As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, the spirit of freedom is manifesting not just in ideals but in everyday actions—especially among women who are choosing to travel independently in greater numbers than ever before. According to data from IntrCity SmartBus, the number of solo women travellers has grown 135% between 2023 and 2025, rising from 90,700 in FY23 to over 2.13 lakh in FY25.
This growth is indicative of rising trust, enhanced safety, and greater independence among women travellers – especially in the 18 to 35-year-old demographic, which constitutes over 70% of all solo women bookings on the platform.
Reflecting on the insights, Aparajita Mukhopadhyay, COO, IntrCity SmartBus, added, “This Independence Day, we’re witnessing freedom take a new form – through the evolving landscape of India’s intercity mobility. The 135% surge in solo women travellers reflects a growing trust in organized, safe, and reliable travel options. Women are increasingly choosing services that prioritize safety, cleanliness, and professionalism. At IntrCity SmartBus, we’ve built our ecosystem around discipline and dignity through zero tolerance for unruly behavior, elimination of unplanned halts, tech-enabled safety, verified lounges, and clean onboard washrooms. We’re proud to see more women choosing to travel solo not out of compulsion, but because they feel in control and trust the experience.”
Key Insights from IntrCity SmartBus
-
Mobile-first and independent:
Over 90% of solo women travellers now use the IntrCity app for end-to-end trip planning—right from selecting seats and modifying routes to managing bookings independently, without assistance. -
Safety-first approach:
Women are increasingly opting for organized travel options that ensure peace of mind. IntrCity has implemented a suite of safety measures:- GPS-enabled buses with real-time tracking for both passengers and their families
- CCTV monitoring and a 24×7 Central Command Center for trip oversight
- Onboard hosts—trained attendants who travel with the bus to provide assistance and enforce rules (similar to TTs on trains or air hostesses on flights)
-
Infrastructure investments for women-friendly travel:
- 30+ cities now feature verified boarding lounges to ensure safer and more comfortable waiting areas during departures
- Onboard washrooms on long-haul routes are now standard and maintained with frequent checks—a feature that addresses a key concern for women travellers
- Higher satisfaction & loyalty:
The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for solo women travellers has risen by 20% YoY, reflecting increased satisfaction with safety, cleanliness, and professionalism. - Professionalism matters to women:
Women travellers value the discipline and structure that IntrCity brings to intercity travel—punctual departures, zero tolerance for intoxicated co-passengers, elimination of unplanned halts, and emphasis on cleanliness.
Demographic Profile of Solo Women Travellers
|
Age Group |
% of Solo Women Travellers |
|
Under 18 |
2.36% |
|
18–25 |
38.81% |
|
26–35 |
32.42% |
|
36–45 |
11.76% |
|
46–60 |
11.86% |
|
60+ |
2.79% |
Geographic Trends
- Maharashtra accounts for approximately 15.15% of all solo women travellers.
- Demand is rising across both metro and tier-2 cities, with consistent traction on the following popular routes:
Top Routes Among Solo Women Travellers:
- Chennai – Bangalore
- Bangalore – Chennai
- Delhi – Lucknow
- Lucknow – Delhi
- Chennai – Madurai
- Madurai – Chennai
- Hyderabad – Bangalore
- Bangalore – Hyderabad
- Hyderabad – Vijayawada
