Indian Railways Announces Holi Special Trains 2026 for Bihar, Direct Service from Mumbai and Pune
If you are planning to go home to Bihar for Holi this year, there is finally some relief news for you. Indian Railways has announced a fresh list of special trains to handle the heavy festival rush. These trains will connect major industrial hubs like Pune, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Sri Ganganagar directly to cities in Bihar including Patna, Danapur, and Samastipur. The operations for these trains will continue throughout March 2026 to ensure everyone gets a chance to travel.
List of Key Holi Special Trains for 2026
To manage the crowd effectively, the East Central Railway and other zones are running hundreds of trips. Below is the schedule for some of the most important trains that you can book right now.
| Train Name & Route | Frequency & Dates |
|---|---|
| Pune – Danapur (01481/01482) | Feb 23, 27, Mar 2, 6 (From Pune) |
| Mumbai (LTT) – Danapur (01143/01144) | Daily service from Feb 21 to Mar 8 |
| Mumbai (LTT) – Samastipur (01043/01044) | Weekly (Departs Tuesdays: Feb 24, Mar 3) |
| Tata – Katihar (08181/08182) | 5 trips between Mar 2 and Mar 30 |
| Sri Ganganagar – Samastipur (04731/04732) | Daily operations from Mar 1 to Mar 31 |
| Gondia – Patna (08861/08862) | Departs Mar 2, Return Mar 3 |
Booking Status and Ticket Prices
Passengers should be aware that these are special trains, and the fare structure is different from regular mail or express trains. The tickets fall under ‘Todex’ charges, which means you will have to pay approximately 30% more than the usual fare. The booking for many of these trains, especially from Central Railway, opened on February 18, 2026. It is highly recommended to book your tickets immediately via the IRCTC app or website.
Reports suggest that waiting lists are already increasing for dates between March 1 and March 8. Regular premium trains like the Tejas Rajdhani and Sampoorna Kranti are already showing ‘No Room’ status. If you see a waitlist, keep checking the status, as railways often release more seats or run clone trains if the list exceeds 500 passengers.
Alternative Options if Trains are Full
If you are unable to secure a confirmed train ticket, there are a few other updates you should know. Airfares have spiked significantly, with flights to Patna costing between ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 during the Holi week. However, for shorter distances or connecting routes, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has announced 200 inter-state buses starting February 23. This will provide some relief to passengers traveling from neighboring states.