Look for Festival Special Trains
Indian Railways anticipates the massive surge in passengers during the festive period and announces hundreds of special train services across the country. These 'Festival Special' or 'Puja Special' trains are deployed on high-demand routes connecting
major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. For Diwali 2026, various railway zones, including Northern, Southern, and Central Railways, have already announced numerous special services. Bookings for these trains typically open a few weeks before departure. Keep a close watch on the official IRCTC website, the NTES app, and railway-related news for announcements about new trains, routes, and schedules to grab a confirmed seat.
Master the Tatkal and Premium Tatkal Game
If you missed the 120-day advance booking window, the Tatkal and Premium Tatkal quotas are your next best bet for last-minute travel. Tatkal bookings for AC classes open at 10:00 AM, and for non-AC (Sleeper) classes at 11:00 AM, one day before the train's departure from its originating station. Success here requires speed. To improve your chances, keep all passenger details ready, use a fast and reliable internet connection, and have your payment method handy. Using the IRCTC wallet can also speed up the payment process. Remember that a maximum of four passengers can be booked on a single Tatkal PNR. For Premium Tatkal, fares are dynamic and increase as tickets are sold, but it can be a lifesaver when all other options are exhausted.
Utilise the 'Vikalp' Scheme
The Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS), popularly known as 'Vikalp', is a useful feature for waitlisted passengers. When booking a ticket, if you opt into the Vikalp scheme, Indian Railways can automatically allot you a confirmed seat in another train running on the same route. You can select up to seven alternate trains departing within 12 hours of your original train's scheduled departure. This service comes at no extra cost, and if a berth is allocated in an alternate train, you will receive an SMS notification. While it doesn't guarantee a confirmed ticket, it significantly increases your chances by widening the pool of available seats across multiple trains.
Try the Break-Journey Strategy
Sometimes, finding a direct train from your source to your destination is impossible. In such cases, consider a 'break journey'. This involves booking tickets in two separate legs. For instance, if you can't find a direct train from Delhi to Patna, you might find a confirmed ticket from Delhi to an intermediate station like Kanpur. From there, you can book a second ticket on another train to Patna. This method requires more planning and checking multiple train availabilities, but it often reveals confirmed seats on routes that appear fully booked for direct travel. Third-party apps can sometimes help identify these connecting routes.
Explore Alternatives Beyond the Rails
If the railways just aren't an option, it's time to look at other modes of transport. Inter-state bus services, including private luxury and Volvo buses, significantly ramp up their schedules during Diwali to manage the overflow of passengers. State transport corporations, like KSRTC in Kerala, also run numerous special services to major hubs. While last-minute flight tickets can be prohibitively expensive due to dynamic pricing, booking even a few weeks in advance might yield a manageable fare. Finally, carpooling services and outstation cabs have become a viable, albeit more expensive, alternative for many, offering comfort and door-to-door connectivity.
Monitor Your Waitlist and Be Flexible
If you are on a waiting list, don't give up immediately. A significant number of cancellations occur in the 72 hours leading up to the departure date. Use apps like ConfirmTkt or RailYatri to track your PNR status and predict the chances of confirmation. Flexibility can also be your biggest asset. If possible, try to travel a day or two before the peak festive dates. The heaviest rush is usually concentrated in the two to three days right before Diwali. Travelling on an unconventional day or at an odd hour, such as very early in the morning, can sometimes mean the difference between a waitlisted ticket and a confirmed berth.
