Summer airfares from Ahmedabad skyrocket

Time of India

03-05-2025

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Ahmedabad: Planning a last minute escape from the scathing Ahmedabad summer? Brace yourself for
sky-high airfares
. As schools shut and families prepare for long-overdue holidays, ticket prices from Ahmedabad to vacation hotspots have soared — with some destinations seeing more than a 100% jump when booked two weeks in advance.
According to current fare data for travel between May 18 and May 24, bookings made on May 3 reveal staggering spikes up to 134%. For instance, Bagdogra, the gateway to the North-East and hill towns like Darjeeling, tops the list with a 134% hike as fares have rocketed from Rs 14,000 to Rs 32,780.
Surprisingly, despite the recent terror attack, round trip to Srinagar costs up to Rs 23,750 per person against the routine fare of Rs 13,000. Industry sources said that Srinagar airfare has corrected from the level of Rs 42,000 per person for a return direct flight.
Similarly, a trip to Dehradun, a favourite among those heading to Mussoorie or Rishikesh, now costs Rs 17,415, up 45% from the average non-holiday tarrif of Rs 12,000.
Southern sojourns aren't spared either. A ticket to Kochi has risen from Rs 13,000 to Rs 18,299 (40.8% increase), while Bengaluru sees a 41.6% hike. Even the otherwise moderate Chandigarh route now demands Rs 13,190 — up 31.9% from regular fares.
"Summer airfares are significantly higher this year, especially to destinations with cooler climates. People who earlier planned trips to Kashmir are now diverting to places like Gangtok, Jim Corbett, or Sikkim. With fewer choosing international travel — thanks to inflation, steep currency exchange rates, and visa hassles — demand for domestic spots like Munnar, Coorg, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling has soared. As a result, not just flight fares but even hotel tariffs have gone up by 25–40% in these regions," said Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant.
"The Srinagar airfare still remaining as high is surprising and we're seeing a wait-and-watch sentiment around Kashmir. But people aren't cancelling holidays — they're choosing alternative destinations. The higher airfares could be due to limited connectivity to the region," Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant said.
The only silver lining? Goa. Despite being a perennial favourite, airfares to the beach paradise have remained relatively stable, inching up a mere 5.7%, from Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,400. However, fewer people have flocked to Goa this year due to the summer heat, according to travel industry estimates, which has cooled off prices.
"Those who got refunds from airlines are quickly rebooking for destinations accessible via Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, Delhi, or Bagdogra. Arunachal Pradesh is also one of the destinations which is very popular among tourists. With international travel out of reach for many due to costs and logistics, domestic tourism is booming, especially to places promising a cooler escape from the heat," said Manish Sharma, an Ahmedabad-based travel expert.
Experts advise booking tickets at least a month in advance during peak travel periods to avoid the heat on the wallet. Alternatively, opting for midweek departures or early morning flights can offer minor savings. So, if you're dreaming of snow-capped hills or coastal breezes, make haste — or prepare to spend a small fortune.