Going home for Diwali 2026? Here's the easy way
In 2026, Diwali is on Sunday 8 November, and Chhath Puja starts on 13 November. Delhi-Patna for 6 November 2026 trains offer "No Room at all" as in less than half an hour after the booking window opens, the same flights cost over 9,000 per seat.
Pre-booked cab saves you from both the problems. You pay for one trip with no surprise charges, tolls and state taxes are included, and you're picked up at your door with all your gifts and sweets in the Boot space. With CabBazar, a sedan from Delhi to Lucknow costs ₹5,600 for the whole car. For a family of four, that's just ₹1,400 each with door to door travel and good luggage capacity.
Check Diwali fare in 30 seconds, or send us your route on WhatsApp and get a quote instantly.
Check Your Diwali Cab Fare →Diwali & Chhath 2026 dates and the busiest travel days
The heaviest outbound traffic from Delhi NCR will run from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 November. If you can leave on 3 or 4 November, you'll get clearer highways and more cars to choose from.
| Date | Day | Festival | Travel Rush |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Nov 2026 | Friday | Dhanteras | Peak outbound day |
| 7 Nov 2026 | Saturday | Choti Diwali | Peak outbound day |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Sunday | Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) | Light roads, few cabs free |
| 10 Nov 2026 | Tuesday | Govardhan Puja | Moderate |
| 11 Nov 2026 | Wednesday | Bhai Dooj | Return trips begin |
| 13 Nov 2026 | Friday | Chhath: Nahay Khay | Bihar and East UP rush |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Sunday | Chhath: Sandhya Arghya | Very little availability |
| 16 Nov 2026 | Monday | Chhath: Usha Arghya | Return rush starts 16–18 Nov |
If you're heading to Bihar or Purvanchal for Chhath, book your return cab when you book your outbound trip. Return seats from Patna and Gorakhpur fill up just as fast.
Train, flight or cab: what works at Diwali
Once there are two or more of you, a one way cab is often the cheapest way home. It's also the only option where you can choose your departure time.
Example: a family of 4 travelling Delhi → Patna on 6 November 2026
| Option | What you'll face | Cost for 4 people |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Delhi–Patna trains went "No Room" within 30 minutes of opening; waitlists run 50–250 for 1–5 Nov | Base fare, but most tickets are not confirmed |
| Flight | ₹9,231 per seat on 6 Nov (usually about ₹5,500), plus cabs to and from the airport and baggage limits | ~₹37,000+ |
| One-way SUV (6 seats) | Door-to-door, leave when you want, room for gifts and luggage | ~₹12,500 for the whole car* |
| One-way sedan (4 seats) | Door-to-door, lighter luggage | ~₹9,000 for the whole car* |
Estimated at CabBazar's ₹12.5/km (SUV) and ₹9/km (sedan) for about 1,000 km, plus 5% GST. Check the live fare before you book.
Why a cab works during the festival rush:
- No return fare. You pay one way only, and one-way tolls and state tax are included.
- Door to door. No trips to the station or airport, no coolie, and no lugging sweets through security.
- Your schedule. Leave after work on Friday or at 4 a.m. on Saturday, whichever suits you.
- Room for everything. Gifts, puja items and the family's luggage fit in one car.
- Pets welcome. Pet-friendly cabs are available, so you don't need a boarding kennel over the holidays.
Diwali one-way cab fares from Delhi NCR
One-way fares start at ₹8.8/km for a hatchback and ₹9/km for a sedan. SUVs are ₹12.5/km and an Assured Innova is ₹13.5/km. The whole car costs the same whether 1 person rides or 4.
| Delhi to | Distance | Drive Time | One-way Fare (Sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar | 210 km | 4–5 hrs | from ₹1,750 |
| Agra | 230 km | 3–4 hrs | from ₹1,999 |
| Chandigarh | 250 km | 4–5 hrs | from ₹2,350 |
| Dehradun | 254 km | 5–6 hrs | from ₹2,499 |
| Jaipur | 300 km | 5–6 hrs | from ₹2,499 |
| Kanpur | 500 km | 8–9 hrs | from ₹5,400 |
| Lucknow | 555 km | 8–9 hrs | from ₹5,600 |
| Gorakhpur | 822 km | 13–14 hrs | from ₹8,700 |
| Varanasi | 861 km | ~14.5 hrs | from ₹9,500 |
| Patna | ~1,000 km | 16–18 hrs | ~₹9,000 (estimate) |
Need more space? A 6-seater SUV to Lucknow costs ₹8,100 and an Innova is ₹9,100. To Varanasi, an SUV is ₹13,100 and an Innova is ₹14,100. A 12-seat Tempo Traveller to Lucknow is ₹20,250, which works for a large family.
