Good news for passengers looking for train tickets for their trip home for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Given the increasing congestion of regular trains from Delhi to Bihar during the holidays, the railway has launched a special Vande Bharat festival train between New Delhi and Patna. Ticket sales for this train have already started, and passengers can check seat availability according to their travel date.
This train will start running on October 16, 2026, and will make 18 round trips.
This special railway train has been launched to serve the additional flow of passengers during Diwali and Chhath. The special Vande Bharat train, with 16 coaches, will cover a distance of approximately 994 kilometers between New Delhi and Patna in about 13 hours. This provides passengers traveling to Bihar for the festival with another option besides regular trains.
Ticket sales for the special Vande Bharat New Delhi-Patna train are open. Passengers can check ticket availability by selecting the date and class of service. Since demand for tickets can change rapidly during the holidays, it is crucial to check seat availability for the corresponding date before booking. Tickets can be viewed through railway and IRCTC booking channels.
The fare for the AC Chair Car with meals is set at ₹2,615. Traveling in the Executive Chair Car will cost ₹4,695. When booking a ticket, you must select the meal option; if you do not select it, the ticket price may be slightly lower.
The special Vande Bharat number is 02252. It will depart from New Delhi railway station at 8:35 AM and arrive at Patna station at 9:30 PM the same day. The journey duration of approximately 13 hours allows passengers to travel during the day and arrive in Patna in the evening.
The Vande Bharat New Delhi-Patna train will stop at intermediate stations Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Junction, Buxar, and Ara. Passengers from these stations can also benefit from this special train.
The return train number 02251 will depart from Patna railway station at 10:00 AM and arrive in New Delhi at 11:30 PM. This train will stop at the stations Ara, Buxar, Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Junction, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, and Aligarh.
The train from New Delhi to Patna will run on October 16 and 18. After that, it will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from October 21 to November 25. The return journey from Patna will be operated on October 17 and 19. Then, it will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from October 22 to November 26.
If you are planning a trip from Delhi to Bihar for Diwali or Chhath, be sure to check ticket availability and fares after determining your travel date. Trains from Delhi to Patna and from Patna to Delhi run on different days, so when planning the return journey, you must also study the schedule. Seats can run out quickly during the holidays, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance as soon as possible.