Diwali Train Ticket Booking: Important news has emerged for rail passengers planning to travel home for Diwali and Chhath Puja. You have likely noticed that trains bound for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are particularly crowded during these festivals, making tickets hard to secure. Consequently, advance booking for train travel around Diwali began on September 6. In 2026, Dhanteras falls on November 6, and Diwali will be celebrated on November 8. Under current Indian Railways regulations, the advance reservation period for regular trains is 60 days. Ticket booking has commenced on the IRCTC website starting at 8:00 AM.
Indian Railways (via IRCTC) has opened the advance ticket booking option two months in advance, allowing those wishing to travel home for Diwali to make their arrangements. People often wait until a day or two before the festival to book tickets; however, if you plan to travel home, do not delay—be ready to book your tickets immediately via the website or app. Given the festive rush, passengers should plan ahead and book early to avoid the difficulties often associated with securing a seat.
Diwali Train Ticket Booking Dates
According to railway reservation rules, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train tickets begins 60 days before the travel date (excluding the travel date itself). Since Diwali falls on November 8, ticket booking opened on September 6.
Train Tickets for Diwali and Chhath Puja
Securing train tickets is particularly difficult on routes like Delhi-Howrah during festivals such as Diwali and Chhath Puja. Competition is also intense on routes including Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Patna, Patna-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Patna, Delhi-Lucknow, and Chennai-Patna. Often, trains fill up within just a few hours of the booking window opening; therefore, you should not delay your ticket booking at all. If you are planning to travel home for Diwali, you should book your tickets as soon as the booking window opens.
Will Diwali Special Trains run?
The Railways operate special trains every year to handle the surge of passengers during the festive season. Plans and announcements for additional services for Diwali 2026 are also likely.
Securing a confirmed seat during Diwali becomes extremely difficult. In such situations, passengers can consider alternatives like choosing a different train, opting for a different station, or slightly adjusting their travel dates. The ‘Tatkal’ booking option is also available. According to Indian Railways, Tatkal bookings open at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes, one day before the travel date.
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