Travel Chaos on Holi: Trains Overbooked, Bus & Taxi Prices Double from Bhopal

Holi Travel: Limited Options as Trains, Buses, and Taxis Get Overbooked

If you’re planning to travel for Holi, your options are running out fast. With the festival around the corner, the rush for train tickets has surged so much that most trains are no longer offering reserved tickets. Major trains heading to New Delhi, Mumbai, and Uttar Pradesh are already booked. So far, the railway has announced Holi special trains only for Rewa, leading passengers to scramble for reservations. Bus options from Bhopal and nearby cities to other states are also limited, making travel even more challenging. Even taxis are hard to find, and reports suggest that drivers have started charging inflated fares. Here’s a closer look at the current situation.

No Seats Left on Trains to Patna, Gorakhpur

With the festive season coinciding with summer vacations, train bookings have hit an all-time high. Trains from Bhopal to Mumbai, Patna, Kanpur, Delhi, and Gorakhpur already have long waiting lists. Many sleeper coaches are now in “regret” status, meaning no more tickets can be booked.

Even in third AC coaches, some trains have waitlists, while others are completely booked. This has left travelers struggling to make plans, forcing them to rely on last-minute tickets or alternative travel options.

For instance, the Punjab Mail train from Bhopal to Mumbai has a waitlist of 22 in sleeper class. The situation is even worse for trains heading to Patna, Gorakhpur, and Kanpur. Sleeper coaches on Pushpak Express, Kushinagar Express, and LTT Gorakhpur Superfast Express are already full, while third AC waitlists have crossed 30.

Train Booking Status Till March 12

• 12534 Pushpak Express – Regret in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 20414 Mahakal Express – Regret in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 22538 Kushinagar Express – 31 waiting in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 20103 LTT Gorakhpur Superfast Express – 30 waiting in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 19489 Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express – 16 waiting in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 12715 Sachkhand Express – Regret in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 18237 Chhattisgarh Express – 20 waiting in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 12919 Malwa Express – 40 waiting in third AC, regret in sleeper
• 12156 Bhopal Express – 24 waiting in third AC, 50 waiting in sleeper
• 12138 Punjab Mail – 24 waiting in third AC, 22 waiting in sleeper
• 19483 Ahmedabad-Barouni Express – Regret in third AC, regret in sleeper

Limited Interstate Bus Services from Bhopal

Private bus services from Bhopal to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh are also running low on availability. Around 70% of bus seats are already booked due to Holi. People heading to Mumbai, Pune, Amravati, Akola, Ahmedabad, and Prayagraj are rushing to ISBT travel agency offices to secure tickets. However, with fares skyrocketing, many are turning back without booking.

On mobile booking apps, ticket prices range between ₹1,300 to ₹2,000 for these routes. Taxis are no better, with fares soaring to ₹2,000-₹2,500—nearly double the usual rates—adding to the frustration of travelers.

Available Interstate Bus Services

• Maharashtra: Sleeper and Volvo buses operate directly from Bhopal to Mumbai. Around 100 buses run to Pune, Nagpur, Akola, and Amravati.
• Uttar Pradesh: Only Prayagraj-bound buses are operating, along with a private bus service to Lucknow.
• Bihar: No direct buses from Bhopal. Travelers must rely on taxis, which are now charging higher fares.
• Gujarat: Private buses run directly from Bhopal to Ahmedabad via Indore, but fares have doubled due to Holi demand.
• Rajasthan: Buses to Kota, Ajmer, and Pushkar operate from Halalpur Bus Stand, but travel agencies have nearly doubled ticket prices for Holi.

With trains sold out, expensive buses, and skyrocketing taxi fares, Holi travel has become a real challenge for people trying to reach their hometowns. If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, your options are running out fast!