| Quick answer: To save money on bus tickets in India, compare fares on redBus, AbhiBus, MakeMyTrip, and FlixBus before booking. Booking 3-7 days ahead and traveling on weekdays can also help you get a better fare. Check GrabOn for the best deals on bus tickets and see if your bank or UPI app has a cashback or discount offer. If price is your main concern, compare AC and non-AC buses, seat types, and state RTC services before booking. |
Buses are one of the most affordable ways to get around in India, but bus tickets can still take a decent bite out of your budget if you travel regularly. A ticket here, another one next week, and before long, you’ve spent more on bus fares than you thought you would.
Saving on a bus ticket can be as much about how you book as where you’re going. A little planning can mean a lower fare, and there are plenty of discounts and offers that are easy to miss if you book in a hurry. So, before you book your next ticket, let’s look at a few ways to keep the fare in check.
9 Ways to Save on Your Next Bus Ticket
01 Book 3-7 Days in Advance
Bus fares can change as a trip gets closer, particularly on busy routes like Bengaluru to Hyderabad or Mumbai to Pune. Operators use dynamic pricing, so a seat that costs Rs. 600 today can cost more once demand picks up and fewer seats remain. Booking 3 to 7 days ahead gives you a better chance of getting a lower fare and more seat and bus options.
02 Compare Prices on Different Platforms
Prices for the same bus can differ between booking sites, so it’s worth checking a few before you pay. Start with the route and bus you want, then see what each platform is charging. Before booking, take a look at the latest redBus offers and FlixBus coupons. You may find a discount that brings your total down further.
03 Use Payment Wallets
When you book your bus ticket early, try paying with different digital wallets. These wallets often give you special cashback offers and discounts on bus tickets. Websites like AbhiBus partner with these wallets to give users more savings and make payment easier. You can also use an AbhiBus coupon at checkout for an additional discount. Before you hit pay, see what your wallet is offering. If there’s a coupon too, you may be able to use both on the booking.
04 Use Bus Coupons and Cashback Offers
Along with payment wallets, you can hunt for discount coupons and promotional codes to save more on your bus ticket. Websites, like GrabOn specialize in aggregating such deals, allowing you to find and apply relevant coupons during the booking process. For instance, if you’re buying a ticket for MMT (MakeMyTrip) buses, search for MakeMyTrip bus coupons online to get a better deal. This way, you can save more money and make your travel budget go further.
05 Travel Mid-Week and Off-Peak
One easy trick to spending less on your bus ticket is to travel at times when fewer people are riding, like weekdays instead of weekends, or avoiding holidays and busy seasons. When there are fewer passengers, bus companies often lower their prices to encourage more people to ride. So, if you can plan your trips for quieter times, you’ll save money and have a more peaceful ride with fewer people around.
06 Purchase Bus Passes
Another great way to save on your bus fare is to consider purchasing bus passes or travel cards if you frequently commute on specific routes. Bus passes often come with discounted rates or bundled offers, allowing regular travellers to save money in the long run. By investing in a pass, you eliminate the need for individual ticket purchases, streamlining the booking process while enjoying consistent savings on your travels.
07 Opt for non-AC Buses
Choosing non-air-conditioned buses over their AC counterparts can lead to substantial savings on ticket costs. While AC buses offer enhanced comfort, non-AC options typically come with lower fares. If you’re comfortable with a slightly less luxurious travel experience, opting for non-AC buses presents a budget-friendly alternative without compromising on essential amenities.
08 Book State RTC Buses Directly
State RTCs such as APSRTC, TSRTC, KSRTC, MSRTC, HRTC, UPSRTC, GSRTC and RSRTC are available through bus booking platforms, but you can also book directly through their own websites and apps. This can be cheaper when an aggregator adds a booking or convenience fee. For routes covered by state buses, compare the RTC’s direct fare with the price on booking platforms before you pay.
09 Claim Student Discounts, Senior Citizen Discounts & Women’s Concessions
If you qualify for a travel concession, use it. State RTCs have different rules for students, senior citizens and passengers with disabilities, and the discount can depend on the service and route. Some states also offer free or discounted travel for women on eligible buses. Carry the required ID or pass when you travel, and check the RTC’s current rules before booking since the concession may not apply to every service.
