Summer vacations are celebrated like a small festival in India. Especially if you are travelling with your family, kids, or going on a long vacation. It’s so important to plan everything to avoid unwanted problems during the journey. If you think of travelling by train, you need to book your ticket in advance as you will not get the confirm ticket later. As passengers are aware, during the summer vacation, it will be difficult to get a vacant seat. Most of the masses plan to travel or visit their hometown to spend the vacation.
During this season, schools are closed, office gives long leaves after long. Families are ready to commute to their hometown, and ofcourse Railway station are full of crowds. To manage the crowd and provide convenience to the passengers, Indian Railways witnesses huge traffic, so it has introduced a summer special train that makes the summer vacation amazing. To the most popular routes, especially in metro cities, where tourist destinations and sacred places are also located. If passengers get the confirmed ticket, the problem isn’t solved; there the new challenge arrives, i.e., meal on train. During the summer, getting good food is itself a task, and it becomes a major challenge for the passengers.
Summer Special Trains 2026: Why Demand Is Extremely High
Summer is the busiest month, and people travel during this season for weddings, tours, vacations, and to visit sacred places during this month. There are busy routes as well where the crowd has increased, and to manage that rush and reduce the pressure on regular trains, Indian Railways has launched Summer Special Trains to make the passengers’ train journey hassle-free.
These are the Routes connecting major cities-
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Patna
- Jaipur
- Goa
- Lucknow
- Varanasi
- Bengaluru
| Train No. | Train Name | Zone | Date From | Date To | From | To | Duration | Classes |
| 4811 | Barmer – Haridwar Special Fare Summer Special | NWR | May 11 | Jul 16 | BME | HW | 23h 55m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 5552 | Yesvantpur – Saharsa Special Fare Summer Special | ECR | May 17 | Jul 12 | YPR | SHC | 52h 0m | SL, 3E |
| 5551 | Saharsa – Yesvantpur Special Fare Summer Special | ECR | May 14 | Jul 09 | SHC | YPR | 50h 5m | SL, 3E |
| 2418 | Dadri – Prayagraj Special Fare Summer Special | NCR | May 03 | Aug 01 | DER | PRYJ | 10h 45m | SL, 3A, 2A, 1A |
| 2417 | Prayagraj – Dadri Special Fare Summer Special | NCR | May 02 | Jul 31 | PRYJ | DER | 11h 15m | SL, 3A, 2A, 1A |
| 7194 | Kollam – Hyderabad Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 26 | Jun 29 | QLN | HYB | 30h 45m | SL, 3A, 2A, 1A |
| 7659 | Shakur Basti – Hazur Sahib Nanded Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 24 | May 24 | SSB | NED | 34h 30m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 7658 | Hazur Sahib Nanded – Shakur Basti Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 21 | May 21 | NED | SSB | 34h 55m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 7076 | Gorakhpur – Hyderabad Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 31 | May 31 | GKP | HYB | 32h 55m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 7075 | Hyderabad – Gorakhpur Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 29 | May 29 | HYB | GKP | 33h 30m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 6032 | Velankanni – Thiruvananthapuram Central Special Fare Summer Special | SR | May 14 | May 28 | VLNK | TVC | 17h 0m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
| 6031 | Thiruvananthapuram North – Velankanni Special Fare Summer Special | SR | May 13 | May 27 | TVCN | VLNK | 16h 0m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
| 9054 | Jaynagar – Udhna Summer Special (UnReserved) | WR | May 09 | May 09 | JYG | UDN | 38h 30m | Unreserved |
| 6065 | Podanur – Kharagpur Special Fare Summer Special | SR | May 09 | May 30 | PTJ | KGP | 37h 30m | SL, 3A |
| 7444 | Chhapra – Tirupati Special Fare Summer Special | SCR | May 12 | May 12 | CPR | TPTY | 55h 30m | SL, 3A |
| 6066 | Kharagpur – Podanur Special Fare Summer Special | SR | May 11 | Jun 01 | KGP | MSB | 30h 0m | SL, 3A |
