CardAgent

Best credit cards for IRCTC train bookings (2026)

Cards ranked by IRCTC earning rate, with IRCTC-specific perks like railway lounge access and reduced convenience fees called out.

  1. 1
    Axis Bank
    Axis Reserve Credit Card
    7.5% on IRCTC train bookings₹59,000/yr incl. GST
    2X points on international card spending
    37
  2. 2
    HDFC Bank
    HDFC 6E Rewards XL Indigo Credit Card
    5% on IRCTC train bookings₹1,770/yr incl. GST
    52
  3. 3
    ICICI Bank
    ICICI Adani One Signature Credit Card
    5% on IRCTC train bookings₹5,900/yr incl. GST
    34
  4. 4
    Federal Bank
    Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card
    4% on IRCTC train bookingsLifetime free
    20 Scapia Coins per ₹100 on travel bookings via the Scapia app; effective value ~4% at ₹0.20 per coin.
    50
  5. 5
    ICICI Bank
    ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
    3% on IRCTC train bookings₹14,749/yr incl. GST
    Best-case travel redemption at ₹1/RP via ICICI iShop or airline/hotel partner transfers.
    87
  6. 6
    HDFC Bank
    HDFC Pixel Play Credit Card
    3% on IRCTC train bookings₹590/yr incl. GST
    53
  7. 7
    HDFC Bank
    HDFC 6E Rewards Indigo Credit Card
    2.5% on IRCTC train bookings₹590/yr incl. GST
    36
  8. 8
    Kotak Mahindra Bank
    Kotak Indigo Ka-ching 6E Rewards Credit Card
    2.5% on IRCTC train bookings₹1,770/yr incl. GST
    35

How we rank

We compute an effective % back for each card's IRCTC train bookings reward rule as rate × point value, cap-aware, and rank by that number. Ties are broken by the CardAgent overall score, which weighs reward value (70%), fee efficiency (12%), redemption flexibility (9%), and perks (9%). All fees are shown inclusive of 18% GST. See methodology and full catalog.

FAQ

Which card gives free IRCTC lounge access?

Several premium and mid-tier cards give IRCTC railway lounge access — see the list above. Note IRCTC lounges are separate from airport lounges.

← All categories