Indian Railways: As per the latest rules, all items carried on trains must have clear labels in Hindi or English.
With the festive season approaching, millions of people across India begin their train journeys to visit family or go on vacations.
Festivals like Diwali, Chhath, Durga Puja, and Ganesh Chaturthi see a big increase in travel, as schools close and many offices offer extended weekends.
This leads to packed railway stations, airports, and highways. At such times, it’s essential for travelers to understand railway rules regarding luggage, weight limits, heavy items, pet travel, and even carrying oxygen cylinders.
If travelers are unaware of these rules, they might face fines or other problems. So, it’s important to know and follow the rules before starting your festive journey.
Labelling Your Luggage is Mandatory
According to railway guidelines, all luggage must have clear labels written in Hindi or English.
If you plan to send luggage separately, you must deposit it at the railway luggage office at least 30 minutes before departure.
Weight Limits Based on Class
Each travel class has different free baggage allowances:
AC First Class: 70 kg
AC 2-Tier Sleeper: 50 kg
AC 3-Tier and Sleeper Class: 40 kg
Second Class: 30 kg
If your luggage weighs more than the allowed limit, you’ll have to pay extra charges.
Rules for Heavy Luggage
Luggage will be considered heavy if it weighs more than 100 kg or is larger than 1 m × 1 m × 0.7 m.
However, if only one dimension exceeds the limit by up to 10% and the weight is still below 100 kg, it won’t be treated as heavy. Otherwise, double the normal charge will apply.
Maximum Size Allowed in Compartments
You can carry trunks, boxes, or suitcases up to 100 × 60 × 25 cm inside the train compartment.
Larger items must be kept in the brake van. For AC 3-tier and AC Chair Car, the maximum allowed size in the compartment is 55 × 45 × 22.5 cm.
Rules for Transporting Animals and Compensation
Under Section 77-A of the Indian Railway Act, the railway’s responsibility for animal transport is limited unless extra insurance is taken. Compensation limits are:
Elephant: ₹1,500
Horse: ₹750
Mules, camels, horned animals: ₹200
Donkey, sheep, goat, dog, bird: ₹30
Carrying Oxygen Cylinders
Passengers can carry oxygen cylinders with stands in any class, provided they have a valid medical certificate. No extra fee will be charged for carrying them.
