Chhath Puja Travel from Delhi: Flights, Trains and What Actually Works
By Reyansh Mehta (Reyansh Mehta covers hill stations across the Indian Himalayas — Manali, Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Spiti — with a focus on flights, road conditions, altitude acclimatisation and permit rules. He's spent 90+ days above 3,500m in the last five years.) · Published · 13 min read
Delhi has the largest concentration of Bihar diaspora in India, which means every Chhath Puja triggers a mass exodus from the capital toward Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and beyond. Flights, trains, and even buses fill up fast. Here's how to plan this without losing your mind.
How big is the Delhi-to-Bihar Chhath rush, really?
Massive. Delhi's Purvanchal and Bihar diaspora is estimated at several million people, and a significant chunk of them try to go home for Chhath. The result: trains from Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi, and Anand Vihar stations toward Patna, Gaya, Danapur, and Bhagalpur fill their general and sleeper quota within hours of opening (120 days out for normal trains). AC coaches go almost as fast.
Flights from IGI to Patna and Darbhanga follow a similar pattern — early inventory clears fast, then prices climb sharply. If you're trying to book in late September or October, you're already competing with people who booked in July and August.
TL;DR: From Delhi to Bihar for Chhath 2026, book trains the day the 120-day window opens (roughly late June for October trains). Book flights by August. Don't assume either option will be available if you wait.
Trains from Delhi to Bihar: the 120-day window explained
Indian Railways opens advance booking 120 days before the travel date. For Chhath 2026 (travel around 24–28 October), that booking window opens in late June. If you want a confirmed berth — AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, or even Sleeper — you need to be on IRCTC the morning that window opens.
The trains to know for Delhi–Patna are the Rajdhani Express (daily, roughly 12 hours to Patna), the Sampoorna Kranti Express, Magadh Express, and a handful of others. Tatkal opens 1 day before travel — it costs more but gives you a shot at last-minute availability. Tatkal for an AC 3-tier berth to Patna during Chhath typically runs ₹2,000–3,500 in addition to the base fare, and even Tatkal fills fast on the Chhath weekend.
The honest truth: if you missed the 120-day window for a confirmed berth, your train options for Chhath week are tough. You're looking at Tatkal, RAC (which means a shared berth), or waitlist — none of which are comfortable for a long-distance festival trip with family or luggage.
Flights from Delhi to Patna: what to expect
Delhi–Patna (DEL–JAY) is one of IndiGo's highest-frequency domestic routes. Air India, Akasa Air, and sometimes SpiceJet also fly it. The flight itself is about 1 hour 20 minutes — fast, comfortable, and increasingly the preferred option for people who can afford it and missed the train window.
From Delhi's Terminal 1 (IndiGo and Akasa usually operate from here) or Terminal 2 (Air India sometimes), you can reach Patna airport in under 2 hours door-to-door if traffic cooperates. From Patna airport, the city centre is about 20–30 minutes by cab.
Fare ballpark (2026 estimates, not guaranteed): an early-booked seat (8+ weeks out) typically costs ₹2,500–5,000 one-way. Closer to the festival, expect ₹8,000–15,000 or more. Book both legs together — the return (Patna to Delhi on 29–31 October) is often just as expensive as the outbound. Fares and fees change — check the live price before you book.
Delhi to Darbhanga — the option many overlook
If your family is in north Bihar — Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi — flying to Darbhanga (DBR) instead of Patna can save you several hours of road travel. IndiGo and Air India Express operate the Delhi–Darbhanga route. It's not as frequent as Delhi–Patna, but it's growing.
The Darbhanga route sees meaningful Chhath demand, but it's less searched than Patna — so fares sometimes hold lower for longer. Run both searches (DEL–JAY and DEL–DBR) and compare, factoring in the ground travel difference. If Darbhanga shaves 3 hours off your road journey and the flight is cheaper, that's a clear win.
Flight vs train vs road: a quick comparison
Most people already have a preference, but if you're weighing up the options for Chhath 2026, here's how they stack up on the things that matter for a festival trip:
| Factor | Flight | Train (AC berth) | Road/Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel time | ~1h 20m in-air | ~12–14 hours | 16–22 hours |
| Cost (early booking) | ₹2,500–5,000 | ₹1,200–2,500 | ₹800–1,800 (bus) |
| Cost (last-minute) | ₹10,000–18,000+ | Tatkal ₹3,500–5,000+ | Limited availability |
| Comfort for family | High (short duration) | Good (sleeper berths) | Tiring |
| Advance booking needed | 8+ weeks | 120 days | 2–4 weeks |
For families with elderly members or small children, the flight wins on comfort by a wide margin even at a higher cost. For large groups on a tight budget who planned early, a train with AC 3-tier berths is very comfortable for the distance.
