India Train Fare Calculator
Estimate Indian Railways train fares by distance and class. Covers Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, 1AC, General and Chair Car with reservation and superfast charges.
Approximate Fare
₹589
Fare Breakdown
Common Routes
Note: These are approximate fares based on standard IRCTC fare calculation methods. Actual fares vary based on train type, availability of berths, dynamic pricing, and special charges. Always check IRCTC.co.in for exact booking fares. Surcharges vary by train category (Express, Superfast, Premium, etc.).
Indian Railways Fare Structure
Indian Railways fares depend on distance, class of travel, and train type. Major classes from cheapest to most expensive: Sleeper (SL) for unreserved and basic reserved, Third AC (3A), Second AC (2A), First AC (1A) for AC sleeping classes, Chair Car (CC) and Executive (EC) for daytime AC trains, plus Vande Bharat and Rajdhani premium pricing.
Approximate per-kilometre fare: SL 30-50 paise, 3A ₹1.50-2.50, 2A ₹2.50-3.50, 1A ₹4-5. So Mumbai-Delhi (1,400 km): SL ₹450-600, 3A ₹2,000-2,500, 2A ₹3,000-3,500, 1A ₹5,500-6,500 base fare. Tatkal (last-minute booking) adds 10-30% to base fare. Rajdhani/Vande Bharat add catering and premium pricing.
Booking Charges and Reservations
Reservation fee: ₹15-60 per ticket depending on class. Tatkal fee: 10% of base fare for SL, 30% for AC classes. Premium Tatkal can cost 50-100% above base fare during high demand. Service charge for online booking: ₹15-30 per ticket. Convenience fee for IRCTC payment gateway: 1-2% of fare value typically.
Concessions are extensive: senior citizens (suspended in 2020 but partially restored 2024), women (small discount on long-distance), Press correspondents, military personnel, students (limited). Children: free up to age 5; 25-50% discount age 5-12; full fare 12+. Concessions usually require ID verification at the time of travel.
Booking Strategies
Book 60-120 days in advance for popular routes - prices and availability are best when reservation window opens. Tatkal opens 1 day before travel for AC classes (10:00 AM) and SL (11:00 AM) - extremely competitive on popular routes. RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) is partial confirmation; you get a seat to share until full berth is allocated.
IRCTC website and app are the primary booking platforms. Third-party apps (MakeMyTrip, ConfirmTkt) offer the same inventory with their own service fees. Booking opens at 8 AM IST (general quota), 10 AM (Tatkal AC), 11 AM (Tatkal SL). Speed of booking matters - popular trains fill in seconds.
Premium Trains and Special Cases
Vande Bharat: India's flagship semi-high-speed trains. Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Varanasi, Chennai-Coimbatore, etc. Fares 2-3x equivalent regular AC fares but include catering and faster journey. Rajdhani Express: traditional premium overnight trains. Shatabdi: daytime fast inter-city. Duronto: long-distance non-stop.
Foreigners face special pricing for some quota tickets but generally pay regular fares. Tourism trains (Maharaja's, Palace on Wheels): premium luxury at ₹2-15 lakh per head for week-long itineraries. Suburban trains in Mumbai/Chennai/Kolkata operate on token-based ticketing without reservations needed. Use the [India Income Tax Calculator](/india-income-tax-calculator) for broader Indian context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I book?
60-120 days for popular routes. Reservation opens 120 days before travel for most trains. Within 60 days, Tatkal becomes the practical option. For festival travel (Diwali, Holi, Christmas), book the moment the window opens.
What's the difference between sleeper and third AC?
Sleeper (SL): non-AC, fan ventilation, open windows, wood/leather berths. Less expensive but less comfortable in summer (heat) and winter (cold). Third AC (3A): air-conditioned, sealed compartments, blanket and pillow provided, better lighting. About 4-5x the price of sleeper.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes, with cancellation charges varying by class and timing. Cancellation 48+ hours before: 25% deduction on base fare. 12-48 hours: 50%. Less than 4 hours before departure: full forfeit (no refund). Some lower-class fares have higher cancellation thresholds.
What about waitlisted tickets?
Waitlist (WL) tickets get confirmed if other passengers cancel before departure. RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets give you a partial berth (sharing). On day of travel, check status via SMS to 139 or IRCTC. Auto-refund happens for unconfirmed waitlist tickets that don't clear.