The Big Picture: Over 100 Special Trains
To accommodate the massive surge in travel for Onam, which culminates with Thiruvonam on August 26, 2026, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that more than 100 special train services will be operated. This is welcome news for the lakhs of
people who travel to their hometowns in Kerala to celebrate with family. These special services are intended to connect Kerala with major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi, easing the pressure on regularly scheduled trains where waitlists often run into the hundreds. Southern Railway has already started notifying some of these services, including new trains on the Mangaluru-Chennai Egmore and Thiruvananthapuram-Tambaram routes, with bookings opening in early July. While this early planning is a positive step, the full schedule and routes for all 100+ trains will be released in phases.
Where to Find Official Announcements
In the age of social media, misinformation can spread faster than a superfast express. Rumours about new trains, fake schedules, and unofficial booking links often circulate on WhatsApp and Telegram, creating confusion and risk. To make informed decisions, it is crucial to rely only on official sources for information. The most reliable places to get updates on Onam special trains are the Indian Railways and IRCTC official websites (indianrail.gov.in and irctc.co.in). The National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app is another essential tool for real-time information. Furthermore, follow the official X (formerly Twitter) handles of the Ministry of Railways and zonal railways like Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) for press releases and new train announcements. Remember, an official notification will always include the specific train number, its complete schedule, and the exact date and time when reservations will open.
Booking Securely: Your Safest Options
When it comes time to book, your safest and most reliable options are the official IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) and the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app. While many third-party apps and websites offer booking services, the festival rush is a prime time for fraudulent sites to appear. These fake portals can mimic the look of the official IRCTC page to steal your personal and financial information. If you prefer to book through an agent, ensure they are an authorized IRCTC agent. A key way to verify this is by checking your ticket after it's issued. Tickets booked by authorized agents will clearly display the agent's name and agency details on the printout. If the ticket is marked for 'Normal User,' it means it was booked using a personal ID, which is illegal for commercial purposes and could cause issues during your journey.
Red Flags: Common Festival Scams to Avoid
Desperation for a confirmed ticket during festival season makes travellers vulnerable to scams. One of the most common ploys involves fraudsters on social media promising a 'guaranteed' or 'tatkal' ticket for a premium price. They often ask for an advance payment through UPI and then disappear or provide a counterfeit e-ticket. These fake tickets, often sent as a PDF, may look authentic but are not registered in the Indian Railways system, leaving you stranded at the station. Another trap is phishing, where you receive a link promising access to a special quota or a discounted fare, which leads to a fake payment gateway. At the station itself, be wary of individuals who approach you claiming your ticket is invalid or the train is cancelled, and then offer to guide you to an alternative 'official' booking office, which is invariably an overpriced, unauthorized agency.
Know Your Ticket: Waitlists and Special Charges
It is important to note that 'special trains' operate with a different fare structure. Tickets on these services often include a 'special charge', making them more expensive than tickets for the same class on a regular train. This is a dynamic pricing model used by Railways to manage high demand. Even with over 100 additional trains, the demand for tickets to Kerala during Onam is immense, and securing a confirmed berth can still be challenging. If you have a waitlisted ticket, monitor its PNR status regularly using only the official IRCTC or NTES platforms. Avoid third-party PNR status websites that may be riddled with ads or phishing attempts. Planning your return journey well in advance is equally important, as demand for tickets out of Kerala will be extremely high in the days immediately following the festival.
