Indian Railways hikes passenger fares again—here's what's changing
Train tickets are getting pricier from December 26, 2025, as Indian Railways rolls out its second fare hike in six months to help cover rising costs.
If you've already booked your ticket, don't worry—your fare stays the same.
What's the new fare?
The price bump depends on how far and which class you're traveling.
For non-AC trains going over 215km, expect to pay ₹5 extra for 216-750km, ₹10 for 751-1250km, ₹15 for 1251-1750km, and ₹20 for 1751-2250km.
Mail/Express non-AC and all AC classes will see a slightly higher increase—about two paisa more per kilometer.
Route-specific changes and who's exempt
Popular routes like Delhi-Mumbai will cost ₹15 more for general class and ₹30 extra for Mail/Express non-AC.
Delhi-Howrah non-AC gets a ₹30 hike too.
But if you booked before December 26, your ticket price won't change—a point Railway Board Executive Director Dilip Kumar made clear: "New fare structure will be applicable on ticket issue on or after that date."
Who does this affect?
Only tickets bought after December 26 (including those from TTEs or at stations) get the new rates.
Suburban and season tickets aren't affected at all, so daily commuters can breathe easy.
The aim is to balance affordability with keeping trains running smoothly for everyone.