Train vs Flight During Festive Season: Which Is Better for 2025?

The festive season of 2025 is right here and people all around the country are on the move. Many are booking tickets to visit their native places while plenty are going to temples and religious places to enjoy this festival season to the fullest. Some are using this holiday to take a tour. 

People are planning to travel, but a dilemma that often surrounds them is the question: Which is the better in 2025 for festive season travel, train or flight? Many new flights have been launched in the past few years, the infrastructure of Indian Railways has also been upgraded significantly.

While one of them is affordable and attached to our childhood memories, the other is fast and convenient. In this blog we take a deeper and broader look at the comparison and help you find for yourself, which is better: Train or Flight this festival season 2025? 

Importance of Travel Choice During the Festive Season 

In India people are very enthusiastic and emotional about their festivals. The rush to buy tickets during these times is extreme. Here’s  why the choice of your travel method is important:

• The earlier you decide, the better are your choices of getting a ticket. Hence, irrespective of the choice, deciding early is always a Bonus.
• It’s a choice between Budget and Convenience. You need to decide your priority, as that defines which choice you are going to take.
• If you are travelling with family, trains are better as they provide comfort and room to stretch. However if there is an emergency flight is the superior method to travel.
• Check your baggage size. Flights have limited baggage allowed beyond which you have to pay extra charges. Trains have a significantly larger baggage size allowed.
• Prices spike as the day of travel and festival season comes closer. Hence it is better to decide whether you want to travel by train or flight.

Now we have understood the importance of the choice between train and flight travel during this festive season. It is now time to head on to the pros and cons of each medium separately.

Train Travel: The Festive Season Favourite of Indian Families

Indian Railways is the biggest carrier of passengers during festivals and other important occasions of national significance. When it comes to providing a method of travel to the masses, no other means of transport beats the railways.

From chai vendors calling out at dawn to kids peeking out of windows as the landscape  changes — trains turn travel into an experience.

Why People Still Love Trains

• Affordable for everyone. Even long-distance AC tickets are cheaper than the average flight fare. A flight ticket from Delhi to Patna might cost ₹ 10,000 but for a train travel you can easily get the ticket at ₹ 1,800. 
• Plenty of options. With sleeper, 3A, 2A, and general coaches, finding a seat is easier — especially with platforms like RailMitra, where you can check seat availability instantly. 
• Freedom to move. Walk around, stretch your legs, enjoy tea by the window, or nap peacefully — something you can’t do in cramped flight seats. 
• Bags, boxes, and sweets — no limits. Carrying festive gifts or homemade snacks is rarely an issue on trains. 
• A view worth the time. Rivers, fields, small towns — every few minutes brings a new picture. 

What Can Go Wrong

• Longer journeys. A route that takes 2 hours by air might need 15 hours by train. 
• Occasional delays. Festive congestion can slow things down. It’s best to check your Live Train Running Status on RailMitra before leaving. 
• Crowded compartments. During the festive season, compartments often get crowded. Sometimes even reserved coaches get filled with unauthorised passengers.

However, many passengers still prefer Train travel because of its familiarity and affordability.

Air Travel: Quick, Convenient, but Costly

For passengers who value their time the most, Flight travel us unparalleled,. The efficiency of air travel has its appeal — especially for professionals who can’t spare extra days.

Where Flights Win

• They save hours. A trip whose duration might be 12 hours on trains and 15 hours by road is usually covered in 2 hours via a flight. 
• Comfortable Airports. Airports have better infrastructure and maintenance as compared to railway stations. Airports are often filled with cafes and lounges.  
• Punctual Departures. Unlike train journeys which are often subject to delays, Flight travel is punctual with departure timings strictly followed. 
• High safety standards. Statistically, Air travel is the safest method of travel with minimal incidents of mishappenings reported. 

Where Flights Falter

• Price Spike. Charges of a flight ticket often soar during festive seasons. A flight ticket that usually costs ₹4,000, might soar up to ₹12,000 during the times of festivities. 
• Baggage restrictions bite. You’re often limited to 15–20 kg, with extra charges beyond that. 
• The airport maze. Long security lines, boarding delays, and last-mile travel from airports to smaller towns can eat up your time. 
• No scenery, no emotion. Flight might be faster and convenient but there is no experience as a train travel might provide.  

Key Factors to Compare Before Booking

1. Distance and Time

• If you are travelling on a short journey (say below 800 km), train travel is better as it is  comfortable and pocket friendly. 
• If you are travelling on a longer journey (say above 800 km), flight travel is the better option saving time and providing convenience.  

2. Budget

Trains clearly win here. They remain the most economical option, particularly for families or group travel. Flights suit those who can trade money for time.

3. Experience

• Trains provide a wholesome travel experience where you get to interact with travellers all around the country and share an engaging conversation over a tasty train food delivery. 
• Flights are the fastest method of travel saving you time while providing quality services. This is suited for people who like to travel solo and have minimal interactions.

4. Comfort and Safety

Trains are usually more comfortable as there is enough room to stretch your legs and even walk a little in the train compartments. Flight travel often in long journeys can feel cramped with limited leg room provided.

In terms of safety. It is a statistical fact that flight travel is much safer than train travel.

Cost Snapshot: 2025 Festive Travel

For couples and families, trains make financial sense. For passengers who are travelling solo, are time conscious and like minimal interaction, flight is the best choice.

Practical Festive Travel Tips for 2025

• Book early. Festive rush starts 3–4 months ahead. Reserve as soon as possible. 
• Track your journey live. Use RailMitra for live train running status, seat updates, and even food ordering in trains. 
• Last mile planning. Plan for the last mile and not just Railway stations and Airports. Railway stations are usually located inside the city while airports are located on the outskirts. 
• Smart packing. Prepare an itinerary for all of your essential products. Do not forget documents, medicines (if any) and sanitary products with yourself handy. 
• Stay refreshed. Carry water, power banks, and light food for a smooth journey. 

Beyond Logistics: The Emotion Behind Train Travel

Train travel is and has been the mainstay for travel in India. Travelling on trains isn’t just about moving from one place to another., it is much more than that. It provides an experience that is laced with engaging conversations, laughter and the beautiful view of the Indian landscape.

Flights might be faster and much more sophisticated but it can rarely match the experience. Flight travel is usually quiet, often cramped and during festive times, often boring. Train travel provides a collective feeling which is much needed during this festive season. After all, what is a festival, if celebrated without people?

Which One Wins for 2025?

Both have their place — but for India’s festive travellers, trains still hold the upper hand.

So if you’re returning home with gifts and stories this year, the railway tracks might still be your best route.

The RailMitra Advantage

What truly enhances festive train travel today is technology. With RailMitra, passengers can:

• Check PNR status and confirmation chances 
• View real-time train running updates 
• Explore train time tables and seat availability 
• Order food from top restaurants along the route 

It’s comfort, planning, and convenience — all in one place.

Conclusion

In India festivals mean much more than your regular event. Friends and family unites with an unmatched devotional and celebration fervour. In the present times where everyone is so busy, festivals provide a time to reengage with your roots and culture. 

While flights are faster , train travel provides a much needed collective experience, which some may argue is needed much more during the festivals. In 2025, as India celebrates its many festivals, make your choice not just by cost or convenience, but by what kind of journey you want to remember.

Because the best part of any celebration isn’t just reaching home — it’s the road, or in this case, the rails, that take you there.