Traveling can be exhausting, but having access to railway lounges can significantly enhance your travel experience. Railway lounges offer comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and beverages, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, clean washrooms, and other amenities.
Many credit cards in India now offer complimentary access to these lounges. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best credit cards that provide railway lounge access across major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more to help you travel in comfort and style.
Benefits and Facilities of Railway Lounge Access
- Comfortable Seating: Relax in plush chairs and sofas.
- Complimentary Snacks and Beverages: Enjoy free refreshments.
- Free Wi-Fi and Charging Stations: Stay connected and charged.
- Clean Washrooms and Shower Facilities: Freshen up during long journeys.
- Additional Amenities: Newspapers, magazines, and TVs for entertainment.
- Workspaces: Quiet areas for working with desks and power outlets.
- 2 hours of lounge stay
- 1 Buffet Meal – Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner as per the time of visit
Snapshot of the CCs offering Railway lounge Access in India
| Credit Card Name | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Free Railway Lounge Visits (Per Year/Quarter) | Other Key Travel Benefits | Reward Program Highlights |
| IDFC FIRST Classic / Millennia / Select / Wealth CC | Nil | Nil | 4 per quarter | Airport lounge access (on select cards) | Up to 10X rewards on various spends |
| Ixigo AU Credit Card | ₹999 + taxes | NA | 8 per year | Reward points redeemable for flights and hotels | |
| AU Bank Altura Credit Card | ₹199 + GST | NA | 2 per year (2 per quarter) | Reward points on retail spends | |
| IRCTC RuPay SBI Credit Card | ₹500 + GST | ₹300 + taxes | 4 per year (1 per quarter) | 1% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC | Reward points on IRCTC bookings and other spends |
| IRCTC BoB RuPay Credit Card | ₹500 + GST | ₹350 + taxes | 4 per year (1 per quarter) | Reward points on IRCTC bookings and other spends | |
| HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card | ₹500 + GST | NA | 8 per year (2 per quarter) | 5% cashback on IRCTC via SmartBuy | Reward points on IRCTC spends and other categories |
| IRCTC SBI Platinum Card | ₹500 + GST | ₹300 + taxes | 4 per year | 1% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC | Reward points on IRCTC bookings and non-fuel retail spends |
| AU Bank Altura Plus Credit Card | ₹499 + GST | NA | 8 per year (2 per quarter) | Unlimited reward points and cashback |
Railway Lounge Access by City – Complete Guide
New Delhi Railway Station Lounge Access
New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) offers multiple lounge options for credit card holders:
Executive Lounge Location: Near Platform 16 Operating Hours: 24×7 Access Process:
- Present your eligible credit card at the lounge reception
- Show your confirmed train ticket
- Card will be swiped for verification
- Entry allowed up to 2 hours before train departure
Which Credit Cards Work at New Delhi Railway Station?
- All IDFC First Bank Credit Cards (Millennia, Classic, Select, Wealth)
- ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card
- HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card
- IRCTC SBI Cards (both Platinum and RuPay variants)
- AU Bank Altura and Altura Plus Cards
Mumbai Railway Stations Lounge Access
Mumbai CSMT Executive Lounge: Near Platform 14
Mumbai Central: Near Platform 1
Lokmanya Tilak Terminus: Near Platform 1
Other Major City Railway Lounges
Bangalore City Railway Station (SBC): Near Platform 1
Chennai Central (MAS): Near Platform 10
Kolkata Howrah Junction (HWH): Near Platform 23
Ahmedabad Railway Station (ADI): Near Platform 1
Secunderabad Junction (SC): Near Platform 10
Top 10 Credit Cards Offering Railway Lounge Access in India
1. IDFC First Bank Credit Cards (Millennia/Classic/Select/Wealth)
Joining Fee: Lifetime Free (LTF)
Annual Fee: LTF
Railway Lounge Access: 16 visits per year
Key Benefits: Comprehensive travel perks, including airport lounge access, low fees, and attractive reward points on all spends.
Read – Best Credit Cards for Salaried Person in India
2. ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card
Joining Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Annual Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Annual Fee Waiver: Spend Rs 1.5 lakh annually
Railway Lounge Access: 4 visits per year
Key Benefits: Rewards on dining, groceries, and fuel. Enjoy waiver on fuel surcharge and attractive discounts on movie tickets.
3. AU Bank Altura Credit Card
Joining Fee: Rs 199 + GST / LTF
Annual Fee: Rs 199 + GST / LTF
Railway Lounge Access: 8 visits per year
Key Benefits: Up to 2% cashback on various categories including groceries and utility bills. Additional milestone rewards and fuel surcharge waiver.
Read –Credit Cards with Zero Annual Fees in India
4. IRCTC SBI Platinum Card
Joining Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Annual Fee: Rs 300 + GST
Railway Lounge Access: 4 visits per year
Key Benefits: Up to 10% value back on IRCTC bookings. Discounts on e-catering services and complimentary railway lounge access.
5. HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card
Joining Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Annual Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Railway Lounge Access: 4 visits per year
Key Benefits: 10% value back on all classes of railway bookings, including sleeper class. Exclusive discounts on railway ticket bookings and other HDFC SmartBuy offers.
6. ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Platinum
Joining Fee: Rs 500 + GST
Annual Fee: NIL
Railway Lounge Access: One complimentary access per quarter
Key Benefits: Complimentary railway and airport lounge access, travel insurance, and high reward rates on various spends.
Check – 6 Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access in India
7. IRCTC BoB Rupay Credit Card
Joining Fee: Rs 500
Renewal Fee: Rs 500
Railway Lounge Access: Up to 4 complimentary railway lounge access every year (1 per quarter).
Key Benefits: 1% transaction charge waiver on booking tickets via IRCTC website or mobile app, A 1% waiver on fuel surcharges for transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, with a maximum waiver of Rs. 100 per statement cycle, Up to 3-lifetime free add-on cards for your spouse, parents, siblings or kids (above 18 years).
8. ICICI Bank MakeMyTrip Signature
Joining Fee: Rs 2,500 + GST
Annual Fee: Nil
Railway Lounge Access: Access to major lounges
Key Benefits: Dual membership rewards, travel insurance, and concierge services.
These cards provide various benefits that can enhance your travel experience by giving you access to railway lounges across major stations in India.
Credit Cards for Different Salary Slabs – Railway Lounge Access
For ₹20,000 Salary
AU Bank Altura Credit Card: Low fees, 8 visits/year
ICICI Coral RuPay: Good rewards, 4 visits/year
For ₹40,000 Salary
IDFC First Millennia: Lifetime free, 16 visits/year
HDFC RuPay IRCTC: High IRCTC rewards, 8 visits/year
For ₹60,000+ Salary
ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature: Premium benefits
IDFC First Wealth: Maximum lounge access
Complete List of Railway Lounges at Major Stations in India
| Railway Station | Platform Location |
|---|---|
| New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) | Near Platform 16 |
| Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) | Near Platform 14 |
| Kolkata Howrah Junction (HWH) | Near Platform 23 |
| Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS) | Near Platform 10 |
| Bangalore City Railway Station (SBC) | Near Platform 1 |
| Ahmedabad Railway Station (ADI) | Near Platform 1 |
| Secunderabad Junction (SC) | Near Platform 10 |
| Jaipur Junction (JP) | Near Platform 1 |
| Lucknow Charbagh (LKO) | Near Platform 1 |
| Bhubaneswar Railway Station (BBS) | Near Platform 1 |
| Trivandrum Central (TVC) | Near Platform 1 |
| Patna Junction (PNBE) | Near Platform 1 |
How to Access Railway Lounges – Step by Step Guide
Check Eligibility: Ensure your credit card offers railway lounge access
Carry Required Documents:
- Eligible credit card
- Valid train ticket (Usually AC or Executive class)
- Government ID proof
Visit Lounge Reception: Located near the platforms mentioned above
Card Verification: Your card will be swiped for authentication
Entry Time: Access allowed up to 2 hours before train departure
Guest Access: Some cards allow guest entry (check card benefits)
Conclusion
Credit cards with railway lounge access offer significant benefits for frequent travelers. Whether you’re traveling from New Delhi Railway Station or Mumbai CSMT, having the right credit card can transform your waiting time into a comfortable experience.
Evaluate the options based on your salary, travel frequency, and preferred stations to choose the best card for you. Enjoy enhanced travel comfort and convenience with the right credit card.
FAQs: Best Credit Cards with Railway Lounge Access in India
Q: Which cards are eligible for IRCTC lounge access?
A: Credit cards like the IRCTC SBI Platinum Card and HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card offer access to IRCTC lounges.
Q: How to access IRCTC lounge for free?
A: Use credit cards that provide complimentary lounge access, such as the IRCTC SBI Platinum Card or HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card.
Q: Does HDFC credit card have railway lounge access?
A: Yes, the HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card provides railway lounge access.
Q: Which ICICI credit card has railway lounge access?
A: The ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card offers railway lounge access.
Q: What is complimentary railway lounge?
A: Complimentary railway lounge access allows cardholders to use railway lounges without additional charges, offering amenities like snacks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.
Q: Which card is best for free lounge access?
A: The best card depends on individual needs, but the IDFC First Bank Credit Cards (Millennia/Classic/Select/Wealth) offer extensive lounge access benefits.
Q: How do I get into the railway lounge?
A: Present your eligible credit card at the lounge entrance to gain access.
Q: How many railway lounges are there in India?
A: There are numerous railway lounges across major stations in India, providing various amenities for travelers.
Q: How do I know if my card has free lounge access?
A: Check your card’s benefits on the bank’s website or contact customer service to confirm if it includes free lounge access.
Ayush Gupta is an entrepreneur and SEO consultant with over a decade of experience helping businesses grow. As the founder of Visibility Ventures, he combines technical expertise with practical financial knowledge to guide readers through credit cards, investments, and tax optimization. He holds certifications in Entrepreneurship and Business Laws from NUJS Kolkata and regularly advises companies on digital growth strategies.
