Diwali Special Trains 2026: Schedule, Routes, Train Numbers & How to Book Tickets
Diwali is one of the busiest travel periods in India. Every year, thousands of passengers travel from major cities to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family and friends. Because of the heavy demand for railway tickets, regular trains can fill up quickly and waiting lists can become very long.
To manage the festive rush, Indian Railways operates additional Diwali Special Trains and festival special services on busy routes. These trains provide extra travel options for passengers travelling during the Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath period.
Diwali 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8. Indian Railways has already started announcing festival special trains for the 2026 festive season, and additional services may be announced as demand increases.
In this guide, we explain the Diwali Special Train 2026 schedule, important routes, train numbers, running dates, booking process and useful tips for getting a confirmed ticket. You can also use our PNR Status Check service to check your latest railway reservation status.
When Is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali or Deepavali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The festive travel rush, however, starts much earlier and continues through the following weeks because people travel for Dussehra, Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja.
For this reason, railway special trains are not limited to November 8. Many festival special trains operate during October and November to handle the increased passenger demand.
Why Does Indian Railways Run Diwali Special Trains?
During Diwali, demand for train tickets increases significantly, particularly on routes connecting large cities with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and other states.
Many people working or studying in cities travel to their hometowns during the festival. This creates heavy pressure on regular trains.
Indian Railways operates special trains to:
- Provide additional seats and berths.
- Reduce pressure on regular trains.
- Give passengers more travel options.
- Handle the large festive-season passenger rush.
- Connect major cities with important hometown destinations.
The railway network has already started announcing additional festival services for the 2026 festive season, with more services expected as travel demand becomes clearer.
Diwali Special Trains 2026 Schedule
The 2026 Diwali special train schedule is being announced in phases by different railway zones. Therefore, there is not one single timetable covering every Diwali special train in India.
Some of the festival special services announced so far include routes connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bihar and other major destinations.
| Train | Route | Type | 2026 Running Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09189 | Mumbai Central – Katihar | Festival Special | Selected dates in September, October and November |
| 09190 | Katihar – Mumbai Central | Festival Special | Selected dates in September, October and November |
| 04512 | Chandigarh – Patna | Festival Special | October–November |
| 04511 | Patna – Chandigarh | Festival Special | October–November |
| 04096 | Anand Vihar – Patliputra | Festival Special | October–November |
| 04209 | Varanasi – Delhi | Festival Special | October–November |
| 04213 | Ayodhya Cantt – Anand Vihar | Festival Special | October–November |
These are examples of announced festival services rather than a complete nationwide list. Railway zones can add, extend or modify special trains depending on demand and operational requirements. For example, the Mumbai Central–Katihar festival special has additional trips scheduled around October and November, while other special services connect Delhi with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other high-demand destinations.
Popular Routes for Diwali Special Trains 2026
Some routes see particularly high demand during the Diwali season. Passengers travelling between major employment centres and cities in North and East India should plan early.
Important corridors include:
- Delhi – Bihar
- Delhi – Uttar Pradesh
- Mumbai – Bihar
- Chandigarh – Patna
- Delhi – Varanasi
- Delhi – Ayodhya
- Delhi – Muzaffarpur
- Firozpur – Patna
- Rishikesh – Muzaffarpur
- Kanpur – Guwahati
Railway authorities have been adding festival services on several of these busy corridors to handle the seasonal rush.
When Should You Book Diwali Special Train Tickets?
If you are planning to travel during Diwali 2026, it is better to book as early as possible.
Indian Railways opened advance reservation for the Diwali period from September 6, 2026, and passengers are being advised to plan their journeys early because demand is expected to be high.
Special trains can also have limited running dates. Therefore, if you find a suitable special train with available seats, booking early can reduce the risk of getting a long waiting list later.
How to Check Diwali Special Train 2026 Schedule?
You can check the latest train schedule and availability using official railway enquiry and booking services.
Before booking, check:
- Train number
- Train name
- Source station
- Destination station
- Journey date
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Intermediate stops
- Available classes
- Current ticket availability
The official Indian Railways passenger enquiry system provides train schedule information when you enter the train number or train name.
It is important to check the schedule close to your journey date as railway timings and operational arrangements can sometimes change.
How to Book Diwali Special Train Tickets Online?
Booking a Diwali special train ticket is similar to booking other reserved railway tickets.
- Open the official IRCTC website or IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Log in to your IRCTC account.
- Enter your source and destination stations.
- Select your journey date.
- Search for available trains.
- Look for the festival or special train available for your route.
- Check the train number and departure time.
- Select your preferred class.
- Enter passenger details.
- Complete the payment.
- Save your ticket details and PNR number.
Always check the train number carefully before completing payment. During the festive season, multiple trains can operate between similar routes, and their timings may be different.
Are Diwali Special Trains Fully Reserved?
It depends on the specific special train.
Many festival special trains are operated as reserved services with classes such as Sleeper, AC 3-Tier and AC 2-Tier. However, the available classes and reservation rules can vary from one special train to another.
