When Will Indian Railways 20% Discount on Round Trip Package Start?

In an effort to manage the heavy festival rush and make ticket booking more convenient, Indian Railways is set to roll out an experimental Round Trip Package scheme this festive season. 

Announced by the Press Bureau of India on August 9, 2025, the initiative aims to redistribute peak traffic, ease passenger load, and provide a smoother booking experience for travellers heading home for Diwali and Chhath.

Let’s take a look at what the scheme offers, who can benefit, and when bookings will begin.

Indian Railways to Open Round Trip Package Bookings from August 14

Bookings for the Round Trip Package open on August 14, 2025. To avail the discount, passengers must first book their onward ticket and then use the connecting journey feature to secure the return ticket with the rebate.

The offer is valid across all train classes and includes special trains, though Flexi fare trains are excluded.

The travel window for this scheme covers onward journeys between October 13 and October 26, 2025, and return journeys between November 17 and December 1, 2025.

20% Fare Rebate on Return Journey

Under this scheme, passengers will receive a 20% discount on the base fare of the return journey when they book both onward and return tickets together. The offer is applicable to the same set of passengers, travelling in the same class, on the same origin–destination route.

Flexibility in Booking, But With Strict Conditions Attached

One of the key benefits is that the usual 60 day advance reservation rule will not apply to return tickets, giving passengers added flexibility in planning their trips.

However, there are a few conditions to keep in mind no refunds or modifications will be allowed, and tickets must be booked through the same channel, whether online or at a reservation counter. Additional discounts will not be applicable on top of this offer.

Read More: IRCTC Defends UPI and Online Ticket Fees: Railway Minister Explains ₹10–₹20 Charge for Convenience.

Conclusion

With festival travel demand often leading to long queues and ticket scarcity, the Round Trip Package scheme could be a welcome relief for passengers looking to plan their trips in advance while saving money. By incentivising round-trip bookings, Indian Railways is aiming to balance travel flows and ensure smoother journeys during the busiest time of the year.

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