Festival Train Ticket Booking 2025

As the festive season approaches, millions of travelers in India plan their journeys to visit family and friends. To ease the intense rush and booking pressure that typically occurs during this time, Indian Railways has introduced an experimental Round Trip Package scheme.

This new initiative offers a 20% rebate on the base fare of the return journey, encouraging passengers to book their onward and return tickets in advance. This detailed update on the festival train ticket booking scheme is essential for SSC aspirants preparing for the current affairs and general awareness sections.

What is the Round Trip Package Scheme?

The Indian Railways’ festival train ticket booking scheme, officially launched for the festive season of 2025, aims to optimize train utilization during peak months and reduce last-minute booking stress. The scheme offers a 20% discount on the return journey fare when passengers book their onward and return trips together.

This not only promotes better crowd distribution but also encourages advanced travel planning.

Booking Details and Timeline

• Onward Journey: Tickets can be booked for train journeys starting between October 13 and October 26, 2025.

• Return Journey: Return tickets must be for journeys starting between November 17 and December 1, 2025.

• Booking Opens: August 14, 2025.

Unlike typical train bookings, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is not applicable for the return journey under this scheme, offering passengers flexibility.

Eligibility and Conditions

To avail of the scheme and make the most of the Indian Railways festival ticket booking offer, passengers must adhere to the following:

• The return journey must be booked for the same set of passengers traveling in the onward journey.

• Tickets for both journeys must be confirmed and in the same class with identical origin and destination stations.

• Applicable for all classes and trains, including special trains, but excluding Flexi fare trains.

• No refunds or modifications are allowed on tickets booked under this scheme.

• Both onward and return tickets should be booked through the same mode, either online via IRCTC’s website/app or at reservation counters.

• The scheme excludes concession tickets, passes, travel coupons, and vouchers.

• No additional fare will be charged during charting for PNRs under this scheme.

How to Book Festival Train Tickets Online

Booking your festival train tickets online under this scheme is straightforward:

1. Visit the official IRCTC website or open the IRCTC mobile app.

2. Select the onward journey date (between October 13-26, 2025).

3. Enter passenger details and proceed to book confirmed tickets.

4. Choose the return journey date (between November 17-December 1, 2025).

5. The system will automatically apply the 20% rebate on the base fare of the return ticket.

6. Make a payment to confirm the booking.

This digital platform ensures easy access for travelers nationwide and reduces queues at reservation counters.

Benefits of the Festival Train Ticket Booking Scheme

• Reduces Last-Minute Booking Rush: The scheme discourages rush bookings during the festival by incentivizing early reservations.

• Better Train Utilization: Indian Railways aims to maximize two-way train utilization, preventing overcrowding on festival days.

• Financial Incentives: Passengers get a significant discount on return tickets, encouraging planned travel.

• Convenience: Booking both journeys together saves time and guarantees travel during peak seasons.

• Crowd Management: Spreading passenger traffic over a longer period minimizes congestion at stations.

Tips for Booking Train Tickets During the Indian Festival Rush

SSC aspirants should note some helpful tips related to festival train ticket booking for better preparation and practical knowledge:

• Always book tickets as early as possible when bookings open to secure confirmed seats.

• Use the IRCTC website or app for faster and hassle-free train ticket booking online India.

• Be aware of the eligibility conditions of schemes like the Round Trip Package to avoid cancellations.

• Check for any updates related to Indian Railways round-trip ticket booking for festivals to stay informed.

• Avoid fraudulent or unofficial agents and rely on authorized booking platforms.

Final Thoughts

The Festival Train Ticket Booking scheme introduced by Indian Railways is a significant step toward managing the heavy travel demand during the festive season. By offering a 20% discount on the return journey fare, it encourages travelers to book their trips early, reducing the last-minute rush and easing the burden on the reservation system.

This initiative promotes better train utilization and helps in effective crowd management across peak travel days. The scheme’s clear conditions and easy booking through the IRCTC online platform or reservation counters make it user-friendly.

Overall, this package provides a cost-effective and convenient travel option, ensuring smoother journeys for millions of passengers during festivals. It reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to improving passenger experience and handling peak season challenges efficiently.