Diwali and Navratri Travel Season 2026: When to Book Flights and Trains

A Long Festive Travel Window

India’s autumn festive season runs from Sharad Navratri on 11 October through Dussehra on 20 October to Diwali on 8 November, with peak travel demand expected from late October through mid-November.

Flight Prices Climb Closer to Diwali

Domestic air traffic typically rises 18–25 per cent during the two-week Diwali window compared to the annual average. Fares tend to climb steeply around 30 days before Diwali, with jumps of 50–150 per cent on popular routes in the final two weeks, so travel planners recommend booking flights 60–90 days in advance.

Railways Add Festival Special Trains

Indian Railways has opened bookings for Diwali 2026 festival special trains, with reservations open since 6 September on a 60-day advance window, adding capacity on high-demand routes to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Busiest Routes to Watch

Routes such as Mumbai–Delhi, Bengaluru–Kolkata and Chennai–Delhi typically see the highest demand around Dhanteras and Bhai Dooj travel dates.

Sourced from HappyFares and Travel And Tour World festive travel reports, September 2026.