| 5045 | Lalkuan – Rajkot Special Fare Summer Special | NER | May 17 | Jul 12 | LKU | RJT | 29h 35m | SL, 2A, 1A, 3E |
| 5046 | Rajkot – Lalkuan Special Fare Summer Special | NER | May 18 | Jul 13 | RJT | LKU | 30h 45m | SL, 2A, 1A, 3E |
| 4526 | Ambala Cantt. – Saharanpur MEMU Summer Special | NR | May 06 | Jul 15 | UMB | SRE | 2h 10m | Unreserved |
| 4525 | Saharanpur – Ambala Cantt. MEMU Summer Special | NR | May 06 | Jul 15 | SRE | UMB | 2h 5m | Unreserved |
| 4830 | Gorakhpur – Jodhpur Special Fare Summer Special | NWR | May 22 | Jul 10 | GKP | JU | 30h 5m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 4829 | Jodhpur – Gorakhpur Special Fare Summer Special | NWR | May 21 | Jul 09 | JU | GKP | 28h 35m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 4824 | Mau – Jodhpur Special Fare Summer Special | NWR | May 26 | Jul 14 | MAU | JU | 28h 40m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 4823 | Jodhpur – Mau Special Fare Summer Special | NWR | May 24 | Jul 12 | JU | MAU | 30h 20m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 9024 | Palitana – Bandra Terminus Special Fare Summer Special | WR | May 08 | May 08 | PIT | BDTS | 14h 25m | SL |
| 9079 | Mumbai Central – Indore Special Fare AC SF Summer Special | WR | May 03 | Jun 28 | MMCT | INDB | 13h 40m | 3A |
| 3435 | Malda Town – Anand Vihar Terminal Special Fare Summer Special | ER | May 04 | Jun 29 | MLDT | ANVT | 28h 10m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 3044 | Sitamarhi – Howrah Special Fare Summer Special | ER | May 10 | Jun 28 | SMI | HWH | 16h 30m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 3043 | Howrah – Sitamarhi Special Fare Summer Special | ER | May 09 | Jun 27 | HWH | SMI | 16h 30m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 9080 | Indore – Mumbai Central Special Fare AC SF Summer Special | WR | May 04 | Jun 29 | INDB | MMCT | 14h 10m | 3A |
| 9120 | Lalkuan – Pratapnagar Special Fare SF Summer Special | WR | May 04 | Jun 29 | LKU | PRTN | 19h 40m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
| 9119 | Pratapnagar – Lal Kuan Special Fare SF Summer Special | WR | May 03 | Jun 28 | PRTN | LKU | 19h 45m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
| 1416 | Gorakhpur – Hadapsar (Pune) Special Fare Summer Special | CR | May 16 | Jul 16 | GKP | HDP | 33h 45m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 1415 | Pune – Gorakhpur Special Fare Summer Special | CR | May 15 | Jul 15 | PUNE | GKP | 33h 10m | SL, 3A, 2A |
| 9152 | Madhubani – Udhna Summer Special | WR | May 02 | Jun 27 | MBI | UDN | 39h 0m | Unreserved |
| 9151 | Udhna – Madhubani Summer Special | WR | May 01 | Jun 26 | UDN | MBI | 36h 25m | Unreserved |
| 4130 | Khatipura – Subedarganj Special Fare Summer Special | NCR | May 04 | Jun 08 | KWP | SFG | 16h 30m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
| 4129 | Subedarganj – Khatipura Special Fare Summer Special | NCR | May 03 | Jun 07 | SFG | KWP | 12h 40m | SL, 3A, 2A, 3E |
Pre-book a meal once your ticket is booked:-
A long-distance journey always requires a comfortable seat and fresh food. This might be the bare minimum, but difficult to get on a train journey. If tickets are confirmed, it is better to pre-book food in train by RailRestro. At the station, local vendors become inconsistent, and you can’t rely on that food; finding fresh food is so difficult. So better to pre-book your meal and make your journey memorable and smooth.
Read:Why Millions of Travellers Pre-Order Train Meals Before Departure
These trains become highly popular because they:
Offer affordable travel options
Connect major tourist destinations
Reduce dependency on expensive flights
Help families travel together comfortably
Provide extra accommodation during peak demand
However, the number of passengers still exceeds availability on many routes. Popular Summer Special Trains often move to RAC and waiting list categories within a short period after booking opens. Travelers planning trips late usually struggle to find confirmed berths, especially in AC classes. This is why passengers are advised to book train tickets as early as possible and complete journey planning.
