Onam Special Trains 2026 : Booking Dates, Routes and Full List
Last updated: 17 August 2026
Onam is the biggest festival of Kerala, and every year lakhs of Malayalis working in Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and the Gulf travel home to celebrate with family. Trains fill up months in advance, and confirmed tickets vanish within minutes of booking opening. This page brings you the Onam special trains 2026, the exact booking dates, routes announced so far, and simple tips to get a confirmed ticket.
Onam 2026 (Thiruvonam) falls on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. Most travelers prefer to reach Kerala a few days before Thiruvonam and return in the first week of September, which is exactly when demand peaks.
Onam is now close, and here is where things stand. All Onam travel dates closed their 60-day booking window weeks ago, and the popular Kerala routes are heavily waitlisted. If you have not booked, your realistic options now are newly announced specials, Tatkal from 10:00 AM the day before travel, and flexibility on dates and boarding stations. Scroll to “What If You End Up Waitlisted” for the full list of options.
Good News: Over 100 Onam Special Trains Announced
The Railway Minister has announced that more than 100 special trains will run to Kerala for the Onam season. Railways is adding these extra services to clear the festival rush and improve connectivity between Kerala and neighbouring states. Zonal railways are releasing the list in phases, and we update this page as each new train appears.
Tip: Special train bookings open in batches, not all at once. Follow this page and set an alarm, because the best-connected trains sell out on the very first day.
How Heavy is the Rush This Year?
Very heavy. Waitlists on the popular Kerala routes ran long from early July, well before most specials opened, and they have only grown since. Treat any confirmed berth you can get as a win, even if the timing is not perfect.
- The Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai Mail had sold out for 22 August.
- The Ananthapuri Express waitlist had crossed 200.
- The Bengaluru to Kanyakumari Island Express showed no seats in any class for 21 and 22 August.
Those numbers have only worsened since.
Booking: When Reservation Opens
Railways opens reservation for special trains on announced dates, usually at 8:00 AM on the IRCTC website and app, and at PRS counters. The first batch of Southern Railway Onam specials opened on 9 July 2026, and those trains are bookable now.
Railways continues to approve more services in phases, and each new batch carries its own booking-open date. Keep checking this page, because a train becomes bookable only once its reservation date arrives. Meanwhile, do not hold out for a future special if a seat exists on a train running today. For the wider list across all zones, see our Special Trains List 2026.
Onam Special Trains Announced So Far
Onam Festival : Popular Routes and En-Route / Destinations Served
Southern Railway announced that the Onam special trains strategically connect major suburban and metropolitan origins with important terminals in Kerala via primary arterial routes:
- Chennai and Tamil Nadu Hubs to Kerala (SR) : Connecting prominent Tamil Nadu cities – including Dr MGR Chennai Central, Tambaram, Chennai Egmore, and Mangaluru Central and these services run to primary Kerala destinations such as Kollam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram Central. The trains traverse major en-route junctions and commercial towns, serving passengers through Arakkonam, Jolarpettai, Erode, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Punalur, Sengottai, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Vriddhachalam, and Villupuram.
- Bengaluru, Mysuru and Karnataka Corridor (SWR Coordination) : South Western Railway has notified dedicated onam special services catering to high-density passenger movement into Kerala from major Karnataka hubs including Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru, Bangalore Cantonment, Mysuru Junction, and Hubballi. Operating directly to primary terminals such as Thiruvananthapuram North, Kannur, Kottayam, and Kollam, these trains run along crucial intermediate stops including Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet, Kuppam, Salem, Erode, Palakkad, Shoranur, and Kozhikode.
- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Corridor (SCR Coordination) : To serve Keralites residing in the Telugu states, South Central Railway has notified special operations connecting origins like Hyderabad and Cherlappalli directly to key destinations including Kollam and Mangaluru Central. This service corridor covers important en-route transit hubs across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, stopping at Miryalaguda, Guntur, Tenali, Gudur, Renigunta, Chittoor, Katpadi, and Jolarpettai.
