Diwali-Chhath Travel: Train Tickets Show ‘Regret’ as Flight Fares Cross ₹26,000

Post by : Saif

Festival travel to Bihar and Jharkhand is becoming increasingly difficult as passengers rush to book tickets for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Several popular trains are already showing long waiting lists or “Regret” status, while flight fares on important routes have risen sharply.

Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, 2026, followed by Chhath Puja from November 13 to 16. Large numbers of people living in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other cities are expected to travel to their hometowns in Bihar and Jharkhand during this period.

Popular Trains Show Regret Status

Passengers travelling from Delhi to Bihar are facing limited availability on several popular trains, including Tejas Rajdhani Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express, Vaishali Express, Purvanchal Express, Magadh Express and Amrit Bharat Express.

Several services are already showing heavy waiting lists or “Regret” status for important November dates. This means passengers who have not booked early may find it difficult to get confirmed seats on regular trains.

Routes from Mumbai and Hyderabad to Bihar are also facing heavy demand. Some services have already reached “Regret” status for selected dates.

Flight Fares Cross ₹26,000

Higher demand is also affecting airfares during the festival season.

Delhi-Patna economy fares for early November are reportedly ranging from around ₹8,000 to ₹13,000. Mumbai-Patna fares have crossed ₹16,000, while Hyderabad-Patna fares have gone above ₹23,000.

Delhi-Darbhanga fares are starting at around ₹9,000 and can rise to nearly ₹16,000. Mumbai-Ranchi fares have reached around ₹26,000, making air travel considerably more expensive for many families.

Railways Plans Special Trains

Indian Railways is preparing additional services to handle the expected Diwali and Chhath rush. According to the report, 16 pairs of special trains are planned for Bihar, with around 400 trips scheduled between October 1 and November 30.

Additional coaches may also be attached to regular trains depending on passenger demand.

More than 100 festival special services are also planned during the October-December period, connecting Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other states.

Read more: India Prepares to Launch World’s Longest Hydrogen-Powered Train

What Can Passengers Do Now?

Passengers who do not have confirmed tickets can regularly check festival special trains because new services may provide additional travel options.

Tatkal booking is another option for eligible passengers. Keeping passenger details, train numbers and payment information ready before the booking window can help speed up the process.

Passengers with flexible schedules can also consider travelling a day earlier or later. Checking nearby railway stations and alternative airports may provide additional options.

Bus services and private vehicles can also be considered for shorter or suitable routes, although road travel during the festival rush may also take longer.

Why Travel Demand Is So High

Diwali and Chhath are major festivals in Bihar and Jharkhand. Many workers, students and families living in other parts of India travel back home during this period.

Chhath Puja, in particular, attracts a large number of people to Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. This creates heavy pressure on trains, flights and road transport.

With regular train seats becoming difficult to find and airfares rising on several routes, passengers may need to consider special trains, Tatkal bookings, alternative dates and other modes of transport.

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