Diwali-Chhath Special Trains 2026: Tickets May Be Available on These Routes, Check Train Numbers and Vacant Berths

Diwali-Chhath Train Ticket Update 2026: Planning to travel home for Diwali or Chhath Puja but struggling to find a confirmed railway ticket? Indian Railways has arranged thousands of special train trips to manage the increased passenger demand during the festive season.

Passengers travelling between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana and other states may find additional booking options through these services.

According to a Live Hindustan report published on October 30, 2026, Indian Railways had notified 8,454 special train trips by October 13 for the festive period. Additional coaches have also been attached to certain regular trains.

However, passengers should understand that the announcement of special trains does not guarantee ticket availability. Vacant berths depend on the train, travel date, class and booking demand.

Indian Railways Announces 8,454 Special Train Trips

Indian Railways has made arrangements to accommodate increased passenger traffic between October 1 and November 30, 2026.

During this period, approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips were planned, alongside additional festival services.

The special trains are intended to provide more travel options on busy routes, particularly those connecting major cities with destinations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The railway authorities may announce further services depending on passenger demand and operational requirements.

Diwali-Chhath Special Train Trips: State-Wise Details

The reported distribution of notified special train trips includes the following:

These figures represent notified train trips, not the number of separate trains or currently available seats.

A single special train operating on multiple dates can account for several trips.

Delhi to Varanasi Special Train 2026

Passengers travelling between Delhi and Varanasi can check the special services announced for the festive period.

Train 04209

Special train

Varanasi

Origin

Delhi

Destination

Reported operating days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday on notified dates.

Train 04210

Return service

Delhi

Varanasi

Reported operating days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday on notified dates.

The reported accommodation includes AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper and general classes.

Travellers should confirm the operating dates, departure times and booking status before making arrangements.

Ayodhya Cantt to Anand Vihar Special Train

Another option is the special service connecting Ayodhya Cantt with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.

The service was announced for specified dates during the October–November festive travel period.

Passengers travelling to Ayodhya and nearby areas may consider this service when regular trains are fully booked.

The actual availability of tickets must be checked for the intended journey date.

Kanpur to Bengaluru Special Train 2026

Indian Railways has also announced a special service connecting Kanpur Central with SMVT Bengaluru.

The reported route includes important stations such as Prayagraj, Satna, Itarsi, Nagpur, Vijayawada and Nellore.

This train may be useful for passengers travelling between northern and southern India.

As with other festival services, the timetable applies only to notified operating dates.

Special Trains to Delhi: Previously Reported Vacant Berths

South Central Railway had earlier published information about available berths on certain special trains operating from Charlapalli in Telangana to Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi.

The following figures were included in the reported availability list:

Important: These are historical availability figures from an earlier railway list. They are not live ticket availability as of October 30, 2026.

Passengers should search for the relevant train and date on IRCTC to determine whether seats remain available.

Bihar Special Trains: Danapur and Sasaram Routes

Travellers heading to Bihar may also check special trains from Charlapalli to Danapur and Sasaram.

The previously published berth availability figures are given below.

These numbers may have changed because reservations are continuously updated as passengers book or cancel tickets.

A previously available berth should never be treated as a confirmed booking opportunity without checking the latest status.

How to Check Vacant Berths on IRCTC

Passengers can check special train availability through the official Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or application.

Check train ticket availability

Enter your journey details to prepare an IRCTC search.

Departure station

Destination station

Travel date10/11/26

Open IRCTC Booking

The official IRCTC website will open. Enter the selected details there to check live availability and book tickets.

Alternatively, follow these steps directly on the IRCTC website:

1. Open the official IRCTC website or mobile application.

2. Enter the departure station and destination.

3. Select the intended journey date.

4. Search the available trains, including special services.

5. Choose a suitable travel class, such as sleeper, AC 3-tier or AC 2-tier.

6. Check the current berth availability or waiting-list position.

7. Verify the train number, route, date and fare before proceeding with payment.

Passengers can also enquire at authorised railway reservation counters.

What to Do if Confirmed Tickets Are Not Available

During major festivals, popular routes may experience high booking demand.

If your preferred train is fully booked, consider checking another date or a different travel class.

Passengers may also search for trains departing from nearby major stations, provided the alternative is practical and safe.

Special trains sometimes operate on routes or dates that differ from regular services, so searching only familiar train numbers may cause travellers to miss additional options.

Where applicable, passengers can also check current Tatkal booking rules and eligibility.

However, Tatkal tickets are subject to availability and do not guarantee a confirmed berth.

Important Rules for Waiting-List Tickets

Passengers should understand the difference between confirmed, RAC and waiting-list bookings.

A confirmed ticket provides an allotted reservation according to the booking status.

RAC generally permits travel with shared accommodation arrangements until a full berth becomes available, subject to railway rules.

A fully waitlisted e-ticket that remains waitlisted after chart preparation is normally cancelled automatically, and the passenger cannot travel using that ticket.

Therefore, passengers should always verify their final booking status before boarding.

Festival Travel 2026: Check for Weather-Related Disruptions

Passengers should also monitor railway announcements regarding delays, cancellations and route changes.

Heavy rainfall and severe weather can affect railway operations in some regions.

Those travelling through areas experiencing adverse weather should check the latest train running status before leaving for the station.

For official train enquiries, passengers can use the National Train Enquiry System at Indian Railways NTES.

Diwali-Chhath Special Trains 2026: Latest Advice for Passengers

Indian Railways' additional festival services offer more options for passengers travelling across the country during the October–November festive period.

The announced special trains connect major destinations such as Delhi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Bengaluru, Danapur and Sasaram.

Some services previously had hundreds of vacant berths, but availability can change quickly.

The key takeaway: If you cannot find a confirmed ticket on your preferred train, check the announced festival special trains, nearby travel dates and alternative classes. Always confirm live berth availability and the latest train schedule on IRCTC before booking.

Source Credit: : IRCTC Ticket Booking and Indian Railways Train Enquiry.