Travelers planning to visit Bihar for Holi are facing a major challenge due to skyrocketing airfares. Flight tickets from major metro cities to Patna have doubled or tripled compared to normal days, with some routes costing more than an international flight to Singapore. In response to this crisis and the lack of seats in trains, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has launched a relief measure by operating special buses with heavy subsidies.
Flight Prices Reach Record Highs
With train tickets fully booked for dates closer to Holi, the demand for flights has surged. Airlines have implemented dynamic pricing, leading to a massive jump in ticket costs for travel around March 1 and 2.
- Mumbai to Patna: Tickets are selling for ₹16,000 to ₹17,000, which usually costs around ₹7,000.
- Bengaluru to Patna: The fare has reached ₹15,600.
- Delhi to Patna: A one-way ticket is priced at ₹13,000, significantly higher than the normal ₹4,000 range.
- Hyderabad to Patna: Travelers are paying ₹12,000 for a seat.
Subsidized Bus Service for Passengers
To help migrants and students return home affordably, the state government started running 200 Holi Special Buses from February 23. These buses connect Bihar to cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Ambala, and Surat. The service will continue until March 23, 2026.
The government is offering a subsidy of ₹500 to ₹1,100 on these tickets. For example, an AC Seater ticket from Patna to Delhi now costs ₹1,254 instead of the actual price of ₹1,873. The AC Sleeper fare has been reduced to ₹1,893. Officials stated that online booking is open to ensure transparency and prevent overcharging by private operators.
