Holi is one of the most awaited and vibrant festivals of India. Every year, millions of people travel to their hometowns to celebrate Holi with their loved ones, leading to heavy demand on several railway routes before and after the festival. This seasonal rush often results in full bookings and long waiting lists.
To manage the surge in travel during Holi, Indian Railways regularly operates special trains to ensure smoother and more accessible journeys for passengers.
In line with this approach, Indian Railways has announced special train services for Holi 2026 to meet the anticipated festive travel demand. This guide explains how the Holi special trains are planned for 2026.
Holi 2026: Railways to Run More Than 1,400 Special Trains
Indian Railways recently announced extensive plans for Holi special trains, setting a new record. Here’s what stands out this year.
- What’s New This Year
In 2026, Indian Railways plans to operate more than 1,410 Holi Special Trains (the total may reach 1,500). March 2026 is expected to see a significant surge in Holi travel, and special operational arrangements have been planned to manage this demand effectively.
This proactive approach is expected to balance passenger traffic across major routes that traditionally witness huge crowds during Holi.
- Comparison with Last Year
The number of Holi 2026 special trains marks a record high. During Holi 2025, Indian Railways operated 1,144 special trains.
This represents an increase of over 23% compared to last year, which will assist travellers by improving seat availability and making bookings easier. The higher number of special trains also reflects rising passenger demand and Indian Railways’ capacity to respond to festive travel requirements.
Zone-wise Breakdown
To address region-specific travel needs, Indian Railways has distributed Holi 2026 special trains across multiple zones. It is done to ensure the specific needs of every region are met. The zone-wise allocation is as follows:
| Railway Zone | Number of Trains |
| Central Railway (CR) | 209 |
| Western Railway (WR) | 231 |
| East Central Railway (ECR) | 285 |
| South Central Railway (SCR) | 160 |
| Northern Railway (NR) | 108 |
| North Western Railway (NWR) | 71 |
| North Central Railway (NCR) | 66 |
| East Coast Railway (ECOR) | 62 |
| South Western Railway (SWR) | 47 |
| West Central Railway (WCR) | 43 |
| Southern Railway (SR) | 39 |
| South East Central Railway (SECR) | 15 |
| Konkan Railway (KR) | 9 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) | 2 |
East Central Railway has the highest allocation of 285 trains, highlighting strong travel demand across eastern and north-central regions during Holi. Western, Central, and South Central Railways have also been allotted a substantial number of trains.
Tips for Travellers
Keep these points in mind if you are planning to travel during Holi:
- Holi special trains will only operate during March, depending on the surge of demand
- Booking train tickets in advance is recommended due to heavy festive demand
- You can book your railway tickets for Holi through redRail easily
Passenger Convenience & Safety
Indian Railways continues to focus on providing a safe, comfortable, and convenient travel experience to passengers during the Holi festival season. Operating several special trains is just one way to facilitate the festival rush smoothly while maintaining high service standards.
Besides addressing overcrowding, additional train services increase ticket availability and help ease pressure on regular trains. Furthermore, they also allow efficient crowd management at stations. The careful scheduling and zone-wise distribution demonstrate Indian Railways’ aim to ensure smoother travel for millions of passengers across the country in March 2026.
Train bookings for Holi 2026 are now open! Book a railway ticket onhassle-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When are Holi Special Trains 2026 tickets going to be available?
Indian Railways generally announces booking timelines for Holi special trains a few days before the travel dates. Passengers are advised to monitor official updates regularly. Platforms like redRail also provide timely updates on ticket availability.
- Will Holi Special Trains be running both before and after the festival days?
Yes, Holi Special Trains are typically planned to facilitate passenger flow both before and after the festival day. This includes both outbound and return journeys.
- Are these special trains part of the normal timetable schedules?
No, Holi special trains are not part of the regular timetable. Trains may only run on certain dates rather than following daily timetables like normal trains.
- Will fare prices for Holi Special Trains be higher than normal trains?
Fares for special trains are decided by Indian Railways and may vary depending on the service type. Any fare-related details are announced during ticket booking.
- Can passengers expect reserved seating on all Holi Special Trains?
Most Holi Special Trains operate with reserved classes. However, availability may vary by train and route.
- Are Holi Special Trains only long-distance services?
Most special trains are meant for long-distance routes, but occasionally services operate in medium-distance corridors. It mainly depends on the local demand.
- Will additional coaches be attached to existing trains apart from special services?
Indian Railways often uses a combination of special trains and capacity augmentation, though specific coach additions are announced separately.
- How can passengers identify a Holi Special Train while booking tickets?
Typically, during booking, you can find the Holi Special Trains clearly marked as “Special”.
- Are these trains operated across all days in March 2026?
Holi special trains are scheduled around peak travel dates in March 2026 and may not run throughout the entire month. - What should passengers do if tickets are still unavailable despite special trains?
Passengers should continue to check availability, as Indian Railways may announce additional services or seats if demand increases.