Bank & UPI Offers on Bus Tickets in India
| Card / Payment Method | Potential Saving | Min. Booking | Where It Works | Things to Know |
| HDFC Credit Card | Around 5%, usually capped at ₹50–₹100 | ~₹400 | AbhiBus; redBus via HDFC SmartBuy | SmartBuy may offer better value through rewards rather than an instant discount. |
| ICICI Credit Card | Up to 10%, usually capped at ₹100–₹200 | ~₹600–₹1,000 | Travel portals; AbhiBus/redBus during select offers | Offers vary by campaign and booking platform. |
| SBI Credit Card | ₹150–₹200 off | ~₹400–₹1,000 | Mainly AbhiBus | Some offers are limited to certain days or a set number of redemptions. |
| Axis Bank Credit Card | Up to ₹500 off | ~₹1,000–₹1,500 | redBus | Promo codes, minimum spends and caps can change. |
| IDFC FIRST / RBL Credit Card | Up to ₹500 off | ~₹1,000 | redBus | Usually available through limited-time promotional codes. |
| Amazon Pay | ₹25–₹150 cashback | ~₹500 | AbhiBus, redBus | Higher cashback may be available during sale periods. |
| PhonePe / Google Pay | ₹25–₹100 cashback | ~₹300 | redBus, AbhiBus, MMT and other platforms | Cashback depends on the offer active in the app. |
| MobiKwik | 5–10% SuperCash, usually capped at ₹25–₹100 | ~₹500 | AbhiBus, redBus and other participating merchants | Check the current SuperCash terms before paying. |
Note: Bank, wallet and UPI offers change regularly. Minimum booking amounts, promo codes, validity dates and redemption limits may apply, so check the offer terms before completing your booking.
How to Use a Bus Coupon and Bank Offer Together
You can sometimes use a coupon and a payment offer on the same booking, which can bring your final fare down quite a bit. Take a Rs. 1,800 Hyderabad to Bengaluru AC sleeper as an example:
| Step | Offer Applied | Saving | Fare After Offer |
| Base fare | — | — | ₹1,800 |
| 1 | GrabOn bus coupon (15% off, ₹200 cap) | ₹200 | ₹1,600 |
| 2 | HDFC credit card offer | ₹150 | ₹1,450 |
| 3 | UPI cashback | ₹50 | ₹1,400 |
| Total saving | ₹400 | ~22% off |
The coupon is applied first, followed by the card discount. The Rs. 50 UPI cashback comes later, after the payment. Check the terms before you book, though. Some offers can’t be combined, and the minimum booking amount or discount cap may apply.
Conclusion
Saving on a bus ticket doesn’t mean you have to take the worst seat, travel at an inconvenient hour or spend half your day searching for discounts. It’s more about knowing where you have a choice and using it when it makes sense. Once you get into the habit of checking the fare before you book, you’ll probably start spotting the difference between a good price and one that’s just there because you were in a hurry.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to book a bus ticket in India?
The cheapest way to book a bus ticket is to compare fares across booking platforms and apply a coupon, bank discount or cashback offer before paying. Booking 3 to 7 days in advance and choosing a non-AC or seater bus can also help lower the fare.
Which app is cheapest for booking bus tickets in India?
No single bus booking app is always the cheapest. redBus, AbhiBus, MakeMyTrip and other platforms can show different fares and offers for the same route. Compare the final amount payable before choosing where to book.
When is the cheapest time to book a bus ticket?
Booking 3 to 7 days before your journey can give you a better choice of fares than booking at the last minute. For many routes, weekday travel can also be cheaper than weekends, but prices depend on demand, the operator and the route.
Can I use a bus coupon and a bank offer together?
You can use a bus coupon and a bank offer together when the booking platform allows both offers. Apply the coupon during checkout, then select the eligible bank offer or payment method. Check the terms of both offers before paying.
Are state RTC buses cheaper than private buses?
State RTC buses can be cheaper than private operators, particularly for ordinary and non-AC services. However, a private operator’s coupon or promotional fare can sometimes make it cheaper, so compare the final price for the same route.
Do students and senior citizens get discounts on bus tickets?
Some state RTCs offer discounted fares for students, senior citizens and passengers with disabilities. Eligibility, discount amounts and eligible bus services vary by state, so check the RTC’s current concession rules before booking.
How can I get cashback on bus ticket bookings?
You can get cashback through eligible bank cards, UPI apps, digital wallets and booking-platform promotions. Check the offer before paying, as cashback may have a minimum booking amount, maximum cashback limit or other conditions.
Where can I find bus coupons and offers?
You can find current bus coupons and offers on GrabOn for platforms including redBus, AbhiBus, MakeMyTrip and FlixBus. Check the coupon terms before applying it, as some offers are limited to specific routes, payment methods or booking amounts.
