Onam rush: Early birds to benefit as fares remain relatively less this year

But train passengers highlight dismal ratio of demand to number of train services available

- Krishna Kumar KE & Anu Kuruvilla @Kochi

As the Onam season approaches, Malayalis based in major cities like Bengaluru and Chennai are navigating a complex travel landscape. This year, unlike in the last, early planners are reaping the benefits of lower fares on flights and private buses, though travel experts warn this temporary relief may not last as the festival nears. The perennial struggle for long-distance train tickets, however, remains a persistent and unresolved issue.

According to industry insiders, the current ticket fares for both air and road transport are notably more affordable than last year's holiday surge pricing.

For travel on high-demand days like August 29, when the Onam vacation begins, luxury private bus fares hover around ₹2,500, a significant drop from the ₹3,500 to ₹5,200 during the same period last year.