Therefore, passengers should check the class and reservation status shown during booking instead of assuming that every special train has the same coach composition.
Do Diwali Special Trains Have the Same Fare as Regular Trains?
Not necessarily.
The fare depends on the type of special train, class, route and applicable railway fare rules. Some festival special trains may have different fare structures from regular services.
Always check the final fare displayed during the booking process before making payment.
How to Find a Diwali Special Train If Your Regular Train Is Full?
If your preferred train is showing WL or RAC, do not immediately assume that there are no other options.
Try searching for:
- Other trains on the same route.
- Festival special trains.
- Trains from nearby stations.
- Alternative travel dates.
- Different travel classes.
- Earlier or later departures.
For example, if a regular Delhi–Patna train is full, a festival special running between Anand Vihar and Patliputra or another nearby route may provide another option.
During the Diwali season, checking alternative trains can make a significant difference because railway zones may introduce additional services as demand increases.
What If the Diwali Special Train Is Also Waitlisted?
Special trains can also become full quickly because the demand during Diwali is extremely high.
If your ticket is waitlisted, keep checking the current PNR status. A waiting-list ticket can move as passengers cancel their bookings or additional accommodation becomes available.
You can use our PNR Status Check service to check your latest booking status before your journey.
Indian Railways also notes that the current PNR status can change before the final chart is prepared.
Tips to Get a Confirmed Ticket for Diwali 2026
Getting a confirmed ticket during the Diwali rush can be difficult, but planning early can improve your chances.
- Book early: Do not wait until the last few days.
- Check special trains: New festival trains can provide additional options.
- Be flexible with dates: Travelling one day earlier or later can sometimes help.
- Check nearby stations: Look at alternate boarding and destination stations where practical.
- Compare classes: Check Sleeper, 3A and other available classes.
- Monitor your PNR: Keep checking the ticket status after booking.
- Check multiple routes: A different train or route may have better availability.
- Book return travel early: Do not focus only on the onward journey.
When Will More Diwali Special Trains Be Announced?
There is no single date on which all Diwali special trains are announced.
Different railway zones announce additional trains according to passenger demand, available rakes, operational requirements and route capacity. Some services have already been announced for the 2026 festive season, while further announcements can be made closer to Diwali and Chhath.
For this reason, passengers should check railway updates regularly instead of relying on an old list of special trains.
Diwali Train Travel: Check Your PNR Before Leaving
After booking your Diwali train ticket, keep your PNR number safely. Your PNR contains important information about your reservation, including the train number, journey date, boarding point, destination, class and current reservation status.
You can use the PNR Status Check service to check your latest ticket status.
This is particularly important during the Diwali rush because your status can change before the final chart is prepared. Indian Railways’ PNR enquiry system also displays the current status and charting information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali or Deepavali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
When do Diwali Special Trains 2026 start?
Festival special trains are being introduced across different dates in September, October and November. There is no single start date because each railway zone announces services separately.
Which routes have Diwali Special Trains in 2026?
Special trains have been announced on several busy corridors, including Delhi–Bihar, Delhi–Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai–Bihar, Chandigarh–Patna, Varanasi–Delhi and other routes. More services may be added according to demand.
How can I check the Diwali Special Train 2026 schedule?
You can check the latest train schedule through official Indian Railways enquiry and IRCTC booking services. Search using the train number, train name, source, destination and journey date.
When should I book Diwali train tickets?
Book as early as possible. Advance reservations for the Diwali 2026 travel period opened from September 6, 2026, and demand is expected to be high.
Are Diwali Special Trains available from Mumbai to Bihar?
Yes. Festival special services have been announced on the Mumbai–Bihar corridor, including the Mumbai Central–Katihar special service on selected dates.
Are there Diwali Special Trains from Delhi to Bihar?
Yes. Several festival special services connect Delhi-area stations with destinations in Bihar, including Patliputra, Muzaffarpur and other cities.
Can I check PNR status for a Diwali Special Train?
Yes. You can check the latest reservation status of your train ticket using the PNR Status Check service.
Will more Diwali Special Trains be announced in 2026?
More trains may be announced as passenger demand increases. Railway zones generally add festival services according to operational requirements and available capacity.
Can I book Diwali Special Train tickets online?
Yes. Reserved festival special trains can generally be booked through the applicable IRCTC online reservation system when their booking is opened.
Final Words
Diwali Special Trains 2026 are an important option for passengers travelling during the festive season. With Diwali falling on November 8, the demand for railway tickets is expected to remain high throughout October and November.
Indian Railways has already announced several festival special services connecting major cities with destinations in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other high-demand regions. More trains can be added as the festive rush increases.
If you are planning to travel for Diwali, do not wait until the last minute. Check special trains, compare different routes and dates, and book your ticket as early as possible.
After booking, keep checking your reservation status. You can use the PNR Status Check service to stay updated about your ticket before travelling.
Note: Diwali special train schedules can be added, extended or modified by Indian Railways. Always verify the latest train number, running date, departure time, stops and ticket availability before your journey.