Why Early Ticket Booking Matters During Summer Travel
Many passengers underestimate how quickly summer train reservations fill up. Waiting “just a few more days” can completely change ticket availability.
Here’s why early booking is important:
- Better Chances of Confirmed Tickets
Booking early increases the likelihood of getting confirmed seats rather than waiting-list tickets.
- Preferred Berth Selection
Passengers can choose lower berths, side berths, or family seating arrangements conveniently.
- Flexible Train Choices
Early booking allows travelers to compare timings, routes, and travel durations comfortably.
- Lower Stress Before Travel
Nobody wants vacation planning to begin with daily PNR anxiety.
- Easier Meal Planning
Passengers who finalize travel plans early can also Pre book food in train and avoid food-related issues later. Because if Indian summers teach anything, it is this: hunger and heat together create chaos very quickly.
Why Food Planning Is Important During Summer Train Journeys
When traveling far in summer heat, meals grow harder to manage. Because warmth rises, edibles decay faster. Dehydration creeps in more easily under hot conditions. Upset stomachs appear without careful planning around eating.
Putting full trust in chance stops could backfire, particularly when journeys grow busier. Though convenient at times, leaning only on unpredictable layovers risks delays or confusion when roads fill up. Travelers might find themselves stranded without a plan if every move depends on luck alone.
Read: Summer Special: Fresh and Cooling Meals Delivered to Your Train Seat
Some common problems passengers face include:
- Limited food availability
- Delayed meal service
- Poor food quality
- Lack of hygiene
- Overpriced station food
- Fewer meal choices for children or elderly passengers
This is where online Train food delivery services have completely changed the railway travel experience. Today, passengers can order fresh meals online from trusted restaurants and receive food directly at their train seat during the journey.
The Rise of Train Food Delivery Services in India
Indian railway travel has evolved significantly over the last few years. Travelers now expect convenience, hygiene, and digital accessibility in every aspect of their journey. Just as passengers book tickets online, they now prefer ordering meals online too.
Modern Train food delivery platforms allow passengers to:
Order meals using PNR number
Select delivery stations
Choose restaurants and cuisines
Schedule food delivery timing
Receive food directly at their berth
This service has become especially popular among:
Families traveling with kids
Senior citizens
Solo female travelers
Office travelers
Tourists on long-distance routes
Instead of stepping onto crowded platforms searching for food while the train threatens to leave at any moment, passengers can now simply wait comfortably at their seats. Food in train app helps you to make your journey amazing. Indian train platforms have always offered two things together: delicious smells and panic attacks.
Benefits of Pre-Booking Meals During Summer Train Travel
- Guaranteed Meal Availability
Summer Special Trains usually operate at full capacity. Difficult to get food during the peak travel hours. When passengers pre-book food in train, their meals are reserved and prepared in advance. This eliminates last-minute uncertainty.
- Better Hygiene and Food Quality
Trusted food delivery platforms partner with FSSAI-approved restaurants to maintain quality standards. Freshly cooked meals are packed hygienically and delivered directly onboard. This becomes extremely important during hot summer weather when food safety matters more.
- Huge Variety of Food Options
Passengers no longer need to settle for limited station meals.
Online food delivery services provide access to:
- North Indian thalis
- South Indian meals
- Biryani
- Jain food
- Chinese dishes
- Healthy meals
- Snacks and beverages
- Kids’ combos
Everyone in the family can order according to personal preference.
- Easier Travel with Kids and Elderly Passengers
- Children and senior citizens often require timely meals and better food quality during travel.
- Pre-booked meals reduce stress for families and ensure proper meal timing.
- Passengers can also choose lighter meal options suitable for long journeys.
- Saves Time During Station Halts
Station halts are usually short and crowded during the summer rush.
Passengers often struggle to:
- Find decent food quickly
- Stand in long queues
- Carry meals back safely
- Return before train departure
Online food delivery removes this hassle completely.
How to Pre-Book Food in Train
Ordering food on board trains has become simple and user-friendly.
