Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates for 2026
Diwali in 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8. The entire festival spans five days, from Friday, November 6 (Dhanteras) to Tuesday, November 10 (Bhai Dooj). This means the peak travel rush will begin a few days before November 6 and continue until a few days after
November 10. The most sought-after travel dates will likely be from November 4 to November 7 for the journey home, and from November 9 to November 12 for the return trip. Planning your travel on dates slightly outside this core window, if possible, can significantly increase your chances of getting a ticket.
The 60-Day Booking Window
Indian Railways has revised its advance reservation period (ARP) to 60 days, excluding the day of the journey. This is a critical change from the previous 120-day window. To book a ticket for November 6, 2026, you will need to log in to the IRCTC portal or visit a reservation counter in early September. Bookings for most trains open at 8:00 AM. For the highest-demand festive routes, tickets in popular classes can be sold out within minutes. It is essential to be ready with all passenger details and payment methods exactly when the booking window opens.
India's Busiest Festive Corridors
During Diwali, the demand for train tickets surges on specific routes, primarily connecting major metropolitan cities with states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. Historically, some of the most congested routes include Delhi to Patna, Delhi to Lucknow, Delhi to Varanasi, Mumbai to Varanasi, and Kolkata to Patna. These routes see a massive exodus of people returning home for the festival. The Northern Railway and East Central Railway zones typically experience the highest traffic, operating hundreds of special train services to manage the demand. If your travel plans involve these corridors, extreme vigilance during the booking period is necessary.
Backup Plan 1: Look for Special Trains
To manage the festive rush, Indian Railways announces numerous 'Special Trains' every year. These services are often introduced for high-demand routes and their schedules are announced a few weeks before the festival period. For Diwali 2026, these announcements are expected to start appearing in late September and October. Travellers should regularly check the IRCTC website and press releases from zonal railways for updates on these special services. Routes connecting major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Ayodhya, and Patna are often covered by these additional trains.
Backup Plan 2: The Tatkal Scheme
For those unable to secure a ticket 60 days in advance, the Tatkal scheme offers a last-minute window. Tatkal bookings open one day before the train's departure from its originating station. The window for AC classes opens at 10:00 AM, while for non-AC classes like Sleeper, it opens at 11:00 AM. Securing a Tatkal ticket is highly competitive and requires speed. It's advisable to have an IRCTC account with pre-saved passenger details to fill the form quickly. Aadhaar authentication of your IRCTC account is also a key requirement for online Tatkal bookings. While Tatkal tickets come with an extra charge and have refund restrictions, they can be a lifesaver for urgent travel plans.
