Railway Lounge Access Credit Card List: Features, Benefits and How to Apply

Bio

Shreyansh Singh, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, has eight years of experience in the finance industry. He has spent 5 years at American Express developing mid to long-term strategies for multiple markets including US, Europe and India. Shreyansh currently leads Growth and Strategy initiatives at Pice.

  • 14 Oct 25
  • 9 mins
railway lounge access benefits through credit cards

Railway Lounge Access Credit Card List: Features, Benefits and How to Apply

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avatar of shreyansh singh Shreyansh Singh
  • 08 Mins
  • 14-10-25

Key Takeaways

  • Railway lounge access credit cards provide free entry to executive railway lounges with amenities like Wi-Fi, refreshments, and comfortable seating.
  • Top options include ixigo AU Credit Card, IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card, IRCTC RuPay SBI Platinum, HDFC RuPay IRCTC, and ICICI Rubyx Credit Card.
  • Depending on the card, you can enjoy 4 to 16 complimentary railway lounge visits annually.
  • Many railway lounge access credit cards also offer cashback, fuel surcharge waivers, and milestone rewards.
  • You can apply online or offline through your bank by providing valid ID, address, and income proof to start using lounge benefits quickly.

Those who prioritise comfortable train journeys should consider owning a railway lounge access credit card. It allows them to enjoy plush seating, refreshments, free Wi-Fi, and other premium services while avoiding the annoying crowds at busy stations.

Additionally, passengers receive plenty of value-added rewards. For instance, when you use the IRCTC RuPay SBI Credit Card to purchase tickets on the IRCTC portal, you can get up to 10% cashback on the amount spent. Similar to this, there are many other credit cards that offer complimentary railway lounge visits. So, to get more details, keep reading.

10 Best Railway Lounge Access Credit Cards in 2025

The best railway lounge access credit card
Card Name Joining FeeAnnual FeeRailway Lounge BenefitsWelcome Benefits
ixigo AU Credit CardNILNIL13 complimentary railway lounge access per year1,000 reward points and ixigo voucher worth ₹1,000 if used within 30 days of card activation
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit CardNILNIL4 complimentary lounge visits per quarter₹500 e-gift voucher on spending at ₹15,000 within the first 90 days
AU Altura Plus Credit Card₹499+GST₹499+GST8 free visits per yearNot applicable
IRCTC RuPay SBI Platinum Card₹500+GST â‚¹500+GST4 free visits per year350 bonus is credited after the first transaction worth ₹500 (within 60 days of card activation)
IRCTC BoB RuPay Credit Card₹500₹3504 visits per year at partner railway stations500 bonus points on spending ₹5,000 within the first 60 days
HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card₹500+GST₹500+GST8 visits to selected IRCTC Executive Lounges (2 per quarter)Gift voucher worth ₹500 on completing 1 transaction within the first 37 days
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card₹500+GST₹500+GST8 visits per year500 reward points on shopping above ₹500 within the first 30 days
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card₹500+GSTNIL4 visits per yearA MakeMyTrip voucher and complimentary ₹500 myCash
IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card₹2,999+GST₹2,999+GST4 complimentary visits per quarter at partner stations₹2,000 cashback on making four payments of ₹500 or more
ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card₹3,000+GST₹2,000+GST8 visits per yearVouchers worth up to ₹5,000 from EaseMyTrip, Tata CLiQ, Chroma, and more 

Note: The railway lounge access feature for each of the above credit cards may not be valid at all train stations across India. Therefore, ensure to check the list of participating lounges before availing the offer.

Detailed Overview of Best Railway Lounge Access Credit Cards

  1. ixigo AU Credit Card

If you frequently use the ixigo app, then consider owning this credit card. It enables you to avail 10% off on hotel, flight and bus bookings made through the platform. Additionally, any payment gateway charges are also waived when you pay via the card.

Major benefits include: 

  • 13 free railway and domestic lounge visits per year
  • 10% off up to ₹1,000 on flight tickets booked through ixigo
  • 5% off up to ₹1,000 on hotel bookings
  1. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card

Those who have an annual income of ₹36 lakh or more can apply for this credit card. The FIRST Wealth card is considered one of the top options in its category for the lowest foreign markups and extensive travel insurance coverage. The best part is that you do not need to pay an annual fee for its renewal.

Major benefits include:

  • 10X reward points on transactions crossing ₹30,000 in a month
  • 6X reward points for online shopping, surpassing ₹30,000 in a month
  • Flexible EMI availability for card bills exceeding ₹2,500
  1. AU Altura Plus Credit Card

The Altura Plus Credit Card from AU Bank allows you to earn unlimited reward points with no maximum cap. Each point is equivalent to ₹0.25 and you can redeem those by visiting the AU Rewardz portal. However, this card may not be for you if you want complimentary airport lounge access.

Major benefits include:

  • 2 free railway lounge visits per quarter
  • 1.5% flat cashback applicable to all POS retail spends
  • 2X reward points for all kinds of online transactions
  1. IRCTC RuPay SBI Platinum Card

For frequent travellers on Indian Railways, this card is a must. With this, you get 10% cashback straightaway on any IRCTC booking. Moreover, it permits access to the railway lounge for two hours once per quarter, during which you can enjoy a buffet meal for free.

Major benefits include:

  • 10% reward points on booking AC travel through IRCTC
  • 1 reward point per ₹125 on any other kind of retail spending
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on spending between ₹500-₹3,000 (capped to a maximum of ₹100 per cycle)
  1. IRCTC BoB RuPay Credit Card

IRCTC BoB Credit Card users can travel seamlessly across India, as this card offers a 1% discount on bills paid through the IRCTC website. Furthermore, you can avail smart EMI options and convert high-ticket purchases above ₹2,500 into instalments spanning 6 to 48 months.

