If you thought only booking private jets and yachts were possible, you need to read this. Because you can actually book an entire train for your group travel! Thanks to Indian Railways own version of luxury group travel which has been around for years but not many are well aware of this service. Through the Full Tariff Rate (FTR) scheme, individuals, companies, wedding parties and religious groups, among others can reserve an entire train or a complete coach for exclusive use.And here’s all the info you need to know about booking an entire train or coach through IRCTC. Read on:What is IRCTC’s Full Tariff Rate (FTR) scheme?
CANVA
Not many must be aware of the Full Tariff Rate (FTR) scheme of Indian Railways. It is a facility that allows passengers to charter an entire train or reserve one or more coaches by paying the applicable full tariff. This is different from your regular ticket booking. The coach or train is reserved exclusively for the booking party and the facility is managed through IRCTC’s dedicated FTR booking system which is available subject to coach availability and other feasibility.The service is perfect for:Destination wedding Religious yatras Educational tripsCorporate toursTour operatorsIs it possible to book an entire train?
Yes, you can book an entire train under the FTR scheme.A full FTR train can have a maximum of 24 coachesIt includes the mandatory two SLR (Seating-cum-Luggage Rake) coaches as wellEven if a group needed less than 18 passenger coaches, the minimum charges are calculated based on an 18-coach composition only. But the final allotment depends on operational feasibility.Can you reserve just one coach?Yes, you can.If you don’t need an entire train and just one coach, IRCTC allows that too. However, availability depends on railway operations and cannot be guaranteed just through registration.How early should you book?As per official FTR guidelines:Plan much in advance.Booking can be done up to six months before the actual date of travel.The minimum advance booking period is 30 days before departure.Points to rememberRegistration alone is not the guarantee of allotmentCoaches or trains are sanctioned only after operational clearance from Indian Railways.Costs might differ depending on route, distance, duration and train composition.CostAs per the latest official guidelines:Coach booking: Registration amount starts at ₹50,000 per coach for journeys of up to seven days.Train booking: Registration amount begins at ₹9 lakh, calculated for the minimum 18-coach composition. Additional registration charges may apply.How do you apply?The booking process is entirely handled through IRCTC.Refunds and cancellationsIn case of cancellation by either the applicant or Indian Railways, the refund is processed by the Chief Commercial Manager (CCM) manually. The amount refunded depending on the applicable Full Tariff Rate (FTR) rules and cancellation charges.Travellers need to:
Visit the dedicated FTR booking portal or visit the reservation office.Submit journey details, route and coach/train requirements.Receive a reference number.Deposit the prescribed registration amount in given time.Await confirmation after operational feasibility is assessed by Indian Railways.Only after approval are the remaining formalities and payments completed.Indian Railways’ Full Tariff Rate scheme is a perfect option for a big group travelling for the same reason like a wedding, a pilgrimage or a corporate retreat, among others.Disclaimer: Information is based on official Indian Railways and IRCTC FTR guidelines available as of July 2026. Registration charges, tariffs, eligibility, booking procedures, and cancellation rules may change. Please verify the latest details on the official IRCTC FTR portal or with Indian Railways before booking.Sources: Official Indian Railways FTR Information (www.indianrail.gov.in), IRCTC Full Tariff Rate (FTR) Booking Portal (www.ftr.irctc.co.in), and Indian Railways FTR Commercial Guidelines/Circulars (er.indianrailways.gov.in).
