonably priced last week can cost more today, especially around weekends or festivals. It mostly comes down to demand. According to redBus’s latest BusTrack Report, intercity buses carried over 140 million passengers between April and September 2025, a 25% increase from last year. With demand that high, prices don’t stay put for long. A few small booking choices can make a big difference. Here’s how to spend less on bus tickets in India and keep your travel costs in check.
1. Book early when you can
One of the easiest ways you can save on bus tickets is by booking your ticket early. Waiting until the last minute means you end up paying more because seat availability shrinks and operators increase prices for high-demand dates like weekends and holidays. Planning ahead not only gives you access to more options but also better prices. Several operators and booking platforms even offer early-booking deals if you reserve seats a few weeks in advance.
2. Compare prices across platforms
Not all booking platforms show you the same prices for the same bus. Before you hit “Book,” check a couple of different apps or websites. Sometimes one platform shows a slightly lower fare for the same route and bus operator. A few popular options in India include redBus, AbhiBus, Goibibo, and MakeMyTrip, and they each run their own exclusive discounts from time to time.
Here’s how these platforms compare for bus bookings:
| Booking Platform | Network & Reach | Deals | Strengths | Typical Extras |
| redBus | 5,200+ bus operators across India, one of the largest inventories. | Regular discount codes, wallet rewards, and festival offers. | Largest network + powerful filters help find the cheapest available fares. | Live tracking, flexible filters, and free cancellations on some tickets. |
| AbhiBus | Large route catalogue with private & SRTC operators. | Frequent cashback on bookings and first-time user offers. | Strong in cashbacks and promo stacking. | Live bus tracking, refund offers, and filtering by amenities. |
| Goibibo | Wide travel ecosystem, including hotels and flights | App deals + GoCash rewards can reduce net fare. | Works well when you book multi-leg travel with other services. | Integrates travel discounts across categories. |
| MakeMyTrip | Extensive travel platform with buses, trains, and flights. | Periodic flat discounts, plus bundled travel offers. | Better for one-click bookings if you’re already in their ecosystem. | Can combine bus deals with hotel/flight packages. |
3. Use bus coupons and ticket offers
On popular routes, fares don’t usually come down on their own. Intercity buses in India are running at around 79% average occupancy, meaning seats fill up quickly, especially during peak travel periods. This is where a bus coupon comes in handy. Adding a discount at checkout can bring the price down, and most booking platforms run regular offers through apps, banks, or seasonal sales. Checking for active discounts and offers on bus tickets before booking only takes a minute and can save you a few hundred rupees.
4. Choose non-peak travel days and times
In India, bus fares typically spike on Fridays after 5 PM, on Sunday return trips, during long weekends, and during festivals like Sankranti, Diwali, and Holi, as well as during school vacations. If you’re flexible, travel midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) and avoid rush-hour departures. Late morning to early afternoon buses (around 10 AM to 3 PM) usually see lesser demand, better seat availability, and noticeably lower fares from the same operator.
5. Use app-only deals instead of web booking
A number of travel booking platforms reserve their best discounts for app users. App-exclusive coupons, first-app-booking offers, and mobile-exclusive cashback deals can bring the ticket price down right at checkout. Prices and offers also tend to update faster on apps during sales, which means some deals never show up on desktop. If you book buses even a few times a year, having one or two major apps on your phone makes it easier to catch these app-only fares.
6. Skip premium seats unless they truly matter
Most buses price seats differently within the same service. Window seats, front rows, and lower berths on sleeper buses typically come with a higher price tag. For short journeys or daytime travel, the difference in comfort is usually quite subtle. Choosing a standard seat instead of a premium one can instantly lower your ticket price without changing the bus, operator, or departure time. It’s always a good idea to check the seat layout before paying to avoid unnecessary add-ons.
Key takeaways
One thing people rarely factor in is who sets the price. State-run buses usually keep fares steady, but private operators adjust prices based on the volume of bookings coming in. That’s why two similar buses on the same route can cost different amounts. Another overlooked bit is timing. Many operators release seats in batches rather than all at once. Early listings are often cheaper, with prices creeping up as more seats are released closer to the travel date. Also, refunds matter more than you think. Losing ₹500 on a cancellation stings more than paying ₹100 extra upfront for a flexible ticket. Because here’s the thing: saving money isn’t just about finding a good deal or discount, it’s also about avoiding unnecessary losses.