Overview
Carrying extra baggage on trains will now be charged in the same way that it is in the air. And if you are caught carrying excess luggage without booking it, you will be charged six times the normal rate.
How much luggage can you bring for free?
If you are travelling in AC first class, you can carry up to 70kgs for free, and the limit for AC second class is 50kgs. Carrying the baggage of up to 40 kilos is permitted in the AC 3-tier sleeper, AC chair car, and sleeper classes. The limit for 2-class is up to 25kgs. The minimum luggage fee is Rs.30.
Note- The maximum limit includes a free allowance
How Should You Book Your Luggage?
Luggage travelling on the same train as the owner must be presented at the luggage office of the booking station at least 30 minutes before departure. Passengers can also reserve their luggage while purchasing their tickets.
"Unsecurely packed luggage will not be accepted for booking and carriage unless the sender or his authorised agent executes a forwarding note and records such defects or improper packing," said notification about the same.
Because of the new baggage rules, the Ministry of Railways recently advised everyone to travel light unless absolutely necessary. The ministry recently tweeted in Hindi, "If the luggage is more than the enjoyment of the journey will be half!" Do not travel by train with additional luggage. If you have extra luggage, go to the parcel office and book it."
What is the Penalty for Carrying Unbooked Luggage?
Passengers will now be fined if they bring unbooked luggage onto the train. According to the notification, if a passenger is detected en route or at the destination with unbooked or partially booked luggage weighing more than the free allowance, the excess unbooked weight exceeding the free allowance of luggage is charged at six times the luggage scale rate, rather than six times the scale -R as previously.
"However, if unbooked or partially booked luggage is detected that is greater than the free allowance but within the marginal allowance, it is charged at 1.5 times the luggage scale rate."
Trainman allows you to book train tickets in just a few clicks from the convenience of your own home. Trainman's online railway reservation is now simple, quick, and safe, so you won't have to wait in long lines for railway tickets.