In this hyper-connected world, where bus booking is just a tap away. No need to follow the ancient trends of standing in long queues for bus tickets or chasing down the travel agents. All thanks to the platforms like RedBus and AbhiBus.
Whether you are looking for interstate travel or intrastate travel, these apps are a big leap. But when it comes to choosing the best bus for a traveller like you, then who takes the wheel?
If you are also scratching your head as to which is the best option to choose, then this platform is for you. From fares and discounts to user experience and reliability. Here is everything you need to decide on our ultimate travel buddy. Let’s peel both the bus booking platforms, one comparison at a time.
Abhibus and redBus at a glance
Founded in 2008, it is already a strong player in South India and has been growing rapidly in the rest of the country. If you are looking for competitive pricing, government bus tie-ups, and wallet-friendly offers, then this is the go-to option for you.
This is the major bus booking platform in India, founded in 2006. Redbus is owned by makemytrip group. It is trusted by millions and offers a massive network of bus operators.
The user interface and ease of use
- Redbus
- This comes with the advanced filters to sort by time, rating, bus type, and price.
- Also provides features like track my bus, boarding point navigation, and rescheduling options, making it seamless.
- If you are a beginner, then it can be your best start. It will give you a clean and intuitive ride.
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Abhibus
- It is best for quick bookings and comes with a minimalist design.
- Light-weight and fast-loading interface
- Slightly less polished than Redbus, but very functional and convenient
Both of these platforms provide the best user interface and ease of travel. But the verdict is Redbus wins for its smooth, professional interface and added convenience features.
Let’s now peek into the pricing and discounts both of them offer, and find out the cheapest yet best option.
Which is the cheaper option?
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Redbus
- Here you will find coupons floating around regularly, and also the wallet cashbacks, by payments through Amazon Pay, Paytm, etc.
- Avail for the new user offer, which is up to 100-200 off on your first booking.
- Prices for the Redbus can be slightly inflated sometimes, before you apply for the discounts.
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Abhibus
- Prices are already lower, even before you apply the discounts
- Plan your booking during the festival season, due to the flash sales, and get up to 50 % off on the booking.
- It also has partnerships with strong wallets like FreeCharge, MobiKwik, etc.
If talks are about the pricing and budget-friendly option, then Abhibus takes the lead for better discount value.
Availability
Moving on to the operator network and availability to find the most reliable and convenient ride for you.
- Redbus
- It has a tie-up with approximately 25,000 operators across India
- Government buses like KSRTC, APSRTC, MSRTC, etc, are also offered by the Redbus
- Works across metro cities to remote villages. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the pick-up.
- Abhibus
- It has a stronghold on the south indian states
- Also has a deep partnership with the state transport services like APSRTC and KSRTC
- Private operators are often less common in northern and central India, as it is still growing in these parts of the country.
Hence, here Redbus wins with its broader nationwide reach and wider operator list.
Refunds and cancellations support
Next on the list is the refund policy of the two, in case you cancel the ride. Let’s find out which one takes the lead.
- Redbus
- It has a fast and reliable refund process
- Customer support is available 24/7 via chat, call, and Email
- Provides options for cancellations and reschedule your ride, without any hassle
- Abhibus
- Here, refunds are available, but they may take longer than expected
- Limited support hours and less user-friendly interaction; hence, if you are looking for 24/7 support, then this might not be the best option for you.
- Provides the option for cancellation, but may not be as detailed as that of Redbus.
Verdict- Redbus wins here for providing efficient support and trust.
Which one to choose?
- If you prefer live tracking, premium features, and fast support, then Redbus would be the best option for you, as it also offers more bus options across India with the most reliable user user-friendly options. And if you travel frequently, do not forget to avail their loyalty programme for more budget-friendly travel.
- But if you are planning to travel to South India, that too with cheaper tickets, choose Abhibus. Also, it provides the advantage of limited-time offers and wallet deals.
Conclusion
Now, at the end of the road, the best bus booking app for you depends on what you value more, be it affordability, accessibility, or comfort. Both options can be considered for smart travel, and go with the one that provides you with competitive pricing and better customer support.
Do not forget to compare prices and features before each trip, and then let the best deal drive your journey.