The annual scramble for train tickets during the festival season is a familiar challenge. To ease the massive rush for Diwali and other festivals, Indian Railways has announced a host of special trains originating from Mumbai.
Why These Special Trains Are Crucial
Every year, millions of people
travel from major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai to their hometowns to celebrate festivals such as Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja with their families. This results in an unprecedented surge in demand for train tickets, with reservations on popular routes filling up months in advance. To manage this extraordinary rush and provide confirmed berths to as many passengers as possible, both Central and Western Railways introduce special train services. For 2026, Central Railway alone has announced 418 special services to connect Mumbai with destinations across several states, aiming to provide a more comfortable and seamless journey for holiday travellers. These trains are a lifeline for those who couldn't secure a ticket on regular services, helping to clear long waitlists and ensure people can get home for the celebrations.
Central Railway's Key Routes from Mumbai
Central Railway (CR) has rolled out an extensive schedule of special trains from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to various high-demand destinations. A major focus is on connectivity to Uttar Pradesh, with daily special trains (01079/01080) running between CSMT and Gorakhpur from mid-October to mid-November. For travellers heading south, a weekly AC special service (01015/01016) will connect CSMT with Chennai Beach between October 14 and November 19. Another weekly AC special (01013/01014) will run between CSMT and SMVT Bengaluru on Saturdays from October 10 to November 21. Within Maharashtra, several services have been announced. These include a bi-weekly special between CSMT and Latur (01105/01106) operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 13 to November 24. Additionally, a weekly superfast special (02139/02140) will operate between CSMT and Nagpur, and another weekly service will connect CSMT with Kolhapur.
Services to Kerala and Southern Routes
Recognising the significant number of travellers heading to Kerala, Indian Railways has announced weekly special trains between Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli). Train number 01463 will depart from LTT on Thursdays between October 15 and November 19, travelling via the scenic Konkan railway route. The return service, train number 01464, will depart from Thiruvananthapuram on Saturdays. These trains are a significant relief for the Malayali community in Mumbai and tourists heading to Goa and other coastal destinations. The composition includes a mix of AC 3-tier, Sleeper Class, and General Second-Class coaches to cater to different budgets. In addition to the Kerala service, the weekly special train from CSMT to Chennai will provide crucial connectivity to Tamil Nadu, with key stops including Pune, Solapur, Guntakal, and Renigunta.
How to Book Your Tickets
Booking for most of these special festival trains commenced on September 27, 2026. Passengers are strongly advised to book their tickets as early as possible due to the extremely high demand. Tickets for these services come with special charges, which is standard for festival trains. The primary and most convenient way to book is through the official Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website (irctc.co.in) or its official mobile app. Alternatively, tickets can also be purchased at any computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter at railway stations. It is essential to travel with a valid, confirmed ticket to avoid any inconvenience during your journey. For real-time updates on train schedules, timings, and potential delays, passengers should use the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) portal or the RailOne app.
