January is one of India’s most vibrant months – filled with celebrations, travel, and the joy of new beginnings. With Makar Sankranti just around the corner, this is your reminder that train bookings for the festive week are NOW OPEN!
Suppose you’re planning to travel this Sankranti for family gatherings, traditional celebrations, winter holidays, or long-weekend getaways. In that case, this is the best time to book your train tickets and avoid the last-minute rush.
🌞 Why Makar Sankranti Is a Big Travel Day
In 2026, Makar Sankranti falls on Wednesday, 14 January, giving millions of people across India the perfect mid-week break opportunity.
Whether you’re travelling home for the festival or planning a short winter vacation, this period sees a huge spike in train bookings due to:
- School holidays in many states
- Family and cultural gatherings
- Massive celebrations like kite festivals, fairs, and temple visits
- Winter tourism is at its peak.
As a result, trains to major cities and tourist locations begin filling up weeks in advance – especially AC, Sleeper, and Tatkal seats.
🎯 Why You Should Book Your Sankranti Train Tickets Early
The festive season sees some of the highest train booking volumes of the year. To enjoy a stress-free Sankranti trip, booking in advance gives you:
✅ Confirmed Seats – No More Waitlist Anxiety: Avoid WL/REGRET scenarios that usually build up closer to Sankranti.
💺 Your Preferred Coach & Berth: Choose 2AC, 3AC, Sleeper, or Chair Car while availability is still high.
🕐 Better Train Options & Timings: Early booking lets you pick convenient departure times instead of odd-hour trains.
🌤️ Smooth Winter Travel: January weather is ideal for travel, but also the busiest time for hill stations and pilgrimage routes.
💯 Peace of Mind: Focus on your festival shopping and travel planning – not refreshing the waitlist chart!
🚄 Popular Train Routes During Makar Sankranti 2026
Whether you’re travelling to attend traditional pujas or planning a mini-vacation, these routes are expected to be the busiest:
🪁 Ahmedabad & Vadodara (Gujarat)
For the world-famous International Kite Festival – a must-experience spectacle.
🛕 Varanasi & Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh)
A spiritual hotspot during Sankranti, with Ganga snan, sunrise aarti, and temple visits.
🌄 Delhi → Jaipur / Udaipur
Perfect for winter getaways, forts, food festivals, and royal experiences.
🏖️ Mumbai → Goa / Konkan Belt
A favourite route for those combining Sankranti with a beach vacation.
🌾 South India Routes (Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru)
Many travellers head home to celebrate Pongal – the southern harvest festival – leading to high demand.
❄️ Himachal & Uttarakhand Hill Stations
January is peak winter – ideal for snow lovers heading to Shimla, Manali, Auli, and Nainital.
📲 How to Book Train Tickets on Paytm
Booking your festive journey on Paytm is simple, fast, and secure:
- Open the Paytm App
- Tap on Train Tickets
- Enter your origin–destination.
- Select your travel dates around 13–16 January 2026
- Choose your preferred train & class.
- Fill in passenger details.
- Pay securely via UPI or Cards.
Your e-ticket will be instantly available in the app and emailed to you.
🚨 Watch Out for Special Trains & Extra Coaches
During big festivals like Makar Sankranti, Indian Railways introduces:
- Festival special trains
- Temporary timetable additions
- Extra AC/Sleeper coaches on popular routes
Keep an eye on:
- Official Indian Railways updates
- IRCTC notifications
- Paytm Travel alerts on new trains & Tatkal availability
Even if you miss your first booking, these additions can help you get a seat.
🪁 Plan Sankranti + Winter Trips Together
Since Sankranti falls in mid-January, it’s the perfect opportunity to combine your trip with:
- A long winter vacation
- A quick mountain escape
- A family visit followed by a weekend getaway
- Spiritual tourism during the auspicious period
Hotels and trains fill up fast around this time – so plan early to save money and avoid last-minute hassles.
🎒 Travel Tips for a Smooth Sankranti Journey
- Keep a soft copy of your ticket & ID
- Pack winter wear – January nights get chilly across India
- Carry snacks, a thermos, and water
- Track live train status on Paytm
- Reach the station early due to the festive crowd
- Opt for lower berths when travelling with senior citizens or children
- Book return tickets too – 15-17 January will also be crowded
🌟 Final Word: Celebrate Makar Sankranti Without Travel Worries
Makar Sankranti marks warmth, new beginnings, and the joy of harvest – don’t let travel struggles overshadow the celebrations.
Since train bookings for Makar Sankranti (14 January) are already OPEN, this is your chance to:
🎟️ Book early, avoid waitlists, and secure the best routes
🚆 Get confirmed seats through Paytm with quick, hassle-free booking
🌞 Plan a memorable festive & winter getaway
Start your Sankranti travel planning today – and make 2026’s first big festival truly unforgettable! 🪁✨🚆
