Booking train tickets through IRCTC? You might have noticed that extra charges are added to your final payment. But do you know what these charges are and how to minimize them? Let’s break it down for you!
First you need know what is payment charges!
Payment gateway charges are fees imposed by banks or payment service providers for processing online transactions. These charges are either a fixed amount or a percentage of the transaction value. IRCTC does not collect these fees; instead, they are levied by the respective banks or payment gateways.
🚀 Credit Card Charges
If you’re using a credit card to book your tickets, here’s what you’ll be charged:
- AXIS PG (Payment Gateway) – 1.65% + GST
- ICICI & HDFC PG – 1.8% + GST
- CITI PG – 1.8% + GST
- American Express – 1.8% (No extra GST mentioned)
- EMI (Citibank 3 Installments) – 2.8% transaction fee
💡 Tip: If you’re using a credit card, AXIS PG has the lowest charges!
💳 Debit Card Charges
For debit cards, the charges depend on the amount you’re paying:
- Up to ₹2,000 – 0.75% + GST
- Above ₹2,000 – 1% + GST
- RuPay Card (Kotak Bank) – ₹10 + GST
- ICICI & HDFC Debit Cards – ₹10 + GST
💡 Tip: If your ticket costs less than ₹2,000, using a debit card is cheaper than a credit card!
🏦 Net Banking Charges
Most banks charge a flat fee of ₹10 + GST per transaction. But guess what? IDBI Bank & Bank of Baroda don’t charge anything at all!
💡 Tip: If you have an IDBI or BOB account, you can avoid extra charges by using their net banking.
📲 Mobile Wallet & Prepaid Card Charges
Want to pay using Paytm or another mobile wallet? Here’s what you’ll pay:
- IRCTC eWallet – ₹5 per transaction
- Paytm Wallet – 1.30% + GST
- Cash Cards (ITZ Cash, I Cash, OxiCash) – ₹10 or 1.5% (whichever is lower)
💡 Tip: IRCTC’s own eWallet is the cheapest option!
🔁 IMPS (Instant Payment) Charges
Need to make an instant money transfer? Here’s the cost:
- Up to ₹5,000 – ₹5 per transaction
- Above ₹5,000 – ₹10 per transaction
💡 Tip: If your transaction is below ₹5,000, IMPS is one of the cheapest options!
🏆 Best Payment Method to Save Money
| Payment Method | Best for | Charges |
|---|
| IDBI & BOB Net Banking | Free transactions | ₹0 |
| IRCTC eWallet | Frequent bookings | ₹5 |
| Debit Cards (below ₹2,000) | Small ticket bookings | 0.75% + GST |
| IMPS (below ₹5,000) | Quick & low-cost transfer | ₹5 |
✅Want to save money? Use IDBI or BOB Net Banking or IRCTC eWallet to avoid extra charges.
Now that you know the payment gateway charges, you can make smart choices and save money while booking your IRCTC train tickets! 🚆💰
Now that you know the hidden costs, you can choose the best payment method and save money on IRCTC ticket bookings! 🚆💰
😊Additional Considerations
GST on Payment Charges: A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% is applicable on the payment gateway charges.
- Refunds & Charges: If a ticket is canceled, IRCTC refunds the ticket fare after deducting cancellation charges, but payment gateway charges are generally non-refundable.
- Offers & Discounts: Some banks or wallet providers may offer cashback or discounts on IRCTC transactions, which can help offset the payment gateway fees.
