Holi is one of India’s biggest festivals, and every year millions travel home via rail — especially to states like Bihar. But train tickets can get hard to find. Here’s your complete checklist.
🔥 1. festival Rush Means High Demand — Act Early!
During holi travel season, trains going to Bihar and neighbouring states fill up very fast. Many regular trains have seats fully booked even weeks before the festival, and waiting lists can be very long.
🚆 2. Special holi Trains Help Ease the Crowd
To handle the surge, Indian Railways runs Holi‑special trains on busy routes — including connections to Patna, Danapur, muzaffarpur and other bihar stations.
These trains run on selected dates in March around the holi weekend.
They include various classes (Sleeper, 3A, 2A, etc.).
🎟️ 3. Some Routes Still Have Seats Open
Despite heavy bookings on regular trains, special trains may still have available berths on certain dates or sections — like from Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, muzaffarpur, Rajgir and Ara.
Seats in special trains can vary day by day, so check availability often.
📅 4. Best Times to Book Your Tickets
Book as soon as the reservation window opens (usually 120 days before travel).
For festival travel, many people try booking even earlier.
Special trains are usually announced weeks in advance — track them for extra options.
📱 5. How to Check train Seat Availability on Mobile
You can check and book tickets easily using these methods:
IRCTC App or Website — the official platform for reservations.
Paytm or other ticketing apps — quick seat check and booking.
NTES (National train Enquiry System) App — for live seat availability and train status.
Visit your nearest railway reservation counter if online isn’t working.
🔄 6. Waitlist & Tatkal: Alternatives When Seats Are Full
If all berths are booked, you may get a waitlisted ticket — but it’s not confirmed.
Tatkal quota tickets open one day before departure and often sell out fast too.
Booking early is key — waiting lists can get long quickly during festival rush.
🛤️ 7. Tips to Improve Your Chances of a Confirmed Ticket
✔ Try multiple routes or nearby stations instead of only popular ones.
✔ Check for special train schedules and book those first.
✔ Consider traveling a day earlier or later than peak festival day.
✔ Book e‑tickets online — it’s faster than counter booking.
📍 8. Real Situation: Seats Still a Challenge
Even with special trains, many passengers have found regular trains extremely full and difficult to book — especially on UP‑Bihar routes during holiday season.
So planning ahead and frequent availability checks can make a big difference.
🧭 9. Stay Updated for Last‑Minute Runs
Railways often announce additional special trains or extra coaches closer to holi to meet demand. Keep an eye on:
📌 Official irctc updates
📌 Railway social media / notifications
📌 train enquiry apps (NTES / RailYatri)
✨ Final Tip
Don’t wait until the last minute — start checking availability early, set alerts on apps, and consider special trains to secure your journey home for Holi.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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