While 36 per cent of Indian female students book domestic flights, only 23 per cent of their male counterparts do the same
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Even as Indian students juggle their college and personal lives, there is a lot of travel that is influencing everything around them. While some want to go on solo trips, others are planning them with their friends.
New insights by travel company GoIbibo has revealed fascinating differences in how female and male students travel, pay, and plan, based on bookings made by 50,000 verified student travellers through its dedicated Student GoPass program since January 2025.
The booking patterns indicate that the student demographic is price-conscious and digital-first, but within the same, there is a nuanced divide between the two genders, especially when it comes to mode of transport and payment preferences.
Female students are more likely to opt for flights over ground transport. While 36 per cent of them book domestic flights, only 23 per cent of their male counterparts do the same. In contrast, half of male students (50 per cent) prefer ground transport, buses and trains, compared to just 34 per cent of women, indicating a preference toward air travel among female travellers, likely driven by safety and time considerations.
The divide extends into device and payment behaviours. More than one in three female students use an iPhone, compared to one in four males. When it comes to payments, UPI is the preferred method for 71 per cent of female students, versus 64 per cent of men. Interestingly, female students are 50 per cent less likely to use “Pay Later” options, as compared to male counterparts.
Despite these behavioural differences, one theme is universal: affordability. 74 per cent of all student travellers book accommodation priced below Rs 3,000 per night, signaling that the budget-conscious mindset is dominant, though the pathways differ. Students also tend to plan ahead; nearly 63 per cent of their bookings are made more than a week in advance. This contrasts with the broader Indian traveller base, where majority bookings take place within a week of the travel date.
“The female student traveller is digitally savvy, deliberate in her choices, and values both convenience and safety,” said Raj Rishi Singh, CMO of the platform. “While her preferences may differ from her male counterpart what unites them is a sharp eye on value," he added.
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