You may have to pay more if you carry more luggage on the train. It has been decades since the Indian Railways had liberal baggage policies, but it recently announced that new baggage regulations will be enforced aggressively.
Therefore, just like air travelers, Indian Railways passengers who carry more luggage than the permitted free allowance will have to pay a fine.
You will be charged 6times the standard fee for excess luggage if it is not booked.
Railway Ministry recently posted on Twitter encouraging travelers not to travel with extra luggage.
“If there is more luggage, then the joy of the journey will be half! Do not travel by train carrying more luggage. In case of excess baggage, go to the parcel office and book the luggage.”
अगर सामान होगा ज्यादा, तो सफर का आनंद होगा आधा!
अधिक सामान ले कर रेल यात्रा ना करें। सामान अधिक होने पर पार्सल कार्यालय जा कर लगेज बुक कराएं। pic.twitter.com/gUuishbqr5
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) May 29, 2022
How many bags and how much weight can you take for free?
Indian Railways’ sleeper train class allows passengers to carry up to 40 kg of luggage without extra cost. A second-class(sitting class) passenger may also carry 35kg of luggage. This restriction can be increased by paying an additional fee of up to 80 Kg or 70 Kg.
AC first-class passengers can take up to 70 kilograms of luggage for free, while AC 2-tier passengers can take up to 50 kilograms of luggage. AC 3-tier sleeper passengers, AC chair cars, and the sleeper class can carry up to 40 kilograms of luggage.
This limit can be increased up to 150 Kg, 100 Kg, 90 Kg, 80, Kg, and 70 Kg by paying an additional fee.
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Indian Railways Baggage Allowance
The following maximum allowance and marginal allowances are permissible for luggage carriage in the compartment:
| Class | Free Allowance | Marginal Allowance | Maximum Qty Permitted |
| 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 | 90 Kgs |
| Sleeper class | 40 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 80 Kgs |
| Second class | 35 Kgs | 10 Kgs | 70 Kgs |
Extra luggage over the free allowance may be booked and carried in the compartment up to the maximum limit as per the class mentioned above for a fee of 1.5 times the luggage rate.
Penalty for Carrying Excess Baggage in Trains
The new rules state that if a passenger finds unbooked luggage or partially booked luggage that weighs more than the allowance, they will be charged 6 times the luggage scale rate instead of six times the scale-R.
If luggage that is not booked or partially booked exceeds the allowance but falls within the marginal allowance is charged 1.5 times the luggage scale rate.
Unbooked luggage or partially booked luggage that weighs more than the maximum permitted weight can be charged to the passenger at 6 times the luggage scale rate. The minimum charge is Rs50/-
How do you book your luggage on Indian Railway?
The luggage that is required to travel by the same train as its owner must be presented at the baggage office at the booking station at least thirty minutes prior to the advertised departure time.
Travellers who book their accommodation in advance can also book their luggage. Only packages exceeding 100kgs or 1m*1m*0.7m outside are subject to a bulky surcharge.
It is important to note that offensive articles, dangerous, explosive, and inflammable articles as well empty gas cylinders, dead birds, game, acids, and any other corrosive substances are not allowed to be booked as luggage.
Size and Dimensions of your baggage in Indian Railways
Boxes, trunks, and suitcases with an outer dimension of 100 cms. x 60 cms. x 25 cms. The personal luggage allowed in passenger cabins is measured as follows: length x width. height
If trunks, boxes, or suitcases have dimensions that are greater than any of the dimensions they should be booked and transported in the passenger’s compartment.
The maximum trunk/suitcase size that can be carried in AC-3 tire or AC chair car compartments is 55 cm x 45cm x 22.5cm.
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