Indian Railways fare hike from Friday: Here’s how much extra passengers will pay

This is the second time in a year that the ministry has revised passenger train fares. The earlier fare hike was implemented in July.

Indian Railways on Thursday notified a hike in passenger fares that will come into effect from Friday, December 26, marking the second fare revision this year after an earlier increase in July.

Under the revised structure, ticket prices will go up by 1 paise per km for ordinary class journeys beyond 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes across all trains, the Railway Ministry said.

Why fares are being increased

Announcing the decision earlier on December 21, the railway ministry said the fare rationalisation has “the objective of balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operations”.

What stays unchanged

There is no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes. “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,” the ministry said.

How much more will second-class passengers pay

For longer second-class ordinary journeys, fares will rise in slabs: Rs 5 for 216–750 km, Rs 10 for 751–1,250 km, Rs 15 for 1,251–1,750 km, and Rs 20 for 1,751–2,250 km.

Revised rates for sleeper and first class (ordinary)

Fares for sleeper class ordinary and first class ordinary have been revised uniformly at 1 paise per km for non-suburban journeys, ensuring what the ministry described as a gradual increase.

Mail and express trains: AC and non-AC impact

In mail and express trains, fares across non-AC and AC classes—including sleeper, first class, AC chair car, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier and AC first class—have been increased by 2 paise per km. “As an illustration, for a 500 km journey in non-AC mail/express coaches, passengers will pay only about Rs 10 extra,” the statement said.

Trains covered under the fare hike

The revised fares apply to major services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Gatimaan, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, among others.

From when the new fares apply

The notification clarified that “the revised fares are applicable only on tickets booked on or after 26 December, 2025. Tickets booked prior to this date will not attract any additional charges, even if the journey is undertaken after the effective date.”

Railways’ assurance to passengers

Indian Railways said fare charts at stations will be updated accordingly, reiterating that it remains committed to “providing safe, reliable and affordable travel” while maintaining operational sustainability.