IRCTC Credit Card India 2025: Full Guide, Best Cards, Rewards, How to Apply & Save Big on Train Travel
Quick answer: The best IRCTC credit card for Indian railway bookings in 2025 is the SBI IRCTC RuPay Credit Card, delivering up to 10% value-back (cashback, reward points, and transaction fee waivers) on IRCTC train bookings, plus free railway lounge access and extra savings on dining and travel. BOB and HDFC IRCTC cards are strong alternatives. Apply online, use the card for IRCTC bookings, and enjoy India's most exclusive railway-saver offers! See our step-by-step comparison, eligibility, rewards, and frequently asked questions for every train traveler in India.
Table of Contents
- Best IRCTC Credit Cards in India (SBI vs BOB vs HDFC vs Others)
- Who Should Get an IRCTC Credit Card?
- Top Features & Rewards Only IRCTC Cards Provide
- How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide to IRCTC Credit Card
- Full Comparison Table of IRCTC Credit Cards (2025)
- Tips to Maximize Railway, Lounge, and Travel Savings
- Fees, Charges, and Eligibility Criteria (2025)
- Real Stories: How Indians Save with IRCTC Cards
- Frequently Asked Questions about IRCTC Credit Cards
- Conclusion: Should You Get an IRCTC Card?
Best IRCTC Credit Cards in India (SBI vs BOB vs HDFC vs Others)
In 2025, Indian Railways and major banks offer a range of powerful co-branded IRCTC credit cards for both regular and power users:
- SBI IRCTC RuPay Credit Card: Industry favorite, exclusive direct offers and maximum value-back on IRCTC ticket bookings, automatic integration with UPI for payments.
- Bank of Baroda (BOB) IRCTC Credit Card: 1% transaction fee waiver, rewards on train ticket bookings, and easy eligibility for self-employed and students.
- HDFC IRCTC Credit Card: Railway-linked plus earning on other online and travel spending, quick digital application, and bonus welcome offers.
- IDFC FIRST Wealth and Select Credit Cards: Include IRCTC offers and railway lounge access, but less railway Cashback than SBI card.
- AU Small Finance Bank IRCTC Card: Special offers for travelers in Tier 2/3 towns & digitally savvy customers.
Pro Tip: SBI IRCTC is your #1 choice if you spend ≥ ₹10,000/year on railway tickets. If you’re a student, professional, or want secondary IRCTC rewards, BOB/HDFC are great options.
Who Should Get an IRCTC Credit Card?
- People booking more than 4 train journeys per year on IRCTC
- Frequent Indian Railways users (office trips, family, students, professionals)
- Anyone wanting exclusive railway lounge access across Indian cities
- Travelers looking for fee reversals & insurance on all railway journeys
- Small business owners/agents bulk-booking rail tickets for employees & logistics
- Students and families with regular home-town travel
Top Features & Rewards Only IRCTC Cards Provide
- Exclusive Cashback/Reward Points: Up to 10% on IRCTC train bookings & add-ons
- Transaction Fee Waiver: 1% reversal for ticket bookings (on most cards)
- Railway Lounge Access: Free per quarter at India's major railway stations (Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Chennai...)
- Travel Insurance: Complimentary/discounted personal accident or baggage insurance on most cards
- Dining/Online Voucher Offers: Extra discounts on food/merchandise via IRCTC or partner platforms
- Pay with UPI: RuPay variants work directly with UPI for seamless ticket purchase on IRCTC apps/web
- Fuel Surcharge Waivers: Savings on road trips beyond railways
- Emergency Travel Assistance: 24x7 customer service, priority IRCTC booking support (select cards)
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide to IRCTC Credit Card
- Check eligibility:
- Min. age: 18 years
- Indian citizen with PAN & KYC
- Income proof for regular cards (students/self-employed can apply for select cards with alternate docs)
- Choose issuer: SBI, BOB, HDFC, IDFC, AU Small Finance
- Go to official website or IRCTC card microsite
- Fill digital application: Aadhaar-based KYC + income/student/employment details
- Upload documents: PAN, address, photo, income proof/ID card/admission letter as needed
- Card approval: Instantly if KYC matches, or 2–7 days for document review. Some offer instant virtual cards for online IRCTC use.
- Activate card: Use for next ticket booking on IRCTC website or app
- Start earning rewards!
