inDrive data signals Eid 2026 surge in travel and deliveries across Pakistan

As Pakistan prepares for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, early trends and historical data from inDrive indicate a sharp surge in intercity travel, ride-hailing, and delivery services in the days leading up to the holiday.

Eid consistently represents the highest demand period across inDrive’s platform in Pakistan, with activity accelerating in the final days of Ramadan as millions travel between cities and send goods to family and friends.

Based on 2025 patterns, intercity travel is expected to see the steepest increase again this year. During last year’s Eid week, several key routes recorded multi-fold growth compared to the preceding week, including Islamabad-Rawalpindi to Murree (up 6x) and Faisalabad to Lahore (3x). Other major corridors, such as Gujranwala-Lahore (3x), Lahore-Faisalabad (3x), and Karachi-Hyderabad (2.5x), also saw significant spikes.

The company expects similar travel patterns to emerge in 2026, with advance bookings already increasing on popular routes. The data reflects a growing preference for peer-to-peer ride-hailing models during peak periods, where users negotiate fares directly amid fluctuating demand.

“The days leading up to Eid are always the busiest, and many rides get booked in advance,” said Faisal Shahbaz, an intercity driver on the platform. “It helps both passengers and drivers agree on a fair price ahead of time.”

Delivery services are also expected to peak. On March 30, 2025, inDrive’s courier and grocery segments recorded the highest single-day activity, with orders growing 48.4% year-on-year during the Eid period, while overall deliveries for the month rose by 17.25%.

This trend is already visible ahead of Eid 2026, with couriers reporting sustained demand throughout the day. Asghar Ali, a courier on the platform, said activity remains consistently high during the festive period. “Work is very good during this period because people are constantly sending mithai and gifts to their relatives,” he said. “And because of the demand, our earnings also improve, making this one of the most profitable times of the year for us.”

In the grocery segment, demand typically concentrates around everyday essentials and festive items. Previous Eid data shows high volumes for biscuits, beverages, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and confectionery, reflecting both household stocking and guest preparation.

The data also highlights a broader shift towards multi-service usage. By the end of 2025, Lahore recorded the highest share of multi-vertical users at 33%, followed by Karachi at 24% and Islamabad–Rawalpindi at 16%. This trend is expected to continue in 2026 as users increasingly rely on a single platform for mobility, deliveries, and shopping during high-demand periods.

With peak season demand building ahead of Eid, platform activity is once again expected to play a significant role in facilitating travel, commerce, and income generation across Pakistan.
inDrive’s peer-to-peer model, which enables direct fare negotiation between users and service providers, reflects its broader mission of challenging injustice by promoting fair choice and transparency across mobility and service verticals. During high-demand periods such as Eid, this approach allows both passengers and partners to agree on terms that work for them, reinforcing a more balanced and inclusive marketplace.