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In general class in India, fares range from Rs 0.25 to Rs 0.50/km. A 200-km trip from Delhi to Agra can cost between Rs 50 and Rs 70 in a general coach, depending on the train
Countries with higher train fares generally offer superior facilities and faster journeys. (Representative/Shutterstock)
Indian Railways has announced a fare hike for passenger trains, set to take effect from July 1, 2025. Fares for non-AC mail and express trains will increase by 1 paisa per kilometre, while AC class fares will rise by 2 paisa per kilometre. The revision has stirred conversations around train travel costs both in India and globally.
India boasts the cheapest rail travel in the world. In stark contrast, Switzerland has the highest average train fares. India’s extensive rail network spans nearly 68,000 kilometres, making it the fourth largest in the world. Over 20 million people use Indian trains daily, benefiting from the lowest fares globally. In general class, the fare ranges from Rs 0.25 to Rs 0.50 per kilometre. For instance, a 200-kilometre journey from Delhi to Agra in a general coach costs between Rs 50 and Rs 70.
Conversely, the same distance in Japan’s bullet train can cost up to Rs 2,000, while in Switzerland it can range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000.
Comparing average fares worldwide, India’s general coach fare is Rs 0.25 to Rs 0.50 per kilometre. In China, it ranges from Rs 1.5 to Rs 3 per kilometre. Japan’s average fare is Rs 7 to Rs 10 per kilometre, and Switzerland’s is Rs 10 per kilometre. In the US, where train travel is less common, fares range from Rs 5 to Rs 12 per kilometre.
Countries with higher train fares generally offer superior facilities and faster journeys. Switzerland, known for the highest train fares, is renowned for its exceptional service, punctuality, and picturesque routes.
Switzerland’s Glacier Express and Bernina Express are among the world’s most expensive trains, with a one-way second class ticket on the Glacier Express costing between Rs 12,000 and Rs 17,000 for a 7 to 8-hour journey.
Regular intercity trains in Switzerland are also costly, with a one-way second class ticket between Zurich and Geneva, a 280-kilometre distance, costing between Rs 4,000 and Rs 8,000.
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