In a move set to bring cheer to millions of passengers ahead of the festive season, Indian Railways has unveiled a new Round-Trip Package Scheme, offering a 20% discount on the base fare of the return journey. Designed to ease festival travel, manage crowd surges, and ensure better seat utilisation, the scheme will be rolled out on an experimental basis during peak travel months.
How the Scheme Works
Passengers booking tickets for both onward and return journeys together will be eligible for the discount, provided all travel details — including passenger names, train numbers, and travel class — remain identical for both legs. The discount applies only to the base fare of the return ticket and excludes reservation, service, and other additional charges.
Both tickets must be confirmed at the time of booking, and the scheme will not cover waitlisted or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets.
Booking Windows
- First Phase: Bookings open 14 August 2025 for travel between 13 October and 26 October, covering the Dussehra and Navratri rush.
- Second Phase: A fresh booking window opens for travel between 17 November and 1 December, targeting the Diwali and Chhath festival period.
The offer applies across all trains and classes — including special trains — but excludes services with flexi-fare pricing.
Eligibility and Conditions
To avail the scheme:
- The same train and class must be booked for both journeys.
- Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be modified.
- The same booking method must be used for both legs — for example, if the onward ticket is booked online, the return must also be booked online.
- Tickets purchased via railway passes, coupons, or vouchers are not eligible.
Benefits for Passengers
The Round-Trip Package Scheme promises multiple advantages:
- 20% savings on the return fare’s base price.
- Guaranteed confirmed seats for both journeys.
- Reduced last-minute booking stress during festival rush.
- More predictable and convenient travel planning.
Why This Matters
Railway officials say the initiative is aimed at encouraging advance bookings while easing congestion during the busiest travel periods of the year. It is also expected to improve train occupancy and ensure smoother passenger flow.
Information about eligible trains, schedules, and seat availability will be available on the Indian Railways website and at ticket counters nationwide.
With the festive rush just around the corner, the Round-Trip Package Scheme could be a game-changer — offering passengers not just savings, but also peace of mind during one of the most hectic travel seasons in India.
