Indian Railways has issued a major update for millions of passengers across the country, making long-distance travel slightly more expensive than before. This will have a direct financial impact, especially for passengers traveling from Bihar to metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.
The Railways have decided to revise fares for long-distance travel, which will apply to journeys beyond the prescribed distance. This new rule applies to both Sleeper Class and 3AC Class. If you’re planning a trip on or after December 26th, get ready to loosen your purse strings a little more. Let’s find out how much ticket prices will increase on your route.
Travel Budget Will Change From December 26th
This new decision by the Railways will most impact those who travel to other states for employment, education, or medical treatment. While this increase may not seem significant, it will be clearly visible on long-distance travel. The Railways have increased fares by 2 paise per kilometer for both Sleeper and 3AC classes. This change will come into effect nationwide from December 26, 2025, significantly increasing the travel budget of millions of passengers.
New Sleeper Class Fare
A large number of people from Bihar travel to Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and South Indian states in search of employment. Due to the significant distances on these routes, the fare increase will directly impact the budget. For example, the distance from Patna to Delhi, which is approximately 1,000 kilometers, will now cost approximately ₹20 more. Meanwhile, the journey from Patna to Mumbai, which is approximately 1,700 kilometers, will now cost ₹34 more.
The biggest impact will be felt by passengers traveling from Patna to Bengaluru, where the price of a sleeper ticket for the 2,150-kilometer journey will increase by ₹43. Similarly, a difference of 30 to 45 rupees will be clearly felt from Darbhanga or Katihar to cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Hyderabad. This change could be challenging for families who travel extensively during festivals or holidays.
3AC Fare Increase
3AC, a favorite coach of the middle class, has also become more expensive. The Railways has increased the fare for the 3AC class by the same amount as the sleeper, i.e., 2 paise per kilometer. This means you will have to pay approximately 20 rupees more for every 1,000 kilometers travelled. If you are traveling from Patna to Mumbai, which is approximately 1,700 kilometers, you will have to pay approximately 34 rupees more for your 3AC ticket.
Meanwhile, for a journey from Patna to Bengaluru, approximately 2,150 kilometers, the ticket price will increase by 43 rupees. 3AC fares for cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Hyderabad will also increase by between 30 and 50 rupees. Students and patients travelling for education or medical emergencies will now have to factor this increase into their expenses.