Indian Railways Luggage Rules 2026: Railway passengers in India may need to pay charges if they exceed the prescribed luggage limits, similar to the practices
followed by airlines. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently clarified this in the Lok Sabha while responding to a query from MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, who asked whether Indian Railways intends to adopt strict baggage regulations along the lines of airport practices. Minister Vaishnaw explained that Indian Railways currently prescribes class-wise maximum luggage limits for passengers travelling inside train compartments. Passengers can carry luggage within these limits without incurring additional charges. However, if the luggage exceeds the free allowance, charges are levied.
Class-wise luggage allowance and maximum limits:
The class-wise free allowance and maximum permissible limits for luggage inside compartments are as follows:- AC First Class: Passengers are allowed a free luggage allowance of seventy kilograms. The maximum limit they can carry inside the compartment is one hundred and fifty kilograms.
- First Class and AC 2 Tier: Passengers can carry up to fifty kilograms free of charge, with a maximum limit of one hundred kilograms.
- AC 3 Tier and AC Chair Car: Passengers have a free allowance of forty kilograms, which is also the maximum limit for these classes.
- Sleeper Class: The free luggage allowance is forty kilograms, while the maximum permissible limit is eighty kilograms.
- Second Class: Passengers can carry thirty-five kilograms free of charge, with a maximum limit of seventy kilograms.
Additionally, passengers who wish to carry luggage beyond their free allowance but within the maximum limit can do so by paying 1.5 times the standard luggage rate. This system is designed to ensure fair usage of space within passenger compartments while allowing flexibility for travellers who need to carry extra items.
In order to qualify for personal luggage, trunks, suitcases, and boxes with external dimensions not exceeding 100 cm × 60 cm × 25 cm are permitted inside compartments. These items can be carried along with the passenger without additional charges, provided they fall within the free allowance limits.
Luggage Exceeding the Prescribed Dimensions
If trunks or suitcases exceed the specified dimensions, they must be booked and transported separately in brake vans (SLRs) or parcel vans. Such oversized items cannot be carried inside passenger compartments. It is also important to note that merchandise or goods for commercial purposes are not allowed as personal luggage.This clarification from the Railway Ministry ensures passengers are aware of the rules, helping avoid surprises at the station while aligning railway luggage practices more closely with airline norms.
