Holi Special Trains 2026 Announced: Route Details & How to Order Food in Train

Holi, that magical time of the year when perfectly sane adults throw colors at each other, eat alarming amounts of sweets, and suddenly remember they have a hometown they must visit. Naturally, lakhs of passengers decide at the same time that traveling across states is a brilliant idea. To rescue the nation from platform-level chaos, Indian Railways has graciously announced multiple Holi Special Trains 2026, connecting Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and practically every route where “going home for Holi” becomes a national mission.

So if you’re planning to join the annual migration, here’s the full list of special trains, their schedules, routes, and most importantly, how to order fresh food in the train. Because surviving festive rush is one thing; doing it without a proper thali, combo, or biryani delivered straight to your seat? Now that would be tragic.

Holi Special Trains Routes 2026 – Complete List

Below is the structured table of all announced Holi Special and Special Trains for 2026.

Major Route Highlights

CSMT – Gorakhpur Daily Special (32 Services)
This is the most demanding route that connects Mumbai to Eastern UP. It is helpful for the passengers who belong to Nashik Road, Bhopal, Jhansi, Kanpur Central, Lucknow, and Basti, as these routes cover these major junctions.

LTT – Banaras Bi-Weekly Special

If anyone wants to celebrate Holi and see the Ganga Ghats Festivities, this route is the perfect choice for them. 

Pune – Danapur & Pune – Gorakhpur Daily Specials

Those who work in Maharashtra, this special train has a high capacity to serve the passengers from Bihar and UP. 

Pune – Hazrat Nizamuddin Weekly Special
Best connectivity, especially for travelers in Delhi during the festive rush. 

How to Order Food in Train During Holi 2026

During Holi, the rush is so obvious, and due to the heavy demand, the quality of pantry food is not so good. People faced bad quality. Now you have the option to pre-book your meals online using the RailRestro app. Order food in trainbecome so easy, and you will get your favourite meal during the train journey. 

Now you are not supposed to compromise on quality; passengers can pre-book food and get it delivered right to their seats at selected stations. 

You can order:

Holi Special Thalis in Train

Perfect for a complete festive meal experience.

• Veg Eco Thali – 2 Roti or Paratha, Seasonal Vegetable, Dal Fry, Rice, Pickle, Disposable Cutlery.

• Veg Executive Thali – 3 Rotis or Tandoori Paratha, Paneer Dish, Seasonal Vegetable, Dal Makhani or Dal Fry, Pulao or Jeera Rice, Salad + Sweet, Curd or Buttermilk.

• Veg Maharaja Thali – 4 Tandoori Rotis or Butter Naan, Paneer Butter Masala, Mixed Veg or Dum Aloo, Dal Tadka or Dal Makhani, Veg Pulao, Raita, Salad + Sweet + Pickle, Buttermilk or Juice.

• Non-Veg Executive Thali – 3 Rotis or Butter Naan, Chicken Masala / Chicken Korma, Dal Makhani, Pulao or Biryani, Salad + Sweet, Raita / Buttermilk.

• Egg Lover Thali – 2-3 Rotis, Egg Curry or Boiled Egg Masala, Rice or Pulao, Dal or Raita, Salad + Pickle.

• Veg Deluxe Thali-  Paneer Butter Masala + Mix Veg + Dal Fry / Dal Tadka + Jeera Rice + 3Pcs Butter Chapati +Gulab, Jamun + Raita + Salad + Pickle

These thalis are full of all the required items and are hygienically packed and perfect for long-distance journeys like Mumbai–Gorakhpur or Pune–Danapur.

Popular Combos for Train Travel

For passengers preferring lighter or Indo-Chinese meals:

• Veg Manchurian Noodles Combo
• Paneer Chilli and Noodles Combo
• Kadhai Paneer and Roti Combo
• Chicken Chilli and Noodles Combo
• Aloo Paratha and Curd Combo
• Dal and Rice Combo

These are the combos that are best for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Options are available for veg and non veg lover. These combos are fulfilling and tasty, of the best quality and best packaging. Food on train is not a task during the festive season, you can order and relish with the RailRstro app. 

Read More: Festive Travel Made Easy: Smart Food Ordering Tips You Need To Know

Fresh Biryanis Delivered to Your Seat

Nothing beats biryani during train travel. Options include:

• Veg Biryani
• Paneer Biryani
• Egg Biryani
• Chicken Biryani

Ideal routes like CSMT–Nagpur or LTT–Samastipur are in this route, and passengers can easily relish the food that is fulfilling. 

Steps to Order Food in Train

1. Enter your PNR number or Train number.
2. Select the boarding station or upcoming station.
3. Choose your meal – thali, combo, or biryani.
4. Make an online payment or opt for COD.
5. Receive hot food at your seat.

It is advisable to pre-book your orders, or you can even place an order instantly as well. Your food will be delivered right to your train seat, even during Holi rush. Before ordering the meal, check Train schedule  so that you can get your meal on time and explore the options and order accordingly. 

Why Holi Special Trains Matter in 2026

Holi 2026 is expected to witness record travel demand across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. These special trains:

• Reduce waiting list pressure
• Provide additional sleeper and AC coaches
• Offer better connectivity
• Support migrant workforce travel 

Routes like Mumbai–Gorakhpur, Pune–Danapur, and LTT–Banaras are among the highest occupancy corridors. To manage the massive crowd, these special train helps to travel smart and smoother and Train food order app  becomes your saviour so you can easily order and get your food delivered to the designated train seat. 

Travel Tips for Holi 2026

✔ Book tickets early
✔ Carry ID proof
✔ Pre-book food to avoid last-minute hassle
✔ Track live train status
✔ Keep luggage secured

Conclusion- 

Holi is all about togetherness, full of colors, sweets, and enthusiasm. During Holi, it is so difficult to commute and visit the hometown, but the announcement of  Holi Special Trains 2026 makes the journey easier. Now, passengers have multiple train options across the major routes. If you are planning to travel from Mumbai, Pune, or LTT towards UP, Bihar, Delhi, or Nagpur, special trains for Holi ensure a smooth, hassle-free journey. 

RailRestro makes your Holi journey more flavourful and hassle-free. You can pre-book your meals according to your food preferences.  These are the menu: Veg Eco Thali, Maharaja Thali, Chicken Biryani, Paneer Combos, or Egg Lover Thali, and enjoy the festive meals right to your designated seat. 

Plan smart. Travel safe. Celebrate Holi with comfort and great food on wheels.