The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released findings from India’s first-ever National Household Travel Survey, conducted between July 2025 and June 2026. The survey collected data from nearly 4.92 lakh households covering over 20.34 lakh persons across 14,274 villages and 10,377 urban blocks, providing detailed insights into how Indians travel for work, education and leisure.
Key facts
- Survey covered 4,92,023 households and 20,34,371 persons across all states and union territories
- Two-wheelers account for 42.6% of workforce commutes; 37.0% of students walk to school
- Buses dominate overnight household journeys at 55.8%; railways account for 17.7%
- Average worker commute time: 25 minutes; student commute time: 23 minutes
- 83.4% of workers and 87.6% of students complete journeys within 30 minutes
- Average monthly commute cost: ₹785 per worker; ₹443 per student
- Urban workers spend ₹1,044 monthly; rural workers spend ₹612 monthly
- Gender gap: 61.9% of male workers commute daily versus 41.9% of female workers
- Peak departure times: 8-10 AM for workers; 8-9 AM for students
- 70.2% of overnight trips are for social and religious purposes
What the survey measures
The National Household Travel Survey defines travel as any trip covering more than one kilometre. It collected information on travel purposes, transport modes used, journey duration, distance travelled and expenses. The survey distinguishes between within-travel-day trips (those ending within 24 hours of departure) and overnight trips (those lasting more than 24 hours, excluding journeys under 50 km).
How Indians commute to work
Two-wheelers emerge as the dominant transport mode for workplace commutes across India, used by 42.6% of workers. The mode is particularly popular in urban areas, where 52.3% of workers rely on two-wheelers, compared to 37.1% in rural areas. Walking accounts for 28.3% of work commutes nationally, with higher prevalence in rural areas at 36.6%. Buses serve 6.7% of workers, while mass transit systems like metro, monorail and suburban rail remain concentrated in specific states. In Maharashtra, 20.7% of urban workers use mass transit; in West Bengal the figure is 16.5%, and in Delhi it reaches 14.4%.
Over half of all workers (57.6%) undertake daily work trips exceeding one kilometre. However, a significant gender gap exists: 61.9% of male workers commute daily compared to only 41.9% of female workers. Most workers depart for work before 10 AM, with 56.5% leaving between 8 and 10 AM and 33.7% between 6 and 8 AM.
How students reach school
Nearly two-thirds of students (66.4%) undertake daily commutes of at least one kilometre to attend school. Walking dominates student transport at 37.0%, followed by buses at 29.5% and bicycles at 15.8%. Auto-rickshaws serve 10.5% of commuting students nationally, rising to 14.4% in urban areas. Two-wheelers account for 6.7% of student commutes, but this increases to 11.5% in urban regions. Students aged 15-29 show the highest participation in daily commutes at 77.0%. Most students (82.0%) depart between 7 and 10 AM, with peak departures occurring between 8 and 9 AM. Nearly 88% of students reach their educational institutions within 30 minutes.
Commute costs and gender differences
The survey reveals significant cost disparities between rural and urban areas and between genders. Workers commuting to a fixed workplace spend an average of ₹785 per month, but this masks a sharp urban-rural divide. Urban workers spend ₹1,044 monthly while rural workers spend ₹612. Gender disparities are also pronounced: male workers spend ₹835 per month on commutes compared to ₹533 for female workers. Students spend an average of ₹443 monthly on educational commutes, with urban students paying ₹617 per month against ₹361 in rural areas.
Overnight travel patterns
For overnight trips exceeding 24 hours, households rely primarily on buses (55.8%) and railways (17.7%), together accounting for 73.5% of such journeys. Cars are used for 15.1% and two-wheelers for 8.8% of overnight trips. Railway usage varies significantly by geography: urban households use trains for 22.7% of overnight journeys compared to 14.0% for rural households. Social, cultural and religious activities drive 70.2% of overnight household travel, while tourism and leisure account for 7.4%.
What this means for you
The survey provides a baseline for understanding travel behaviour across India’s regions. If you commute to work or school, the data shows that most Indians complete their journeys within 30 minutes and share similar peak travel times. The findings may inform future decisions on transport infrastructure and pricing in your area. For planners and policymakers, the survey identifies gaps in public transport usage and regional variations that could guide investment priorities. The cost data may be relevant if you are calculating commute allowances or transport subsidies.
What happens next
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released this data through a detailed factsheet with appendix tables. State and urban development authorities can use these findings for regional transport planning and infrastructure development. The survey is expected to support evidence-based policymaking on transport accessibility, route optimisation and service frequency improvements.