Eid Festival Railway Services 2026
Your definitive guide to Eid railway travel in Pakistan. Additional service timetables, reservation tactics, route demand analysis, and proven tips to reach home before the celebrations begin.
Eid 2026 Travel Season
Pakistan Railways is expected to announce special trains for both Eid ul Fitr (March 2026) and Eid ul Adha (June 2026). Dates are approximate based on the Islamic calendar. Follow official announcements for confirmed schedules. Track live on RailTracking.pk once trains start running.
15-30
Extra Trains Expected
3-5 days
Peak Travel Days
500K+
Passengers During Eid
15-20 days
Booking Opens Before
Eid Route Demand & Additional Services
| Route | Regular Trains | Expected Special | Demand Level | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi → Lahore | 6 | 3-5 extra | Extremely High | Book within first hour of opening |
| Lahore → Rawalpindi | 8 | 2-4 extra | Very High | Consider Jhelum as alternative stop |
| Multan → Karachi | 4 | 2-3 extra | High | Try Bahawalpur departure for more options |
| Rawalpindi → Peshawar | 4 | 1-2 extra | High | Book AC class — Economy sells out first |
| Lahore → Faisalabad | 3 | 1-2 extra | Moderate | Shalimar Express often adds extra coaches |
| Quetta → Karachi | 2 | 1 extra | High | Only route to Balochistan — book very early |
Winning Strategies for Eid Ticket Reservations
Set Reminders for Booking Opens
Follow @PakRailway on Twitter and set calendar reminders. When Eid special bookings open, tickets sell out within hours, not days.
Book at Midnight on Opening Day
Online bookings typically open at midnight. Be on the Pak Rail Live app or website at 12:00 AM on the announcement day.
Have Multiple Payment Methods Ready
Load your JazzCash, Easypaisa, and have a debit card ready. Payment failures during peak booking times can cost you your ticket.
Consider AC Business or Parlor Class
Economy class sells out in minutes. AC Business costs more but has better availability and comfort for long Eid journeys.
Use Counter Booking as Backup
If online booking fails, visit the railway station counter immediately. Some tickets are reserved for counter sales only.
Travel a Day Early if Possible
The last 2-3 days before Eid are the busiest. Traveling 3-4 days before Eid dramatically increases ticket availability.
🧳 Pre-Departure Eid Travel Checklist
Backup Plans When Railway Seats Are Unavailable
Daewoo Express Bus
Premium bus service on major intercity routes. Book online at daewoo.com.pk or at terminals.
Usually availableFaisal Movers
Wide network covering Punjab and KPK routes. Walk-in or online booking available.
Good availabilityCarpool / Ride-share
Many people share rides during Eid. Check social media groups for your city pair.
VariableDomestic Flights
PIA and Airblue operate domestic routes. Expensive but fast. Book early for best fares.
Limited seatsCommon Questions About Eid Railway Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to expand the answer
Pakistan Railways typically opens Eid special train bookings 15-20 days before Eid. Regular train bookings for the Eid period open 30 days in advance as usual. However, special/extra trains are announced separately and bookings may open just 10-15 days before. Follow Pakistan Railways official announcements and check RailTracking.pk for live updates.
Pakistan Railways typically adds 15-30 special/extra trains during Eid, depending on demand. These run on major routes like Karachi-Lahore, Lahore-Rawalpindi, and Multan-Karachi. Some regular trains also add extra coaches. The exact number varies each year and is announced 1-2 weeks before Eid.
Generally, Eid special trains charge the same fares as regular trains of the same class. However, demand is extremely high, so economy and standard class tickets sell out fastest. AC Business and Parlor class tickets may be available longer. Pakistan Railways does NOT have surge pricing, so the fare remains the same regardless of demand.
If tickets are sold out: (1) Check daily for cancellations — people cancel, and tickets become available. (2) Try the waiting list (WL) option at the station counter. (3) Look for tickets on alternative routes or connecting trains. (4) Consider traveling a day earlier or later to avoid peak rush. (5) Use buses as a backup — services like Daewoo and Faisal Movers also add extra routes during Eid.
Yes! Once Pakistan Railways announces Eid special trains and they begin operating, they appear on RailTracking.pk just like regular trains. You can track their live location, check delays, and see ETA at each station. Bookmark the trains you're interested in for quick access.
🌙 Track Your Eid Train Live
Real-time tracking for all regular and special Eid trains across Pakistan