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How buses are quietly becoming the unsung heroes of overnight travel in India

By Anonymous on 03 Dec 2025

Why buses make sense when trains & flights don’t

Getting a confirmed train berth—especially under Tatkal—has become a game of luck. Recent surveys show that around 7 out of 10 passengers end up waitlisted within a minute of the Tatkal window opening, thanks to huge demand and limited berths.
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On top of that, new rules like mandatory Aadhaar-based OTP for Tatkal and caps on waiting lists have added extra friction for last-minute planners.
The Times of India
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Flights are faster, but not always friendly to your wallet. A popular route like Delhi–Mumbai can easily cost ₹3,800–₹11,500 one way in 2025, depending on dates and demand.
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For many families or students, that’s simply too steep.

The rise of comfortable overnight buses

Intercity buses have levelled up massively in the last few years:

AC sleeper & seater–sleeper coaches with proper beds, charging points, blankets and curtains

Smart boarding points near metro stations and main junctions

Real-time GPS tracking & cleaner wash halts

According to the latest BusTrack report from redBus, India’s intercity bus industry carried over 140 million passengers between April and September 2025 alone—a 25% year-on-year jump, driven largely by sleeper and AC buses on long routes.
ETTravelWorld.com
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Another report notes that over 223 million intercity bus journeys were made in FY 2025, with tens of thousands of new routes and buses added.
TechCrunch

Clearly, people are voting with their tickets.

Why buses are an easier alternative for overnight journeys

1. Easier to get a seat
Unlike trains, bus tickets on most routes are available closer to the travel date, especially with multiple operators on the same corridor. No complex quotas, charts, RAC or WL drama—just pick your seat and pay.

2. Simple boarding process

No 2–3 hour early check-in like flights

No platform confusion or last-minute coach changes like trains

Many buses let you board from neighbourhood pick-up points, not just one big terminal

Usually, you just show your SMS/WhatsApp ticket and a basic ID, board, and settle into your berth.

3. Perfect timing for working travellers
Overnight buses let you:

Board around 9–11 PM after work

Sleep through the journey

Arrive by 6–8 AM ready for meetings, events, or sightseeing

You often save one night of hotel stay and keep your daytime free.

4. More route and comfort options
Popular apps show dozens of operators on routes like Bangalore–Chennai, Hyderabad–Vizag, Mumbai–Goa, etc., with options ranging from basic non-AC seater to premium AC sleeper.

Major bus booking platforms in India

A big reason buses are easier now is the growth of online platforms:

redBus – India’s largest bus booking platform, with 5,200+ operators and 7,30,000+ routes, plus 56+ million users.
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AbhiBus – Strong presence with 2,500+ operators and 1,00,000+ routes, and frequent promo codes.
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zingbus – Focused on curated premium buses across 500+ cities in 18+ states, with a fleet of 350+ buses and over 3 million travellers served.
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Plus OTAs like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Yatra, which bundle buses with hotels and flights.
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These apps let you compare fares, ratings, photos of buses, seat layouts and boarding points in seconds—something still not as smooth with trains.

When should you choose a bus?

Buses are often the best choice when:

Train tickets are waitlisted or Tatkal feels impossible

Flight fares have shot up for your dates

You want direct point-to-point connectivity without airport transfers

You’re okay with 6–14 hours of travel, as long as you can sleep comfortably

If you choose a reputed operator, pick a good seat/berth, and check reviews, overnight buses can be cheaper, simpler and surprisingly comfortable—a very practical alternative to trains and flights for India’s night journeys.