Train travel becomes expensive: Starting today, December 26, passengers will have to pay a little more to book train tickets as Indian Railways rolls out
a revised fare structure with the aim of balancing affordability with rising operating costs. The initiative, described as a “fare rationalisation” exercise, brings small, calibrated increases across select classes and distances, while keeping suburban travel and short journeys untouched. For millions of commuters who rely on trains for daily travel, including long-distance, the changes mean it is time to look closely at how much extra a journey could cost and who will remain unaffected. Take a look. The Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with effect from December 26, with the objective of balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operations. Speaking on the fare rationalisation, Executive Director (Information and Publicity) of the Railway Board, Dilip Kumar, said that the new fare rates will be implemented from midnight. "... From midnight on 25 December, new fare prices will be implemented. There will be no changes to suburban train fares, and seasonal ticket fares will remain unchanged. In passenger trains, fares for travel up to 215 kilometres will also remain unchanged..." Kumar said.
Train travel becomes expensive: What has changed in new fare structure?
Indian Railways clarified that the revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Tickets already booked, even for travel on later dates, will not incur any additional charges. The Railways stated that the revision is intended to support financial sustainability while minimising the impact on passengers.
No fare hike for suburban services and season tickets
Under the revised fare structure, there is no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes.
Revised fares for 2nd class ordinary, sleeper class ordinary,1st class ordinary
For Ordinary Non-AC (Non-Suburban) services, fares have been rationalised in a graded manner across Second Class Ordinary, Sleeper Class Ordinary, and First Class Ordinary.
In Second Class Ordinary, there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 km, ensuring that short-distance and daily commuters are not impacted.
For distances from 216 km to 750 km, the fare increases by 5. For longer journeys, the increase is applied in steps: Rs 10 for distances between 751 km and 1250 km, Rs 15 for distances between 1251 km and 1750 km, and ₹20 for distances between 1751 km and 2250 km.
In Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class Ordinary, fares have been revised uniformly at the rate of 1 paise per kilometre for non-suburban journeys, ensuring a gradual and limited increase in fares.
Mail/Express train fare update: 2 paise per kilometre across Non-AC and AC classes
In Mail/Express trains, the fare increase has been rationalised at 2 paise per kilometre across Non-AC and AC classes. This includes Sleeper Class, First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, and AC First Class. As an illustration, for a 500 km journey in non-AC Mail/Express coaches, passengers will pay only about 10 extra.
The existing basic fares of major train services, including Tejas Rajdhani, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Tejas, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and Ordinary non-suburban services (excluding AC MEMU/DEMU, where applicable), have been revised in line with the approved class-wise basic fare increases. The revision has been carried out uniformly and in a calibrated manner across applicable classes.
Notably, no changes have been made in reservation fees, superfast surcharges, or other ancillary charges, which will continue to be levied as per existing rules. GST applicability remains unchanged, and fares will continue to be rounded off according to prevailing norms.
with inputs from ANI.