Full Comparison Table of IRCTC Credit Cards (2025)
| Card | Annual Fee | IRCTC Rewards | Lounge Access | Other Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI IRCTC RuPay Credit Card | ₹499 (can be waived) | Up to 10% value-back on railway bookings | 4 per year (railway lounges at major cities) | 1% txn fee waiver, UPI, global acceptance, ₹350 welcome bonus |
| BOB IRCTC Credit Card | ₹500 (waived above ₹50k spend) | Up to 4 reward points/₹100 (IRCTC bookings) | Rail lounges (select stations, 1/quarter) | Global use, other travel/dining discounts |
| HDFC IRCTC Credit Card | ₹499–999 | 5% cashback (train + select online) | Airport & railway lounges per quarter | ₹1,000 welcome, cashback on e-commerce, fuel waiver |
| IDFC FIRST Wealth, Select, Millennia | ₹0–399 (many are lifetime free) | Cashback on IRCTC, other online travel | Railway lounges included | UPI enabled, 1% fuel surcharge reversal |
| AU Small Finance IRCTC | ₹199–499 | Reward points on all IRCTC spend | Rail lounges (on select versions) | Easy student/low-income eligibility |
*See latest issuer T&Cs for monthly reward caps, latest lounge station list, and spend requirements to waive annual fees.
Tips to Maximize Railway, Lounge, and Travel Savings
- Always book your tickets via the official IRCTC portal or app with your IRCTC credit card
- Pay via UPI or RuPay whenever possible to use bank campaigns and fast refund eligibility
- Redeem reward points for IRCTC e-cash, wallet loading, or travel vouchers instead of merchandise (best value)
- Combine IRCTC card promos with festival season bank/coupon offers for stacked savings
- Track lounge access eligibility—use free access quarterly, especially on long travel days
- Update your mobile number and email on IRCTC and bank apps for instant alerts/offers
- Students: Use IRCTC cards for concessional bookings, and look out for campus partner offers
- SMEs or booking agents: Use business/corporate IRCTC cards for bulk booking rewards
- Monitor spend: If you cross ₹50,000 annual spend, annual fees usually waived on most cards
Fees, Charges, and Eligibility Criteria (2025)
- Annual/Joining Fees: ₹199–999, but often waived after spend milestones.
- Interest Rate: 2.5–3.5% per month if you carry a balance.
- Late Payment Fees: ₹100–700 based on unpaid amount.
- Foreign Markup: 2.5–3.5% of transaction (for global users).
- Railway Transaction Fee Waiver: 1% savings on most cards (direct for IRCTC bookings only).
- Eligibility:
- Age 18–65
- Minimum ₹20,000–₹25,000 income/month. (Some student/secured variants starting ₹8,000/month or with fixed deposit.)
- Indian resident, PAN & Aadhaar, basic credit history.
- Documents: PAN, Aadhaar, photo, income/student proof or salary slip. Self-employed can use GST/Udyam docs.
Real Stories: How Indians Save with IRCTC Cards
Student: Akshay (Patna – Delhi journeys)
“I travel to my college monthly and book all tickets via SBI IRCTC RuPay Card. I get free access to the lounge at New Delhi, save on ticket fees, and earned ₹1,100 cashback in the past 6 months!”
Professional: Shalini (Khargone – Mumbai)
“My work needs frequent overnight train bookings. IRCTC card not only helps me with savings and insurance but also gives access to snacks, showers and WiFi lounges on travel days.”
Agent: Rajesh (SME, Lucknow)
“I use the BOB IRCTC card to manage group bookings for employees; bulk rewards help us save ₹25,000+ per year, and the 1% fee waiver is a real bonus.”
Frequently Asked Questions about IRCTC Credit Cards
- Which IRCTC credit card is best for Indian train bookings in 2025?
- SBI IRCTC RuPay and BOB IRCTC cards provide top rewards, low fees, and exclusive train-focused offers.
- Can I get lounge access with IRCTC credit cards?
- Yes! Lounge access is a built-in feature for SBI, BOB, HDFC, and select IDFC cards.
- Are IRCTC cards good for infrequent travellers?
- If you only travel once or twice a year, consider a generic cashback card. Otherwise, IRCTC cards are better for value.
- Which bank has best non-SBI IRCTC offers?
- Bank of Baroda, HDFC, and IDFC FIRST all have city-wise and e-ticket-only campaigns on IRCTC.
- Can I use IRCTC credit card for flights or international trips?
- Absolutely! All IRCTC co-branded cards work globally for spending and cloud travel offers.
Conclusion: Should You Get an IRCTC Credit Card?
If you travel by train more than twice a year, India's IRCTC credit cards are an easy way to get lounge access, exclusive ticket discounts, reward points, 1% transaction fee waivers, and added travel insurance—savings you won't get with generic cards. Whether you're booking group tickets, managing family journeys, or just want comfort and rewards on the go, SBI, BOB and HDFC IRCTC cards are made for Indian train lovers. Apply online and enjoy your next journey with bonuses and comfort only IRCTC co-branded cards can provide!
Have more questions or want personalized card advice? Explore more at CreditPlanner.in or check our blog for latest 2025 credit card offers!
