Vande Bharat Food Rules: Booking, Opt-Out & Refund Guide
Is catering mandatory on Vande Bharat trains? Learn about the opt-out price differences, onboard ordering fees, and how to get food refunds.
TL;DR
- Catering is optional on all Vande Bharat Express trains. Passengers can choose to opt out of food service during booking to lower their ticket fare.
- Opting out saves between ₹150 to ₹350 depending on the travel class and distance.
- If you opt out but change your mind onboard, you can order food from the pantry for an additional ₹50 convenience penalty fee per meal.
Is Catering Mandatory in Vande Bharat Express Trains?
No, catering is not mandatory on Vande Bharat Express trains. Passengers can opt out of the onboard food service while booking their tickets on IRCTC. If you choose not to receive meals during your journey, the catering charges are deducted from your total ticket fare.
When Indian Railways launched Vande Bharat services, catering charges were initially bundled automatically. However, based on passenger feedback, IRCTC updated the rules to make onboard dining completely optional. When booking online, the system displays a popup asking you to select your food preference: Veg, Non-Veg, or "No Food" (Opt-Out).
If you are travelling with a child or have specific dietary restrictions, opting out allows you to bring your own home-cooked food. This option is available across all AC Chair Car (CC) and Executive Class (EC) coaches on every Vande Bharat route.
What is the Price Difference for a Vande Bharat Ticket Without Food?
The price difference for a Vande Bharat ticket without food ranges from ₹150 to ₹350 per ticket, depending on the travel class, route distance, and the number of meals served during the journey. Executive Class tickets have higher catering deductions than standard AC Chair Car tickets.
| Travel Class | Average Catering Cost (Included) | Opt-Out Ticket Price Savings | Woven Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Chair Car (CC) | ₹150 – ₹250 | Save ₹150 – ₹250 | Breakfast, Snacks, or Dinner (depending on timing) |
| Executive Class (EC) | ₹250 – ₹350 | Save ₹250 – ₹350 | Premium Breakfast/Dinner, Welcome Drink & Snacks |
For example, on the New Delhi to Varanasi Vande Bharat route, opting out of meals saves Chair Car passengers approximately ₹244, while Executive Class passengers save ₹344. These exact figures vary slightly based on seasonal menu adjustments by IRCTC zone administrators.
Can You Order Food Onboard Vande Bharat if You Opted Out?
Yes, you can order meals onboard a Vande Bharat train even if you opted out during booking, provided food is available. However, IRCTC charges an extra ₹50 convenience penalty fee per meal on top of the standard catering rate for onboard orders.
If you change your mind during the journey, you must inform the coach service staff or the Train Captain. Because the pantry staff only carries a limited number of extra meals, onboard requests are subject to availability.
The ₹50 convenience charge is a penalty for last-minute ordering, designed to discourage passengers from opting out to save money and then demanding meals onboard. The service provider accepts payment via UPI or cash, and must issue a printed bill for the transaction.
What is the Vande Bharat Food Charges Refund and Cancellation Policy?
If you cancel your Vande Bharat ticket, the food charges are fully refunded along with the ticket fare, subject to standard IRCTC cancellation fees. If the train is delayed by more than three hours, passengers are entitled to free emergency meals.
To get a refund for food charges when cancelling a partially confirmed or waitlisted ticket, you must file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) online before chart preparation. If a waitlisted online e-ticket does not confirm, the system processes a full refund automatically, including the catering portion, within 3 to 5 working days.
For travelers who miss their connection or experience booking issues, LastBerth's Finding Smart Seats tool can help find confirmed segments on alternative trains. You can also use the Coach Journey Lookup tool to check coach layouts and locate pantry staff quickly if there is a catering dispute onboard.
Common Booking Questions (FAQ)
Is food free in Vande Bharat?
No, food is not free. The catering charges are pre-included in the ticket price. If you do not want the food service, you must choose the "No Food" option during booking to get a discount.
How much can I save by opting out of food in Vande Bharat?
You can save between ₹150 and ₹350 per ticket. The exact savings depend on the route, class of travel (Chair Car vs. Executive Class), and the number of meals scheduled for that journey.
Can I buy food from local stations instead of Vande Bharat catering?
Vande Bharat trains only stop for 2 to 5 minutes at intermediate stations, making it risky to deboard to buy food. If you opt out of catering, it is recommended to carry your own food or use IRCTC e-catering services to deliver food to your coach.
Is catering optional in Vande Bharat Sleeper trains?
Yes, catering is optional on all Vande Bharat trains, including the new Sleeper services. The same opt-out rules and onboard surcharge guidelines apply to both sleeper and chair car coaches.
What is the extra charge for ordering food onboard Vande Bharat?
If you opted out during booking but order food from the onboard staff, you will have to pay the standard meal cost plus an additional ₹50 convenience fee per meal.
Can I cancel my food choice after booking the ticket?
No. Once a ticket is booked on IRCTC, you cannot change your catering choice from "No Food" to "Food" or vice-versa online. Any changes must be handled onboard with the pantry staff, subject to availability and the ₹50 surcharge.
Do children get free food on Vande Bharat trains?
No. If you book a separate seat for a child (aged 5 to 11) and pay the applicable fare, catering charges are included in the ticket. If you do not buy a separate seat, no food is provided unless ordered separately onboard.
What happens to catering charges if the train is delayed?
If a Vande Bharat train is delayed by more than three hours, Indian Railways provides free breakfast, lunch, or dinner (depending on the time of day) to all passengers, regardless of whether they opted out of catering during booking.
How do I check if my Vande Bharat ticket is confirmed?
You can enter your 10-digit PNR number on LastBerth's PNR search to check if your booking status has moved from WL or RAC to Confirmed. Waitlisted e-tickets are automatically cancelled at chart preparation.
Kartik Arora
Railway Travel Expert • 500+ Journeys
Kartik is a passionate Indian Railways traveler who has spent years decoding the complex algorithms behind IRCTC waitlists, Tatkal quotas, and chart preparation. He built LastBerth to help fellow travelers find confirmed tickets when all hope seems lost.
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