Indian Railways, one of the world’s largest railway networks, runs around 13,000 passenger trains every day.
These trains cater to all sections of society — from the wealthy and urban middle class to rural workers.
The railway aims to offer comfortable travel options for everyone, including through trains like the Garib Rath Express.
Garib Rath is known as India’s most affordable air-conditioned train.
Despite its low fares, it offers a comfortable AC travel experience and even competes with the Rajdhani Express in terms of speed.
What Makes Garib Rath Special?
Introduced in 2006, the Garib Rath (which means “Poor Man’s Chariot”) was designed to make AC train travel more accessible for those who couldn’t afford premium trains like Shatabdi or Rajdhani.
That’s why it is often called the “Rajdhani for the poor.”
The first Garib Rath ran on 4 October 2006 from Saharsa (Bihar) to Amritsar (Punjab).
Today, it operates on 26 different routes, covering major connections like Delhi-Chennai, Patna-Kolkata, and Delhi-Mumbai.
Ticket Price and Fare Details
Garib Rath is extremely budget-friendly.
It charges only 68 paise per kilometer, making it one of the most economical AC train fares globally.
For example:
On the New Delhi to Gorakhpur route:
Regular 3rd AC fare: ₹1200 to ₹1400
Garib Rath 3rd AC fare: Only ₹815
This fare difference makes Garib Rath a great choice for passengers who want to travel comfortably without spending too much.
