How much luggage is allowed in Indian Railways? Is there any cap on the amount of luggage I can carry while travelling in train? Do they measure the size and weight of luggages like in airports? Please help me with the luggage rules for railway travel in India.
Although the Indian Railways is not known to strictly enforce the luggage rules, going by the rule book a passenger is not allowed to carry luggage beyond the permissible limits set by the railways for different classes. According to Indian Railways website, the maximum luggage allowance per passenger is as given below - Free Luggage Allowance Per Passenger: AC First Class - 70 KG AC 2-Tier - 50 KG AC 3-Tier - 40 KG Sleeper Class - 40 KG Second Class (General) - 35 KG On top of the free allowance mentioned above, the passengers can carry additional marginal allowance without any extra charge upon getting approval from the railway authority. The marginal allowance (which is not chargeable) for each of the classes of travel are given below - Marginal Luggage Allowance Per Passenger: AC First Class - 15 KG AC 2-Tier - 10 KG AC 3-Tier - 10 KG Sleeper Class - 10 KG Second Class (General) - 10 KG Over and above the free and marginal allowance, passengers can carry additional luggage with them by paying the appropriate luggage fees. The maximum amount of luggage permitted (including free allowance) for different classes are listed below - Maximum Luggage Allowance Per Passenger (Chargeable): AC First Class - 150 KG AC 2-Tier - 100 KG AC 3-Tier - 80 KG Sleeper Class - 80 KG Second Class (General) - 70 KG Note that the additional luggage (after deducting the free and marginal allowances) would be charged at 1.5 times of the normal luggage rate. In terms of luggage size, the maximum allowed container dimension is 1m x 1m x 0.7m ((length x breadth x height) in outside measurement. Again I have never seen this rule being strictly adhered to. If you need to carry luggage beyond the maximum permitted quantity and size specified above, then you must use the brake van service. For using the brake van, you need to book your luggage in advance at the railways parcel office. Luggage Surcharge Penalty (If caught with excessive luggage during the journey): If a passenger is caught during the journey or at the destination with unbooked excess luggage, the additional weight exceeding free allowance is charged at six (6) times more than the standard luggage rate. Regards, Deb
