In a welcome move for travellers planning to visit family during the festive season, Indian Railways has announced a special round‑trip discount scheme that could save passengers up to 20 percent on their tickets. Under the scheme, which runs for a limited period, passengers booking both their departure and return tickets at the same time will receive a 20 percent rebate on the return fare.
The concession is valid for trains departing between 13 and 26 October 2025, coinciding with the busy Diwali period, and returning between 17 November and 1 December 2025, when many people head back home after the winter holidays. To avail the discount, both legs of the journey must be booked for the same passenger name and class. Mixed bookings – such as a sleeper class outbound and an AC return – will not qualify. The round‑trip tickets must be booked together either online on IRCTC or at a railway reservation counter; splitting the bookings or modifying the travel dates later voids the rebate.
Railway officials said the reduction applies only to the base fare of the return ticket; service charges, superfast surcharges and catering fees will be calculated separately. Concessions such as senior citizen discounts cannot be clubbed with the round‑trip offer. Importantly, the scheme does not allow any refund on cancellation of the return leg, so passengers should plan carefully before booking. Waitlisted tickets are also not eligible.
The initiative comes at a time when trains are often overbooked during the festive season. By encouraging travellers to confirm their return plans early, Railways hopes to reduce last‑minute rush and manage capacity more efficiently. “During festivals we see a huge surge in demand on certain routes. Offering a discount on return journeys will help distribute the load and incentivise passengers to plan their travel in advance,” said a Railway Board official.
Travel agents welcomed the move, noting that round‑trip discounts are common in aviation but rarely offered on trains. They predicted it would particularly benefit migrant workers and students who travel long distances to their hometowns. Passengers planning to take advantage of the offer are advised to book as soon as reservations open, as seats on popular routes are expected to fill quickly.
