How much money is refunded on cancellation of a railway ticket?

The Price of Changing Plans: Understanding Indian Railway Ticket Cancellation Fees

Planning a trip by train in India often involves careful consideration, and sometimes, unforeseen circumstances necessitate cancelling your journey. Knowing exactly how much it will cost to change your plans is crucial. While the Indian Railways offers the convenience of train travel, cancelling tickets doesn’t come without financial consequences. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the refund policy and avoid unexpected charges.

The key factor determining the refund amount is the timing of your cancellation. The earlier you cancel, the less you lose.

Cancellations Two Days or More Before Departure:

If you cancel your ticket at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure time, you’ll face a relatively modest flat fee. This fee currently stands at ₹120. This applies regardless of the ticket’s base fare or class. This makes it a relatively predictable cost if you anticipate needing to cancel well in advance.

Cancellations Within Twelve Hours of Departure:

Cancelling within the 12-hour window before departure significantly alters the refund calculation. Instead of a flat fee, you’ll forfeit 25% of your ticket’s base fare. This means the closer to departure you cancel, the higher the percentage of your original cost you will lose. This calculation is based solely on the base fare and excludes any additional charges like reservation fees or superfast charges.

Cancellations Closer to Departure:

Cancellations made within twelve hours of departure incur increasingly steep penalties. The exact percentage deducted increases as departure time approaches. Specific percentages for these cancellations aren’t standardized in a single flat rate and vary depending on factors including train type, class, and booking time. It’s essential to check the specific details provided during the booking process or contact the Indian Railways customer service for the precise refund amount in such cases. This unpredictability highlights the importance of cancelling as early as possible.

Calculating Your Refund:

To understand your potential refund, you need to know your ticket’s base fare. Subtract the cancellation fee (₹120 for cancellations at least two days prior, or 25% of the base fare within twelve hours, or the applicable percentage closer to departure) from the base fare to determine the amount refunded to you. Remember that any additional charges paid during booking are typically non-refundable.

Important Note: This information provides a general overview. It is always advisable to check the official Indian Railways website or contact customer service for the most accurate and up-to-date information on cancellation fees and refund policies before cancelling your ticket. These policies can change, and specific circumstances may affect the applicable charges.