Holi is not just the festival of colors; it’s also one of India’s busiest travel periods. Millions of people travel back to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends. Regular trains often sell out weeks in advance, leaving travelers stressed and scrambling for tickets.
To meet this surge in demand, Indian Railways operates Holi Special Trains across multiple zones every year. These trains connect major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru with high-demand destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and beyond.
This guide will help you navigate all Holi Special Train options for 2026, including Western Railway’s confirmed trains, zone-wise routes, booking tips, and travel hacks.
What Are Holi Special Trains?
Holi Special Trains are temporary additional train services introduced to accommodate festive travel. Key features:
- Run on selected high-demand routes
- Operate for a limited period (mostly February–March)
- Offer AC, Sleeper, and General coaches
- May have slightly higher “festival fares”
These trains are a lifeline for travelers, reducing congestion on regular services.
Also Read: Can We Order Food in Train from Zomato?
Western Railway Announces Three Pairs of Holi Special Trains (March 2026)
Western Railway is running three pairs of special trains connecting Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
1) Bandra Terminus – Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Superfast Weekly Special
Train No. 02200 / 02199 (08 Trips)
02200: Bandra Terminus → Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi
- Departs Saturdays at 05:10 hrs
- Arrives Jhansi at 05:00 hrs next day
- Runs 07 – 28 March 2026
02199: Jhansi → Bandra Terminus
- Departs Thursdays at 16:50 hrs
- Arrives Bandra Terminus at 16:10 hrs next day
- Runs 05 – 26 March 2026
Major Halts: Borivali, Vapi, Udhna, Bharuch, Vadodara, Godhra, Dahod, Ratlam, Nagda, Ujjain, Maksi, Biyavra Rajgarh, Chachura Binaganj, Ruthiyai, Guna, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Dabra, Datia
Coaches: AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier (Economy), Sleeper, General
2) Bandra Terminus – Subedarganj Superfast Weekly Special
Train No. 04126 / 04125 (10 Trips)
- 04126: Departs Bandra Terminus Tuesdays at 11:15 hrs; reaches Subedarganj next day at 17:00 hrs
- 04125: Departs Subedarganj Mondays at 05:20 hrs; reaches Bandra Terminus next day at 09:30 hrs
- Runs 03 – 31 March 2026
Major Halts: Borivali, Vapi, Surat, Vadodara, Ratlam, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Gangapur City, Bayana, Rupbas, Fatehpur Sikri, Idgah Agra, Tundla, Etawah, Govindpuri, Fatehpur
Coaches: AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Tier (Economy), Sleeper, General
3) Asarva – Agra Cantt Special (5 Days a Week)
Train No. 01920 / 01919 (42 Trips)
- 01920: Departs Asarva at 14:50 hrs, runs all days except Tuesday & Wednesday; reaches Agra Cantt at 07:45 hrs next day
- 01919: Departs Agra Cantt at 18:10 hrs, runs all days except Monday & Tuesday; reaches Asarva at 11:10 hrs next day
Coaches: AC 3-Tier, Sleeper, General
Booking Opens: 11 February 2026 (via PRS counters & IRCTC)
Major Holi Special Train Routes Across India
Apart from Western Railway, Indian Railways is operating hundreds of Holi Special Trains connecting major hubs to popular destinations.
