IRCTC Executive Lounge: Rates, Stations & Cards (2026)

TL;DR

IRCTC Executive Lounges offer airport-style waiting facilities at major railway stations with entry rates starting from ₹150 to ₹200 for an initial 2-hour stay. Eligible premium credit and debit cards provide complimentary entry with a ₹2 authentication swipe, which includes complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments, and AC seating. Additional services like hot buffet meals, recliner beds, and shower kits are available on demand.

Waiting for your chart while relaxing in the lounge? Track your train's exact charting time and set a free reminder on Chart Times, or check live vacant berths on Chart Vacancy and find confirmed split seats on Smart Seats.

What Are IRCTC Executive Lounge Entry Charges and Rates?

IRCTC Executive Lounge entry rates start at ₹150 to ₹200 plus GST per person for the first 2 hours, with additional hours charged at ₹50 to ₹100 per hour. The entry fee includes high-speed Wi-Fi, air-conditioned seating, luggage storage, flight/train departure displays, clean washrooms, and a complimentary welcome drink such as tea or coffee.

Children under 3 feet in height enter free of charge with an accompanying adult, while passengers above 3 feet pay full entry charges. Lounges operate 24x7, and you can pay entry charges through cash, UPI, debit/credit cards, or online booking via IRCTC Tourism.

Service Item	Typical Rates (Excl. GST)	Duration / Details
Initial Lounge Entry	₹150 – ₹200	2 Hours (Includes Wi-Fi & Welcome Drink)
Additional Hour Extension	₹50 – ₹100	Per extra hour
Shower & Wash Facility	₹150 – ₹200	Includes bath kit, soap & disposable towel
Buffet Breakfast	₹150 – ₹200	Unlimited vegetarian hot buffet
Buffet Lunch / Dinner	₹250 – ₹350	Veg & Non-Veg multi-cuisine buffet
Recliner / Nap Zone	₹100 – ₹150	Per hour (at select major stations)

Which Credit Cards Give Free Access to Railway Lounges?

Select domestic credit and debit cards provide complimentary IRCTC Executive Lounge access via DreamFolks, LoungeKey, or direct bank tie-ups with a ₹2 or ₹25 authentication swipe. Eligible cards include premium variants from ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, SBI Card, Axis Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank, and RuPay Select credit or debit cards.

Not all credit cards with airport lounge access include railway lounge benefits. Railway lounge access is a distinct card feature, and cardholders must check their specific card terms for quarterly visit quotas (typically 2 to 4 complimentary railway visits per calendar quarter).

Popular Cards Offering Railway Lounge Visits:

ICICI Bank: ICICI Coral, Rubyx, Sapphiro, and Expressions Credit Cards (subject to quarterly spending criteria).
HDFC Bank: Regalia Gold, Diners Club Black, Infinia, and Tata Neu Infinity Credit Cards.
SBI Card: IRCTC SBI Card Premier, SBI Card Prime, and SBI Card Elite.
Axis Bank: Axis Bank Atlas, Magnus, Select, and Horizon Credit Cards.
IDFC FIRST Bank: FIRST Wealth, FIRST Select, and FIRST Club Credit Cards.
RuPay: RuPay Platinum and RuPay Select debit and credit cards issued by major banks.

Which Railway Stations Have IRCTC Executive Lounges?

IRCTC Executive Lounges operate across major junction railway stations in India, including New Delhi, Agra Cantt, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Jaipur, Sealdah, Madurai, Visakhapatnam, and Gorakhpur. Most executive lounges are located on Platform 1 or near the main station concourse for direct accessibility from both platform and circulating areas.

New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) hosts two executive lounges: one on Platform 16 (Ajmeri Gate side) and another on Platform 1 (Paharganj side). Indian Railways is expanding executive lounges to additional Tier-1 and Tier-2 junction stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Station Name	Station Code	Location on Platform	Key Facilities
New Delhi	NDLS	Platform 1 & Platform 16	Recliners, Shower, Multi-cuisine Buffet, Wi-Fi
Agra Cantt	AGC	Platform 1	AC Seating, Shower, Breakfast & Meals
Ahmedabad Junction	ADI	Platform 1	Buffet Dining, Wi-Fi, Luggage Storage
Varanasi Junction	BSB	Platform 1	Modern Seating, Shower Kits, Refreshments
Jaipur Junction	JP	Platform 1	Heritage Decor, AC Lounges, Buffet Meals
Sealdah (Kolkata)	SDAH	Platform 1B	AC Seating, Shower, Fast Food & Beverages
Madurai Junction	MDU	Platform 1	Recliners, South Indian Buffet, Wash & Change
Visakhapatnam	VSKP	Platform 1	AC Seating, Showers, Dining & Work Desks
Gorakhpur Junction	GKP	Platform 1	AC Waiting, Food Court, Wi-Fi

How Do You Book an IRCTC Executive Lounge Online?

