If you need a train back to Delhi or Mumbai after Chhath Puja and see high waitlists everywhere, there’s a faster way to pick trains with a better chance. Use these steps to spot low-waitlist options and alternatives in under 10 minutes, even when the main routes are booked out.
Chhath Puja 2026: Key Return Dates
| City | Likely Peak Return Dates |
|---|---|
| Delhi | 4–7 November 2026 |
| Mumbai | 4–9 November 2026 |
These are when trains from Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Ranchi towards Delhi/Mumbai are most crowded. If you missed booking early, finding low-waitlist trains takes some tricks.
Open the IRCTC App or Website and Search by Source/Destination
- Go to irctc.co.in or open the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Enter your origin (e.g., Patna Jn, Muzaffarpur Jn, Gaya Jn, Ranchi) and destination (Delhi, Anand Vihar, New Delhi, Bandra Terminus, Mumbai CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak).
- Select your travel date (the day after Chhath is most crowded).
- Check all classes (Sleeper, 3A, 2A, 2S) by tapping the ‘+’ or ‘More’ next to each train.
You’ll see a list of trains with current availability and waitlist numbers for each class.
How to Quickly Spot Low Waitlist Trains
- Sort by ‘Availability’ if the app/website offers it—this will push trains with lower waitlist or RAC to the top.
- Look for trains with WL (Waitlist) below 30 for Sleeper/3A, below 10 for 2A/1A. If you see ‘Available’ or ‘RAC’, book immediately.
- Special trains (with numbers starting from 0 or 8, like 02345, 08183) and clone trains (often 04000-04999 series) usually have lower waitlists—focus on these.
- If all main trains are WL 100+, try searching from smaller stations near your city (e.g., Hajipur, Ara, Bokaro), as these sometimes have less competition.
- Check trains going to Anand Vihar Terminal for Delhi, and Lokmanya Tilak or Bandra for Mumbai, not just the main NDLS or CSMT.
Try Nearby Stations and Flexible Dates
- Use the ‘Flexible dates’ or ‘Nearby stations’ feature if available. On IRCTC website, after search, look for ‘Show trains from nearby stations’.
- Example: If Patna–Delhi is full, check Gaya–Delhi, Muzaffarpur–Delhi, or Barauni–Delhi. For Mumbai, try Bhagalpur–Mumbai, Ranchi–Mumbai, or Nagpur–Mumbai for connecting options.
- Sometimes leaving a day earlier or later (use the arrows next to the date) shows trains with lower waitlist or RAC.
Use Official Train Running and Waitlist Trends
- Check live running status of Chhath special trains to see how full they are on previous days.
- On IRCTC, tap a train’s number to view its booking trend and waitlist movement—if you see the waitlist is clearing fast (e.g. WL 40 confirmed to RAC last week), you can risk booking.
If No Direct Trains Are Available, Book a ‘Split Journey’
- Break your journey: e.g., Patna to Kanpur, then Kanpur to Delhi. For Mumbai, try Patna to Jabalpur, then Jabalpur to Mumbai.
- Book two separate tickets. This works because some segments may have lower waitlist due to quotas and less crowd.
- Use the ‘Break Journey’ or ‘Add Via Station’ option if the IRCTC app shows it, or just make two searches and combine the best options.
When to Try Tatkal and Premium Tatkal
- Tatkal opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes, 11:00 AM for Sleeper class, one day before departure. Premium Tatkal opens alongside Tatkal but costs more.
- These quotas are limited and fill within minutes. If waitlist is high, try logging in exactly at opening time with payment details ready.
- See Tatkal booking guide for steps and tips to speed up checkout.
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted
- If your waitlist is WL 10 or lower, there’s a fair chance it will confirm, especially in special trains and off-peak days.
- Keep checking PNR status daily to see if your ticket moves to RAC or Confirmed. If it stays high (WL 50+), look for buses or flights as backup.
- For refund rules on waitlisted or cancelled tickets, see refund rules.
If Trains Are Cancelled or Delayed
- Chhath special and regular trains sometimes get cancelled due to fog or congestion. Check latest cancelled trains before you go to the station.
- If your train is cancelled by Indian Railways, full refund is automatic (no need to file TDR).
- For rescheduling, try booking on any remaining special train or use split journey as above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find Chhath Puja special trains not shown in the main list?
Search using different nearby stations and check the 'Special Trains' section on irctc.co.in under 'Trains & Stations'. Special and clone trains often have lower waitlists and may not appear in the default search results for your main city.
What waitlist number is safe to book for Chhath Puja return?
WL up to 30 (Sleeper/3A) or up to 10 (2A/1A) may clear, especially on special trains. Higher numbers are risky—book only if you have no other option and check status daily.
Is Tatkal booking possible for Chhath special trains?
Yes, if the train is enabled for Tatkal. Booking opens at 10:00 AM (AC) or 11:00 AM (SL) one day before departure. Slots fill within minutes, so prepare details in advance.
Can I use a split journey to get a confirmed seat?
Yes, booking two segments (like Patna-Kanpur + Kanpur-Delhi) often helps, as some legs may have lower waitlist or even availability due to different quotas.
What should I do if my train is cancelled after booking?
You will get a full automatic refund if the train is cancelled by Indian Railways. To find alternatives, check special trains, try split journeys, and monitor <a href="/cancelled-trains">cancelled trains</a> for updates.