Delhi-Patna Vande Bharat Special: Planning to visit Bihar for Diwali and Chhath Puja but struggling to get a confirmed train ticket? Indian Railways has introduced a major solution by launching the Vande Bharat Festival Special, running directly between New Delhi and Patna Junction.
The semi-high-speed train commenced its operations on October 16, 2026, providing travellers with an additional travel option during the festive rush.
Delhi To Patna In 13 Hours
The Vande Bharat Festival Special (Train No. 02252 / 02251) covers a distance of approximately 998 kilometres in roughly 13 hours. The train is equipped with modern AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car coaches.
Check Timings
- Train No. 02252 (New Delhi to Patna): Departs from New Delhi at 8:35 AM and arrives at Patna Junction at 9:30 PM on the same day.
- Train No. 02251 (Patna to New Delhi): Departs from Patna Junction at 10:00 AM and arrives at New Delhi at 11:30 PM.
Major Stoppages
To benefit passengers heading to regional destinations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the train includes scheduled stoppages at key stations:
- Aligarh Junction
- Kanpur Central
- Prayagraj Junction
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay (DDU) Junction
- Buxar
- Ara Junction
For passengers in Buxar and Ara, this train provides direct high-speed connectivity to and from New Delhi.
Schedule
The festival special is scheduled to run three days a week till late November.
- From New Delhi (Train No. 02252): Commenced on October 16 and 18, operating every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from October 21 to November 25, 2026.
- From Patna Junction (Train No. 02251): Runs on October 17 and 19, operating every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from October 22 to November 26, 2026.
Note: Due to high demand, passengers are advised to check seat availability and operating dates on the IRCTC website or app or via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) before booking.