As Maha Kumb 2025 draws pilgrims from around the world, airfares to Prayagraj have skyrocketed, with roundtrip tickets reaching as high as ₹50,000 from major Indian cities. Trains to the pious city are fully booked, leaving many pilgrims scrambling for travel options.
Unprecedented airfare hike
Return airfares for key Maha Kumbh dates, such as January 28 and 30, are among the steepest. Flights from Chennai are priced above ₹53,000, while tickets from Bengaluru exceeded ₹51,000. From Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad, fares hover around ₹47,500, while the Kolkata route costs over ₹35,500. Similarly, snan (bathing) dates like Basant Pnachmi (February 3), Maghi Purnima (February 12), and Maha Shivratri (February 26) are witnessing similar spikes.
DGCA steps in to address fare surge
Responding to the sharp increase, the Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) held discussions with airline representatives on January 23. The regulator urged airlines to rationalize fares and add capacities to meet the growing demand.
“Given the surge in demand, DGCA met airlines and emphasized the need to increase flights and adjust ticket prices,” the aviation body announced on social media. Following this, 81 additional flights were approved for January, raising Prayagraj’s connectivity to 132 flights nationwide.
Demand surges with pilgrim influx
The Maha Kumbh has attracted an unprecedented number of domestic and international devotees. “The demand far exceeds the supply, leading to steep airfare increases,” said Anil Kalsi, Visa President of the Travel Agents Federation of India.
Visa facilitation platform Atlys reported a 21.4% rise in inbound travel inquiries, primarily from the US and UK, as international visitors seek to experience the spiritual and cultural grandeur of the Maha Kumbh.
Prayagraj Airport breaks records
Prayagraj Airport is handling record-breaking traffic, operating night flights for the first time in 106 years, and welcoming its first international flight in 93 years. Daily operations now average 46 flights, connecting the city to 15 destinations. Expanded terminal facilities can accommodate 1,650 passengers per hour, a significant improvement aimed at managing the Maha Kumbh rush.
Massive turnout for the Maha Kumbh
Since the festival’s commencement on January 13, over 10 crore devotees have performed the sacred ritual of bathing at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditayanath called the event “the world’s largest gathering that epitomizes unity.”
As the Maha Kumbh progresses, Prayagraj braces for even larger crowds, with authorities working to ensure smooth travel and accommodation options for the millions planning their pilgrimage.