- Eastern Corridor (SER Coordination) : South Eastern Railway has notified onam specials linking West Bengal and Eastern India to key destinations across Kerala along the Santragachi–Thiruvananthapuram/Ernakulam primary route. Traveling down the east coast into the southern peninsula, these services accommodate passengers through strategic en-route stations including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Gudur, Renigunta, Erode, and Kottayam.
Southern Railway has announced the first set of weekly special services connecting Kerala with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Some of the
confirmed trains include:
| Train Numbers | Route | Trips |
|---|---|---|
| 06117 / 06118 | Dr MGR Chennai Central to Kollam, bi-weekly | 16 |
| 06119 / 06120 | Dr MGR Chennai Central to Kollam, weekly | 08 |
| 06126 / 06125 | Mangaluru Central to Chennai Egmore, weekly | 16 |
| 06093 / 06094 | Thiruvananthapuram North to Mangaluru Junction | 08 |
| 06147 / 06148 | Ernakulam Junction to SMVT Bengaluru | 10 |
| 06110 / 06109 | Thiruvananthapuram Central to Tambaram | 08 |
| 07195 / 07196 | Charlapalli to Kollam (South Central Railway) | 14 Aug to 5 Sep |
Full Details available on following link with Special Trains Detailed Announcement
- Train Nos.06567/06568 Bengaluru Cantonment – Kannur – Bengaluru Cantonment Express Onam Festival Special Trains
- Train Nos.07197/07198 Charlapalli – Kottayam Onam Festival Special Trains (06 Trips)
- Train Nos.08311/08312 Sambalpur – Ernakulam Jn – Sambalpur Onam Express Special Trains (06 Trips)
- Train Nos.07351/07352 SSS Hubballi – Kottayam – SSS Hubballi Onam Express Special Trains (01 Trip).Train Nos.07353/07354 SSS Hubballi – Kottayam – SSS Hubballi Onam Express Special Trains (01 Trip)
- Train Nos.06117/06118 Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Kollam – Dr. MGR Chennai Central Bi-Weekly Express Onam Festival Special Trains (16 Trips)
- Train Nos.06126/06125 Mangaluru Central – Chennai Egmore – Mangaluru Central Weekly Express Onam Festival Special Trains (16 Trips)
- Train Nos.06093/06094 Thiruvananthapuram North – Mangaluru Jn. – Thiruvananthapuram Central Weekly Express Onam Festival Special Trains (08 Trips)
- Train Nos.06147/06148 Ernakulam Jn. – SMVT Bengaluru – Ernakulam Jn. Weekly Express Onam Festival Special Trains (10 Trips)
- Train Nos.06119/06120 Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Kollam – Dr. MGR Chennai Central Onam Festival Weekly Express Special Trains (08 Trips)
- Train Nos.06110/06109 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Tambaram – Thiruvananthapuram Central Weekly Express Special Trains (08 Trips)
- 06126 / 06125 Mangaluru to Chennai Egmore Weekly Special, serving the Malabar region through Kozhikode, Tirur and Palakkad.
The Mangaluru to Chennai Egmore service runs through the Malabar region via Kozhikode, Tirur and Palakkad. Exact days, timings and stoppages for each train appear on the IRCTC booking page once that train opens for reservation.
Chennai to Kollam Special (06119): Useful for Sabarimala Too
This service leaves Dr MGR Chennai Central every Wednesday at 3:10 PM, reaches Chengannur at 4:10 AM the next morning, and arrives at Kollam at 7:20 AM. It halts at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur and onward into Kerala. Because Chengannur is one of the nearest railheads to Sabarimala, this train serves pilgrims as well as Onam travellers.
Charlapalli to Kollam Special (07195 / 07196)
More services from Bengaluru to Kerala have also been announced. The exact days, timings and stoppages for each train are listed on the IRCTC booking page once the train opens for reservation.
South Central Railway has announced special express services between Charlapalli in Telangana and Kollam in Kerala, running from 14 August to 5 September 2026. This helps passengers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and it reaches Kerala in good time for Onam.
