Indian Railways Launches Festive Round-Trip Offer: Save 20% on Diwali Travel – Here’s How to Book

In a move to make festive travel more affordable and hassle-free, the Railway Board has announced a special 20% discount on round-trip train tickets for passengers traveling during the upcoming Diwali and other major festivals. The offer will be valid for journeys between October 13 and December 1, 2025, making it easier for people to book return tickets in advance and avoid last-minute rush and inflated prices.

This limited-time initiative is designed to benefit millions of passengers who travel to their hometowns and back during the festive season, when train ticket demand peaks. By booking both onward and return tickets together, travelers can enjoy significant savings while securing confirmed seats in advance.

How to Avail the 20% Discount

According to the Railway Board, passengers must book both onward and return tickets at the same time to be eligible for the discount. The booking must meet the following conditions:

• Passenger details must be identical on both tickets.

• Both tickets must be for the same class of travel.

• The origin and destination stations must be the same for both legs of the journey.

• The discount will not apply to trains with flexi-fare pricing, but it will be valid for all other categories, including on-demand trains.

For the festive offer, onward tickets should be booked for travel between October 13 and October 26, 2025, while return tickets must be booked for journeys between November 17 and December 1, 2025.

Important Terms and Conditions

The festive round-trip discount comes with a few strict conditions that passengers should keep in mind:

1. No Refunds: Tickets booked under this scheme cannot be canceled, and no refund will be issued.

2. No Modifications: Passenger details or travel dates cannot be changed once the booking is confirmed.

3. No Additional Discounts: Passengers cannot combine this offer with any other coupons, vouchers, passes, or PTO (Privilege Ticket Orders).

4. Same Booking Channel: Both tickets must be booked through the same channel—either online or at a railway ticket counter.

5. No Extra Charges at Charting: No additional fee will be applied when the final passenger list is prepared.

Why This Scheme Matters for Festive Travel

The Diwali season sees one of the highest surges in train travel demand across India, with millions of people heading back to their hometowns to celebrate with family. Tickets often sell out weeks in advance, leading to difficulties for passengers who cannot plan their return journey at the same time.

By offering a round-trip booking system with a built-in discount, the Indian Railways aims to:

• Ease Passenger Stress: Travelers can secure both journeys in one go.

• Save Money: A flat 20% fare cut significantly reduces travel expenses.

• Reduce Last-Minute Rush: Advance bookings help manage crowding at stations and balance train occupancy.

A Step Toward Passenger-Friendly Services

This festive initiative is part of Indian Railways’ broader efforts to improve passenger convenience during peak travel periods. It complements other recent measures such as additional festival special trains, upgraded ticket booking systems, and improved onboard amenities.

For those planning to travel during Diwali or other major celebrations in October and November, this is an opportunity to not only guarantee a confirmed ticket but also save money in the process. However, passengers are advised to plan carefully since tickets booked under this offer are non-refundable and non-changeable.

With millions expected to take advantage of this scheme, early booking is recommended. If you are planning a festive trip home, booking your round-trip ticket now could be the smartest travel decision you make this season.