Quick answer: how much is a bus ticket in India?
As a rough guide, intercity buses cost about ₹1.10–₹2.60 per km per seat. A 300 km trip typically costs ₹350–₹800. Non-AC seaters are at the low end and AC sleeper or Volvo buses at the high end. These are typical ranges, not quotes, so check live fares for your date.
Typical fares on popular routes
One-way, per seat:
| Route | Distance | Journey time | Typical fare per seat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi → Jaipur | 280 km | ~6 hrs | ₹300–₹750 |
| Delhi → Chandigarh | 250 km | ~5 hrs | ₹300–₹650 |
| Delhi → Lucknow | 555 km | ~9.5 hrs | ₹600–₹1450 |
| Mumbai → Pune | 150 km | ~3.5 hrs | ₹150–₹400 |
| Mumbai → Goa | 590 km | ~12 hrs | ₹650–₹1550 |
| Bengaluru → Chennai | 345 km | ~6.5 hrs | ₹400–₹900 |
| Bengaluru → Hyderabad | 570 km | ~10 hrs | ₹650–₹1500 |
| Kolkata → Bhubaneswar | 440 km | ~9 hrs | ₹500–₹1150 |
What changes the price
Five things explain most of the difference:
- Bus type: AC sleeper and Volvo buses cost more than non-AC seaters
- Date: weekends, long weekends and festivals usually cost more
- Booking time: seats and cheaper options can run out close to departure
- Operator: different operators can price the same route differently
- Departure time: compare a few timings, because fares can vary across the day
How to pay less
On Rodshare, sort by Cheapest, then widen your filters before you rule out a route. Travelling midweek and booking earlier usually gives you more choice. Check the total shown before you pay, and read the cancellation charges in case your plans change.