Pune Long Weekend Travel Rush Sparks Traffic Jams And Full Bookings Across City

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

PUNE Long Weekend Travel Rush has begun—what might be India’s longest weekend this year, a perfect alignment of Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan, has triggered a mass exodus from Pune. Nearly full bookings for hotels, resorts, trains, and buses, paired with bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highways, are now the norm as residents head out en masse for long-awaited leisure time.

Pune Long Weekend Travel Rush – The Perfect Storm for a Holiday

This isn’t just a weekend—it’s potentially a five-day escape. August 15 falls on a Friday, and Raksha Bandhan on Monday, making for an extended break for many who took just one leave day in between. That has sparked an unprecedented travel rush.

Pune Long Weekend Travel Rush – The Travel Report

On the Roads

Major arteries like the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, Pune-Kolhapur, Pune-Solapur, Pune-Nagar, and Pune-Nashik are seeing heavy traffic and slow movement.
Police are beefed up along critical spots, including Khed-Shivapur and Karad, due to construction bottlenecks. Special deployment of cranes is in place near Lonavla–Khandala for any breakdowns.
Traffic on city feeders such as Singhad Road, Satara Road, and Nagar Road is closely managed by redeployed officers—traffic police have had their leaves canceled for the occasion.

State Buses (MSRTC)

The MSRTC Pune division has added around 50 extra buses, especially for the busy Pune–Mumbai route, to meet demand.

Private Buses

Operators are running 400–500 buses daily to various cities, most of which are already booked. Authorities are monitoring fare hikes and encouraging passengers to lodge complaints if needed.

Trains

Intercity trains, such as the Deccan Queen between Pune and Mumbai, are fully booked with long waitlists running through Sunday. Railway staff have been alerted to efficiently manage the crowds.

Flights

Air fares have skyrocketed in high-demand routes: travel from Mumbai to Goa now costs up to ₹23,000 for prime slots, and around ₹25,000 for Mumbai–Kochi returns. Mid-range timings are somewhat cheaper .

Pune Long Weekend Travel Rush – Where Is Everyone Going?

Hill Stations & Monsoon Escapes: Mahabaleshwar, Malshej Ghat, Lonavla, Matheran are seeing 90–95% occupancy.
Beaches & Coastal Getaways: Ganpatiphule, Tarkarli, Goa — properties here are almost fully booked (95–100%).
Cultural & Historic Sites: Shirdi, Ajanta, and Ellora are around 90% booked, attracting both in-state and out-of-state visitors.

Pune Long Weekend Travel Rush – Advice for Travelers

Start Early: Leave pre-dawn or late at night to steer clear of peak-hour congestion.
Expect Delays: Highway backups are widespread; plan journey times with extra cushion.
Stay Hydrated & Prepared: Keep water and snacks handy—breaks might be prolonged.
Check Bookings: With high demand, reconfirm hotel and travel reservations the morning of departure.
Flyers Take Note: At Pune airport, domestic travelers are advised to arrive 3 hours early, international flyers 4 hours early, due to increased passenger flow and security measures