Gen Z Women Lead with 48% Share of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Bus Bookings Amid Growth in Pilgrimage Travel

Andhra Pradesh: RedBus, the world’s largest online bus ticketing platform, has reported a significant surge in intercity travel demand across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This upward trend is largely propelled by spiritual journeys to Tirupati, particularly ahead of the weekend and upcoming temple festivities like Jyesthabhishekam. Projections indicate a 22% growth in bus bookings for the region between June 14 and June 20, 2026, compared to the same period last year.

The Tirupati Pilgrimage Factor:
Tirupati continues to solidify its status as a premier pilgrimage destination. The scale of this travel is immense; between January and May 2026, the Sri Venkateswara Temple distributed over 44 million meals and beverages. This consistent influx of devotees from across India underscores the shrine’s role as a primary driver of intercity mobility, supported by a growing network of reliable and accessible bus services.

Evolving Traveller Demographics:
The travel landscape in the region is being reshaped by younger generations and an increasing number of female travellers. Key demographic insights include:

Youth Influence: Travellers in the 18–30 age group account for 47% of the total seat share.

Female Participation: Women represent 36% of total bookings, with a notable 48% of these female travellers falling into the Gen Z/Young Adult (18–30) age bracket.

Geographic Diversity: While Tier 1 cities account for 42% of departures, there is a steady 59% combined contribution from Tier 2 towns (21%) and Tier 3 towns and villages (37%), highlighting widespread regional connectivity.

Travel Preferences and Top Routes:
Travellers are increasingly prioritizing comfort for their long-distance and overnight journeys:

Comfort & Vehicle Choice: 65% of bookings are for AC buses, and 58% of travellers prefer sleeper services, reflecting a clear demand for convenience.

Key Routes: High-traffic corridors include Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada-Tirupati. Inter-region travel is also robust, with heavy movement on routes like Hyderabad-Bangalore and Hyderabad-Chennai.

Popular Boarding Points: In Hyderabad, hubs like MGBS, Kukatpally, Gachibowli, Miyapur, and Lakdikapul remain the busiest departure points.

Exclusive Offers for Pilgrims:
To support the increase in spiritual tourism, redBus is offering travellers a discount of up to ₹500 on bookings to Tirupati from Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore. Customers can utilize the promo code PILGRIM on the redBus website or mobile app for trips booked between May 1 and June 30, 2026.