railways-announces-round-trip-discount-for-festive-season

Rail travellers booking round trips during the upcoming festive season will be able to save on fares, with the Railway Ministry announcing a 20 per cent rebate on return journeys for a limited period.

 

The offer applies to confirmed tickets booked from August 14 for onward travel between October 13 and 26, with the return leg scheduled between November 17 and December 1, provided both journeys are on the same train, in the same class, and for the same set of passengers.

 

According to the Ministry’s press statement, “Booking start date shall be 14.08.2025 for the ARP (Advance Reservation Period) date October 13th, 2025. Onward ticket shall be booked first for the train start date between October 13th, 2025 and October 26th, 2025 and subsequently return journey ticket shall be booked by using connecting journey feature for the train start date between November 17th and December 1st, 2025.”

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The discount will not be available on flexi fare trains such as the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto. Rebates will be calculated only on the base fare of the return journey. The advance reservation period stipulation does not apply to the return ticket.

 

The scheme also sets conditions to prevent misuse. “Under this scheme, rebates shall be applicable when booked for both onward and return journey for the same set of passengers. Passenger details of return journey will be same as of onward journey,” the Ministry clarified.

 

It further added, “The above booking shall be permissible only for confirmed tickets in both directions. Total rebates of 20% shall be granted on base fare of return journey only. No refund of fare shall be permissible for the tickets booked under this scheme.”

 

Indian Railways traditionally sees a sharp surge in passenger numbers during Diwali, Chhath Puja and other autumn festivities, leading to overcrowded trains and high demand for berths. Discounted round-trip schemes such as this aim to manage advance bookings, ease return travel rush, and ensure greater predictability in passenger load management.