GST on Train Tickets: AC, Non-AC, and Class-wise Tax

If you’re traveling by train in India, especially in AC classes or premium categories, GST is part of your ticket cost. Indian Railways, like airlines, applies GST on certain types of tickets. In this blog, we’ll explain how gst on train tickets works, what classes are taxed, and what to know about cancellations and refunds.

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    GST in Railway Tickets: When Does It Apply?

    GST is applicable only on certain categories of railway travel. The rate depends on the class of travel.

    Train Class GST Rate GST Applicable?
    AC First Class / Executive Class 5% Yes
    AC 2-Tier, 3-Tier, Chair Car 5% Yes
    Sleeper Class, Second Sitting (2S) 0% No (Exempt)
    General Class (Unreserved) 0% No (Exempt)

    So, if you’re traveling in AC, gst in railway ticket is 5%, while there’s no GST on non-AC classes.

    GST on Train Ticket Booking

    GST is applied during railway ticket booking—both online (IRCTC) and offline. It is:

    • Automatically calculated and shown on the final fare
    • Included in the total ticket price
    • Applicable only when booking AC or Executive class tickets

    So, if you’re making a railway ticket booking for AC 2-tier, your ticket will show a separate GST component at 5%.

    GST on Train Ticket Cancellation

    Yes, GST is also involved during ticket cancellations—but only for AC classes.

    Key rules:

    • GST is deducted from the cancellation charges
    • Refund is issued after deducting GST-inclusive cancellation fee

    Example:

    • AC 3-tier ticket: ₹1,000
    • Cancellation charge (with GST): ₹60 (₹57 + ₹3 GST)
    • Refund issued: ₹940

    So, you don’t get back the GST on the cancellation fee. The gst on train ticket cancellation is retained as part of the charge.

    Input Tax Credit (ITC) on Train Tickets

    If you are a business traveler or booking through a company:

    • You can claim Input Tax Credit on GST paid on AC train travel
    • Your company must be GST-registered
    • Invoice should include your GSTIN and proper HSN/SAC code

    The SAC Code for passenger transport by rail is 9964.

    Conclusion

    Knowing the gst on train tickets helps you understand your fare breakup better. Whether you travel frequently or manage bookings for a company, being aware of these GST rules helps you save time and claim eligible credits.

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