Maha Kumbh: Air tickets to Prayagraj on key snan dates rocket to Rs 50k

As per the official data by the Uttar Pradesh government, over 10 crore people have taken holy dip in the Sangam during Maha Kumbh mela. (PTI Photo)

Ahead of the January 29 “Mauni Amavasya Snan” in the Maha Kumbh Meal, airfares to Prayagraj have skyrocketed. Maha Kumbh is attracting pilgrims from across the entire country and all over the world.

The otherwise sleepy airport in the holy city of Prayagraj is setting new records, handling night flights for the first time in 106 years, getting an international flight for the first time in 93 years, and seeing increased footfalls.

As per the Times of India report, travel portals show the cost of Chennai-Prayagraj tickets for January 28 and back two days later above Rs 53,000, while a return trip from Kolkata on these dates costs over Rs 35,500.

The tickets from Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi cost over Rs 47,500, and from Bengaluru, it's over Rs 51,000.

A similar surge in travel is expected around the remaining key snan dates: February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivratri and the concluding day of the Maha Kumbh).

Return fares to Prayagraj for February 14, with a return two days later, are priced upwards of Rs 33,000 from Delhi, over Rs 40,000 from Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata, and above Rs 45,000 from Mumbai and Bengaluru.

"We are seeing tremendous enthusiasm from not just India but among the diaspora and foreigners too for the Maha Kumbh. Airfares have gone up as demand is far greater than supply. Accommodation is also hard to get," said Anil Kalsi, vice president of, Travel Agents Federation of India.

"Prayagraj Airport has achieved new milestones during Maha Kumbh 2025. With 17 additional flights on average, a maximum of 46 daily flight movements, expanded connectivity to 15 destinations, and 24x7 operations, the airport ensures seamless travel. The terminal area has been upgraded to handle 1,650 passengers per hour," the aviation ministry said on X for the Airports Authority of India-run airport on Sunday.

With a surge in visa applications largely attributed to travelers from the UK and USA, processing platform Atlys has reported a 21.4% increase in inbound spiritual travel to India, primarily driven by the Maha Kumbh and other major festivals.