Gen Z makes up 53% of bus trips to pilgrimage towns, redBus data show
Representative image: littofur / Pixabay
Gen Z and young travellers made over 53% of redBus journeys to spiritual destinations in FY26, with Tirupati, Varanasi and Ujjain on top, data showed on October 16, 2026.
What Happened
Young Indians are now the main travellers on bus trips to the country's pilgrimage towns, according to booking data from the bus ticketing platform redBus reported on October 16, 2026. The data show that Gen Z and other young travellers made up more than 53 per cent of journeys to spiritual destinations booked on the platform in the financial year 2025-26 (FY26), a higher share than in FY25. Men account for about 69 per cent of these travellers and women about 31 per cent. Tirupati, Varanasi and Ujjain are among the most popular destinations, and routes such as Bengaluru to Tirupati, Hyderabad to Tirupati, Delhi to Rishikesh, Indore to Ujjain, Pune to Nanded and Chennai to Thanjavur show strong demand from young travellers. The data also point to more last-minute travel: the share of bookings made within four hours of departure rose from 16 per cent in 2022 to 23 per cent in 2026.
Key Facts
- Gen Z and young travellers made up over 53 per cent of spiritual-destination journeys on redBus in FY26, up from FY25.
- About 69 per cent of these travellers are men and 31 per cent women.
- Popular destinations include Tirupati, Varanasi and Ujjain.
- Busy corridors include Bengaluru-Tirupati, Hyderabad-Tirupati, Delhi-Rishikesh, Indore-Ujjain, Pune-Nanded and Chennai-Thanjavur.
- Bookings made in the last four hours before travel rose from 16 per cent in 2022 to 23 per cent in 2026.
- Hostel chain goSTOPS, which runs a property in Katra, has pointed to the trend as it targets young pilgrims, according to a company release.
Why It Matters
Pilgrimage is often thought of as a planned family trip led by older relatives. The redBus numbers suggest that young people are now travelling to temple towns on their own terms, and that they are the single biggest group doing so by bus. For many young travellers, a trip to Tirupati or Rishikesh can combine faith, a short break from city life and time with friends, all at a low cost.
The way they travel matters too. The rise in last-minute bookings fits a generation that plans weekends on short notice and is comfortable booking on a phone. Short bus routes from big cities to nearby pilgrimage towns, such as Bengaluru to Tirupati or Indore to Ujjain, make such quick trips easy to arrange.
The trend is shaping businesses. Budget hostels and travel firms are designing stays and packages for young pilgrims, as the goSTOPS release on its Katra property shows. Pilgrim towns that once catered mainly to families may need more affordable, flexible options for solo and group travellers in their twenties.
The gender gap is also worth noting. With fewer than one in three of these travellers being women, safety, clean stays and reliable late-night transport remain important for young women who want to make similar trips.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Young travellers' share of spiritual trips, FY26 | Over 53% |
| Men among these travellers | About 69% |
| Women among these travellers | About 31% |
| Bookings within 4 hours of departure, 2022 | 16% |
| Bookings within 4 hours of departure, 2026 | 23% |
Impact
Short-term: With Dussehra and Diwali ahead, bus routes to pilgrimage towns can expect continued demand from young travellers, many of them booking close to departure.
Long-term: If the trend holds, pilgrimage towns, bus operators and hostels will keep adjusting to younger, budget-minded visitors who travel in small groups and plan late.
Who is affected: Young travellers, bus operators on pilgrimage routes, hostels and budget hotels in temple towns, and local businesses in places such as Tirupati, Varanasi and Ujjain.
Key Takeaway
Gen Z and young travellers made up over 53 per cent of bus trips to India's spiritual destinations on redBus in FY26, often booked at the last minute.
Questions and Answers
What share of spiritual trips does Gen Z make, according to redBus?
redBus data reported on October 16, 2026, show that Gen Z and young travellers made up more than 53 per cent of journeys to spiritual destinations on the platform in FY26, more than in FY25.
Which pilgrimage destinations are most popular with young travellers?
Tirupati, Varanasi and Ujjain are among the top choices, with busy routes including Bengaluru-Tirupati, Hyderabad-Tirupati, Delhi-Rishikesh and Indore-Ujjain.
Are young Indians booking trips at the last minute?
Yes. The share of redBus bookings made within four hours of departure rose from 16 per cent in 2022 to 23 per cent in 2026.
Are as many young women as men making these trips?
No. About 69 per cent of these young spiritual travellers are men and about 31 per cent are women, according to the data.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
