AHMEDABAD: For Coldplay fans, snagging concert tickets – either by braving the endless booking or shelling out a pretty packet – was just the first hurdle. The real challenge lies in getting to Ahmedabad without emptying their wallets.
With airfare soaring to stratospheric levels – up to 252% above normal – and hotel prices scaling new heights, attending the Jan 25-26 Coldplay concert is turning into quite an expensive adventure.
Coldplay’s music might promise “Paradise” but getting to Ahmedabad “Hurts Like Heaven” for most.
Flight fares for the concert weekend have nearly tripled, with roundtrip tickets from Bengaluru costing an eye-watering Rs 43,000.
Kochi and Hyderabad are not far behind at Rs 27,500 and Rs 27,000, respectively, while even short-haul routes like Mumbai and Pune have climbed to Rs 17,400 and Rs 21,269.
For Delhi, the fare now stands at Rs 22,270, a steep increase from regular rates.
“The surge in airfare and hotel pricing reflects the extraordinary demand for the event. It’s rare to see such a significant price increase over a short period, and Ahmedabad is capitalising on the Coldplay frenzy. The situation is quite like what we saw during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023,” said Virendra Shah, owner of a travel company in Ahmedabad.
“Jan is a peak travel season for weddings as well as businesses, and those coming in here will have to shell out heftier amounts,” he added.
While Ahmedabad’s travel and hospitality sectors are raking in record profits, many fans are left grappling with whether their “Adventure of a Lifetime” is worth the hefty price tag.
Coldplay’s lyrics promise “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”, but for fans making the trip, those tears might just be over their bank accounts.
