Holi special train Kolkata to Lucknow – Holi special train Lucknow to Kolkata
TWO PAIR SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN KOLKATA & LUCKNOW
To clear the extra rush of passengers during Holi, two pair special trains (Train No.04206/Train No.04205) between Lucknow & Kolkata.
Train No.04206 Lucknow – Kolkata Holi Special (via Bandel) will leave Lucknow at 23.55 hrs. on 5.3.2025 & 8.3.2025 to reach Kolkata at 21.45 hrs. on the next day.
Train No.04205 Kolkata – Lucknow Holi Special (via Bandel) will leave Kolkata at 23.45 hrs. on 6.3.2025 & 9.3.2025 to reach Lucknow at 20.00 hrs. on the next day.
The train will stop at Sultanpur, Varanasi, Pt, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn. Sasaram, Gaya, Koderma, Dhanbad, Pradhankhunta, Asansol, Durgapur, Barddhaman and Bandel stations enroute in both directions between Lucknow & Kolkata.
The train will have general second class, sleeper class and air-conditioned accommodation.
I wasn’t able to find evidence of any dedicated Holi Special train running directly between Kolkata (or Howrah/Sealdah) and Lucknow (or Lucknow NE / LJN) in March 2025.
However, Indian Railways did operate a broader network of Holi Special trains during that festival season, many of which served Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana—though not this exact corridor
Contents
🚉 What Was Available during Holi 2025
- Central Railway announced 184 Holi Special train trips overall:
- 94 trips towards destinations in UP, MP, Jharkhand, Delhi, Haryana.
- 26 trips were targeted at Bihar-bound routes
- Examples include specials from Mumbai to Kanpur, Mau, Gorakhpur, Danapur, Malda Town, etc. But no specials from Kolkata/Sealdah to Lucknow were listed
📋 Summary Table
| Route | Holi Special Train | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kolkata / Howrah → Lucknow | — | No special service |
| Lucknow → Kolkata / Howrah | — | No special service |
| Other Holi Specials (various) | Many | Served other corridors |
| Regular options (if needed) | Jan Shatabdi / Express | Available daily/weekly |
✅ Alternatives for Kolkata–Lucknow Travel
If you’re planning travel around Holi and cannot find a special service, here are your best options:
- Regular long-distance trains between Howrah/Sealdah and Lucknow such as:
- Lucknow Mail, LTT Lucknow Express, etc.
- Connecting via other routes like Howrah–Gorakhpur or Howrah–Patna, then onward to Lucknow through connecting trains.
- Monitor IRCTC or NTES for any last-minute additions or one-time special trains; Holi specials were announced a few days to a week before travel
🛤️ Suggested Plan
- Book a well-rated regular express service that runs daily or weekly.
- Or take a combination of specials to Gorakhpur/Patna + onward train to Lucknow.
- Use IRCTC’s PNR tracker and seat availability tools to secure tickets.
- Keep track of press releases from Eastern Railway, NR, and CR in case of announcements.
Would you like assistance checking PNR availability, train timetables, fare details, or best itinerary options connecting Kolkata and Lucknow around the Holi period?