Indian Railways Launches Online Personal Luggage Booking from July 31

Indian Railways has rolled out a significant passenger-friendly service of online personal luggage booking for its passengers who have reserved tickets. The facility goes live on July 31, 2026.

The Railway Board has instructed every zone to execute the service. With this online luggage service, passengers can reserve online luggage according to the specified limit while booking their tickets. Here are the complete details of the online luggage service by Indian Railways, including eligibility, luggage limit, charges, and basic rules.

Indian Railways Launches Online Personal Luggage Booking

Passengers having reserved tickets will now be able to book their luggage online in advance from July 31, 2026. The latest initiative is a part of the Indian Railways’ larger conversion to a more tech-driven platform providing users with better services.

As per an order issued by the Railway Board on July 20, 2026, all railway zones have been instructed to implement the new service for personal baggage in the reserved compartments falling under maximum weight category.

This is following the earlier guideline created in March 2025 which has been put in action after proper testing and development.

Why Has Indian Railways Introduced This Facility?

The reason behind Indian Railways introducing this facility is to tackle the troubles passengers come across while reserving extra luggage at the railway station.

Earlier, passengers who have excess luggage had to go to the parcel or luggage booking counters before taking the train. However, with the new online system, passengers can reserve online without doing paperwork and thereby making the traveling experience much better.

Who Can Use the Online Luggage Booking Service?

The online luggage booking facility is available to confirmed passengers in reserved classes.

Passengers with waitlisted or unconfirmed tickets cannot book luggage online.

The luggage booked will have to be carried in the reserved coach and must conform to the limits of weight and size specified by Railways.

New Guidelines for Internet Luggage Reservation

The Railway Board decided that the online reservation system should show all significant details throughout the booking phase.

With this system, travelers will be able to see,

• Free luggage allowance by class
• Maximum allowable luggage limit
• Prohibited items list
• Penalty for carrying excess luggage
• Luggage charges applicable

The goal behind this openness is to ensure that the travelers are aware of the regulations beforehand.

Exemption on Luggage in Indian Railways

The luggage allowance for passengers on Indian Railways depends on the type of travel class the passenger has chosen.

The prescribed allowances for each travel class are given below:

Travel Class and Free Allowance

• AC First Class (1A): 70 kg
• First Class: 50 kg
• AC 2 Tier: 50 kg
• AC 3 Tier (3A): 40 kg
• AC 3 Economy (3E): 40 kg
• AC Chair Car (CC): 40 kg
• Sleeper Class: 40 kg
• Second Class: 35 kg

Maximum Luggage Capacity Depending on Travel Category

Travellers are offered the service of bringing luggage beyond the admissible limit; yet, they must follow the maximum limit imposed and pay all the required fees.

Category wise admissible maximum luggage capacity

• AC First Class: 150 kg
• First Class/AC 2 Tier: 100 kg
• Sleeper Class: 80 kg
• Second Class: 70 kg
• AC 3 Tier/AC Chair Car: 40 kg

A special exception is made for AC 3 Tier, AC 3 Economy, and AC Chair Car categories where the maximum admissible limit is equal to the allowed free weight. As a result, excess baggage can hardly be booked in these travel categories.

Payment for Extra Baggage

Although travelers can carry luggage outside the limit for free baggage, excess baggage can be booked at a charge of 1.5 times the appropriate luggage rate, as long as the maximum limit for the class of travel is adhered to.

This allows travelers to carry additional luggage and, at the same time, not incur any fines while boarding the train.

Regulations Regarding Size of the Luggage

The Indian Railways has also set restrictions on the size of the luggage that can be transported inside a reserved compartment.

Trunks, suitcases, and boxes having dimensions not exceeding 100 cm × 60 cm × 25 cm (Length × Width × Height) can be carried inside the coach.

Any luggage that does not comply with at least one of the measurements is not permitted inside the reserved compartments.

Oversized Luggage Must Be Booked Separately

Those who have oversized suitcases, boxes, and bags will have to book them separately in the Brake Van (Luggage Van).

The Indian Railways has reiterated that commercial items or goods meant for trade cannot be taken as personal luggage in passenger compartments.

Such items must be sent using the railway parcel booking system.

Role of CRIS in the New System

The Railway Board has entrusted the task of developing and testing the online application for digital luggage booking to the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).