The do’s and don’ts of luggage carrying in trains
Planning a train journey in India? It’s essential to understand the luggage rules in Indian Railways to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Whether you’re heading out for a short trip or a long-distance journey, Indian Railways has defined weight limits and regulations for carrying luggage.
All passengers must ensure that luggage is securely packed and properly labeled. While most travelers carry their bags with them, any luggage exceeding 100 kg must be booked in advance, with a surcharge paid at the boarding station. It’s advisable to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes prior to departure if you have extra luggage to avoid last-minute issues.
Here are the free luggage allowances per class:
AC First Class: Up to 70 kg
AC 2-Tier: Up to 50 kg
AC 3-Tier/Sleeper Class: Up to 40 kg
Second Class: Up to 35 kg
Items that are inflammable or explosive in nature are strictly prohibited during train travel.
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Planning a long vacation or relocating and wondering how to carry extra luggage in train travel? Indian Railways has clear guidelines on luggage booking for each class of travel. Passengers are allowed to carry luggage within a certain free allowance, and anything above that can be booked as excess luggage for a small fee.
Here’s how the limits work:
AC First Class: 70 kg (free), 15 kg (marginal), 150 kg (max permitted)
AC 2-Tier Sleeper / First Class: 50 kg (free), 10 kg (marginal), 100 kg (max permitted)
AC 3-Tier / AC Chair Car: 40 kg (free), 10 kg (marginal), 80 kg (max permitted)
Sleeper Class: 40 kg (free), 10 kg (marginal), 80 kg (max permitted)
Second Class: 35 kg (free), 10 kg (marginal), 70 kg (max permitted)
To book extra luggage, arrive at the station early and pay 1.5 times the standard luggage rate. The luggage must be properly packed and labeled. Booking is done at the parcel or luggage office of the boarding station.
Journey in train is mainly a long-distance journey and one when does it, they need to carry luggage as well. One may go for a vacation or going for a business trip and they need to carry their essential things and items which they will need through the journey and they can carry them along with them when they are availing a train journey.
But yes, there are some rules and regulations which are also needed to be followed and they have been cited by the officials of Indian Railways strictly.
The strict rules and regulations to be followed
- The luggage which is carried has to be legibly addressed in Hindi or in English before boarding the train. Otherwise it is not acceptable.
- Luggage has to be packed securely always. If they are left half opened or nit packed properly then the authorities will consider it as improper packing and will ask the owner of the property, the reason behind it. It might happen, that the authorities will not allow it to keep in train if they find those luggages improper.
- In trains, mostly luggage travel with the passengers only. Passengers can carry them with themselves only. So, before traveling at least half an hour before boarding the train, one has to be present at the luggage office of the booking station and get the permission from the authorities. If one is carrying a package or a luggage which weighs more than 100 kgs, then one should pay a bulky amount of surcharge.
- One should not carry things which are explosive by nature. Railway authorities strictly prohibit carrying dangerous inflammable articles while traveling on a train. Items such as acids, empty or full gas cylinders, and dead poultry are all prohibited.
- If a passenger carries a trunk or suitcase with dimensions of 100cm x 60cm x 25cm (length, breadth, and height), they can carry it along with them. If the luggage exceeds this size, the passenger must book it in advance before boarding the train. The luggage should then be carried separately in a brake van in a different compartment.
- If a patient travels by train and requires oxygen support, the passenger can carry oxygen cylinders with a proper medical certificate. If additional medical luggage is needed, it can also be carried along.
The amount of luggage allowed to carry
There are rules for luggage and amount of it which can be carried when traveling by a train. For AC first class it is 150 kgs and for 2 tier and 3 tier compartments it should be within 100 kgs. For Sleeper classes, it is not more than 80 kgs. For children, it is made into half.
If there is a theft of luggage while traveling, one need to make an FIR through the FIR forms available with the TTE’s or Guards. Then it should be reported to the nearest police station for further actions.
The following maximum limit free allowance, marginal allowance are admissible for carriage of luggage in the compartment :
| Class | Free allowance | Marginal allowance | Maximum quantity permitted ( including free allowance) |
| AC First Class | 70 Kgs | 15 Kgs | 150 Kgs |
| AC 2-Tier sleeper/First class | 50 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 100 Kgs |
| AC 3-tier sleeper/AC chair car | 40 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 40 Kgs |
| Sleeper class | 40 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 80 Kgs |
| Second class | 35 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 70 Kgs |
How to book extra luggage on travel time in train
People often think about the fact that how to book extra luggage on travel time in train?
