If you regularly book train tickets on IRCTC, you're probably losing money without realizing it. Between cancellation charges, service fees, and convenience charges, a typical traveller spends ₹1,500–₹4,000 per year in hidden costs.
The right credit card can reduce this dramatically by giving:
- Cashback on IRCTC bookings
- Reward points on UPI, fuel, and daily spending
- Free lounge access during delays
- Faster refunds and safer payments
Here are the best credit cards for IRCTC users in 2026, based on actual savings, reward structure, and ease of approval.
📖 Related Guides: Learn about Complete IRCTC Refund Rules, How to Cancel IRCTC Tickets, Tatkal Refund Rules, TDR Filing Guide, RAC vs WL Guide, and Train Delay Refund Rules.
1. HDFC Bank IRCTC RuPay Credit Card
Best for: Frequent IRCTC users (max savings on train tickets)
This card is designed specifically for railway travellers.
You earn 5% cashback on IRCTC ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website/app using the RuPay network.
Top Benefits
- 5% cashback on IRCTC
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Reward points on all spends
- Affordable joining fee
Ideal for you if…
You book 4–8 train tickets per month or travel regularly for work/family.
2. SBI IRCTC Credit Card
Best for: People who book AC tickets regularly
This is one of the earliest IRCTC-branded cards and remains popular for AC class travellers.
Top Benefits
- 10% value back (reward points) on IRCTC
- 1% railway surcharge waiver
- Bonus reward points on reaching milestones
- Low annual fee
Ideal for you if…
You mostly book 2A, 3A, or CC tickets and want reward points to offset future bookings.
3. Axis Bank Neo Credit Card
Best for: Budget-friendly option + good approval chances
Axis Neo is not an IRCTC-specific card, but it offers high value for beginners who want a cheap, simple card with good offers.
Top Benefits
- Cashback on UPI, online shopping, and dining
- Good approval rate for first-time credit users
- Flat benefits on multiple apps (Zomato, Amazon, etc.)
- Very low joining fee
Ideal for you if…
You want a multipurpose card, not just IRCTC benefits, at the lowest cost.
4. HDFC Millennia Credit Card
Best for: People who use PayZapp / wallets for IRCTC
Millennia is popular because it gives 1–5% cashback on major online categories.
Top Benefits
- 5% cashback on select online merchants
- 1% surcharge waivers
- Airport lounge access (limited)
- High rewards on UPI via PayZapp
Ideal for you if…
You spend more on online shopping + UPI in addition to IRCTC travel.
5. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
Best for: Students, beginners, and first-time cardholders
This is a very easy-to-get card that offers flat value on daily spending plus occasional IRCTC offers.
Top Benefits
- 10x reward points on categories like dining/grocery
- Good approval rate
- Yearly fee waiver on small spending targets
Ideal for you if…
You want a simple card that helps save across all categories—not only IRCTC.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Here's a real-world example of an average IRCTC user:
Monthly IRCTC spend:
₹1,500 (Assume 3–4 tickets)
With different cards:
- HDFC IRCTC RuPay (5% cashback) → Save ~₹900/year
- SBI IRCTC (10% value-back points) → Save ~₹1,200–₹1,800/year
- Axis Neo / HDFC Millennia → Save via UPI/dining + surcharge waivers
For people who book AC tickets frequently, savings easily exceed ₹3,000–₹6,000 per year.
For frequent travellers (10+ tickets/month), savings can go beyond ₹10,000–₹12,000 per year.
Which Card Should You Choose? (Quick Guide)
| Card | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC IRCTC RuPay | Frequent train travellers | Highest cashback on IRCTC |
| SBI IRCTC | AC class travellers | Strong reward program |
| Axis Neo | Beginners | Easy approval + low fee |
| HDFC Millennia | Mixed spending users | Cashback across categories |
| SBI SimplySAVE | Students / first credit card | Good rewards on daily use |
Before You Apply – Check Eligibility
Most bank approvals depend on:
- Income proof
- CIBIL score
- Past credit history
- Employment stability
It's always a good idea to apply for cards that match your profile (beginner, frequent traveller, or online spender).
Save More on Cancellations Too
If you want to reduce losses on cancellations, use our Train Ticket Cancellation Charges Calculator. It shows:
- Exact refund
- Deduction
- Best time to cancel
- Chart preparation time
Saving on IRCTC bookings becomes much easier when you combine the right credit card + smart cancellation decisions.
Calculate Your Refund Now
Use our calculator to check cancellation charges and plan smart cancellations.
Go to Calculator →