Child Ticket Rules — Age Limit, Fare, and Berth Policy

Traveling with kids on Indian trains requires knowing the ticketing rules — when they travel free, when they need half-fare tickets, and when they need full-fare tickets. The rules are straightforward once you know them.

Age-Based Ticket Rules

Age	Ticket Required?	Fare	Berth Allotment
0-4 years	No ticket needed	Free	No separate berth
5-11 years	Yes, child ticket	Approximately half fare	Separate berth allotted
12 years and above	Full ticket	Full fare	Separate berth allotted

Age is calculated as on the date of travel, not the booking date.

Children Under 5 (Free Travel)

Children below 5 years travel free on Indian Railways. No ticket is needed. The child shares the berth with the parent/guardian.

However: If you want a separate berth for your child under 5, you can book a child ticket and pay approximately half the fare. This is useful on overnight trains where you need the child to have their own sleeping space.

During booking on IRCTC, you have the option to "book for child below 5" which creates a half-fare ticket with a berth.

Children 5-11 (Half Fare)

Children aged 5 to 11 must have a ticket. They are charged approximately half the adult fare and get their own berth/seat.

On IRCTC:

1. Add the child as a passenger


2. Enter their correct age


3. The system automatically calculates the child fare


4. A separate berth is allotted

The exact fare isn't always exactly 50% — it's calculated based on the distance, class, and applicable charges. Reservation charge and superfast surcharge are full (not halved).

Children 12 and Above (Full Fare)

At age 12, a child is treated as an adult passenger. Full fare, full berth, same rules as any other passenger.

Booking a Child Ticket on IRCTC

Method 1: Add Child as a Passenger

During passenger entry:

1. Enter the child's name


2. Enter their age (between 5 and 11)


3. Select gender


4. The system marks it as a child ticket automatically


5. Berth preference can be selected (lower berth is recommended for children)

Method 2: Child Under 5 With Berth

1. After entering adult passengers, look for the option "Do you want to book for child (below 5 years)?"
2. Select "Yes"
3. Enter the child's name, age, and gender
4. Half fare is charged and a berth is allotted

Method 3: Child Under 5 Without Berth

Simply don't add the child as a passenger. No ticket is booked. The child travels on the parent's berth for free. No record of the child appears on the ticket.

ID Proof for Children

Children under 5 don't need any ID proof during travel. They're not listed on the ticket (unless booked separately), so there's nothing for the TTE to check.

Children aged 5-11 are listed on the ticket. They don't need to carry a separate ID proof — the parent's/guardian's ID proof covers the group. However, if questioned about the child's age, having a school ID or birth certificate doesn't hurt.

At age 12 and above, the passenger needs their own ID proof matching the name on the ticket.

Berth Tips for Traveling with Children

Book lower berths. Always select lower berth preference when traveling with children. The system usually complies, especially if you mention multiple children in the booking. Avoid upper berths for children under 10. The climb is risky, and there are no safety rails on Indian Railways upper berths to prevent falls during sleep. Side lower can work well. For a parent and one child, a side lower berth gives you a semi-private space. The child sleeps against the wall, you sleep on the outer side. In 2A or 1A, the coupes are ideal. First AC has 4-berth coupes that can be closed with a door — perfect for a family with young children. Privacy, safety, and no strangers in the cabin.

Special Considerations

Diapers and baby supplies: Carry enough for the journey plus buffer. Train delays are common, and you won't find a pharmacy on board. Formula/milk: Trains have pantry cars with hot water, but don't rely on it. Carry a thermos with warm water for mixing formula. Strollers: Not practical on Indian trains. The aisles are too narrow, the coach doors are narrow, and platforms have uneven surfaces. Use a baby carrier instead. Child-proof the berth: Upper berths have no rails. Even lower berths have a gap between the berth and the wall. Use rolled-up blankets as barriers while the child sleeps. Entertainment: Long train journeys get boring for kids. Carry books, coloring supplies, downloaded shows on a tablet, and their favorite snacks. The window seat (side lower berth) offers scenic distraction.

Fare Example

For a Delhi to Mumbai 3A journey (approximate):

Passenger	Age	Fare
Adult	35	₹1,800
Child	8	₹950
Child	3 (no berth)	Free
Child	3 (with berth)	₹950

Booking the 3-year-old without a berth saves ₹950, but on an overnight journey, you'll be cramped sharing a single lower berth with a toddler. Worth considering whether the savings justify the discomfort.

Common Questions

Can a child travel alone? Technically, there's no minimum age for solo train travel in the rules. But practically, children under 12 should travel with an adult. The TTE may question a young child traveling alone. Two children sharing one berth? If both are under 5, they share with the parent (no extra ticket needed). If one is 5+, that child has their own berth. The under-5 child still shares with the parent.

Check train details and plan your family journey on indianrail.app. Getting the right tickets sorted before the trip means less hassle and more enjoyment for the whole family.