If we want to book our luggage there are some requirements, such as:
- Government issued ID
- Train ticket
- Reservation for the same train for which we want to book the luggage in.
In this case, there is a procedure for the booking of the luggage that one has to follow, such as:
- First, we need to go to the station a day before our journey and fill out the form for the luggage booking process. It’s a good idea to go a day before to ensure we can secure a booking. If we wait until the day of the journey, we might find the brake van already filled, leaving us with no options.
- On the day of our journey, we should reach the station well in advance of the scheduled train departure time.
- Next, we need to go to the parcel office, present the receipt for our booking, and arrange for our luggage to be transported to the platform. Moreover they will also load all of our luggage in the train, when train will be ready to leave the platform.
Now after reaching on to our destination we again need to go to the parcel office and present the receipt of our booking again and then they will only again offload all of our luggage from the train.
Railway Luggage Charges
Indian Railway is the major mode of transport amongst Indian population. People Love to travel by trains, and this is in trend from beginning to carry a lot of luggage along with and with this habit of the passengers a lot of hassle occur on the platforms. If in case you have a more number of luggage with you, then for sure it becomes a big problem for the fellow passenger in the train whoboard after you. Almost we all have faced this problem before, while travel by train.
After boarding the train—especially when your boarding station lies between the source and destination—you often find that previous passengers have already occupied all the luggage space with their heavy and excessive number of bags. Naturally, this situation becomes frustrating because that space belongs to you too. However, Indian Railways has introduced new rules to prevent such issues, and thankfully, those days are now over.
Passenger has to give penalty if they caught travelling with excess baggage. As per new norms, in AC first class passenger can carry 70 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 150 kg, after paying a fee for the excess 80 kg. Whereas for AC two-tier passengers allow to take 50 kg and 100 kg, respectively.
Similarly, person travelling in a sleeper class can carry 40 kg luggage and 35 kg, respectively without paying extra money. If the weight exceed as per the mention limits then the traveler should be ready to pay extra amount
Following are the Railway Luggage Charges applicable as per Indian Railway government:
- For Distance (1-50km), Weight of the parcel in between (1-10kg) you have to pay 4.73 means approx. 5 rs.only. For the same distance weight is up to 91-100 kg then have to pay Rs.47.
- For Distance (51-60km), Weight of the parcel in between (1-10kg) thenyou have to pay 5.07. For the same distance weight is (51-60 kg) then have to pay Rs. 30.38.
- For Distance (61-70km), Weight of the parcel in between (71-80 kg) then you have to pay 43.21. For the same distance weight is (91-100 kg) then have to pay Rs. 54.
- For Distance (100-110km), Weight of the parcel in between (41-50 kg) then you have to pay 33. 75. For the same distance weight is (80-100 kg) then have to pay Rs. 60.75 & 67.5
- For Distance (150-160km), Weight of the parcel in between (1-10kg) then you have to pay 8.4 only. For the same distance if the weight is (60-70 kg) then have to pay Rs58.76.
- For Distance (190-200km), Weight of the parcel in between (1-10 kg) then you have to pay 9.68 only. For the same distance if the weight is (91-100kg) then have to pay Rs 96.75
Similarly, for the more details you can go through with Indian Railway website & get all such information in details.
Limitions of Luggage Carrying in Indian Railway:-
Do you want to know about the limitations of Luggage Carrying in Indian Railway? If you are a frequent train traveller, then it is important to do know about the luggage constraint as well.
There are specific norms and regulations to follow while traveling on trains, and it’s important to know them in advance. One key rule is to label the luggage correctly, and another is to pack it in a safe and secure manner.
Most people travel with their luggage in trains, but if the luggage weighs more than 100 kg, it’s recommended to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes early. You will need to visit the counter to pay the surcharge and penalty fee.
The free allowance capacity is different in different AC class coaches. Just for an example, in AC first class, it is up to 70 kgs, in AC 2 tier, it is up to 50 kgs and in AC 3 tier class, it is up to 40 kgs. In sleeper class, the luggage limitation is 40 kgs and in second class seating coach, it is about 35 kgs. Safe travel!
