Quick answer: Neither is better on every trip. redBus (a MakeMyTrip Limited brand) and AbhiBus (ixigo's bus business) both sell seats that bus operators list. What actually changes between them is the extras: paid cancellation cover, wallet rules, women-traveller features and offers. Look up the same bus on both apps, then read the cancellation policy on the booking page before you pay. Every fact below comes from pages we loaded on each company's own website on 28 September 2026.
Who owns redBus and AbhiBus?
The two are not the same company. MakeMyTrip Limited's investor overview names three of its apps: MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus. It calls itself an "asset-light marketplace" that connects travellers with suppliers, including ground transport operators. So when people search redBus vs MakeMyTrip, they are comparing two brands owned by one group.
AbhiBus is part of ixigo. The ixigo investor site is run by Le Travenues Technology Limited, and it lists the CEO of "Abhibus (ixigo bus business)" among its leaders. AbhiBus's own homepage says it was founded in 2008. The same page says AbhiBus sells tickets from more than 6,200 bus partners and offers 950,000 route options.
Which is cheaper, redBus or AbhiBus?
Neither site promises that it always has the lowest fare. Both list buses run by their bus partners, and redBus's user agreement says every booking is subject to "the applicable cancellation policy as set out on the booking page". The price you finally pay can differ between the two apps because of:
- Platform offers. AbhiBus's homepage advertises "Upto ₹500 off On Bus Booking", including a first-booking offer in its app. Offers change often and have their own conditions.
- Paid add-ons. Cancellation cover costs extra on both sites.
- Wallet balance. redBus's terms say promotional wallet cash can pay for at most 10% of the ticket price.
The honest way to answer "which is cheaper" for your trip is to check the same route, date and bus on both apps within a few minutes of each other.
Cancellation and refunds
redBus: redBus's user agreement says cancellations follow the policy shown on the booking page. Refunds go back to the account or instrument you paid with. When you cancel, redBus lets you choose to send the refund either to your linked bank account or card, or to the redBus wallet. redBus also sells Free Cancellation. Its page says this gets you "the full ticket fare refunded with zero penalty till 6 or 12 hours before start of journey, as applicable".
AbhiBus: AbhiBus's FAQ says that when you cancel, the payment gateway usually sends the refund back within 24 hours. Your bank can then take 2 to 7 working days to show the credit. The FAQ also says a full refund happens only when AbhiBus or the bus partner made an error. In other cases, cancelling gets you a partial refund. AbhiBus sells an optional add-on called Abhi Assured. Its page lists a 150% refund if the bus is cancelled, up to 100% if the bus is delayed, up to 100% if you are not satisfied with the service, and a 100% refund if you change your plans, all under the Abhi Assured terms.
Wallet rules: redBus wallet vs AbhiCash
These rules answer a common search: "how to transfer money from AbhiBus to bank account".
AbhiCash: The AbhiCash page says AbhiCash, whether promotional or non-promotional, "cannot be withdrawn or transferred to bank account or other wallets". Promotional money is valid for 90 days. Promotional AbhiCash refunded after a cancellation expires in 30 days. Non-promotional money has no expiry. You can transfer non-promotional money to another AbhiCash user. So AbhiCash cannot reach your bank. If you want a cancellation refund in your bank, send it to your original payment mode instead of AbhiCash. The FAQ says a refund to AbhiCash is available instantly, which is its main benefit.
redBus wallet: redBus's user agreement says promotional cash in the wallet "will not be refundable into your bank account under any circumstances" and has an expiry date. When you cancel, you choose between your bank account or card and the wallet. Wallet money cannot be moved to another wallet. Keeping a refund in the wallet is open only to resident Indians.
Women-traveller features
This is what people mean when they search "AbhiBus girls separate like redBus". Both apps have features for women, but neither page we loaded promises a separate women-only section.
- redBus: redBus's blog describes Booking for Women. Turn it on and the app shows buses that women prefer, the number of women on board and deals for women passengers.
- AbhiBus: AbhiBus has Women Zone. You turn it on during a bus search to see buses women prefer, ratings from women travellers only, how many women are on each bus, the boarding and dropping points women pick most, and safety, seat and boarding details. The page also lists SOS and emergency contacts and live bus tracking.
How do flexible (Flexi) bus tickets work?
redBus's blog says it offers Flexi Tickets "on specific routes". A Flexi Ticket lets you move your journey to a different date if you do it at least 8 hours before departure. redBus does not state the fee on that page, so check the terms shown at booking. AbhiBus does not describe a date-change ticket on the pages we loaded. Its Abhi Assured add-on covers a change of plans with a refund instead.
How do redBus and AbhiBus make money?
MakeMyTrip describes its business as an asset-light marketplace that connects travellers with suppliers. Neither company publishes a per-ticket commission rate on the pages we loaded. The paid extras they sell to passengers are listed above. For the operator side, see our redBus vs AbhiBus for bus operators guide.
redBus vs AbhiBus: side-by-side
| redBus | AbhiBus | |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | MakeMyTrip Limited | ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Ltd) |
| Paid cancellation cover | Free Cancellation (full fare back up to 6 or 12 hours before the journey) | Abhi Assured (150% if the bus is cancelled; 100% if you change plans) |
| Date change | Flexi Ticket on specific routes, at least 8 hours before departure | Not described on its site |
| Refund to bank | Yes, bank/card or wallet is your choice | Yes, to original payment mode (2 to 7 working days) |
| Wallet to bank | Promotional cash never refunded to bank | AbhiCash cannot be withdrawn to bank |
| Women features | Booking for Women | Women Zone |
To see other travel apps, including MakeMyTrip, browse travel booking apps.
FAQs
redBus or AbhiBus, which is better?
Neither wins every time. Compare the same bus on both apps, then pick based on the final price, the cancellation policy on the booking page and whether you want Free Cancellation or a Flexi Ticket (redBus) or Abhi Assured (AbhiBus).
redBus vs AbhiBus, which is cheaper?
Neither site promises the lowest fare. The final price depends on the bus, the platform's offers and any add-ons, so check both apps for your route at the same time.
How do I transfer money from AbhiBus to my bank account?
You can't transfer AbhiCash. AbhiBus says AbhiCash cannot be withdrawn or moved to a bank account or another wallet. To get a cancellation refund in your bank, choose your original payment mode instead of AbhiCash.
Does AbhiBus have a separate women's feature like redBus?
Yes. AbhiBus has Women Zone, which shows buses women prefer, ratings from women only and how many women are on board. redBus has Booking for Women.
How do flexible bus tickets work in India?
On redBus, a Flexi Ticket is offered on specific routes and lets you move your journey to another date at least 8 hours before departure. Check the terms shown when you book.
Is redBus better than MakeMyTrip for buses?
Both belong to MakeMyTrip Limited, which lists MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus as its apps. Compare what each app shows for your trip.
