Travelling from Delhi to Bihar during the Diwali and Chhath festival season is set to become easier, with Indian Railways announcing a special Vande Bharat service between New Delhi and Patna. The 16-coach train is intended to provide an additional travel option at a time when demand for railway tickets typically rises and regular services can experience long waiting lists. The Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special will begin operations on October 16, 2026, and is scheduled to make 18 trips in each direction. The service will connect New Delhi, the national capital, with Patna, the capital of Bihar, while stopping at several important stations along the route. According to the published schedule, the train will cover the journey in approximately 12 hours and 55 minutes. It will pass through Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara before reaching Patna. The announced fares are ₹4,695 for Executive Chair Car and ₹2,615 for AC Chair Car. The service is designed to offer passengers another option for reaching Bihar during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Why Has Indian Railways Introduced the Festival Special Train?

Diwali and Chhath are among the major festivals observed by families across northern and eastern India. During this period, many people travel from cities such as Delhi to their hometowns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to celebrate with relatives. The increase in passenger demand can put pressure on regular railway services. Popular routes may see limited confirmed seats, while passengers can face long waiting lists when booking close to their travel dates. The new Vande Bharat Festival Special is intended to provide additional capacity between Delhi and Patna during the festive period. Its operation on selected dates in October and November gives travellers another service to consider when planning their journeys. The 16-coach configuration also provides seating across different accommodation classes. However, the actual number of seats available for booking and the availability on individual dates should be checked through official railway booking channels.

Delhi to Patna Vande Bharat Train: Route and Major Stops

The special train will operate between New Delhi Railway Station and Patna Junction, linking several important railway stations across the route. The scheduled stops are Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara. These stations provide boarding and deboarding options for passengers travelling to or from different parts of northern and eastern India. For travellers heading to Bihar, the route offers access to Patna and intermediate locations without requiring them to rely solely on regular services. The inclusion of Kanpur Central and Prayagraj also makes the service relevant to passengers travelling through Uttar Pradesh. Further east, stops at Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara connect the service with important railway points before its arrival in Patna. Passengers should select their boarding and destination stations carefully while booking, as the timetable and permitted stops determine where they can join or leave the train.

New Delhi to Patna Vande Bharat Special: Train No. 02252

Train number 02252 will operate from New Delhi to Patna. Its first scheduled journey is on October 16, 2026. The train will depart from New Delhi at 8:35 am and reach Patna Junction at 9:30 pm. The scheduled journey time is approximately 12 hours and 55 minutes.

The timetable lists the following stops:

• New Delhi: Departure at 8:35 am

• Aligarh: Arrival at 10:21 am

• Kanpur Central: Arrival at 1:30 pm

• Prayagraj: Arrival at 3:45 pm

• Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction: Arrival at 6:00 pm

• Buxar: Arrival at 7:26 pm

• Ara: Arrival at 8:10 pm

• Patna Junction: Arrival at 9:30 pm

These timings are based on the announced schedule. Passengers should check the latest information before departure because railway timetables and operational arrangements can be revised.

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Patna to New Delhi Vande Bharat Special: Train No. 02251

The return service will operate as train number 02251, connecting Patna Junction with New Delhi. According to the announced timetable, the train will depart from Patna at 10:00 am and reach New Delhi at 11:30 pm. The service will stop at Ara, Buxar, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Prayagraj, Kanpur Central and Aligarh before reaching the national capital.

The scheduled timings are:

• Patna Junction: Departure at 10:00 am

• Ara: Arrival at 10:38 am

• Buxar: Arrival at 11:25 am

• Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction: Arrival at 1:10 pm

• Prayagraj: Arrival at 3:35 pm

• Kanpur Central: Arrival at 5:50 pm

• Aligarh: Arrival at 8:53 pm

• New Delhi: Arrival at 11:30 pm

This return schedule offers passengers travelling from Bihar to Delhi a daytime departure and a late-evening arrival. Those making onward connections should leave sufficient time for transfers and verify the latest train status before travelling.

Vande Bharat Special Train Dates for October and November 2026

The service will run on selected dates rather than every day. Passengers planning a festive journey should check the applicable operating date before purchasing tickets.

New Delhi to Patna

Train number 02252 will operate for the first time on October 16, 2026. After that, the announced schedule specifies services every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026.

Patna to New Delhi

Train number 02251 will operate on October 17 and October 19, 2026. From October 22 to November 26, the announced schedule specifies services every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Indian Railways has planned 18 trips in each direction. As these are date-specific services, passengers should not assume that the train will run daily throughout the entire period. For the most reliable information, travellers should verify the relevant date and train number through the official Indian Railways enquiry system or IRCTC before making travel arrangements.

Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special Fare: How Much Will Tickets Cost?

The announced ticket prices for the special service are:

• Executive Chair Car: ₹4,695

• AC Chair Car: ₹2,615

The two fare categories give passengers different seating options depending on their preferences and budget. The final amount payable and seat availability should be confirmed during the booking process. Passengers are advised to enter the correct journey date, boarding station and destination when checking fares. They should also review the booking conditions and any applicable charges shown on the official reservation platform. Since festival-period travel can involve strong demand, checking availability early may help passengers plan more effectively. A special train provides an additional option, but it does not guarantee that confirmed seats will be available on every date.

How the Special Train Could Help During Diwali and Chhath

The additional service is aimed at travellers facing difficulties securing tickets on regular trains during the festive rush. For families travelling from Delhi to Bihar, having another scheduled train may provide greater flexibility when selecting a departure date. The route also serves passengers travelling through major stations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Stops at Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara allow the service to cater to more than just passengers travelling between the two terminal cities. The journey time of around 12 hours and 55 minutes is another important consideration for travellers comparing available services. However, actual journey times can depend on railway operations, and passengers should rely on the published timetable and official updates for their specific date. The train is a seasonal addition, so travellers should plan around its announced operating dates rather than assume that the service will remain available after the festive period.

What Passengers Should Check Before Booking

Before making a reservation, passengers should confirm the following details:

• Whether train 02252 or 02251 operates on their chosen date.

• The correct boarding and destination stations.

• The availability and fare for the preferred seating class.

• The latest departure and arrival times.

• Any updated instructions or operational changes issued by Indian Railways.

Passengers should use official railway booking and enquiry platforms for the latest information. This is especially important during festival periods, when special services and operating schedules may be updated.

Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special: Key Details at a Glance

Indian Railways has announced a 16-coach Vande Bharat Festival Special between New Delhi and Patna to provide another travel option for Diwali and Chhath in 2026. The service is scheduled to start on October 16, with 18 trips planned in each direction. The New Delhi-Patna service will depart at 8:35 am and arrive at 9:30 pm, while the Patna-New Delhi service will depart at 10:00 am and reach Delhi at 11:30 pm. The announced fares are ₹2,615 for AC Chair Car and ₹4,695 for Executive Chair Car. The route includes stops at Aligarh, Kanpur Central, Prayagraj, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Buxar and Ara. For passengers planning to travel between Delhi and Bihar during the festive season, the special service provides another option to consider. Checking the operating date, ticket availability and latest timetable before booking remains essential.