Lucknow, October 16, 2025 — With Diwali and Chhath just around the corner, thousands of migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are hitting the road as traditional modes of travel struggle to meet demand. Trains, including special festive services, have been fully booked weeks in advance, bus fares have skyrocketed, and flights have become prohibitively expensive. In this scenario, car-pooling—both informal and via online platforms—has emerged as the most practical, affordable, and increasingly popular option for travelers aiming to reach their hometowns.

Expressways Become the New Lifeline

The extensive network of expressways connecting eastern UP and Bihar has played a significant role in facilitating road travel. The Purvanchal, Agra–Lucknow, and Bundelkhand Expressways have enabled faster, safer, and more reliable journeys, making road travel a viable alternative to trains and buses. Travelers are increasingly opting for shared road journeys in private cars or SUVs, sometimes pooling with colleagues, friends, or even strangers found via digital platforms like BlaBlaCar, QuickRide, and various social media groups.

Over the past few days, long convoys of vehicles have been seen moving eastwards along the Purvanchal Expressway and other key routes connecting Lucknow, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur to Patna and towns in Bihar. This surge reflects both the scarcity of train tickets and the steep increase in bus fares, which now range between ₹3,500 and ₹4,000 per seat on popular routes such as Lucknow–Patna and Varanasi–Gaya.

Digital Platforms Fuel Group Travel

Online car-pooling platforms have simplified long-distance travel, allowing passengers to find co-travelers heading in the same direction within hours. “It is very easy to travel by road as apps like BlaBla help find partners and one can travel within ₹1,000. It can even be booked a day before, keeping us hassle-free from booking 20 days ahead,” said Ravi Ranjan, who is traveling from Lucknow to Gorakhpur.

For many, the option is not just convenient but necessary. Ashish Adarsh, a Bihar resident working with a central agro-based company in Lucknow, explained that the lack of train tickets compelled him to drive home. “Every year, we travel home for Durga Puja and Chhath, and trains used to be convenient. But this year, tickets were unavailable even in special trains. With the Purvanchal Expressway, driving has become a comfortable and time-saving option,” he said, adding that he will share a car with four friends.

Affordability is also a key factor driving the trend. Vishwajeet Kumar from Varanasi, who works in Lucknow, said, “Bus fares are close to ₹4,000 per person. By pooling, we can travel in half that amount and reach home comfortably.”

Flight Fares Skyrocket

For those trying to travel from major metros like Delhi and Mumbai to Lucknow, air travel has become a costly proposition. Airlines have capitalized on the seasonal surge in demand, increasing fares by 500–700%. As of October 16, a one-way flight from Delhi to Lucknow for October 18—a key travel date before the Diwali weekend—was priced as high as ₹18,000, compared to the usual ₹3,000. From Mumbai, fares are even higher, nearing ₹24,000. Industry insiders warn that prices could rise by another 15–20% in the coming week.

Peak Travel Date: October 18

Saturday, October 18, 2025, is expected to be the peak travel day, as it precedes Chhoti Diwali on October 19 and Diwali on October 20. Thousands of students, professionals, and migrant workers are expected to return home that weekend, adding pressure on trains, flights, and bus services. This makes car-pooling not just a cost-effective option but, in many cases, the only feasible choice for last-minute travelers.

Conclusion

As the festive season approaches, the combination of scarce train tickets, rising bus fares, and soaring airfares has pushed many to explore alternative means of travel. Car-pooling, facilitated by social connections and digital platforms, has emerged as the lifeline for thousands of migrants from UP and Bihar, offering an affordable, flexible, and increasingly reliable way to reach their homes safely and comfortably. Expressways like the Purvanchal Expressway, Agra–Lucknow, and Bundelkhand corridors have further enabled this trend, transforming road travel into a practical solution during one of India’s busiest travel periods.