Here’s how passengers can book meals online:
Step 1: Enter PNR Number
Passengers enter their PNR number on a trusted railway food ordering platform or Food in train app. The system automatically detects train details and route information.
Step 2: Select Delivery Station
Choose the station where food should be delivered. Passengers usually select major stations with better restaurant availability.
Step 3: Browse Restaurants and Menus
Users can compare restaurants, cuisines, meal combos, and prices. Meal customization options are also available in many cases.
Step 4: Confirm the Order
Passengers can:
Pay online
Choose cash on delivery
Schedule meals in advance
Step 5: Receive Food at the Seat
Fresh food gets delivered directly to the passenger’s berth at the selected station.
No platform running required.
>No risky train-chasing scenes.
>No emotional damage.
Best Food Choices for Summer Train Journeys
During summer travel, passengers usually prefer lighter and more refreshing meal options.
Some popular choices include:
Veg Thali
Balanced meals with roti, rice, dal, vegetables, and curd.
South Indian Meals
Idli, dosa, vada, and lemon rice remain highly preferred during hot weather.
Biryani
Still one of the most ordered train meals in India because some traditions never change.
Fresh Sandwiches and Snacks
Easy to carry and light for daytime journeys.
Beverages and Juices
Essential for hydration during summer trips.
Kids’ Meals
Simple and less spicy food options for children.
Why Travelers Prefer Food in Train Apps
Digital convenience has become a major part of modern travel planning.
A reliable Food in train app helps passengers:
Order meals instantly
Access multiple restaurant choices
Track food delivery status
Avoid unhygienic food stalls
Save time during travel
Passengers also appreciate the flexibility of scheduling meals according to train timing and personal preference. This has transformed online food booking into an essential railway travel service rather than just an optional feature.
Popular Routes Experiencing Heavy Summer Rush in 2026
Several railway routes are witnessing extremely high booking demand this summer.
These include:
Delhi to Patna
Mumbai to Goa
Kolkata to Puri
Chennai to Hyderabad
Bengaluru to Delhi
Ahmedabad to Jaipur
Lucknow to Mumbai
Varanasi to New Delhi
Passengers traveling on these routes are strongly advised to:
Reserve tickets early
Monitor PNR status regularly
Pre-plan meals and refreshments
Because waiting until the final week of travel usually leads to two outcomes:
Waiting list tickets
Regret
Essential Summer Train Travel Tips for 2026
Book Tickets Early
Do not delay Summer Special Train reservations.
Carry Hydration Essentials
Keep water bottles, ORS packets, and light snacks during travel.
Travel Comfortably
Carry light cotton clothes, neck pillows, and sanitizers.
Use Online Food Delivery Services
Fresh food improves overall travel experience significantly.
Check Live Train Status
Train delays can impact meal timing and station planning.
Keep Digital Payments Ready
Online transactions make onboard services easier and faster.
The Future of Train Travel Is Smarter and More Convenient
Indian railway travel is rapidly evolving with digital services improving passenger comfort.
Today’s travelers expect:
Online booking convenience
Real-time updates
Hygienic food options
Better customer experience
Services like Train food delivery and online meal booking are making train journeys more organized, comfortable, and family-friendly. Passengers no longer need to compromise on food quality during travel.
Whether someone is traveling for vacation, work, education, or family visits, smart journey planning now includes both confirmed tickets and planned meals.
Conclusion
Summer Special Train 2026 is filling so fast, as it’s the summer season, and everyone is going to travel. The most crowded routes are already booked to minimise the crowd. Indian Railways launches the summer special Trains. The rise in demand for special trains is there to cater to the requirements of passengers.
If passengers want a comfortable, smooth journey, confirmed tickets aren’t enough; you need fresh, hygienic food during the train journey. Pre-book your meal through the Train food delivery app and get a hot, fresh, and tasty meal right to your designated train seat. During the itinerary plan food selection is the major aspect to cater.
If you decide to pre-book food in the train, it helps the passengers to enjoy and relish a hot, fresh, and tasty meal right to your train seat. No need to worry about the train food, even if you are traveling with family, kids, and on a solo trip, office tours, food delivery services make your Railway Travel smoother, safer, and unforgettable.