Indian Railways’ Ticketing Rules for Children Explained
Many passengers traveling with children on Indian Railways have doubts about ticket booking. It is essential to understand at what age a child can travel for free and when a full ticket is required.
Indian Railways, which serves millions of passengers daily, constantly strives to enhance passenger convenience. While women, senior citizens, and differently-abled individuals receive special discounts and even free travel in some cases, children are also eligible for specific benefits. If you're planning to travel with kids, knowing these railway ticket booking rules can help you save money.
According to Indian Railways’ guidelines, children between 1 and 4 years old can travel without a ticket. Parents or guardians do not need to make a reservation for children in this age group, and they can travel for free.
For children aged 5 to 12 years, Indian Railways requires passengers to purchase a half ticket. However, this ticket does not include a separate berth. Children will have to share the berth with the accompanying adult.
If you prefer your child to have a separate seat or berth, you must purchase a full ticket instead.
If you choose a separate berth for a child between 1 and 5 years old, you will have to pay the full fare. Notably, Indian Railways introduced an infant berth option in AC Third Class compartments on the Lucknow Mail two years ago. If you plan to travel with an infant, it’s advisable to check the latest updates regarding this feature.
Once a child reaches 13 years of age, half tickets are no longer applicable. They will be charged the full fare, just like an adult passenger, and will be allocated a full seat/berth.
Some passengers attempt to hide their child’s actual age to avoid paying the full fare. However, Indian Railways has strict rules in place. If caught, parents may face a fine.
To prevent misuse, passengers booking tickets for children may be required to present valid proof of age, such as a birth certificate or Aadhaar card.
