In a big relief for passengers travelling during the festive rush, Indian Railways has introduced a new Round-Trip Package Scheme offering a 20% discount on the base fare of the return journey. Launched on an experimental basis, the scheme aims to manage festival crowds, improve seat utilisation, and make travel more affordable.
Under the scheme, passengers booking both onward and return tickets together will be eligible for the discount, provided travel details for both legs are exactly the same. Passenger names, train numbers, and travel class must match in both directions, and tickets must be confirmed for both journeys. The discount will apply only to the base fare of the return ticket, excluding any additional charges.
Booking Window:
Bookings for the scheme open on 14 August 2025 for travel between 13 October and 26 October, covering the Dussehra and Navratri period. A second booking window will open for journeys between 17 November and 1 December, coinciding with the Diwali and Chhath festival rush. The scheme applies to all trains and travel classes, including special trains, except those with flexi-fare pricing.
Eligibility:
To avail the offer, passengers must book the same train pair and travel class for both directions, with identical passenger names and confirmed tickets. Bookings under the scheme are non-refundable, non-modifiable, and must be made through the same method (online or offline) for both legs. The discount will not apply to tickets purchased using railway passes, coupons, or vouchers.
Benefits:
The scheme offers multiple advantages, including savings on return fares, confirmed seats for both journeys, smoother travel planning during peak seasons, and reduced last-minute rush.
Convenience & Crowd Management:
Railway officials expect the initiative to encourage advance bookings, ease festival congestion, and ensure better train occupancy. Information about schedules and seat availability will be accessible via the Indian Railways website and station counters.
With its blend of savings and assured seating, the Round-Trip Package Scheme is set to make festive travel both economical and hassle-free.