Festival Travel Planning With Indian Railways’ 1,244 Holi Specials
Holi week travel is already spiking on the busiest north and east corridors, and Indian Railways is responding with scale. For the 2026 season, the Railways will run 1,244 Holi Special train trips between 25 February and 18 March, aimed at clearing peak crowding and giving last-minute travellers a real shot at confirmed berths.
Where The Extra Trips Help Most And How To Plan Around Them
The official rollout is spread across zones, with East Central Railway operating the highest number of Holi specials (275 trips) and Northern Railway following with 204 trips, signalling heavy demand around Bihar–UP routes and Delhi’s long-distance departures. With Holi falling on 4 March 2026, expect the sharpest rush in the weekend before and the two days after, especially from Delhi, Mumbai, and major interchange stations.
Practical planning move: search your route using the special-train numbers listed in the Railways press note, then book through IRCTC as soon as a matching trip appears. If you are travelling with family, also check nearby terminals (for example, Anand Vihar vs New Delhi) because specials are often split across stations.
The Official Update To Watch
RailMinIndia has also shared the announcement on X, which is useful for quick date windows and zone-level snapshots when plans change.
On-The-Day Tools That Save Time
Before you leave, verify running status on NTES and keep your PNR open for quick checks at the station.
FAQs
1. When should I book Holi special trains?
Book on IRCTC early, choose flexible dates, and monitor availability for added Holi specials today.
2. How do I track delays on travel day?
Check NTES for live status, platform changes, and delays before leaving for the station.
3. Which routes see the heaviest Holi demand?
Most specials target Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Varanasi, and other key high-demand migrant corridors this season.
4. What should I keep ready at the station?
Carry ID, keep PNR handy, and arrive early to avoid last-minute crowd surges securely inside.
5. Can Railways add more specials if needed?
Yes, more trains can be added based on demand, so keep checking official updates daily.
