How to Get Confirmed Train Tickets for Chhath Return to Delhi After Festival

If you’re trying to get a confirmed train ticket to Delhi right after Chhath, book as soon as possible—seats fill up quickly, especially in sleeper and AC classes. Use IRCTC’s Tatkal, waitlist monitoring, and special trains to maximize your chances.

Booking Opens 60 Days Before Departure—But Chhath Rush Sells Out Fast

For regular trains, advance reservation opens 60 days before the train’s scheduled departure at 8:00 AM on IRCTC website and app. For popular Chhath return trains (Patna/Siwan/Muzaffarpur/Gaya to Delhi), even the opening day gets booked within minutes. If you missed this window, you need to look for alternatives below.

If You Missed General Quota, Try Tatkal—Opens 1 Day Before Train at 10 AM (AC) and 11 AM (Sleeper)

The Tatkal quota is your best bet for last-minute confirmed tickets. Here’s how you do it:

1. Log in to IRCTC app or website before 9:45 AM (for AC) or 10:45 AM (for Sleeper) one day before your desired train’s departure.
2. Go to the "Book Ticket" screen, enter your station and date, and filter by class.
3. Select the Tatkal quota. If available, the "Tatkal" option will appear beside the train listing.
4. Fill out passenger and payment details in advance in "Master List" and "Passenger My Profile" for faster checkout.
5. As soon as booking opens (10:00 AM for AC, 11:00 AM for Sleeper), refresh and proceed quickly. Delays of even 30 seconds can mean tickets are gone.
6. If you get a "WL" (Waitlist) ticket, see the waitlist section below.

Special Chhath Trains: Check for Extra Services Announced Just Before Festival

Indian Railways runs special trains for Chhath return from Bihar and Eastern UP to Delhi. These are usually announced 7–15 days before the festival ends, and can be booked on IRCTC like normal trains. Search using your station and look for trains with "Special" or "Festival Special" in their names. These trains may open for booking later than regular services, so check IRCTC daily for updates.

If Train Is Waitlisted: Track PNR and Consider Multiple Options

If you have to book a waitlisted ticket, check your PNR status regularly. During Chhath return, most waitlists do not clear unless you are within the first 5–10 on the list. Here’s what to do:

• Book waitlist in multiple trains (maximum 6 per user per month on IRCTC).
• Pick alternate routes (e.g., Patna–Kanpur–Delhi, or Muzaffarpur–Varanasi–Delhi) and break journey if needed.
• Try for tickets in less popular classes (2S or 3E) or in special trains.

If your ticket is still waitlisted after chart preparation (usually 4 hours before departure), it is automatically cancelled and the fare (minus nominal charges) is refunded. Full refund rules are here: refund rules.

Current Booking: Last-Minute Tickets at Stations After Charting

After the final chart is prepared, unbooked seats may be released for "Current Booking" at the station counters and sometimes on IRCTC. You need to be physically present at the departing station, with valid ID, and request "current booking" for your train. These are first-come-first-served and usually open 1–2 hours before departure.

Tips If All Direct Trains Are Full

• Try connecting journeys: Book two trains, even if it means changing at Lucknow, Kanpur, or Allahabad.
• Look for trains to Delhi from nearby cities (e.g., from Gaya instead of Patna).
• Check for Jan Sadharan (unreserved) specials if you can travel in general coaches.
• Check for cancellations by searching frequently up to the last minute.

Key Dates for Chhath Return Trains in 2026

What To Do If You Still Don’t Get a Confirmed Ticket

• Check cancelled trains page for sudden vacancies when trains are restored.
• Consider buses or flights as backup, but expect high fares.
• Ask relatives/friends to check at station counters for last-minute seats (sometimes "emergency quota" is released locally).
• Try for Tatkal or current booking every day for a few days after Chhath, when the rush drops a bit.

Why Chhath Return Tickets Are So Difficult

Demand on routes like Patna–Delhi and Muzaffarpur–Delhi after Chhath exceeds available berths by several times. Even with special trains and Tatkal, confirmed tickets are hard to get unless you book at the very opening minute.

Booking limits (per IRCTC account, per month) and dynamic demand mean that using multiple strategies—Tatkal, checking for special trains, trying different routes and classes—gives you the best odds. Official bookings are always on irctc.co.in or the IRCTC app.