Christmas travel is set to become more expensive this year, with soaring fares for both bus and air travel from Bengaluru to various destinations in Kerala. The price for private buses from Bengaluru to Kerala has reached new heights, with AC sleeper buses to Ernakulam costing up to Rs 6,000 on December 20. Other routes have also seen price hikes: Rs 4,000 for Kottayam, Rs 4,700 for Thiruvananthapuram, Rs 2,700 for Kozhikode, and Rs 2,500 for Kannur.
Airfares are equally steep, with ticket prices to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram ranging between Rs 16,000 and Rs 17,000. Nonstop night bus services to Kozhikode have experienced a significant surge in fares, with tickets now priced between Rs 8,500 and Rs 11,300, while buses to Kannur cost Rs 8,500 to Rs 9,500.
Railway tickets are in high demand, and with regular trains completely booked, passengers are hoping for special trains during the peak travel days of December 20-23. However, the newly extended weekly special express train from Bayyappanahalli to Thiruvananthapuram doesn’t suit many travelers due to its inconvenient timing.
Meanwhile, bus services like the SWIFT Garuda AC seater bus, which departs from Kalimbakkam Terminus every night at 8:30 pm and reaches Ernakulam the next morning, are in demand. Despite these higher travel costs, many Kerala-bound passengers are left with limited choices due to the unavailability of train tickets and a lack of special services.