You can book an IRCTC Executive Lounge online through the official IRCTC Tourism portal at irctctourism.com under the Lounges section up to 60 days in advance. Online booking requires entering your train PNR or passenger details, selecting the station, choosing arrival date and time slots, and making payment via card, net banking, or UPI.

Walk-in bookings are also accepted directly at the lounge reception counter 24 hours a day, subject to seating capacity. If you hold a complimentary access credit card, you do not need to pre-book online; simply present your physical card and train ticket at the reception desk for on-the-spot verification.

Step-by-Step Online Booking Process:

Visit Official Portal: Go to irctctourism.com and select the Executive Lounge tab under Stays.
Select Station & Date: Choose your transit station, check-in date, check-in time, and number of persons.
Choose Duration & Services: Select your stay duration (2 hours baseline) and add optional meals or shower services.
Enter Passenger Details: Input passenger names, contact information, and your valid train PNR number.
Complete Payment: Pay online to generate an instant booking voucher containing a QR code for check-in.

What Facilities and Amenities Are Included in Railway Executive Lounges?

Railway Executive Lounges provide fully air-conditioned soundproof seating, high-speed Wi-Fi, charging points at every seat, clean private restrooms, digital train departure display screens, and complimentary hot beverages. Passengers can also purchase freshly prepared hot buffet meals, book private shower cubicles, or relax in dedicated recliner nap pods.

Unlike traditional station waiting rooms, executive lounges feature professional housekeeping, CCTV security, baggage lockers, business workstation tables, and printed boarding assistance. Food served in the lounge adheres to IRCTC catering hygiene standards, offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections.

Can You Enter an IRCTC Executive Lounge Without a Train Ticket?

Yes, you can enter an IRCTC Executive Lounge without a train ticket by paying standard walk-in entry charges, provided you possess a valid government-issued photo ID. While railway passengers with confirmed, RAC, or waitlisted tickets are given primary preference during peak hours, non-travelling visitors and meeters/greeters are permitted entry subject to seat availability.

Visitors entering without a train ticket must purchase a ₹10 platform ticket or station entry permit where mandatory by station security, alongside presenting photo identification (such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License) at the lounge reception desk.

Common Booking Questions (FAQ)

Is food free inside the IRCTC Executive Lounge?

Food is not included in the basic ₹150 to ₹200 entry ticket, which covers only a complimentary welcome beverage like tea or coffee. However, full hot buffet meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) can be purchased inside the lounge, and certain premium credit cards bundle a complimentary meal combo with free lounge entry.

How many hours can you stay inside an IRCTC Executive Lounge?

The initial entry fee covers a stay of 2 hours. If your layover is longer, you can extend your stay at an hourly rate of ₹50 to ₹100 per additional hour by informing the front desk staff before your initial 2-hour window expires.

Do children need a separate ticket for the Executive Lounge?

Children under 3 feet in height are permitted free entry into the lounge when accompanying a paying adult. Children measuring 3 feet and above require a standard entry ticket and are charged normal adult entry and meal rates.

Can you use airport lounge credit cards at railway executive lounges?

You can only use credit cards that specifically include domestic railway lounge access in their benefits schedule. Many cards with airport lounge access do not include railway lounges; always check with your issuing bank whether your card tier includes railway lounge privileges.

Is there a shower facility available inside railway executive lounges?

Yes, most IRCTC Executive Lounges feature private shower cubicles with hot water and provide a fresh wash-and-change kit containing soap, shampoo, and a disposable towel for a fee of ₹150 to ₹200 plus GST.

Can you sleep overnight in an IRCTC Executive Lounge?

You can stay overnight by paying the cumulative hourly stay charges, but lounges are designed with armchairs and recliners rather than full beds. For dedicated overnight sleeping with flat beds, consider booking an IRCTC Retiring Room or Dormitory on the station premises.

What documents are required to enter the Executive Lounge?

To enter, you must present a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License) and your train ticket or PNR. If claiming complimentary credit card access, you must present your physical eligible credit or debit card for the ₹2 authentication swipe.

What is the cancellation policy for online executive lounge bookings?

Online bookings cancelled more than 24 hours before the scheduled check-in time receive a refund after deducting a 20% cancellation charge. Cancellations made within 24 hours of scheduled arrival or no-shows forfeit 100% of the booking amount.

Bottom line

IRCTC Executive Lounges offer a peaceful, air-conditioned sanctuary with clean restrooms, shower kits, and high-speed Wi-Fi during stressful train layovers. If you carry an eligible credit or debit card, you can enjoy these amenities for just a ₹2 swipe.

If your connecting train is waitlisted, use Smart Seats to find confirmed split-ticket options, and monitor your train's chart release in real time with Chart Times.