Holi Special Trains List 2026: 18 Extra Trains Announced, Check Full Schedule

Holi Special Trains List 2026: Holi, the festival of colors, is just around the corner, and the struggle to return home has begun for those living abroad. Regular trains, especially those bound for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, and Odisha, are now running out of space. In response to this massive rush and the long waiting lists, Indian Railways has taken the bold decision to run nine pairs of Holi special trains, totaling 18.

These trains will run between February 22 and March 30, 2026. If you too want to celebrate Holi with your loved ones this time, check the schedules of these special trains and secure your seat immediately, as a confirmed ticket during the festive season is like a jackpot.

The Railways has carefully selected routes this time to directly benefit passengers traveling from Delhi, Gujarat, and South India to North India. Puri-Patna Special trains number 08439 and 08440 will operate via Kharagpur, Asansol, Jhajha, and Kiul, departing from Puri every Saturday from February 28 to March 28, and from Patna every Sunday. Similarly, Udhna-Hasanpur Road Special trains number 09031 and 09032 will depart from Udhna via DDU, Patliputra, Hajipur, and Muzaffarpur every Sunday from February 22 to March 29, and will return on Mondays.

For those traveling from South India, the Charlapalli-Raxaul Special train will run via Ranchi, Bokaro, Dhanbad, and Barauni, while the Gandhidham-Bhagalpur Special will provide direct connectivity between Gujarat and Bihar, departing from Gandhidham every Friday. For those traveling to and from Delhi from West Bengal, special trains from Dankuni and Malda to Anand Vihar will operate during the first and second weeks of March.

Trains between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are the most crowded during Holi. Keeping this in mind, the Railways has decided to run special trips between Sealdah-Gorakhpur and Asansol-Gorakhpur. Furthermore, the Gandhidham-Bhagalpur special train will prove to be a lifeline for workers traveling from Gujarat to Bihar, making long-distance travel easier.

These trains will not only reduce congestion at stations but also provide passengers with the opportunity to travel safely, avoiding long waiting lists. The Railways clearly states that the primary purpose of these special trains is to ensure smooth travel for passengers during the festival season and prevent untoward incidents like stampedes at stations, ensuring everyone can safely reach their families.

Indian Railways has warned passengers in advance that demand is extremely high during Holi, so waiting until the last minute can be costly. Seats for Holi special trains fill up quickly once booking opens, so it’s wise to book yours today. Passengers can book tickets from the comfort of their homes through the IRCTC’s official website or mobile app, without any rush.

If you’re not comfortable with online booking, you can also book tickets at your nearest railway station’s reservation counter. The biggest advantage of these special trains is that they offer a much higher chance of getting a confirmed seat than regular trains, eliminating the stress of travel.