Diwali 2026 Train Booking Opens September 6: Railways Urges Passengers to Book Early

New Delhi: Advance train ticket reservations for the Diwali 2026 travel rush will begin on September 6, as Indian Railways prepares for a sharp increase in passenger demand during the festive season. Diwali will be celebrated on November 8 this year. Under the Railways’ Advance Reservation Period (ARP) rules, passengers can book tickets up to 60 days before their journey, excluding the day of travel. Reservations will open at 8 AM.

Railways has advised passengers to plan their journeys well in advance and secure tickets early to avoid the last-minute rush. Advance booking, it said, can help travellers plan their trips more conveniently and ensure a smoother journey.

Several routes are expected to witness heavy demand during the festive period, including Delhi-Patna, Mumbai-Patna, Howrah-Patna, Patna-Ahmedabad, Patna-Udhna, Bengaluru-Patna, Varanasi-Delhi, Kanpur-Delhi, Chennai-Patna, Hyderabad-Patna and Delhi-Gorakhpur, among others.

To handle the expected surge in passengers, Indian Railways has also announced special festival trains on several routes. These additional services are aimed at providing more travel options and easing pressure on regular trains during the Diwali season.