Diwali train ticket booking starts tomorrow: Railways advises passengers to plan early

Diwali Train Ticket Booking 2026: The train ticket booking for Diwali 2026 is set to begin tomorrow, September 6. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 8. As per Indian Railways' reservation rules, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train tickets opens 60 days before the date of journey, excluding the date of travel.

The ticket booking will start at 8 AM. In a statement, the national transporter urged passengers to book their tickets in advance and enjoy a hassle-free journey. It said advance reservation helps passengers plan their travel better and ensures a more comfortable journey.

"Diwali Advance Reservation Begins! Book your tickets from 6 September. Plan your journey early and avoid the last-minute rush," it said. Some of the busiest routes that usually see high demand for train tickets during the festive season include Delhi-Patna, Patna-Ahmedabad, Patna-Udhna, Mumbai-Patna, Howrah-Patna, Bengaluru-Patna, Firozpur-Patna, Varanasi-Delhi, Kanpur-Delhi, Ludhiana-Supaul, Ludhiana-Patna, Chennai-Patna, Hyderabad-Patna and Delhi-Gorakhpur, among others.

The Railways has also announced several festival special trains on various routes to provide passengers with additional travel options and ensure smooth movement during the upcoming festive season. Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways.

Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance.

In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com.

Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks.

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