Pongal Train Ticket Booking 2026: Pongal is one of the biggest travel seasons in Tamil Nadu, with lakhs of passengers heading home to celebrate with their families. As always, Pongal Train Ticket Booking 2026 will see massive demand, especially on routes from Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. If you’re planning to travel during January 2026, booking your train tickets early is essential.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Booking Starts | November 2025 (60-day rule) |
| Booking Time | 8:00 AM daily |
| Tatkal | AC – 10 AM, Non-AC – 11 AM |
| Special Trains | Announced in Dec 2025 |
| High-Demand Routes | Chennai–Madurai, Chennai–Tirunelveli, Bengaluru–Tamil Nadu |
| Best Payment | UPI |
| Refund | 3–7 days |
Pongal 2026 Train Ticket Booking Dates (IRCTC 60-Day Rule)
IRCTC follows a 60-day advance reservation period. Pongal 2026 falls on January 15, 2026, so the booking window starts in November 2025.
Booking Opens at 8:00 AM IST
Below is a helpful booking window reference:
| Travel Date (Jan 2026) | Booking Opens (Nov 2025) |
|---|---|
| Jan 10, 2026 | Nov 11, 2025 |
| Jan 11, 2026 | Nov 12, 2025 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2025 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Nov 14, 2025 |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Nov 15, 2025 |
| Jan 15, 2026 – Pongal Day | Nov 16, 2025 |
| Jan 16, 2026 | Nov 17, 2025 |
How to Book Pongal 2026 Train Tickets Online
IRCTC Website (irctc.co.in)
- Go to the IRCTC website.
- Log in 10 minutes before 8 AM.
- Enter source and destination.
- Select the travel date.
- Choose your train and class (SL/3A/2A/CC).
- Add passenger details saved in the Master List.
- Proceed to payment (fastest: UPI).
- Download the ticket.
IRCTC Mobile App (IRCTC Rail Connect)
- Same steps as the website
- Faster interface during peak hours
- Supports biometric login and UPI
Other Platforms
- ixigo
- ConfirmTkt
- Paytm Travel
These apps help with predictions and faster autofill.
Offline Booking at Counters
- Visit PRS counters at stations
- Carry ID proof
- Fill a reservation form
- Best for senior citizens and group bookings
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Most In-Demand Routes for Pongal 2026
These routes get booked within minutes:
| From | To | Why High Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai | Madurai | Home-town travel, student travel |
| Chennai | Tirunelveli | Festival rush |
| Chennai | Nagercoil | Family visits |
| Chennai | Coimbatore | Business + festival crowd |
| Chennai | Trichy | Very high festival movement |
| Bengaluru | Madurai/Trichy/Salem | IT population returning home |
| Hyderabad | Chennai/Coimbatore | Migrant workers & students |
Types of Tickets People Book for Pongal 2026
- Sleeper Class (SL)
- AC Classes – 3A, 2A, 1A
- Chair Car (for day trains)
- Tatkal & Premium Tatkal
- General/Unreserved tickets
- Festival Special Trains
IRCTC Tatkal Booking for Pongal 2026
Tatkal booking opens 1 day before travel.
- AC Tatkal: 10:00 AM
- Non-AC Tatkal: 11:00 AM
Tatkal Tips
- Log in early
- Use saved passengers
- Use UPI for faster payments
- Avoid adding more than 2 passengers per ticket during peak rush
- Choose less crowded boarding stations
Southern Railway Pongal Special Trains 2026
Southern Railway usually announces special trains 20–30 days before Pongal.
Expected special routes:
- Chennai – Madurai
- Chennai – Tirunelveli
- Chennai – Nagercoil
- Chennai – Coimbatore
- Bengaluru – Madurai
- Hyderabad – Trichy / Madurai
Check updates here:
- SR Official Website
- NTES App
- Railway Enquiry (139)
Train & Bus Ticket Booking Links
| Category | Platform | Official Booking Link |
|---|---|---|
| Train Tickets | IRCTC Website | https://www.irctc.co.in |
| ConfirmTkt | https://www.confirmtkt.com | |
| ixigo Trains | https://www.ixigo.com/trains | |
| Paytm Train Booking | https://paytm.com/train-tickets | |
| Bus Tickets | RedBus | https://www.redbus.in |
| AbhiBus | https://www.abhibus.com | |
| MakeMyTrip Buses | https://www.makemytrip.com/bus-tickets/ | |
| Paytm Bus Booking | https://paytm.com/bus-tickets | |
| Travelyaari | https://www.travelyaari.com |
Pongal 2026 – Train & Bus Ticket Booking Options (Including WhatsApp)
| Booking Method | Platform / App | How to Use | Supports |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Ticket Booking | IRCTC WhatsApp (Railofy Bot) | Send “Book Tickets” to +91 9881193322 | Train Booking, PNR Status |
| IRCTC Website | irctc.co.in | Login → Search Trains → Book → Pay Online | Train Booking |
| IRCTC Rail Connect App | Android / iOS | Mobile app for faster booking | Train Booking |
| ConfirmTkt | App / Website | Predicts confirmation chances + book via IRCTC | Train Booking |
| ixigo | App / Website | Fast booking interface + seat prediction | Train & Bus |
| Paytm Travel | App / Website | IRCTC-linked booking + wallet payments | Train & Bus |
| RedBus | App / Website | Book TNSTC, SETC & private buses | Bus Booking |
| AbhiBus | App / Website | Compare bus fares → Book instantly | Bus Booking |
| MakeMyTrip (MMT) | App / Website | Book buses, flights, outstation cabs | Bus & Flights |
| TNSTC / SETC Official | tnstc.in | Book government buses for Pongal | Bus Booking |
| Railway Reservation Counters | Offline | Book general/sleeper/ac tickets | Train Booking |
| Authorized Travel Agents | Offline | IRCTC agent booking (service charge applicable) | Train Booking |
Notes:
- WhatsApp booking works via Railofy IRCTC-authorized bot.
