Travel surge fuels spike in car-rental-related searches across India

• Luxury car rentals saw a 3x rise from winter to summer
• Self-drive rentals spiked 103% in Visakhapatnam alone
• Car rentals jumped 48% this summer compared to winter
• Seasonal travel pushed car-rental category searches up 36%

Mumbai : India’s travel and tourism sector has witnessed strong momentum over the past year, especially during the summer season, as more travellers opted for road trips, weekend getaways, and short holiday breaks. This seasonal uptick in domestic tourism has led to a noticeable rise in car-rental-related searches across the country, reflecting changing consumer preferences and an increased demand for mobility options.

According to Justdial’s latest trends report, car-rental-related searches saw a sharp spike in Summer 2025 as compared to both Winter 2024 and Summer 2024. Nationwide, there was a 36% rise in searches during Summer 2024 compared to Winter 2024, underlining how peak holiday periods drive mobility needs. Additionally, Summer 2025 registered a 21% increase in car-rental category searches compared to Summer 2024, indicating strong year-on-year growth.

A closer look at the seasonal trend (Winter 2024 vs Summer 2024) reveals that searches for luxury car rentals tripled across India, highlighting how leisure travellers and urban consumers are increasingly opting for premium experiences. Among the top cities, Allahabad led with a 5x surge in luxury rental searches, followed by Kanpur (4x), Lucknow (3.5x), and Delhi (2x).

Meanwhile, self-driven rentals gained popularity among independent travellers and road-trip enthusiasts, with searches rising 67% across India. The trend was especially strong in Visakhapatnam, which recorded a 103% increase, followed by Pune (86%), Mumbai (72%), and Bangalore (54%).

Traditional car rental services also saw a 48% increase in interest, with cities like Kolkata (65%), Jaipur (52%), Lucknow (50%), and Delhi (45%) showing notable demand. This was complemented by a rise in searches for car rental for outstation travel, which saw a 19% uptick nationally. Cities like Patna (45%), Indore (37%), and Coimbatore (25%) emerged as key contributors to this trend.

The year-on-year comparison between Summer 2025 and Summer 2024 further reinforces this positive trajectory. Searches for luxury car rentals climbed 51% YoY, with Kanpur (79%), Allahabad (63%), and Delhi (60%) among the top cities driving growth. Self-driven rental interest also saw a steady rise of 16%, with Pune (46%), Mumbai (34%), and Delhi (29%) leading the pack.

In the car rentals category, searches grew by 8%, with Jaipur (43%) showing the highest spike, followed by Delhi and Lucknow. Outstation rentals, which remain a preferred option for intercity travel, registered a 7% growth across India, with Patna, Coimbatore, and Mumbai showing steady demand.

These trends clearly indicate that as domestic travel continues to expand, the demand for flexible and varied car mobility solutions is only expected to rise. With road travel offering both convenience and comfort, car-rental-related services are poised to play a key role in shaping the next chapter of India’s travel economy.