Almost everyone must have travelled by train at some point. Trains are one of the best and most economical means of travel. To travel by train, you need a valid ticket, which you can get either online or offline. Offline means booking tickets by going to the ticket counter at the railway station, while online tickets can be easily booked from your smartphone or laptop, sitting at home. You may have booked tickets using both methods, but did you know booking offline is much cheaper than online?

This means you have to spend more money booking tickets online from the IRCTC website than buying them at the ticket counter. Have you ever noticed this or wondered why it happens?

Recently, during the 2025 budget session in Parliament, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut raised this question. He asked whether passengers have to pay more for booking train tickets online through IRCTC than those who buy tickets at the railway counter. He also questioned the reason behind this price difference. Let’s find out what Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in response.

Railway Minister Explains Why Online Train Tickets Are More Expensive

In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav explained that online train ticket booking is more expensive than offline booking because of the convenience and transaction fees.

Why Passengers Pay More for Online Booking

IRCTC has to cover the high costs of maintaining and upgrading the online ticket booking system. To compensate for these expenses, IRCTC charges a convenience fee for online bookings.

Additionally, the bank handling the transaction also charges a transaction fee, which adds to the overall cost. This is why booking tickets online is more expensive compared to purchasing them at the ticket counter.

Why Online Ticket Booking Is Still Popular

Despite the higher cost, most passengers prefer booking tickets online. According to government data, over 80% of reserved tickets are booked online. The main reason for this preference is convenience. Booking online saves time and avoids the need to travel to the ticket counter, making it a more attractive option for many people.

However, if you live close to a railway station, you can save money by booking tickets directly at the counter.