Rajdhani Express

Rajdhani Express is one of the most prestigious trains of the Indian Railways. Introduced on 1 March 1969 between New Delhi and Howrah, it was once the fastest train in India, running at about 120 km/h. The train reduced the travel time between the two cities from about 24 hours to around 17 hours. 

Designed to connect the national capital with major cities, the train was rightly named the Rajdhani Express. It quickly became known for its speed, comfort, and premium onboard services. Even today, the Rajdhani Express remains a premium choice offering comfort and a symbol of speed.

Ticket prices for the Rajdhani Express vary depending on the route, travel class, and demand. Rajdhani Express ticket prices for several routes were revised in 2025. Indicative fares for popular routes are as follows:

Ticket fares usually range between ₹2500 and ₹6000 for most Rajdhani Express routes.

The Rajdhani Express is known for providing comfortable and premium travel services. The train offers several facilities during trips to make long-distance travel more convenient for passengers. These are:

• Fully Air-Conditioned Coaches

Rajdhani Express trains have fully air-conditioned coaches. They are quite comfortable compared to many other long-distance trains in India. No matter the weather outside, AC coaches ensure a pleasant journey.

• Onboard Catering Services

Meals are a key highlight of Rajdhani Express trains and are usually included in the ticket fare. Depending on the journey duration, meals such as breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner are served at scheduled intervals. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, with menus managed by IRCTC.

• Bedding and Linen Facilities

Passengers travelling in the Rajdhani Express also receive bedrolls. It includes bedsheets, a pillow, and a blanket. For overnight or long journeys, these facilities are quite useful.

• Hygienic Food Preparation

The food served on Rajdhani Express trains is prepared by trained catering staff in base kitchens. Under the supervision of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), hygiene is a priority.

• Modern Coach Interiors

To further enhance the comfort of passengers, the Indian Railways has redesigned interiors with better seating arrangements and improved curtains. Overall, they give a modern coach look.

Rajdhani Express routes are spread across India. They connect major cities with New Delhi. Here are the major routes of the Rajdhani Express:

Note: In the above table, the train number after the “/” refers to the return journey of the same train. Eg: While 12302 travels from New Delhi to Howrah, 12301 travels from Howrah to New Delhi.

How to Book Rajdhani Express Train Tickets Online?

With the online reservation system, booking tickets for Rajdhani Express trains has become easier. Here is a step-by-step guide to booking train tickets hassle-free on redBus.

• Step 1: Go to the redBus website or app, navigate to “Train Tickets” and click on it. You can also download the redRail mobile app. 
• Step 2: Enter preferences such as the departure and destination stations and the travel date, then click “Search Trains”. From the train list, choose Rajdhani Express
• Step 3: Choose one from the 1AC, 2AC, or 3AC seat options. Before proceeding, check seat availability
• Step 4: Provide passenger details like name, age, gender, and contact information. To proceed, you also have to enter the IRCTC username.
• Step 5: Add identity proof documents and verify your mobile number by entering the OTP
• Step 6: In the final step, you have to make the online payment. You may pay via debit card, credit card, or digital wallets. The e-ticket is generated once the payment is successful.

Online booking through redBus and redRail is quite convenient and faster for passengers across India. People can easily secure their seats on premium trains like the Rajdhani Express without visiting railway counters.