Planning to travel home for Diwali but finding regular trains waitlisted? Indian Railways has added festival services across busy corridors, including Delhi, Patna, Varanasi and several eastern destinations. With Diwali falling on 8 November 2026, passengers have additional options, although each special train operates on its own notified dates.
As of 13 October, Railways had notified 8,454 special trips for the October-November festival period, alongside approximately 3.4 lakh scheduled regular trips. The extra trips cover Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath, not Diwali alone.
Key Highlights
- Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
- Railways had notified 8,454 festival-special trips by 13 October.
- Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat and Delhi-Varanasi are among the announced services.
- IRCTC shows date-wise seat availability; NTES provides train-running updates.
Which Diwali Special Trains Are Running in 2026?
The festival list extends beyond one region. Bihar had 2,057 notified special trips and Uttar Pradesh 1,056 as of 13 October, reflecting the pressure on eastbound routes. These are trip counts, not the number of distinct train services.
Some published examples show why the train number is more useful than searching only for ‘Diwali special train’.
| Train | Route | Published Departure Details |
| 2252 | New Delhi to Patna, Vande Bharat Special | 8:35 am from New Delhi; 9:30 pm arrival at Patna on notified dates |
| 4210 | Delhi Junction to Varanasi | 6:50 pm from Delhi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, up to 28 November |
| 3437 | Malda Town to Haridwar | 10 am from Malda Town on Saturdays, including 7 and 14 November |
The Northern Railway festival bulletin lists intermediate halts for 04210. Another 14 October announcement specifies the Malda Town service. The Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat festival schedule has its own running days. A route announcement does not guarantee a train runs on every date.
How to Check Special Train Routes and Timings
Start with the five-digit train number from a railway zone’s announcement. It separates a festival special from a similarly named regular service and avoids confusion over terminals such as New Delhi, Delhi Junction, and Anand Vihar.
- Open the official National Train Enquiry System.
- Select ‘Train Schedule’ and enter the train number to see stations and planned timings.
- Use ‘Trains Between Stations’ to look for services between your boarding point and destination.
- On the travel day, use ‘Spot Your Train’ for running information and check platform displays at the station.
For example, a train going to Patna may pass through a preferred station without stopping there. The halt list settles that question.
Midnight timings need extra care. On overnight services, your boarding date may differ from the train’s departure date at its originating station. Check the date against your specific boarding stop, particularly for journeys scheduled just after midnight. Return services have separate train numbers and schedules.
Northern Railway has also announced temporary platform changes at New Delhi from 16 October to 17 November. Departure platforms therefore deserve a fresh check close to boarding.
How to Check Ticket Availability and Book on IRCTC
A published timetable is not a seat inventory. Availability changes with cancellations, quotas, and additional bookings; the IRCTC website shows the position for a selected train, date, and class.
- Sign in to IRCTC or its Rail Connect app and enter the origin, destination, and journey date.
- Search using the announced train number, where available, and select the relevant class.
- Examine the displayed status, fare, and boarding point before making payment.
- Complete payment and save the PNR. Recheck the current status before leaving.
There is a useful reminder in South Central Railway’s 16 October release: train 07425, Secunderabad to Srikakulam Road, showed 659 vacancies across one or more classes for 8 November, based on information taken at 8 pm on 15 October. That is a dated snapshot, not live availability.
General reservations normally open 60 days before departure, but a newly announced special may enter booking later. Tatkal bookings, where offered, open one day before the train’s originating-station departure at 10 am for AC and 11 am for non-AC classes. Check whether the special actually offers that quota.
When Is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Special trains are scheduled throughout October and November because railway demand also rises around Durga Puja and Chhath celebrations.
Are All Diwali Special Trains Available Every Day?
No. Some make a single trip, while others operate on selected weekdays. Always match the train number with the date in its official railway announcement.
Where Can Passengers See Live Train Timings?
The NTES website and official mobile app show running updates. For station-specific arrival information, enter the train number rather than relying on an older timetable.
Can a Waitlisted E-Ticket Be Used for Travel?
Not if every passenger remains waitlisted after chart preparation. IRCTC drops fully waitlisted e-tickets from the chart and arranges applicable refunds automatically under its rules.
How Can Passengers Find Tickets When Regular Trains Are Full?
Search festival specials on IRCTC using nearby dates and suitable stations. Check available classes individually; a special train’s advertised route does not confirm vacant seats.
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