Key halts include Nalgonda, Miryalaguda, Guntur, Tenali, Bapatla, Chirala, Ongole, Nellore, Renigunta, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Aluva, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam and Kollam. Sabarimala pilgrims can get down at Chengannur and continue to Pamba by road.
City-wise Position: Confirmed and Awaited
| From City | Status |
|---|---|
| Chennai and Tambaram | Confirmed (first batch) |
| Mangaluru | Confirmed (Malabar services) |
| Bengaluru | Confirmed (services announced) |
| Hyderabad and Telangana | Confirmed (Charlapalli to Kollam) |
| Mumbai | Awaited |
| Delhi | Awaited |
| Pune | Awaited |
| Hubballi, Indore and Jaipur | Awaited |
Passengers have specifically asked for more trains on the Thiruvananthapuram to Chennai route, along with extra return services on 29, 30 and 31 August. We will add them here as soon as Railways approves them.
What If You End Up Waitlisted?
Plenty of Onam travellers will hold a waitlisted ticket this year, so plan for it.
- Track your ticket through PNR status enquiry and watch how the number moves after each chart.
- Remember that a fully waitlisted e-ticket cancels automatically after charting, and IRCTC refunds it minus a small clerkage. See our refund guide.
- Check whether a special quota applies to you, since quotas such as the lower berth allotment work independently of the general rush.
- Watch for cancellations and changes close to your date, especially if heavy rain hits the Konkan or Ghat sections in August.
How to Get a Confirmed Onam Ticket
- Prepare your IRCTC account first. Verify your mobile and email, save every family member in the Master List, and link UPI or a card before you sit down to book. At 8:00 AM, seconds decide the outcome.
- Log in by 7:50 AM on a booking-open date, with the train and date already chosen.
- Keep two or three date options ready. When your first choice shows a waitlist, a day earlier or later often still has space.
- Book the return leg too. Trains out of Kerala in late August and early September fill just as fast as the inbound ones.
- Treat regular trains as your backup. A confirmed berth on a daily Express beats a long waitlist on a special.
- Try Tatkal if you missed the window. See our Tatkal booking guide for the 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM timings.
- Skip the touts. Book only through IRCTC, authorised agents or PRS counters.
Why Book Early for Onam
During the Onam season, flight fares to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode shoot up sharply, and private bus fares also rise. Trains stay the most affordable and comfortable option, which is why the rush is so heavy. Early booking is the only sure way to get a confirmed berth for the festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Onam in 2026?
Thiruvonam, the main Onam day, is on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. The festival season around it runs through late August.
How many special trains are running for Onam 2026?
The Railway Minister has announced more than 100 special trains to Kerala. The full list is being released in phases.
Has booking started for Onam special trains?
Yes, the first batch of Southern Railway specials opened for booking on 9 July 2026. More trains from other cities will open on their own announced dates.
Are there Onam trains from Mumbai and Delhi?
As of now, services from Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune are awaited and expected to be approved soon. We will update this page when they are announced.
Which train helps Sabarimala pilgrims?
The Chennai to Kollam special (06119 / 06120) passes through Chengannur, one of the nearest railheads to Sabarimala, making it useful for pilgrims as well as Onam travellers.
What are the busiest return dates?
29, 30 and 31 August 2026, when most travellers head back after the festival. Book that leg as early as the onward one.
Quick Summary
| Festival | Onam (Thiruvonam) |
| Onam 2026 date | Wednesday, 26 August 2026 |
| Special trains | More than 100 announced to Kerala |
| Booking status | Main window closed, newly announced specials and Tatkal remain |
| Confirmed cities | Chennai, Tambaram, Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Hyderabad |
| Peak return dates | 29, 30, 31 August 2026 |
| Where to book | IRCTC website, app and PRS counters |
Onam is a time to be home with family, and a confirmed train ticket is the first step. Bookmark this page, because we will keep updating it with every new Onam special train, its route and its booking date as Railways announces them.
Happy Onam to all our readers. Which route are you booking this Onam? Tell us in the comments, and we will help you track the right special train.