Railway Luggage Charges According to Coaches
The Railway Luggage Charges differ according to coaches and the same applies for the free allowance, marginal allowance and maximum free allowance permitted in each one of them, irrespective of whether you are travelling in AC first class, AC 2 tier sleeper class, AC 3 tier sleeper class or AC chair car, sleeper class, second class seating coach. The free allowance in terms of luggage in AC first class is 70 kgs, 50 kgs in AC 2 tier class, 40 kgs in AC 3 tier class or AC chair car, 40 kgs in sleeper class and 35 kgs in second class coach. Beyond this, all the passengers can carry along excess luggage in the respective coach, all depending on the payment of 1.5 times charge of the luggage rate.
In accord to the Railways government, the luggage charges in extra weighing in between 1-10 kg for distance up to 1 to 50 km, is just Rs. 5 only, but for same distance and weight in between 91-100 kg, it will go up to Rs. 47. For the distance travel in between 51-60 km, and the weight of luggage in between 1-10 kg, it will cost Rs. 5.07 and for the weight in between 51-60 kg, the cost will be Rs. 30.38. For distance travel in between 190-200 km, and weight of the luggage in between 1 to 10 kg, the cost will be Rs. 9.68 to pay and for the weight in between 91-100 kg, the price will go up to Rs. 96.75.
Luggage Charges of Purushottam Express
Do you want to know about the luggage charges of Purushottam Express? First of all, do understand that there is specific free allowance in luggage that is allowed in different coach categories. Like in AC first class, the free luggage is 70 kgs, in AC 2 tier or sleeper category, it is 50 kgs, in AC chair car or AC 3 tier coach, it is 40 kgs, in sleeper class category, it is 40 kgs and in second class tier, it is 35 kgs.
After maximum quantity that is permitted in any category, there is specific charge that is deducted and it will be same in Purushottam Express as well. If the weight of the parcel is in between 1-10 kg, then it is required to pay Rs. 4.75 and if it is like 90-100 kg, Rs. 47 will be charged for the distance travelled in between 1 to 50 km. For more distance, the rate charged will be Rs. 5 for weight between 1 to 10 kg and for more weight between 50-60 kg; the fine will be Rs. 30. According to the distance travelled by a train and extra weight of the luggage, the respective charge is been fined.
Luggage Charges in 13414/13 Farakka Express
Farakka Express is a famous train, connecting Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal in the country. It remains quite in high demand as a lot of people from these districts board the train, running on tri-weekly basis. It runs with train numbers 13414 and 13413 from both ends. It is covering a total distance of 1423 km in about 33 hours and 15 minutes.
It operates with a speed of 43 km/hour. Want to know the luggage charges in Farakka Express? If you are transporting the luggage in this express, it will cost you between Rs. 150 and Rs. 300. It will include the porter charge and packaging, and delivery. The luggage charge fees will be collected at the station, or while you onboard in case the station is unstaffed. There is a certain free luggage carrying capacity in each coach, and after this capacity, the fine would be there.
In this express, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, sleeper and general unreserved coaches are there. In AC 3 tier and sleeper, the free luggage capacity is 35 kgs and in AC 2 tier, it is 40 kgs. Make sure to keep your luggage safe, in the capacity so that you don’t have to pay extra in the travel.
Do and don’ts of luggage carrying in trains.
Are you planning to travel in the trains in the coming time and looking for relevant information about do’s and don’ts of luggage carrying in trains? Luggage which is not legally addressed in Hindi or English will not be booked in the train. There is a maximum limit in free allowance and marginal allowance that is admissible for carrying luggage in each compartment in the train.
- In AC first class, the free allowance capacity goes up to 70 kgs and marginal allowance is of 15 kgs in the same.
- In AC 2 tier sleeper or first class coach, the free allowance capacity is of 50 kgs and marginal allowance is of 10 kgs.
- In AC 3 tier sleeper or AC Chair Car coach, the free allowance capacity is of 40 kgs and marginal allowance is of 10 kgs.
- In sleeper class coach, the free allowance is of around 40 kgs and the marginal allowance can be of 10 kgs.
- In second class compartment coach, the free allowance is of 35 kgs and the marginal allowance is of 10 kgs.
Passengers are allowed to book and carry excess luggage beyond the free allowance capacity up to the maximum limit depending on the class mentioned on payment of charge at 1.5 times of the luggage rate.
