Uber has released its annual travel index titled ‘Riding with Intercity‘, offering key insights into outstation travel trends in India. The index highlights significant patterns in travel behavior, particularly emphasizing the popularity of weekend getaways among Indian travellers.
In 2023, Uber witnessed a surge in Intercity trips, with weekends emerging as the preferred time for travel. Most Intercity trips were booked on Saturdays, followed closely by Sundays and Fridays, indicating a clear inclination towards weekend outstation travel.
The unprecedented growth in Intercity travel is attributed to several factors, including the rise in leisure and religious tourism across the country and notable improvements in road infrastructure. The development of national and state highways has not only reduced travel times but also enhanced the overall comfort of road journeys, prompting more individuals to opt for longer-distance travel by road.
To cater to the evolving needs of travellers, Uber introduced new features, such as round trip bookings lasting up to 5 days, allowing riders to retain their Uber and driver throughout the journey. This flexibility in booking, combined with the ability to schedule rides up to 90 days in advance, has garnered significant traction among users, with a fivefold increase in the number of Intercity rides reserved in advance in 2023.
The ‘Riding with Intercity’ index also unveils the most popular destinations chosen by riders in 2023, ranging from tourist hotspots to off-beat routes and religious pilgrimages. For instance, Mumbai residents favored visiting Pune and Nashik for a quick getaway, while Delhiites frequented Agra and Jaipur for their historical architecture. Bangaloreans, on the other hand, preferred Mysore and Nandi Hills as their top getaway spots.
Moreover, the index reveals that round trip bookings were particularly popular among leisure travellers and those embarking on visits to places of worship, as they could retain the Uber with them throughout the journey. Conversely, one-way trips were predominantly booked by individuals visiting family, allowing for flexible return dates.
According to the ‘Riding with Intercity’ index, Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Agra, and Bangalore-Kolar are the top three intercity routes in India. The index also highlights the most popular intercity weekend travel months in 2023, which include July, September, October, November, and December. Saturday, Sunday, and Friday are the top three days of the week for Uber Intercity rides in 2023.
The index also sheds light on the top uses for intercity travel in 2023, with family visits, business travel and meetings, and tourism being the most common reasons. When it comes to intercity round trips, tourism (religious and leisure), business travel and meetings, and family visits are the top three uses.
Finally, the index reveals the most popular getaways around major cities in 2023. For instance, around Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Lonavala, and Alibaug are the most famous getaways. Similarly, around Bangalore, Mysore and Nandi Hills are the top getaways, and around Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Vrindavan, and Chandigarh are the most popular ones.
As Uber continues to revolutionize mobility in India, offering various options such as Moto, Auto, Cars, and Buses, the company remains committed to providing seamless transportation solutions for millions across 125 cities in the country. With a decade of service, Uber reaffirms its dedication to keeping India moving forward and facilitating sustainable income opportunities for over 800,000 Indians.
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