Travelling for Chhath Puja This Week? 8 Last-Minute Train and Bus Booking Tips to Reach Home on Time

Chhath Puja is one of the biggest occasions for families to come together, and many people travel from cities where they work or study to celebrate the festival at home. However, with Chhath Puja 2026 beginning on November 13, travellers who have not booked their tickets yet may face limited availability, waitlisted trains and higher bus fares.

The four-day festival will begin with Nahay Khay on November 13, followed by Kharna on November 14. Sandhya Arghya will be observed on November 15, while Usha Arghya and Parana will take place on November 16.

If you are planning to travel this week, waiting for your preferred train to become available may not be the best strategy. Checking alternative stations, monitoring railway special services and comparing bus operators can help you find a more practical route.


Must Read: Chhath Puja 2026 Date: November 15 or 16? Check 4-Day Calendar, Nahay Khay, Kharna and Arghya Timings

Here are some last-minute booking tips to consider before starting your Chhath journey.

1. Check Chhath Special Trains Before Booking an Expensive Alternative

Indian Railways operates festival special trains to manage additional passenger demand during major festive periods. Before paying a premium for an alternative mode of transport, check whether a special train is operating on your route.

Visit the official IRCTC website or app and search using your actual boarding and destination stations. Also check railway announcements for special services connecting major cities with Bihar and other Chhath destinations.

Do not search only for trains running directly to your hometown. Depending on availability, a special train to a nearby railway junction may help you complete the journey through a connecting train, bus or local transport.

For example, travellers heading to smaller towns in Bihar can also check suitable services to larger railway junctions before arranging the final leg of the journey.

Important: A special train announcement does not automatically mean seats are available. Check the actual date, route, class and booking status before making travel arrangements.

2. Try Tatkal Booking If Regular Train Tickets Are Waitlisted

If your preferred train has no confirmed seats under the general quota, Tatkal is another option worth checking.

According to IRCTC's published Tatkal booking rules:

• AC-class Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM.
• Non-AC Tatkal booking opens at 11 AM.
• Booking opens one day before the train's departure date from its originating station, excluding the date of journey.
• Tatkal availability depends on the train, class and route.
• A maximum of four passengers can be booked on one Tatkal e-ticket.

For example, if a train originates on November 14, its Tatkal quota generally opens on November 13 at the applicable class timing.

Keep passenger details, journey information and payment arrangements ready before the booking window opens. Verify the train's originating-station departure date rather than assuming the booking date from your boarding station.

One important point: confirmed Tatkal tickets generally do not receive a refund when cancelled voluntarily. Check the applicable cancellation conditions before booking.

3. Search for Nearby Railway Stations Instead of Only Your Home Station

One of the most useful last-minute booking strategies is to expand your station search.

Travellers often search only for the railway station closest to their hometown. During festival rush, this can limit the available options.

Instead, check:

• Larger railway junctions within reasonable travelling distance.
• Nearby stations on the same railway route.
• Alternative boarding stations served by the same train.
• Connecting trains that can take you closer to your destination.

For example, someone travelling to a smaller town in Bihar may compare services to major junctions such as Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga or Bhagalpur, depending on the actual destination.

However, do not book a ticket to a distant junction simply because seats are available. Calculate the additional road journey, local transport availability and total travel time before deciding.

4. Check Connecting Trains and Break the Journey Into Two Parts

If a direct train is unavailable, consider splitting the journey into two manageable sections.

For instance, instead of searching only for a direct train from Delhi to your hometown, check whether a confirmed ticket is available to a larger junction from where another train or bus can take you closer to your destination.

Try these combinations:

• Long-distance train followed by a connecting train.
• Train to a major junction followed by an intercity bus.
• Train to a nearby city followed by a pre-booked taxi or local transport.

Compare the total cost and travel time before booking separate tickets.

Do not assume that a connecting journey is protected as one booking. If you purchase separate tickets, a delay on the first service may cause you to miss the next connection. Keep a sufficient buffer between services and check the cancellation conditions for each ticket.

5. Compare Bus Options Before All Seats Are Sold Out

For travellers who cannot find suitable train tickets, buses may offer another way to reach their destination.

Check private and state transport operators for available services on your route. Depending on the city and destination, you may find:

• AC and non-AC sleeper buses.
• Seater buses.
• Government-operated interstate services.
• Private buses connecting major cities with smaller towns.

Before paying, compare the departure point, arrival point, journey duration and total fare.

A bus ticket that appears cheaper may involve a distant boarding location or an inconvenient drop-off point. Check whether the operator has a confirmed service, not merely a booking listing.

Also read the cancellation and rescheduling policy. During festival travel, departure changes and traffic delays can affect the journey.

6. Check Multiple Boarding Points and Flexible Travel Dates

If your schedule allows some flexibility, compare departures on November 12, 13 and 14 rather than restricting your search to a single date.

Similarly, check whether another boarding point in your city offers a more suitable service.

For train journeys, make sure the train actually stops at your selected boarding station and that the ticket's boarding-point rules permit the change. Do not simply board from a different station without updating the booking where required.

For buses, compare multiple pickup locations, especially those closer to your home or workplace.

Even a small adjustment in departure date or boarding location can reveal additional travel options.

7. Do Not Board a Train With a Fully Waitlisted E-Ticket After Chart Preparation

This is an important detail that last-minute travellers should not overlook.

According to IRCTC's rules, passengers whose entire e-ticket remains waitlisted after chart preparation are not permitted to board the train. Such tickets are automatically cancelled and the applicable refund is processed under railway rules.

If your ticket is partly confirmed or RAC and partly waitlisted, the applicable rules are different. Check the final passenger status after chart preparation.

Do not assume that a waitlisted ticket will become valid simply because you have a booking confirmation message.

Check your PNR status through official railway channels before leaving for the station.

8. Keep These Details Ready Before Starting Your Journey

Last-minute travel becomes more stressful when passengers have to search for documents, booking details or local transport after reaching the station.

Before leaving, check the following:

• Confirmed train or bus ticket and passenger details.
• PNR status and final chart status, where applicable.
• Valid identity proof required for the journey.
• Exact boarding point and departure time.
• Destination station or bus drop-off location.
• Local transport arrangements for the final leg.
• Operator contact details and cancellation policy.
• Sufficient time for station entry and boarding.

During Chhath, some destinations may also experience heavy traffic near riverbanks, ghats and residential areas. Allow extra time for the final road journey, particularly if you are travelling close to the main rituals.

What If You Still Cannot Find a Confirmed Ticket?

If trains and buses are showing limited availability, avoid repeatedly refreshing the same booking option without exploring alternatives.

First, compare nearby stations and connecting routes. Then check official special-train announcements and alternative bus operators. If you are considering a last-minute road journey, verify the vehicle, driver, route and travel duration rather than accepting an unverified offer.

Avoid paying unknown agents or individuals who promise guaranteed confirmed tickets through unofficial channels. Make bookings through authorised platforms and retain payment receipts.

For travellers with elderly family members or children, prioritise a manageable journey over a complicated route involving multiple changes and long waiting periods.

Final Checklist: Plan Your Chhath Puja Journey Before November 13

The closer Chhath Puja gets, the more important it becomes to make a practical travel decision rather than waiting indefinitely for one preferred train.

Check festival special trains, try Tatkal if eligible, compare nearby stations and explore bus connections. Most importantly, verify the final ticket status and arrange the last leg of your journey in advance.

Reaching home safely and on time is more important than securing a particular train or departure time. A little flexibility and early verification can make the journey considerably easier during the Chhath rush.