Railways Hike Passenger Fares by 1–2 Paise Per Km From Dec 26.

Train Travel Gets Costlier Again: Railways Announce Fare Hike From December 26.

Indian Railways has officially announced a marginal hike in passenger fares, effective Friday, December 26, 2025, marking the second fare “rationalisation” this year after a similar revision in July. The increase, calculated on a per-kilometre basis, is aimed at partially offsetting sharply rising operational and manpower expenses, which have touched nearly Rs.2.63 lakh crore in the 2024–25 financial years.

While suburban trains, monthly season tickets and short-distance general class journeys up to 215 km remain unaffected, passengers travelling longer distances will feel the impact, with fares rising by 1 paisa per km in ordinary class beyond 215 km and by 2 paise per km in Mail/Express and all AC classes, including Rajdhani trains.

As a result, a Bhopal–Delhi journey will now cost about Rs.14–16 more, while Delhi–Mumbai passengers will pay roughly Rs.28 extra, translating to a flat Rs.10 increase for every 500 km travelled in Express or AC coaches.

The revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, with no change in reservation charges, superfast surcharge or GST. The Railways expects the hike to generate an additional Rs.600 crore, which will be channelled into safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements, even as passengers brace for slightly higher travel costs.