📍 From New Delhi / Anand Vihar
| Train No. | Route | Frequency / Dates | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04054 / 04053 | New Delhi – Barauni | Daily Feb 20 – Mar 10 | 19:50 |
| 04060 / 04059 | Anand Vihar – Saharsa | Bi-weekly (Mon & Fri) | 21:35 |
| 04066 / 04065 | Anand Vihar – Khurda Road | Feb 27 – Mar 3 | 00:30 |
| 04070 / 04069 | Anand Vihar – Sheikhpura | Feb 20, 24, 27 & Mar 3 | 00:20 |
| 04204 / 04203 | New Delhi – Lucknow | Feb 23 & Mar 2 | 20:20 |
| 04010 / 04009 | Delhi – Sitamarhi | Feb 26 & Mar 5 | 23:05 |
| 02595 | Anand Vihar – Gorakhpur AC Special | Mondays | Arrival 17:00 |
📍 From Mumbai / Pune / Western & Central Zones
| Train No. | Route | Key Dates / Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 04101 / 04102 | Prayagraj – LTT Mumbai | Periodic trips through March |
| 04151 / 04152 | Kanpur Central – LTT Mumbai | Weekly |
| 01922 / 01921 | VGL Jhansi – Pune | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| 09621 / 09622 | Ajmer – Bandra Terminus | Till Mar 30 |
| 04827 / 04828 | Bhagat Ki Kothi – Bandra (T) | Till Mar 29 |
📍 Eastern & North-Eastern Routes
- Sealdah – Gorakhpur (03131/03132): Feb 26, Mar 2, Mar 5
- Asansol – Gorakhpur (03527/03528): Mar 1
- Narangi – Gorakhpur (05633/05634): Every Thursday (Feb 19 – Mar 26)
- Katihar – Amritsar (05736/05735): Every Wednesday (Feb 18 – Mar 25)
Also Read: How to Book Food in Train: A Complete Guide
Zone-Wise Holi Special Train Breakdown
| Railway Zone | Code | No. of Special Trains | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Central | ECR | 285 | Bihar, Jharkhand, East UP |
| Western | WR | 231 | Gujarat, Maharashtra to North |
| Central | CR | 209 | Mumbai/Pune to UP/Bihar |
| South Central | SCR | 160 | Hyderabad/Bangalore to North |
| Northern | NR | 108 | Delhi/Punjab to UP/Bihar |
| South Western | SWR | 47 | Bangalore/Hubli to North |
| Southern | SR | 39 | Chennai/Kerala to North/East |
Key Trains by Zones
1️⃣ Northern Railway (NR)
- New Delhi – Barauni (04054/04053): Daily, major stops include Moradabad, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur
- Anand Vihar – Saharsa (04060/04059): Bi-weekly, AC/Sleeper/General
2️⃣ Central Railway (CR)
- LTT Mumbai – Gorakhpur (01123/01124): Weekly
- Pune – Kanpur (01443/01444): March 1–25
3️⃣ East Central Railway (ECR)
- Muzaffarpur – Ahmedabad (05269/05270): Weekly, extra GS coaches
- Patna – Anand Vihar Superfast (03255/03256): Thu & Sun / Mon & Fri
4️⃣ South Central / South Western Railway (SCR/SWR)
| Train No. | Route | Frequency / Key Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 02578 | Mysuru – Bengaluru – Darbhanga | Weekly |
| 03254 | SMVT Bengaluru – Patna (Humsafar) | Weekly |
| 05009 | Azamgarh – Yeshwantpur | Single Trip Feb 11–12 |
| 01477/01478 | Solapur – Anakapalle | Weekly Mar 6–28 |
| 04122 | Charlapalli – Subedarganj | Mar 7 |
5️⃣ Southern Railway (SR)
- Chennai Central – Santragachi (02842/02841)
- Ernakulam – Velankanni (06061/06062)
- Visakhapatnam – SMVT Bengaluru
6️⃣ East Coast & North Eastern
- Durg – Hazrat Nizamuddin (08751/08752)
- Kota – Danapur (09821/09822)
- Hapa – Naharlagun (09525/09526)
Also Read: How to Check Food Included in Vande Bharat Train Ticket
Booking Tips & Travel Advice
- Book early: PRS counters & IRCTC
- Tatkal quota: Use for last-minute travel
- Night trains: Ideal for long journeys
- Carry ID & essentials: Water, snacks, medicines
- Alternate transport: Buses or flights if special trains are full
Conclusion
Holi Special Trains 2026 are designed to make festive travel smooth and stress-free. With Western Railway’s three confirmed trains and hundreds of nationwide options, passengers have ample choices for every region. Plan early, book your seats, and get ready for a colorful Holi celebration with family and friends.
FAQ Section (Holi Special Trains 2026)
What are Holi Special Trains?
Holi Special Trains are temporary trains introduced by Indian Railways during the festival season to handle high passenger demand. They run on selected routes, usually with AC, Sleeper, and General coaches, for a limited period.
When do Holi Special Trains start in 2026?
Most Holi Special Trains for 2026 start from late February, with the peak period from early March until the last week of March.
How can I book Holi Special Train tickets?
Tickets can be booked through PRS counters at stations or online via IRCTC. Booking for Western Railway special trains opens from 11 February 2026.
Are Holi Special Trains more expensive?
Some Holi Special Trains may have slightly higher fares, called “festival fares,” depending on the distance, coach type, and demand. AC classes usually sell out first.