Patna: The Tourism Department of Bihar has taken a significant step to enhance the travel experience in the state with the introduction of premium caravan buses. These buses have already arrived in Patna and will soon be available for reservations through the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC). Officials report that the objective is to offer tourists a novel, comfortable, and modern way to travel without relying on hotels or restaurants during their journeys. Each caravan is designed as a luxury mobile hotel, featuring high-quality amenities. The interior comprises seven comfortable reclining seats and four sleeper berths for relaxation. To enrich long journeys, there are five LED televisions, a music system, and various entertainment options.
The bus is also equipped with a bathroom and a fully furnished mini-kitchen, allowing travelers to prepare their meals, thereby granting families and groups increased independence and flexibility. The government has implemented a structured booking system to ensure accessibility. For long-distance trips, the caravan can be booked for a minimum of 250 kilometers at a rate of ₹75 per kilometer. In Patna, travelers can also reserve the bus for short city tours at ₹11,000 for a 12-hour, 75-kilometer journey. Full-day bookings are anticipated to cost around ₹20,000. These buses will be connected to special tourism circuits, including day trips to Bodhgaya–Nalanda and the Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve Safari, facilitating easier exploration of various destinations.
Officials believe this new initiative will generate a positive economic impact. The caravan service is expected to draw both domestic and international tourists, boosting tourism revenue significantly each year. It will also create direct employment opportunities, with each bus generating 50–60 jobs for drivers, guides, chefs, and support staff. In addition to economic advantages, the service aims to promote family and group travel, encouraging them to cook and enjoy quality time together while visiting famous sites such as Nalanda, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, and Vaishali. Overall, the new caravan buses are anticipated to make travel within Bihar more convenient, affordable, and memorable.
With hotel-style luxury amenities on the go, the state hopes that tourists will opt for this experience not merely to reach a destination but to relish the journey itself. Bookings for the caravan buses will be available soon on the official BSTDC website and mobile number.