India's tourism industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, largely propelled by a concerted national effort to upgrade its travel infrastructure. According to a September 2026 CBRE Research report, this transformation is evident in the rapid expansion of the Vande Bharat Express network, a growing number of operational airports, and a comprehensive road system that now spans over 6.4 million kilometers.
Vande Bharat Trains Spearhead Rail Tourism
The Vande Bharat Express, which began with just two routes in 2021, has expanded dramatically to 82 operational routes by August 2026. This high-speed rail network is reshaping access to major pilgrimage, heritage, and leisure destinations across India. Pilgrimage corridors, in particular, have seen enhanced connectivity, with services now reaching Varanasi, Ayodhya, Deoghar, Puri, Tirupati, Shirdi, and Khajuraho. Additionally, the Katra-Srinagar corridor and services between New Jalpaiguri and Kamakhya are improving access to Kashmir and the Northeast regions, respectively.
Indian Railways reported a significant increase in passenger traffic on Vande Bharat trains, with nearly 3.98 crore passengers traveling in FY2025-26, a 34% jump from the 2.97 crore recorded in FY2024-25.
Airports Open Up Emerging Destinations
Beyond rail, air connectivity is also a key driver of India's tourism growth. The country now boasts approximately 166 operational airports, including around 36 international hubs. Domestic passenger traffic reached 167.4 million in FY2025-26, while international traffic hit 78.7 million.
The Modified UDAN scheme, backed by an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore for FY2027-FY2036, aims to further expand air access to underserved regions, thereby boosting tourism in tier-II and tier-III markets. As of September, 687 regional connectivity routes linking 95 airports had been operationalized under the UDAN initiative, with plans for new airports and helipads underway.
Expressways Create Multi-Destination Circuits
Road infrastructure is similarly revolutionizing tourism itineraries. India's extensive road network, including nearly 146,000 km of national highways, is making multi-stop tourism circuits more practical. New expressways, such as the 1,350-km Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, the 296-km Bundelkhand Expressway, and the 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg, are linking clusters of heritage, pilgrimage, and wildlife destinations, offering tourists more seamless travel options.