Now railway travel has become expensive! Rates will increase from this date, know how much will it cost to travel 500 kilometers

Just before Christmas and New Year, an important change has come to light for railway passengers. Indian Railways, considered the lifeline of the country, has announced a partial increase in ticket fares, which will be effective from 26 December 2025. This decision will have greater impact on long distance journeys, while efforts have also been made to provide relief to everyday travellers.

Railways says that this increase has been made not to burden the passengers, but to balance the rising costs and better services. Railways is expected to get additional revenue of about ₹ 600 crore from the new fare system, which will be spent on security, operation and infrastructure.

New fare system will be implemented from December 26

Indian Railways has decided to implement a new fare structure by rationalizing ticket fares. This change will be effective from December 26, 2025 and has been implemented in different classes from Mail-Express trains to ordinary class.

Relief to short distance travelers

Railways has clarified that there has been no increase in fares for passengers traveling up to 215 kilometers. This will provide relief to passengers traveling daily or short distances.

Impact on non-AC and AC passengers

There has been a slight increase in fares for long distance passengers. In mail and express trains, the increase will be applicable per kilometer in both non-AC and AC classes, due to which the total fare will increase slightly.

how much did the rent increase

• Sub-urban train and Monthly Season Ticket (MST): No change
• Ordinary Class (up to 215 km): No change
• Ordinary Class (above 215 km): 1 paisa per km
• Mail/Express Non-AC: 2 paise per km
• Mail/Express AC: 2 paise per km
• 500 km non-AC travel: Total ₹10 extra

Estimated additional earning of ₹600 crore

According to Railways, fare rationalization is expected to generate additional revenue of approximately ₹ 600 crore in this financial year. This amount will be spent mainly on staff costs, security measures and operational improvements.

Gift of special trains for festivals

In view of Christmas and New Year 2025–26, Railways has planned to run 244 special trips in 8 zones. Additional trains are being run on many routes of Delhi, Howrah, Lucknow, Mumbai, Goa and Maharashtra so that the crowd can be reduced.

Focus on infrastructure and development

According to the Railway Ministry, 100% land acquisition in Maharashtra for the Bullet Train Project has been completed. Apart from this, about 2 lakh wagons and more than 10,000 locomotives have been added between 2014–2025.

Spending, security and future strategy

Railways says that balance is being achieved by increasing freight traffic and limited increase in fares. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, due to better operations and safety measures, India has become the second largest cargo carrying railway network in the world, and this trend will continue in future also.