To manage the massive surge of passengers travelling home for the festive season, Indian Railways has announced hundreds of Diwali Special Trains for 2026. Operating across Northern, Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern Railway zones, these additional services connect major industrial hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Gujarat, and Bengaluru with high-demand destinations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.
If you are planning your holiday travel, here is the complete route list, train numbers, and essential guidelines to secure your seat.
High-Demand Festive Routes & Special Train Schedule
1. Delhi, UP & Bihar Routes (Northern & East Central Railways)
Delhi-bound and Bihar-bound express routes experience the heaviest passenger rush. Indian Railways has deployed dedicated AC Superfast, Tejas, and Unreserved special trains to ensure smooth connectivity.
| Train No. | Train Name & Route | Frequency / Operating Days |
| 02252 / 02251 | New Delhi – Patna Festival Special | Selected Days Weekly |
| 04022 / 04021 | New Delhi – Gorakhpur Special | Reserved Daily Trips |
| 04058 / 04057 | Anand Vihar Terminal – Chhapra Special | Weekly Express |
| 04096 / 04095 | Anand Vihar – Patliputra Express | Sun to Wed |
| 04072 | New Delhi – Supaul Special | Sun to Wed |
| 04209 / 04210 | Varanasi – Delhi Special (via Lucknow) | Mon, Wed, Fri |
| 04213 / 04214 | Ayodhya Cantt – Anand Vihar Special | Regular Festive Schedule |
For additional details on eastern connectivity, check our updated guide on Train Cancellations & Rescheduling Updates to avoid last-minute transit surprises.
2. Mumbai, Western & Central Railway Special Trains
Connecting Maharashtra and Gujarat to northern and eastern cities, Central Railway and Western Railway are running dedicated services to prevent overcrowding.
| Train No. | Train Name & Route | Frequency / Operating Days |
| 01079 / 01080 | CSMT Mumbai – Gorakhpur Special | Daily Services |
| 01123 / 01124 | LTT Mumbai – Mau Special Express | Bi-Weekly (Fri, Sun) |
| 02139 / 02140 | CSMT Mumbai – Nagpur Superfast | Weekly (Saturdays) |
| 01015 / 01016 | CSMT Mumbai – Chennai AC Special | Weekly (Wednesdays) |
| 12205 / 12206 | Sabarmati BG – Varanasi Junction Superfast | Daily Service |
3. Southern & Eastern Special Connectivity
| Train No. | Train Name & Route | Frequency / Operating Days |
| 02841 / 02842 | Shalimar – Chennai Beach Special | Weekly Festive Trips |
| 06075 / 06076 | Tambaram – Santragachi Festival Special | Weekly (Tuesdays/Wednesdays) |
| 06211 / 06212 | Mysuru – Darbhanga Weekly Special | Weekly Express |
| 07371 / 07372 | SSS Hubballi – Khatipura (Jaipur) Express | Weekly (Saturdays) |
How to Book Diwali Special Train Tickets Online
Booking a seat on special trains follows standard reservation procedures through official portals:
- Log into the official IRCTC Booking Portal or open the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Enter your source station, destination, and journey date.
- Check the box for “Flexible with Date” or select the Festival Special filter to view available special trains.
- Fill in passenger details and proceed to the checkout screen.
- Pay seamlessly using digital methods; review our latest rule breakdown on IRCTC UPI Ticket Booking Rules to confirm how processing fees apply for ticket purchases.
- Verify your real-time booking confirmation on the official National Train Enquiry System (NTES) portal.
Important Travel Guidelines for Passengers
- Dynamic Fare Applicability: Certain special trains run under the “Special Fare” category, where ticket prices may differ slightly from regular mail/express services.
- Tatkal & Premium Tatkal Limits: Tatkal quota seats on festival special trains open 24 hours prior to departure at 10:00 AM (AC classes) and 11:00 AM (Non-AC classes).
- Unreserved Travel: Passengers travelling via general unreserved coaches must acquire UTS app tickets or physical counter tokens prior to boarding.