Major benefits include: 

  • 4 reward points per ₹100 spent on departmental store items 
  • 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on other purchases
  • 3 complimentary add-on cards for spouse, parents and siblings
  1. HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card

Cardholders owning this variant can claim up to ₹13,500 in savings annually. Most importantly, they can continue to enjoy the card benefits for free on spending ₹1.5 lakh or more in a calendar year. 

Major benefits include: 

  • 2 complimentary railway lounge visits in a quarter
  • 5 reward points for every ₹100 spent on Rail Connect app or IRCTC portal
  • 5% cashback on train ticket purchases through HDFC Bank SmartBuy
  1. IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

With this RBL credit card, you not only receive free train lounge benefits but also enjoy train cancellation protection and a transaction fee waiver. Plus, you can claim 1.5% cashback on your FASTag recharges. 

Major benefits include: 

  • 8 complimentary railway lounge visits in a year
  • 5X rewards on making train ticket bookings via the IRCTC app or website
  • 2X rewards on booking hotels and flights via IRCTC
  1. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card

Being a co-branded credit card, it offers accelerated reward points on your bookings via MakeMyTrip. By spending ₹2.5 lakh using this card and applying 1,000 myCash on bills worth ₹50,000, you can earn milestone rewards. Moreover, this railway lounge access credit card offers different dining offers under the Culinary Treats Programme. 

Major benefits include: 

  • 4 complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge visits annually
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on bills between ₹400 and ₹4,000 (only across HPCL stations)
  • Additional ₹50 discount on food orders above ₹599 through Swiggy
  1. IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card

Busy professionals and entrepreneurs who want to enhance their lifestyle with comfort and convenience should consider owning this card. Besides regular travel, entertainment and shopping benefits, this credit card ensures complimentary roadside assistance worth up to ₹1,399.

Major benefits include: 

  • BOGO on BookMyShow tickets with discounts of up to ₹400 for the second movie ticket
  • 5X reward points on everyday spending (above ₹20,000 in a statement cycle)
  • 1 reward point on every ₹150 spent (both online and offline)
  1. ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

With 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter, in addition to 8 annual railway lounge visits, this card is truly helpful for regular travellers. 

Major benefits include: 

  • 25% off on movie ticket purchases via BookMyShow (can be applied twice a month)
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on bills between ₹400 and ₹4,000 
  • Personal accident coverage

How to Apply For a Railway Lounge Access Credit Card? 

Applying for railway lounge access credit cards

To apply for a railway lounge access credit card in India, here are the general steps and important details that must be considered:

Step 1: Select the Credit Card

Choose from popular options like IDFC FIRST Bank (Millennia, Classic, Select, Wealth), ICICI Bank (Coral, Rubyx, MakeMyTrip ICICI), HDFC RuPay IRCTC, or IRCTC co-branded cards by SBI, BoB, and HDFC. These usually offer 2–16 free visits per year.

Step 2: Check Eligibility

Review the bank’s criteria such as minimum income, age, and credit score requirements.

Step 3: Apply Online or Offline

Submit your application through the bank’s website or a financial portal by providing ID, address, and income proofs. Alternatively, apply at the nearest bank branch.

Step 4: Verification & Approval

The bank verifies your documents and creditworthiness before issuing the card.

Step 5: Use Your Lounge Access

Show your credit card and a valid train ticket at the lounge entrance. A small authorisation fee (around ₹2) applies, and access is usually limited to 2 hours with facilities like Wi-Fi, refreshments, and seating.

💡Pay your credit card bills in an easy and secured way and experience smooth transactions with the PICE App.

Conclusion

Choosing the best railway lounge access credit card can be tough, only when you do not have a defined plan. To avoid selecting the wrong card, always check the individual credit card reward structures, features, charges, and spending criteria. It will help you a long way to make the right decisions about personal finances.

FAQs

What is a railway lounge access credit card?

A railway lounge access credit card allows cardholders to enjoy complimentary entry to executive railway lounges across major train stations in India.

Which are the best railway lounge access credit cards in 2025?

Some of the top choices include ixigo AU Credit Card, HDFC RuPay IRCTC Credit Card, IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card, IRCTC RuPay SBI Platinum, and ICICI Rubyx Credit Card.

How many free lounge visits do these credit cards offer?

Depending on the card type, users get 2 to 16 complimentary railway lounge visits per year, along with other travel benefits.

What benefits do railway lounge access credit cards provide?

These cards offer access to comfortable seating, refreshments, Wi-Fi, and other amenities at railway stations, enhancing your travel experience.

Are there spending conditions for lounge access?

Certain cards like HDFC RuPay IRCTC or IRCTC SBI Platinum may require a minimum spend per quarter to unlock lounge privileges.

What are some other benefits offered by these credit cards?

Many railway lounge access credit cards provide cashback on IRCTC bookings, flight discounts, and accelerated reward points on travel purchases.

Do I need to carry my credit card to access the lounge?

Yes, you must present your railway lounge access credit card and a valid train ticket at the lounge reception for verification before entry.
About the author
Shreyansh Singh

Shreyansh Singh

Shreyansh Singh, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, has eight years of experience in the finance industry. He has spent 5 years at American Express developing mid to long-term strategies for multiple markets including US, Europe and India. Shreyansh currently leads Growth and Strategy initiatives at Pice.

by Saurabh Agrawal

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