By Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently shared some very positive news about the cost of traveling on India’s modern Vande Bharat Express trains. In a written statement to the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, the minister explained that the ticket prices for these high-speed trains are much lower in India than in other major countries like China, Japan, and France. This information is very encouraging for passengers who want to travel in comfort without spending too much money.
According to the data provided by the minister, the fare for a Vande Bharat AC chair car journey is approximately 2.19 rupees per kilometer for trips between 300 and 400 kilometers. When you compare this to other countries, the difference is quite large. In places like Japan and France, similar train services cost between 7 rupees and 20 rupees per kilometer. This means that Indian passengers are getting a world-class travel experience at a much smaller price than people in more developed nations.
The minister explained that the government works hard to keep these fares affordable for everyone. When deciding on the ticket prices, the Ministry of Railways looks at many different things. They consider how much it costs to run the train, what kind of facilities are provided, and how much people can realistically afford to pay. They also look at the prices of buses and planes to make sure the train is a competitive choice. Because of this careful planning, the Vande Bharat fares have been kept even lower than what it actually costs the railway to run the service.
Vande Bharat trains are special because they offer a lot of advanced features that make the journey very smooth. These trains have faster acceleration, which helps them reach their destination quickly. They also include modern safety systems like Kavach, which helps prevent accidents. Inside the train, passengers can enjoy ergonomic seats, automatic doors, a mini pantry, and CCTV cameras for security. Even with all these high-tech features, the minister emphasized that affordability remains the top priority for the government.
The low fares have led to a very high demand for these trains across the country. Currently, there are 164 Vande Bharat services running on 82 different routes. Most of these trains are almost always full, with many routes seeing nearly 100 percent occupancy. This shows that Indian passengers really like the combination of speed, comfort, and low cost. The minister also mentioned that ordinary class fares in India are also some of the lowest in the world, even when compared to neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
By keeping the prices low, the Indian Railways is helping more people experience modern travel. The Vande Bharat network continues to expand, and new sleeper versions are also being introduced for longer overnight journeys. This strategy of “rationalized fares” is helping the railway grow while making sure that the common man can still afford to travel. It is a proud moment for India to offer such advanced technology at prices that are accessible to a large part of the population.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that Vande Bharat Express fares are among the lowest globally. AC Chair Car tickets cost around ₹2.19 per km for 300–400 km journeys, far cheaper than similar high-speed trains in Japan, France, and China. Despite advanced features like Kavach safety, automatic doors, and premium seating, fares remain affordable, leading to high occupancy across 164 services on 82 routes.
