Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of India’s biggest and most celebrated festivals. It marks Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya and the victory of light over darkness. It is also a time when people travel home to celebrate with their families, light diyas, share sweets, and enjoy the festivities together.
As Diwali gets closer, demand for train tickets increases. will open in September. If you are travelling for the festival, check the Diwali train booking start dates so you can book early and have a better chance of getting a seat.
With Diwali 2026 falling on November 8, passengers have already started planning their journeys, and IRCTC train ticket bookings for Diwali travel dates are open since September 6, 2026, allowing travellers to book their journeys in advance.
Diwali Train Tickets
Indian Railways allows you to book reserved train tickets up to 60 days before your journey date. This means you have to check the Diwali date 2026 and decide when you want to travel, as the Diwali train booking start date will depend on your journey date.
For instance, Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8th November. Train ticket bookings for this date will open on Wednesday, 9th September at 8:00 AM.
Here are the Diwali train booking start dates depending on when you wish to travel:
| Travel Date | Booking Opens |
| Thursday 5th November 2026 | Sunday 6th September 2026 |
| Friday 6th November 2026 (Dhanteras) | Monday 7th September 2026 |
| Saturday 7th November 2026 | Tuesday 8th September 2026 |
| Sunday 8th November 2026 (Diwali) | Wednesday 9th September 2026 |
| Monday 9th November 2026 | Thursday 10th September 2026 |
| Tuesday 10th November 2026 | Friday 11th September 2026 |
| Wednesday 11th November 2026 (Bhai Dooj for return) | Saturday 12th September 2026 |
| Thursday 12th November 2026 (return) | Sunday 13th September 2026 |
Note down these Diwali booking start dates and book your train tickets with redRail as soon as bookings open. If your chosen train has no seats, check another train, travel date, or class. You can also check for announcements about Diwali Special trains that may run during the festival.
Indian Railways Announces Festival Special Trains 2026
To manage the expected rush, railways have announced Diwali special trains on several busy routes. Passengers have several options, including special services on Delhi, Chandigarh, Firozpur and Rishikesh routes.
Here’s a Diwali trains list:
| Train Name & Number | Departure | Arrival | Days Of Operation |
| Varanasi–Delhi Festival Special (04209) | 10:15 PM | 01:45 PM | Monday, Wednesday, Friday |
| Ayodhya Cantt–Anand Vihar Festival Special (04213) | 06:20 PM | 06:10 AM | Thursday, Sunday |
| Chandigarh–Patna Festival Special (04512) | 11:35 PM | 09:15 PM | Thursday |
| Firozpur Cantt–Patna Festival Special (04616) | 12:00 PM | 06:35 PM | Tuesday |
| Dadar–Hazrat Nizamuddin AC Festival Special (04001) | 12:15 AM | 09:35 PM | Thursday |
| Varanasi–Chandigarh AC Festival Special (04227) | 11:05 AM | 04:20 AM | Thursday, Sunday |
| Anand Vihar–Jogbani Festival Special (04008) | 08:30 AM | 03:00 PM | Selected dates |
| Anand Vihar–Muzaffarpur Festival Special (04028) | 09:15 AM | 04:30 AM | Selected dates |
| Anand Vihar–Kanpur Central Festival Special (02458) | 08:20 AM | 01:15 PM | Selected dates |
| Anand Vihar–Patliputra Festival Special (04096) | 12:05 AM | 11:00 PM | Daily |
Note: The reservation window is limited, so travellers should avoid waiting until the last moment, particularly on popular routes.
Why Book With redRail?
Once you finalise your travel dates, you can use redRail to find and book your Diwali train tickets. redRail lets you check available trains, seat availability, and booking details in one place, making it easier to plan your Diwali train journey.
Here are some useful benefits you can enjoy on redRail when booking Diwali trains:
- Quick Train Search: Enter your source and destination stations to find Diwali trains for your route and travel date.
- Check Seat Availability: Check seat availability in AC, Sleeper, and other classes before booking.
- PNR Updates: Check the current train ticket status of your waitlisted or RAC train ticket.
- Live Train Tracking: Check the live running status of your Diwali train and stay updated about any delays.
- Easy Online Booking: Complete your IRCTC train ticket booking online and pay securely.
- Diwali Special Trains: Check all Diwali Special trains available on your route during the festive season.
- redDeals: Save more on your Diwali train tickets with exciting redDeals and festive discounts.
Conclusion
Diwali train tickets can sell out early, especially for dates just before and after the festival. If your travel dates are fixed, booking when tickets open can help you get a confirmed seat and avoid long waiting lists.
You can use redRail to book your tickets early, select preferred seats, and plan your Diwali train journey in advance before the festive rush starts.
FAQs
- When will Diwali train ticket booking start for 2026?
Advance reservations for journeys during the Diwali period opened from September 6, 2026, at 8 AM.
2. How can I check the Diwali trains list?
You can check the latest train schedules, running dates and availability through government railway booking platforms or authorised platforms like redRail before making their travel plans.
3. Why should I book my train early for Diwali?
Festive travel usually sees high demand on popular routes. Booking early gives passengers a better chance of finding a suitable train, class and travel date.
