3 min readJan 1, 2026 09:48 PM IST
First published on: Dec 27, 2025 at 02:54 PM IST
Indian Railways premium trains: Indian Railways operates various train services to ensure affordable travel across the country. These include Mail, Express, Superfast and premium trains. At present, the premium category comprises Rajdhani Express, Duronto Express, Shatabdi Express, Tejas Express, Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat trains.
Among these, Shatabdi, Tejas, Gatimaan and Vande Bharat train services operate with Chair Car coaches, while long-distance trains such as Rajdhani and Duronto mainly run with sleeper and air-conditioned (AC) classes.
Indian Railways fare hike
With effective from December 26, 2025, the national transporter has implemented a revised fare structure for passengers across its network. Under the revised fares, passengers travelling up to 500 km in non-AC coaches will have to pay an additional Rs 10.
The national transporter has increased fares for Mail and Express trains in non-AC coaches by 2 paise per km, while AC class fares have also been raised by 2 paise per km.
However, the fare rationalisation does not apply to suburban (local) services and Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs). There is also no fare increase for journeys up to 215 km in the ordinary class.
Effective from December 26, 2025
Railway Fare Rationalization Details
No Increase in Fare
• Suburban and Monthly Season Ticket
• Ordinary Class up to 215 km
Fare Increase Details
• Ordinary Class (more than 215 km) – 1 paise per km
• Mail/Express Non-AC – 2 paise per km
• AC class – 2 paise per km
Railways will earn about ₹600 crore this year as a result of this rationalisation
Example: 500 km Journey
For a 500 km journey in non-AC coaches, passengers will have to pay only ₹10 extra
Source: Ministry of Railways
Express InfoGenIE
Tejas vs Shatabdi vs Vande Bharat vs Gatimaan: Fare comparison
All these trains – Shatabdi, Tejas, Vande Bharat and Gatimaan – offer two types of seating classes: AC Chair Car and Executive Class. Following the recent fare hike, the basic ticket price for 1 to 50 km journey in AC Chair Car is Rs 174 on the Shatabdi Express, Rs 208 on Tejas Express, Rs 243 on Vande Bharat and Rs 251 on Gatimaan Express.
In Executive Class, the basic fare for the same distance stands at Rs 388 on Shatabdi, Rs 465 on Tejas, Rs 504 on Vande Bharat and Rs 562 on Gatimaan.
50 km
Shat CC:₹174
Tejas CC:₹208
VB CC:₹243
Gati CC:₹251
100 km
Shat CC:₹219
Tejas CC:₹262
VB CC:₹305
Gati CC:₹316
200 km
Shat CC:₹342
Tejas CC:₹410
VB CC:₹477
Gati CC:₹494
300 km
Shat CC:₹458
Tejas CC:₹547
VB CC:₹636
Gati CC:₹659
50 km Exec
Shat Exec:₹388
Tejas Exec:₹465
VB Exec:₹504
Gati Exec:₹562
100 km Exec
Shat Exec:₹492
Tejas Exec:₹590
VB Exec:₹638
Gati Exec:₹712
200 km Exec
Shat Exec:₹753
Tejas Exec:₹902
VB Exec:₹977
Gati Exec:₹1088
300 km Exec
Shat Exec:₹1002
Tejas Exec:₹1200
VB Exec:₹1299
Gati Exec:₹1448
Express InfoGenIE
Thus, among these four trains, the Shatabdi Express remains one of the most affordable options in terms of fare. However, when it comes to onboard features and overall travel experience, the Vande Bharat Express emerges as the better choice in comparison.
Shatabdi, Tejas, Vande Bharat and Gatimaan - offer two types of seating classes: AC Chair Car and Executive Class. (Image generated using AI) 
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