Train journeys in India are undergoing a culinary transformation, with passengers increasingly opting for pre-ordered meals delivered directly to their seats. Swiggy's "Food on Train" service reported an extraordinary surge in demand this past summer, registering a threefold increase in orders year-on-year between April and June 2026.
Swiggy's "Food on Train" Sees Unprecedented Growth
The online food delivery giant announced a significant expansion of its "Food on Train" offering, now available in over 180 cities. A notable trend observed was the rise in multi-station bookings, where passengers order meals at two or more stops using a single PNR. Such bookings soared by over 300% in the first quarter of FY27, indicating a shift towards more planned and diverse meal experiences during travel.
Deepak Maloo, Vice President of Food Strategy, Customer Experience & New Initiatives at Swiggy, highlighted the exponential growth. "It is heartening to see the growth and consumer love for this offering across the country, with customers also booking their meals well in advance," Maloo stated. He noted that some passengers placed orders up to four days before their journey, reflecting increased trust and convenience.
Students and Smaller Towns Drive Demand
The summer travel season witnessed robust demand, particularly from students returning to universities. Swiggy identified university hubs as major contributors to growth, with student orders reaching their highest-ever surge. Stations like Kharagpur, Kanpur, and Aligarh saw significant peaks in student-driven orders, especially during the last week of May.
Emerging "India Rise" stations—referring to smaller towns and cities—also played a crucial role, growing 253% year-on-year, nearly twice the pace of metropolitan areas. For instance, in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, 66% of all "Food on Train" orders came from first-time Swiggy users, underscoring the service's reach into new markets. The company further expanded its network by adding 17 new stations this summer, including Gurugram, Udaipur, and Nanded.
To simplify the ordering process, Swiggy introduced a "Scan your ticket" feature, allowing passengers to upload their ticket, automatically detect the PNR, and facilitate food ordering seamlessly during their journey.
Rotis and Biryani Dominate Summer Menu
An analysis of summer dining trends revealed rotis as the season's undisputed champion, with travelers ordering over 4 lakh rotis on moving trains. Tawa Roti, Tandoori Roti, Butter Roti, and Phulka were among the most popular varieties. Other perennial favorites included Masala Dosa, Aloo Paratha, and the McAloo Tikki Burger. For non-vegetarian fare, Chicken Biryani stood out as the single most ordered dish.
The summer heat also influenced beverage and dessert choices:
- Mango Shake: Orders rose 10% compared to winter.
- Soft Drinks: Orders jumped a significant 354%.
- Lassi: Orders doubled.
- Ice Cream: Orders increased by 140%.
Regional Tastes Shape Passenger Choices
Food preferences varied distinctly across India's diverse regions:
- North India: Passengers traveling through Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, and Bhopal favored Roti with Curry, Aloo Paratha, and Burgers.
- South India: Dosa remained a staple, particularly in Nellore, where it accounted for over 14% of all items. Vijayawada showcased Andhra Pradesh's love for biryani, with nearly one in five orders being a biryani dish.
- East India: Travelers in Bhubaneswar and Kharagpur frequently opted for Thalis, Fried Rice, and rice bowls.
- Konkan Route: Goa-bound passengers at Madgaon Junction broke the national trend, with Burgers surprisingly outselling Biryani.
Among popular food brands, Haldiram's, Paradise Biryani, A2B – Adyar Ananda Bhavan, McDonald's, and KFC were the most preferred choices for train travelers.