Best Credit Cards for Railway Booking

Booking train tickets frequently? The right credit card can help you earn extra reward points, save on transaction charges, and enjoy complimentary railway lounge access. In this blog, we’ll compare the best credit cards for railway booking in India to help you choose the most value-for-money option.

IRCTC SBI Card (Visa and RuPay)

Designed for frequent train travellers, the IRCTC SBI Card (available on Visa and RuPay networks) offers everyday savings on railway ticket bookings along with simple reward benefits. It is a budget-friendly option for regular commuters who want to earn rewards on IRCTC spends while enjoying basic travel perks like lounge access and fuel surcharge waivers.

Benefits 

• Welcome benefit of 350 bonus points on card activation 
• One reward point for every Rs. 125 spent on non-fuel retail purchases.
• 10 reward points per 100 spent on IRCTC tickets 
• 1% waiver on Transaction charge for IRCTC train ticket booking
• 4 complimentary railway lounge access (one per quarter) in a year.
• 1% waiver on fuel surcharge 

Fees:

• Joining or renewal fee of ₹500

ALSO READ: Best Travel Credit Card

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a premium travel-focused credit card crafted for frequent travellers who spend heavily on rail and air journeys. With higher reward earnings, milestone benefits, complimentary lounge access, and strong insurance coverage, this card is ideal for those seeking enhanced travel privileges and premium protection.

Benefits

• Welcome benefits of 1500 bonus reward points
• 3 reward points per 125 spent on dining and utility. 
• 1 reward point per 125 spent on non-fuel purchases
• 10 reward points per 100 spent on IRCTC tickets
• 5 reward points per 100 spent on air tickets and e-catering
• Transaction charges of 1% on railway tickets bookings
• Transaction charge of 1.8% on airline ticket booking
• Milestone benefits available on travel spends
• 1 lakh complimentary credit card fraud liability cover available 
• 8 complimentary railway lounge access (2 per quarter)  in a year (maximum 2 per quarter) 
• 1% Waiver on fuel surcharge
• Complimentary air accident cover of Rs.50 lakh 
• Complimentary rail accident cover of Rs. 10 lakh

Fees-

• Joining or renewal fee of ₹1,499 
• Annual fees reversal changed on spends of Rs.2 lakh 

ALSO READ: Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access

IRCTC BOB Card

The IRCTC BOB Card is a value-for-money option for railway travellers who want higher reward points on IRCTC ticket bookings at a low annual cost. With attractive reward rates, lounge access, and transaction fee waivers, it suits users looking for decent travel benefits without paying a high fee.

Benefits

• Welcome benefit of 500 bonus reward points
• BOBCARD reward points of up to 40 per Rs.100 spent on IRCTC tickets
• Reward points up to 4 per Rs.100 spent on other categories
• 1% waiver on Transaction charge for IRCTC train ticket booking
• 4 complimentary railway lounge access (one per quarter) per year.

Fee

Joining or renewal fee of ₹500 or 350

IRCTC HDFC Card

The IRCTC HDFC Card is a simple and reliable credit card for rail passengers who want steady rewards on IRCTC bookings along with comfortable lounge access. It focuses on essential benefits, making it suitable for moderate travellers who prefer straightforward rewards and low annual charges.

Benefits

• Welcome gift voucher of worth Rs.500
• 1 reward points per Rs.100 spent on other categories
• 5 reward point per Rs.100 spent on IRCTC tickets
• 1% waiver on transaction charge for IRCTC train ticket bookings
• 8 complimentary select IRCTC executive lounge access (2 per quarter) every year.

Fee

Joining or renewal fee of Rs. 500

ALSO READ: Best Credit Cards for Flight Bookings

IRCTC RBL Card

The IRCTC RBL Card is built for frequent railway users who also spend across digital travel platforms like IRCTC tourism, flights, and FASTAG recharges. Along with strong reward earnings, this card offers premium lounge access and added protection through train cancellation coverage, making it a practical travel companion.

Benefits

• Welcome benefit of 500 reward points
• 5 reward points per 200 spent on IRCTC website and Rail Connect App for all classes
• 3 reward points per 200 spent on FASTAG recharge or NCMC reload or UTS App
• 2 reward points per 200 spent on , on Flight/Hotel/Cruise Ticket Booking.
• 1 reward points per 200 spent on other categories
• 1% waiver on transaction charges for IRCTC train ticket bookings
• 8 complimentary select IRCTC Executive lounges access (two per quarter) every year
• Up to Rs.5000 train cancellation protect feature available

Fees 

Joining or renewal fee of Rs. 500

Conclusion

Choosing the right credit card for railway bookings can help you save on ticket charges while enjoying added perks like reward points, lounge access, and fuel surcharge waivers. Whether you are a frequent train traveler or an occasional commuter, IRCTC co-branded cards from SBI, HDFC, BoB, and RBI offer attractive benefits tailored to different spending needs. Compare their rewards, fees, and travel privileges to pick the one that best suits your journey and makes every train trip more rewarding