After Diwali, there is a big increase in the demand for train and flight tickets for Chhath Puja.
Traveling to Bihar has become more expensive than going to places like Dubai, Malaysia, Bangkok, and Singapore.
Recent reports show that flight fares to Bihar and Jharkhand have risen sharply, making tickets to Patna and Darbhanga costlier than flights to these international destinations.
Rising Costs of Flights
The prices for flights to Bihar from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Surat have significantly increased.
Travel agent Rakesh Arora mentioned that while fare increases during the festive season are typical, this year the rise is unusually high.
Even though fares are high, securing tickets has become challenging.
Currently, ticket prices from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna and Darbhanga range between Rs 13,000 and Rs 18,000.
Similarly, flights from Surat to Patna during the period from November 4-6 are priced the same.
In contrast, international flights from Delhi to Dubai, Malaysia, Bangkok, and Singapore are available for between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000.
Impact of Chhath Puja on Travel
During Chhath Puja, thousands of people travel to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, leading to fully booked trains.
Many travel agents struggle to find tickets, even when charging extra fees. This increase in fares is expected to be temporary, returning to normal after Chhath Puja.
Interestingly, the average cost of domestic flights during Diwali and Chhath Puja has decreased by 20-25 percent compared to last year.
This drop is attributed to an increase in flight capacity and lower oil prices.
According to travel platform Ixigo, the average one-way fare for October-November 2024 is lower than in November 2023 for tickets booked 30 days in advance.
Comparison of Flight Fares
For example, the average fare for a Bengaluru-Kolkata flight has dropped from Rs 10,195 to Rs 6,319, a decrease of 38 percent.
Fares for the Chennai-Kolkata route have fallen from Rs 8,725 to Rs 5,604, and flights from Mumbai to Delhi decreased from Rs 8,788 to Rs 5,762, which is a reduction of 34 percent.