- IRCTC may launch official WhatsApp booking in 2026; updates expected.
- For Pongal days (Jan 12–16), tickets sell out within minutes, so keep all apps logged in.
Tips to Get a Confirmed Ticket for Pongal 2026
- Log in 10 minutes before booking
- Use auto-fill extensions
- Prefer UPI payment (fastest success rate)
- Choose remote boarding stations (Tambaram, Perambur, Arakkonam)
- Book on the opening day at exactly 8:00 AM
- Avoid WL above 40 for sleeper and WL above 10 for AC classes
Refund & Cancellation Rules (Important for Pongal Travel)
- Refund is processed back to source within 3–7 days
- Tatkal tickets do NOT get a refund unless train is cancelled
- E-tickets must be cancelled online only
- Counter tickets must be cancelled at the counter
Do’s and Don’ts for Pongal Train Ticket Booking 2026
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Log in to IRCTC 10 minutes before booking time (8 AM). | Don’t wait until the last minute to book – tickets sell out in seconds. |
| Save passenger details in the Master List for faster booking. | Don’t type passenger details manually during rush hours. |
| Use UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) for fastest payment. | Don’t use net banking or card payment—they are slower and may fail. |
| Keep your OTP authentication ready (Aadhaar-linked). | Don’t try logging in from multiple devices—IRCTC may block the session. |
| Choose remote boarding stations like Tambaram, Perambur, or Arakkonam to get confirmed seats. | Don’t rely on WL40+ for Sleeper or WL10+ for AC—low confirmation chances. |
| Check Southern Railway announcements for Pongal Special Trains. | Don’t depend only on regular trains—special trains ease the rush. |
| Use apps like ixigo/ConfirmTkt for live status & predictions. | Don’t book blindly without checking confirmation probability. |
| Book return journey tickets as soon as booking opens. | Don’t wait till Pongal week—return train WL goes high. |
| Carry valid ID: Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, DL. | Don’t travel without ID—ticket may be considered invalid. |
| Check platform numbers early using NTES. | Don’t assume platform without confirmation—may change last minute. |
The Future of Pongal Train Travel (2026 & Beyond)
- More Festival Special Trains
Additional trains on high-demand routes like Chennai–Madurai, Chennai–Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Trichy & Coimbatore. - Improved IRCTC Booking System
Faster app, AI seat prediction & unified payment gateway for quicker festival bookings. - Aadhaar-Based OTP Login
Expected to become mandatory for Tatkal/festival bookings to reduce fraud. - More Vande Bharat & Vande Sadharan Trains
Daily services on major Tamil Nadu routes easing Pongal travel rush. - Smart Coach Technology
Automatic seat maps, QR seat verification & live crowd monitoring in trains. - Dynamic Pricing During Festivals
Railways may adopt flexible pricing — early bookers get better rates. - Upgraded Tamil Nadu Stations
Egmore, Tambaram, Madurai, Trichy & Coimbatore to get improved facilities, digital boards & extra platforms.
FAQs
1. When did Pongal 2026 train ticket booking start?
Bookings opened 60 days before the travel date — between November 12 and November 19, 2025 for journeys from January 11–18, 2026.
2. What is the best time to book Pongal train tickets?
The safest time is exactly at 8:00 AM on the booking opening date. Tickets sell out within minutes.
3. Which trains get booked fastest during Pongal?
Popular trains like Nellai Express, Pandian Express, Pothigai Express, Silambu Express, and Chennai–Madurai/Tirunelveli routes fill instantly.
4. Where can I book Pongal 2026 train tickets?
You can book through:
- IRCTC Website (irctc.co.in)
- IRCTC Rail Connect Mobile App
- Apps like ConfirmTkt, ixigo, Paytm Travel
- Railway reservation counters
5. Is Aadhaar mandatory for Pongal ticket booking?
For regular tickets, it is not mandatory.
However, Tatkal bookings require Aadhaar or government ID OTP verification from mid-2025.
6. Will there be special trains for Pongal 2026?
Yes, Southern Railway usually announces festival special trains for major routes. Notifications are released closer to the travel date.
7. Why do Pongal tickets go to waiting list quickly?
High demand from Tamil Nadu residents returning to their hometowns causes instant sellouts within minutes.
8. How can I improve my chances of getting a confirmed ticket?
- Log in to IRCTC before 7:55 AM
- Use Autofill tools
- Prefer Sleeper / 3A if flexible
- Try alternate stations like Tambaram, Villupuram, Katpadi
9. Can I travel with a waiting list ticket?
WL tickets cannot be used for travel. Only RAC or Confirmed tickets allow entry.
10. When should I book return tickets after Pongal?
For return travel on January 18, 2026, bookings opened on November 19, 2025.
Always book return tickets the same day the window opens.
11. Will IRCTC introduce dynamic pricing during Pongal?
It is expected in the future but not fully implemented yet. Special trains may have different pricing.
12. Can foreign travelers book Pongal train tickets?
Yes, through IRCTC International Ticket Booking, using passport verification.
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