Driving or taking a bus from Delhi — is it practical?
Some families do drive from Delhi to Patna (roughly 1,000 km, 14–18 hours). It's exhausting, it's done over 2 days typically, and the highways are packed during Chhath. The NH19/NH27 corridor is functional but traffic near Varanasi and Patna gets intense in the Chhath window. If you have family willing to share the drive and no time pressure, it's doable. For most people, it's a last resort.
Volvo buses run from Anand Vihar ISBT to Patna — typically 18–22 hours with stops. They're cheaper than flights but significantly more tiring. Bus seats also fill during Chhath. If flights and trains are both busted, check Redbus or AbhiBus for available operators, but don't leave this to the last minute either.
Timing your departure — leaving before the peak saves money and stress
The biggest crowd concentrates on 24–26 October (people trying to reach home in time for Nahay Khay and Kharna). If you can leave Delhi on 21 or 22 October, you'll travel in lighter traffic — literally lighter on the roads and cheaper on flights and trains.
Similarly, the return rush peaks on 29–31 October. If you can stay until 1 or 2 November, the fare for the return leg is often ₹2,000–4,000 lower and trains have more availability. Chhath ends with Usha Arghya on the morning of 29 October, so staying a day or two longer is feasible if your leave allows it.
What to do if you're booking late
If it's already September or October and you haven't booked anything, here's the honest picture:
- Trains: Check IRCTC for Tatkal (opens 1 day before departure). Try the Anand Vihar–Patna Humsafar or less-popular express trains that may have some availability. Also check trains to Varanasi or Mughal Sarai (now Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction) — sometimes these have seats when Patna-bound trains don't, and you can continue by cab or bus.
- Flights: Check Darbhanga and Gaya alongside Patna. Consider flying a day earlier or later than your ideal date. Search with flexible dates on FlightGPT (flightgpt.in) or Google Flights to find the least-bad fare.
- Combination: Some people fly to Varanasi (VNS) — which is closer to Purvanchal UP and eastern Bihar — and then take a 3–4 hour cab to their destination. Varanasi flights are sometimes cheaper and less saturated than Patna flights during Chhath week.
Bottom line
Delhi-to-Bihar for Chhath is one of India's most contested travel corridors. The formula is simple: book trains the day the 120-day window opens (late June for October), and book flights by August at the latest. Don't count on one option — have a Plan B ready. And if you're travelling with elderly family members or young children, err on the side of comfort: a flight for ₹6,000 beats a 20-hour cramped bus ride for a festival trip.
Search Delhi to Patna flights on FlightGPT to compare dates and airlines quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to travel from Delhi to Bihar for Chhath Puja?
Trains are the most comfortable if booked early (book 120 days in advance on IRCTC). Flights are the next best option — book 8+ weeks before Chhath for manageable fares. Driving or buses are fallbacks but significantly more tiring.
Which train should I take from Delhi to Patna for Chhath?
The Rajdhani Express (New Delhi to Patna, ~12 hours) is the fastest. Sampoorna Kranti and Magadh Express are also good options. Book the day the 120-day advance window opens in late June.
How much does a flight from Delhi to Patna cost for Chhath?
Early-booked (8+ weeks out) fares typically run ₹2,500–5,000 one-way. Closer to the festival, prices often reach ₹8,000–15,000+. Fares change — verify on the airline's site before booking.
Is it worth flying to Darbhanga instead of Patna from Delhi?
Definitely worth checking. If your home is in north Bihar, Darbhanga can save you 3–4 hours of road travel and sometimes costs less to fly to than Patna.
When should I leave Delhi for Chhath Puja to avoid the rush?
Leaving 2–3 days before Chhath week (around 21–22 October) is significantly less crowded and cheaper than leaving on 24–26 October. The return rush peaks 29–31 October — staying till 1 November can cut return costs.
Is it cheaper to fly Delhi to Varanasi and then drive to Bihar for Chhath?
Sometimes yes. Varanasi (VNS) flights can be less saturated and cheaper than Patna flights during Chhath week. From Varanasi, a cab to eastern Bihar districts is roughly 3–4 hours. Worth checking if direct Patna options are full or very expensive.