irctc: Indian Railway train ticket booking: MakeMyTrip, Ixigo offer options to book tickets with zero-cancellation charge only if you do this

Do you frequently travel by train? Then at some point, you may have to cancel any of your train tickets. Cancellation of a train ticket will incur some charges as specified by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). However, if you use the services of some IRCTC-authorised ticketing agents such as MakeMyTrip and Ixigo and pay some extra amount, then you will get a full refund without any cancellation charges. To avail of this facility and use it for your benefit, you must know certain terms and conditions. Read here to find out.

What are IRCTC cancellation charges for e-tickets?

Though you can book rail tickets through IRCTC’s app or website, the cancellation charges are typically high when a ticket is cancelled close to the train’s scheduled departure time.

As per IRCTC’s website as of May 25, 2024, “If a confirmed ticket is cancelled more than 48 hrs before the scheduled departure of the train, flat cancellation charges shall be deducted at:

• Rs 240/- for AC first class/executive class,
• Rs 200/- for AC 2 tier/first class,
• Rs 180 for AC 3 tier/AC chair car/ AC 3 economy,
• Rs 120/- for sleeper class and
• Rs 60/- for second class.”

“If a confirmed ticket is cancelled within 48 hrs and up to 12 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charges shall be 25% of the fare subject to the minimum flat rate mentioned in the above clause. Less than 12 hours and up to four hours before the scheduled departure of the train up to chart preparation whichever is earlier, 50% of the fare paid subject to the minimum cancellation charges,” said IRCTC on its website as of May 25, 2024.

For example: if the ticket cost of Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express is Rs 3,135 for 3AC and you cancel it 11 hours before the train’s scheduled departure time, you will be refunded Rs 1567.5 (50% of Rs 3,135)- Rs 180 (3AC minimum cancellation charges)= Rs 1387.5

How to save cancellation charges cost by booking through apps?

There are some IRCTC-authorised ticketing agents like Ixigo and MakeMyTrip who have launched services like zero-payment gateway charges and full refunds on ticket cancellation. To get a full refund on the ticket cancellation, you need to select the preferred option and pay an extra amount at the time of booking a ticket through the respective apps. Keep in mind you can only get a full refund on cancellation until the chart is prepared. The charts are usually prepared at least four hours before the scheduled departure time.

For example, MakeMyTrip will charge Rs 532 per person for the full fare refund on cancellation for the Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express. Ixigo will charge Rs 579 per person for a full fare refund on cancellation on the same train.

So even if you cancel the ticket 11 hours before the train’s scheduled departure time, you will get back Rs 3,135 which is the cost of the ticket if you book through these websites/apps.

Though you are paying an additional amount while booking your tickets, you will save a substantial amount if you have to cancel due to some unforeseen circumstances.

It is beneficial when you need to cancel the train ticket at the last moment.

If you cancel the same ticket more than 48 hours before the train’s scheduled departure time, the cancellation charge will be Rs 180 (3AC). Meanwhile, the additional amount that you need to pay on MakeMyTrip for the full refund will be Rs 532. Here this facility will not come much of an use as the cancellation charge is way lower than the additional amount you need to pay for full fare refund cancellation.

The image above shows data for 3 AC Delhi-Rajdhani train.
Source: MakeMyTrip app

The image above shows data for 1 AC Delhi-Rajdhani train.
Source: Ixigo App