Chennai-Kollam Onam Special Trains Announced via Salem, Erode, Thrissur & Kottayam Route: Check Time Table

With Onam 2026 approaching, Southern Railway has introduced special train services between Chennai and Kollam to accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic. Every year, thousands of people travel from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana to Kerala to celebrate the festival with their families, resulting in heavy demand for train tickets on this route.

To improve seat availability during the festive season, the railway zone will operate weekly AC Economy special trains in August and September. The additional services are expected to benefit office-goers, students and families travelling to various parts of Kerala for Onam celebrations.

When Is Onam 2026?

Onam, Kerala's biggest and most celebrated harvest festival, will be observed in early September 2026, with Thiruvonam-the main festival day-falling on August 28, 2026. The festival is marked by traditional feasts, floral decorations (Pookalam), cultural performances, boat races and family gatherings, leading to one of the busiest travel periods of the year across the state.

As a result, trains connecting Kerala with major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai witness exceptionally high demand well before the festival begins.

Chennai-Kollam Onam Special Trains: Check Train Numbers, Running Dates, Days, Timings & All Complete Schedule

Southern Railway will operate four special services in each direction between Chennai and Kollam.

Train No. 06119 - Chennai to Kollam Weekly Special

The train will depart from MGR Chennai Central at 3:10 PM on the following Wednesdays:

August 12, 2026
August 19, 2026
August 26, 2026
September 2, 2026

The train is scheduled to reach Kollam Junction at 7:20 AM the following morning.

Train No. 06120 - Kollam to Chennai Weekly Special

The return service will leave Kollam Junction at 10:40 AM on:

August 13, 2026
August 20, 2026
August 27, 2026
September 3, 2026

Passengers will arrive at MGR Chennai Central at 3:30 AM the next day.

Chennai-Kollam Special Train Route Via Salem, Erode, Thrissur, Kottayam & More; Check Stoppages

The Onam special trains will stop at several important railway stations across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The notified halts include:

Arakkonam
Katpadi
Jolarpettai
Salem
Erode
Tiruppur
Podanur
Palakkad
Thrissur
Aluva
Ernakulam Town
Kottayam
Changanasseri
Tiruvalla
Chengannur
Mavelikkara
Kayankulam
Kollam Junction

Coach Details of Chennai-Kollam Onam Special Train

Southern Railway has announced that the special trains will comprise 16 AC Economy 3-tier coaches. The AC Economy class provides reserved, air-conditioned travel and is generally considered a more affordable alternative to regular AC 3-tier coaches, although the final fare depends on Indian Railways' pricing applicable at the time of booking.

Passengers planning to travel during the Onam holidays are advised to book tickets as early as possible, as festival special trains also tend to witness heavy bookings. Travellers should also check the latest reservation status, platform information and operational updates before commencing their journey.

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