The annual festive rush is here, and with it comes the challenge of finding a train ticket home. To ease the chaos, Indian Railways has announced hundreds of special trains from Mumbai for the Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja season.
Central Railway's Festive Timetable
Central Railway has
taken the lead by announcing 418 special train services to manage the passenger surge during the festive months of October and November 2026. These trains will connect major Mumbai terminals like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) with numerous destinations across the country, providing much-needed relief for those planning to travel for Puja, Diwali, and Chhath. The services are designed to cater to high-demand corridors, ensuring more people can travel home comfortably.
Key Routes to North India
For the thousands travelling towards North India, special services have been deployed. Additional bi-weekly trains will run between LTT and destinations like Mau and Banaras in Uttar Pradesh. To cater to the heavy rush for Gorakhpur, daily special services will also operate from Hadapsar. These trains will pass through key stations such as Bhusaval, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur Central, and Lucknow, significantly improving connectivity to the region during this peak season.
Services Towards South and Central India
Connectivity to the southern states has also been boosted. Central Railway will operate weekly AC special services between CSMT Mumbai and SMVT Bengaluru. These trains will halt at important stations including Pune, Miraj, Hubballi, and Davangere. For those heading to Chennai, a weekly AC special will run between CSMT and Chennai Beach, with stops at Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, and Renigunta. Furthermore, weekly superfast services are scheduled between CSMT and Nagpur, catering to passengers travelling within Maharashtra and to Central India.
Enhanced Connectivity Within Maharashtra
To serve passengers travelling within the state, Indian Railways has introduced several new services. A bi-weekly special train will connect CSMT Mumbai with Latur, running 13 trips in each direction between October and November. Key stops on this route include Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, and Daund. Additionally, weekly services will connect CSMT with Kolhapur, halting at Pune, Satara, and Sangli. Western Railway has also extended the trips of the Dadar-Bhusaval weekly special train until late November 2026, adding more options for intra-state travel.
How to Book Your Tickets
Booking for these special trains, which often have numbers starting with '0', can be done through the official IRCTC website, the IRCTC Rail Connect app, and at all computerised reservation counters. It is crucial to book as soon as reservations open, as these trains fill up exceptionally fast. Keep an eye on announcements from zonal railways, as special trains are often announced 15 to 30 days in advance. Fares for these services are typically higher than regular trains and may not include standard concessions.
Essential Travel and Booking Tips
To increase your chances of securing a confirmed ticket, be flexible with your travel dates and times. Searching for trains to nearby stations or considering a 'break journey'—booking tickets in two separate legs—can sometimes yield better results. If you have a waitlisted ticket, monitor your PNR status regularly, as many tickets get confirmed closer to the departure date. For real-time updates on train schedules and status, use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) app or the RailMadad helpline number 139.
