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Train Fare Estimator
Approximate Indian Railways fare by class. Doesn't account for Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, dynamic fares or superfast surcharge. For exact, check IRCTC.
How the fare is calculated
Indian Railways uses a slab-based per-km rate per class for Mail/Express trains, plus a reservation fee (₹15–60 by class) and the GST that applies to AC classes only. Sleeper is roughly ₹0.50/km, AC-3 ₹2.40/km, AC-2 ₹3.40/km, AC-1 ₹5.70/km — with telescopic discounts on longer hauls.
Worked example
Mumbai CSMT to New Delhi is approximately 1,386 km. A Sleeper ticket on the Rajdhani-free Mail/Express works out to around ₹690, AC-3 around ₹1,900, AC-2 around ₹2,750, AC-1 around ₹4,600 — all before catering, Tatkal premium, or Premium Tatkal dynamic pricing which can push AC-3 above ₹3,500 on the day of journey.
When to use this
- Budgeting a multi-leg trip before opening IRCTC
- Comparing Sleeper vs AC-3 for an overnight journey
- Checking if a Tatkal premium is reasonable (typically 30% above base)
- Estimating LTA / employer reimbursement for family travel
For city-pair distances we use, see the city distance calculator, and check your booking with the IRCTC PNR status tool.
FAQ
Why doesn't IRCTC show this exact fare?
Real fares add: Tatkal premium (10-30%), superfast surcharge, dynamic-pricing for premium trains (Vande Bharat, Shatabdi), catering charge for some trains. This calc gives the base fare for a typical mail/express.
Is reservation charge included in the ticket fare?
Yes for online IRCTC bookings. The ₹15-60 reservation charge is part of what you pay. Online booking adds an additional convenience fee (~₹15-30).
Is GST charged on train tickets?
Yes on AC classes (5%, applied on base + reservation), no GST on Sleeper / 2S. AC is GST-applicable since 2017.