📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka
Travel
Last‑Minute Train and Bus Booking Tips for Chhath Puja Travelers
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 10:02 PM
👁 18
The Economic Times outlines eight practical steps to secure train and bus tickets for those heading home for Chhath Puja this week.
Chhath Puja, one of the most widely observed festivals in the Hindi‑speaking belt, triggers a massive wave of short‑distance travel as devotees flock to riverbanks in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states. With the festival falling this week, railway and road networks are already experiencing heightened demand, prompting many to seek last‑minute reservations.
The Economic Times has compiled eight actionable tips to improve the odds of getting a seat. Travelers are advised to use the IRCTC mobile app or website for real‑time train availability, prioritize the Tatkal quota, and book as soon as the window opens at 10 a.m. for Tatkal and 8 a.m. for general tickets. For bus journeys, aggregators such as RedBus and state transport portals should be checked frequently, and users should consider nearby boarding points if direct services are sold out.
Flexibility remains crucial. Passengers are encouraged to keep alternate routes or travel dates in mind, monitor cancellation lists, and set up SMS or email alerts for any newly released seats. Carrying valid ID proof and a printed or digital ticket copy can smooth the boarding process, especially at crowded stations.
Authorities have also announced additional special trains and increased bus frequencies on key routes to accommodate the surge. Nonetheless, the onus is on travelers to act swiftly, follow the outlined steps, and avoid the last‑minute scramble that often leads to missed connections.
The Economic Times has compiled eight actionable tips to improve the odds of getting a seat. Travelers are advised to use the IRCTC mobile app or website for real‑time train availability, prioritize the Tatkal quota, and book as soon as the window opens at 10 a.m. for Tatkal and 8 a.m. for general tickets. For bus journeys, aggregators such as RedBus and state transport portals should be checked frequently, and users should consider nearby boarding points if direct services are sold out.
Flexibility remains crucial. Passengers are encouraged to keep alternate routes or travel dates in mind, monitor cancellation lists, and set up SMS or email alerts for any newly released seats. Carrying valid ID proof and a printed or digital ticket copy can smooth the boarding process, especially at crowded stations.
Authorities have also announced additional special trains and increased bus frequencies on key routes to accommodate the surge. Nonetheless, the onus is on travelers to act swiftly, follow the outlined steps, and avoid the last‑minute scramble that often leads to missed connections.