Indian Railways Announces Special Trains on Holi

The festival of colours is not just about joy and celebrations—it’s also one of the busiest travel seasons in India. Every year, millions of people travel to their hometowns to spend Holi with family and friends. To make this travel easier and more comfortable, Indian Railways has announced a major plan for Holi 2026, introducing more than 1,500 special trains across the country.

This is a significant boost compared to previous years, showing the Railways’ commitment to keeping journeys smooth and managing the festive travel rush. Let’s take a closer look at what the new Holi special train plan offers and how it will benefit passengers.

Why Are So Many Special Trains Being Launched?

During festivals like Holi, train bookings skyrocket, leading to crowded stations, long waiting lists, and full trains. Regular services alone can’t handle this surge in demand—so Indian Railways runs special trains on top of regular services to give travellers more options. These trains help reduce congestion on busy routes and increase the chances of getting confirmed tickets.

This year, the Railways expects huge passenger traffic between major states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, West Bengal, and other parts of India. That’s why they’ve planned to run around 1,410 special trains, with the possibility of this number reaching 1,500 services during the peak travel period in March.

Where Will These Special Trains Run?

The Holi special trains won’t be limited to a few routes. Instead, they are spread throughout the country to cover busy travel corridors and connect key cities. Passengers travelling from metro cities to smaller towns—as well as people returning home from work or college—will benefit from these extra services.

Some specific trains have already been announced on popular Holi travel routes, including trains running between:

• Delhi and eastern states like Bihar
  
  

• Kolkata/Hav­ra routes to northern cities
  
  

• Other busy connections where demand is traditionally high during Holi travel.
  
  

In addition, many zones, like East Central Railway (ECR), have announced extra pairs of trains, bringing more flexibility to passengers who may otherwise be stuck on waiting lists.

When Will the Holi Special Trains Operate?

Most of these special trains are scheduled to run from late February through March, covering the busiest travel days before and after the Holi festival. Many services start operating around 22 February and continue through 30 March 2026 or until the travel rush settles down.

This extended operation window helps passengers plan their trips more easily and reduces the pressure on regular train services.

Tips for Travellers During Holi Season

With so many special trains scheduled, here are a few useful pointers before you travel:

• Book tickets early: Special trains fill up fast, especially on popular routes during Holi.
  
  

• Check train schedules and seat availability: Use tools like RailMitra to find detailed timings and available seats.
  
  

• Plan your travel dates: Travelling a day or two before peak days can often improve your chances of confirmation.
  
  

RailMitra makes it easy to check train schedule and seat availability so you can make informed travel decisions without stress.

FAQs

Q1: Why is Indian Railways running 1500+ special trains for Holi?
To handle the increased travel demand during the festival, Indian Railways has scheduled extra trains so passengers have more options and better chances of confirmed tickets.

Q2: When will these Holi special trains run?
Most special trains are expected to operate from late February through March 2026.

Q3: How can I find the schedule for these special trains?
You can check the timings and routes of Holi special trains on RailMitra or official railway sites. Tools like RailMitra also show updated seat availability.

Q4: Should I book tickets early for Holi travel?
Yes, as demand is very high during festivals, booking early increases your chances of getting confirmed tickets.

See here full list of Holi Special Trains 2026: Zone-wise Distribution