Goibibo Reveals Gender-Based Travel Preferences

Goibibo, one of India’s travel brands, has uncovered intriguing 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 programme since January 2025. The booking trends indicate that students are highly cost-conscious and digital-savvy, but reveal a subtle gender divide, particularly in preferred modes of transport and payment methods.

Female students are more inclined to choose flights over ground transport. While 36 per cent of them book domestic flights, only 23 per cent of their male counterparts do so. Conversely, half of male students (50 per cent) favour ground transport, buses and trains, as compared to just 34 per cent of women. This suggests that female travellers are more drawn to air travel, likely driven by considerations of safety and convenience.

The divide extends to device usage and payment preferences. Over one in three female students use an iPhone, compared to one in four males. When it comes to payments, UPI is the favoured method for 71 per cent of female students versus 64 per cent of men. Interestingly, female students are 50 per cent less likely to utilise “Pay Later” options compared to their male counterparts.

Despite these behavioural differences, a common theme emerges: affordability. A notable 74 per cent of all student travellers book accommodation priced below Rs 3,000 per night, reflecting a predominantly budget-conscious mindset, albeit with varied approaches. Additionally, students tend to plan well in advance; nearly 63 per cent of bookings are made more than a week before travel, contrasting with the broader Indian traveller community, where most reservations are made within a week of the journey.

“The female student traveller is digitally savvy, deliberate in her choices, and values both convenience and safety,” said Raj Rishi Singh, CMO, Goibibo.  “While her preferences may differ from her male counterpart what unites them is a sharp eye on value. That’s precisely what we’ve aimed to address with our GoPass program—making Goibibo the preferred platform for student travellers seeking smart, affordable options.”

The GoPass programme was designed to cater specifically to students’ needs for economical and reliable travel options. Enrolled students are verified via their college email IDs. Once verified, they gain access to exclusive discounts on flights and other travel services. The GoPass offers competitive rates across various categories, including domestic and international hotels, flights, and buses. Students enjoy a flat 25 per cent discount on hotel bookings, free meals on domestic flights, and a flat 10 per cent discount on both domestic and international flights. For bus and train travel, there is a flat 10 per cent discount on buses.