Planning to head home for Chhath on November 8? Seats are already full—find out how to get a confirmed ticket now..

This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 8, and Chhath on November 13. Anticipating a surge in passenger traffic during this period, the Railways has announced the operation of several special trains. Meanwhile, under Indian Railways' 60-day advance reservation rule, booking has already commenced on IRCTC for travel on November 8—a date relevant to lakhs of passengers traveling to Bihar and the Purvanchal region.

During the festive season, seats on regular trains running from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai to destinations in Bihar—such as Patna, Darbhanga, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Saharsa—get fully booked almost immediately after the reservation window opens. This raises the question: how can one secure a confirmed ticket if traveling home on this specific date is essential? By following the methods outlined below, you can secure a confirmed ticket despite the heavy rush.

**Major regular trains from Delhi-NCR to Bihar on November 8**
Tejas Rajdhani Express (12310): The fastest and premium train from New Delhi to Patna. Sampoorna Kranti Express (12394): The top choice for passengers traveling from New Delhi to Patna, Bihar. Shramjeevi Express (12392): New Delhi to Rajgir (via Patna); departs at 13:10. Magadh Express (20802): New Delhi to Islampur (via Patna); departs at 21:05. Vikramshila Express (12368): Anand Vihar Terminal to Bhagalpur. Vaishali Express (12554): New Delhi to Saharsa (via Barauni). Bihar Sampark Kranti Express (12566): New Delhi to Darbhanga. Swatantrata Senani Express (12562): New Delhi to Jaynagar. North East Express (12506) and Seemanchal Express (12488): Anand Vihar to Jogbani/Guwahati (via Katihar and Purnia route).

**Major regular train from Mumbai to Bihar on November 8**
LTT Patna Superfast Express (12141): Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Patna. CSMT Patna Superfast Express (22360): From Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Patna. Bhagalpur Express (12336): From LTT to Bhagalpur. Saharsa Humsafar Express (22913): From Bandra Terminus to Saharsa via Patna. Vasco da Gama-Patna Express (12741): From Panvel/Mumbai to Patna. LTT-Kamakhya AC Express (12519): From LTT via Barauni/Khagaria. Awadh Express (19037): From Bandra Terminus to Muzaffarpur and Barauni.

Secure a confirmed train ticket amidst festive crowds with these 5 smart tricks:
Avail the 'Vikalp' (Alternative Train Accommodation) scheme

Whenever you book a train ticket, do not forget to select the 'Vikalp' option. The benefit of doing this is that if your seat is not confirmed on your chosen train, the Railways automatically assigns you a confirmed seat on another train running on the same route or on a special train.

Opt for the 'Auto-Upgradation' feature

Make sure to tick the 'Consider for Auto-Upgradation' box while filling out the form. The advantage here is that if your Sleeper Class ticket is on the waiting list but seats are available in 3rd AC, the Railways upgrades your seat to the higher class without charging you a single extra rupee.

'Alternate Station Quota' trick

If seats from Delhi to Patna are fully booked, search for tickets up to a station beyond Patna—such as Mokama, Kiul, or Barauni—while selecting Delhi as your boarding point. Often, confirmed seats can be secured through this quota.

Keep an eye out for Festival Special trains

The Railways periodically announces special trains for festivals like Durga Puja and Diwali. The standard 60-day advance booking rule does not apply to these special trains. Log in and book your ticket immediately as soon as these special trains are announced. Tatkal and Premium Tatkal
If you are unable to secure a ticket through advance booking, try booking via the Tatkal quota exactly one day before your travel date—at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes. Additionally, you can try the Premium Tatkal quota; while the fare is higher due to dynamic pricing based on demand, there is a greater chance of securing a confirmed seat.

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