Fares include driver charges, night charges and fuel, plus one-way tolls and state tax. Parking and 5% GST are extra. Pay 10–20% in advance and the rest to the driver. Fares shown on Cabbazar as of 30 Sep 2026; festival-week fares may change.
When to book and how
Book by mid-October. Cars and experienced highway drivers for 5–7 November and 13–15 November are the first to go.
| Book by | Why |
|---|---|
| Now to 15 Oct | Widest choice of SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers |
| 16–31 Oct | Sedans are still easy to find; large cars get scarce |
| 1–5 Nov | Last-minute. Stay flexible on car type and pickup time |
Book in 4 steps:
- Enter your pickup city, drop city and date on the CabBazar booking page, or send the same details on WhatsApp.
- Pick a car: sedan for up to 4 people, SUV or Innova for 6, Tempo Traveller for 12.
- Pay 10–20% in advance to confirm your booking.
- Pay the balance to the driver at drop-off. There's no return fare to pay.
Tip: book your return trip (11–12 November, or 16–18 November after Chhath) at the same time. Return demand is just as high.
Which car should you choose?
| Car | Seats | Best for | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback (Wagon-R) | 4 | 1–2 people, light bags, short routes | ₹8.8/km |
| Sedan (Dzire, Etios) | 4 | Couples or a family of 3–4 with 2–3 bags | ₹9/km |
| SUV (Ertiga, Marazzo) | 6 | Families with gift boxes and extra luggage | ₹12.5/km |
| Assured Innova / Crysta | 6 | Long trips (800 km+), elderly parents, more comfort | ₹13.5/km |
| Tempo Traveller | 12 | Two families or a group going home together | Route-based |
For trips over 800 km, like Delhi to Varanasi, Gorakhpur or Patna, choose an Innova or SUV. The extra legroom makes a big difference on a 14-hour drive.
Tips for a smooth Diwali road trip
- Leave early. Starting before 6 a.m. gets you past the Noida–Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway entry points before the traffic builds.
- Take the expressways. Lucknow, Kanpur and East UP trips are fastest via the Yamuna Expressway and the Agra–Lucknow Expressway.
- Plan for November fog. Late-night and early-morning fog is common on UP highways. Allow extra time and don't push the driver to hurry.
- Pack sweets and diyas carefully. Keep fragile gift boxes flat in the boot and carry puja items in a separate bag.
- Share your trip. Send the driver and car details to a family member before you leave.
- Bringing a pet? Mention it when you book so we send a pet-friendly car. Read our guide to travelling with pets.
- Flying part of the way? An airport taxi can cover the last stretch from the airport to your home town.
Book your ride home today
The trains are full and flights are over ₹9,000 a seat, but your ride home is still one message away. CabBazar has 2.5 lakh verified drivers, charges no return fare, and includes tolls on one-way trips.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I book a cab for Diwali 2026?
Book by 15 October for travel between 5 and 7 November. SUVs, Innovas and Tempo Travellers sell out first.
Do I have to pay a return fare on a one-way cab?
No, CabBazar one-way cabs charge only for the distance you travel. Driver charges, night charges and one-way tolls and state tax are included.
How much is a Delhi to Lucknow cab for Diwali?
A sedan starts at ₹5,600 one way, an SUV at ₹8,100 and an Innova at ₹9,100. Parking and 5% GST are extra.
Can I book a cab from Delhi to Bihar for Chhath Puja?
Yes, cabs to Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and other Bihar cities are available. Chhath runs from 13 to 16 November 2026, so book your outbound and return trips together.
How much advance do I need to pay?
Just 10–20% of the fare to confirm your booking. You pay the rest to the driver.
Can I book on WhatsApp?
Yes, just send your pickup city, drop city, date and number of passengers, and you'll get a fare quote.
Can I carry my pet?
Yes, select the option of “travelling with a pet” when you book and we'll assign a pet-friendly car for your comfortable travel.
