Last Updated:
Railway’s half ticket rule is a big relief for families, but it is important to understand its conditions. Half tickets are available for children aged five to twelve years, but seats will be available only if the full fare is paid. Therefore, it is always beneficial to choose the right ticket option keeping in mind the distance of travel, size of the family and the needs of the child.
New Delhi. Children’s ticket is always a big question for millions of families traveling by train in India. Many people assume that there is no fare for small children or that half ticket facility is available for every child. But the rules of railways are slightly different and it is important to know them so that one does not have to face any problem during the journey. This information is special for new passengers because the conditions related to child tickets are quite clear but often people ignore them.
The facility of half ticket of Railways is still available, but there is a condition in it which cannot be availed unless fulfilled. Many families choose children’s tickets according to their seats, but due to wrong information, sometimes they have to pay more fare or sometimes the seat is not confirmed. Therefore, understanding these rules makes the entire journey easier.
The entire rule is based on the age of the children
According to Railways, if your child is below five years then no ticket is issued for him. He can travel without a ticket but he will not get a separate seat. That means the child will share the seat with you. Half tickets are available for children between five and twelve years. But you will get a seat in this half ticket only when you choose the full fare. If you charge half the fare, the child is allowed to travel but the seat is not allotted.
If you want a seat, you will have to pay the full fare.
This is the condition that often confuses parents. Railways does not provide seats in half tickets as it is considered only as travel permission. If you wish that the child gets his own seat, you will have to pay the full fare instead of half ticket. Many family members do not understand this at the time of booking and later complain as to why they did not get the seat. This rule is very clear in the railway system and applies to every booking.
This decision is most important in long distance travel
If the journey is short and the child does not mind walking on the lap or sitting with you for a while, then half ticket is sufficient. But in long distance trips, a separate seat becomes necessary for children. In such a situation, it is better to book the full ticket in advance. This makes the journey comfortable and there is no tension regarding seating arrangement. Many families make this mistake during holidays and then face difficulty in managing seats in the train.
