Independent guide, not the official Bangladesh Railway website. Tickets are sold only on eticket.railway.gov.bd, in the Rail Sheba app and at station counters.
Updated 7 October 2026
Bangladesh Railway Ticket: Online Booking, Price, Refund & Rules
Book a train ticket online in about five minutes. This guide shows every step, the real cost, the seat classes and the refund rules in plain words.
- 10 daysadvance booking
- 8:00 AMsales open
- 4 seatsper booking
Search trains
Enter your trip. We open the result on the official e-ticket site.
- Popular:
This button takes you to eticket.railway.gov.bd in a new tab. Login, seat selection and payment happen there. We never ask for your NID, password, OTP or payment.
You can buy a Bangladesh Railway ticket in three ways: on the official e-ticket website, in the Rail Sheba app, or at a station counter. Online is the fastest once your account is verified.
Bangladesh Railway is the state-owned rail operator of Bangladesh. It started on 15 November 1862 and works under the Ministry of Railways. The network is about 3,600 km long and is run in two zones, East and West.
Bangladesh Railway ticket at a glance
- Official ticket websiteeticket.railway.gov.bd
- Official appRail Sheba (Android and iPhone)
- How early you can bookUp to 10 days before the journey
- When online sales open8:00 AM each day
- Tickets per bookingUp to 4 seats for one journey
- ID neededVerified NID, birth certificate (age 12 to 18) or passport
- Online service chargeTk 20 per seat
- RefundUntil 6 hours before departure, with a deduction
- Railway hotline131
Last checked: 7 October 2026. Rules and fares change, so confirm the final price on the official site before you pay.
Three ways to buy a train ticket in Bangladesh
- E-ticket websiteeticket.railway.gov.bd. Best for booking on a computer or a phone browser.
Tk 20 per seat - Rail Sheba appOn Google Play and the App Store. Best for booking on your phone and keeping tickets in one place.
Tk 20 per seat - Station counterAt any computerised station. Best if you pay cash or have no account.
No extra charge
The website and the app use the same account and show the same seats. Use whichever is easier for you.
You may still see old names such as Esheba or e-Sheba railway. That was the earlier ticket portal. It was replaced in March 2022 by the current e-ticket website, so the old address no longer sells tickets.
Railway ticket online registration (one time only)
You cannot buy an intercity train ticket without a verified account. Since 1 March 2023 every ticket is tied to the ID of the person who bought it. The railway brought this rule in to stop black-market ticket sales.
Keep these three things ready:
- A mobile number that is active and in your hand
- Your NID number and your date of birth exactly as printed on the NID
- An email address, because the e-ticket is also sent there
Then follow these steps:
- Open eticket.railway.gov.bd or the Rail Sheba app and tap Register.
- Enter your mobile number. You get an OTP code by SMS. Type it in.
- Enter your NID number and date of birth, then tap Verify.
- Add your name, email and a password, then submit.
Your account is now ready and you do not need to register again.
Which ID can you use?
| Passenger | ID for registration |
|---|---|
| Adult (18 and over) | National ID card (NID) |
| Age 12 to 18 | Birth registration certificate, or a parent’s account |
| Foreign national | Passport |
If verification fails, the usual reason is a mismatch. Check that the date of birth and the NID number are typed exactly as they appear on the card.
How to book a train ticket online, step by step
These steps are the same on the website and in the Rail Sheba app.
- Log in. Open eticket.railway.gov.bd or the Rail Sheba app and sign in with your mobile number and password.
- Enter your trip. Choose the From station, the To station, the journey date and the class, then tap Search Trains.
- Pick a train. You see every train on that date with its departure time, the fare for each class and the seats left.
- Pick your seats. Tap Book Now, choose a coach, then tap the seats you want. You can select up to 4.
- Confirm with OTP. Tap Continue Purchase. A code comes to your registered mobile number. Enter it.
- Add passenger names. Type the name of each person travelling with you and mark any child passenger.
- Pay. Choose bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay or a card and finish the payment before the timer on the screen runs out.
- Get your e-ticket. The ticket is sent to your email. You can also download it any time from Purchase History.
On the day, show the ticket on your phone or as a printout, and carry the photo ID you registered with.
Tips to get a seat on busy trains
- Log in a few minutes before 8:00 AM, exactly 10 days before your journey.
- Keep your payment app open with enough balance, so you do not lose time.
- If seats show as sold out at 8:05, look again after 15 to 30 minutes. Seats that other people selected but did not pay for go back on sale.
- Try the next class up or a different train on the same route.
Booking rules you should know
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| 10-day advance sale | Tickets for a date go on sale 10 days earlier |
| 4 seats per journey | One account can buy at most 4 seats for a journey |
| Ticket holder must travel | The person whose ID bought the ticket must be on the train |
| Carry photo ID | Staff can ask for the ID and the registered phone |
| Names of co-passengers | You must enter them at booking |
| Using someone else’s ticket | Treated as travelling without a ticket and punishable under railway law |
The railway’s short version of this rule is “টিকিট যার, ভ্রমণ তার”: the ticket belongs to the person who travels.
Children
Children aged 3 to 12 travel on a child ticket at a reduced fare. Choose the child option for that passenger when you book. A child under 3 who sits on a parent’s lap has traditionally not needed a ticket. Ask at the counter if you are not sure.
Tickets at the station counter
Counters sell the same seats as the website. Take your NID or its number with you, because the counter clerk enters it for intercity tickets. Tickets for local and mail trains are sold at the counter shortly before departure.
Bangladesh Railway ticket price
Your fare depends on three things: the distance, the type of train and the seat class. Intercity trains cost more than mail and commuter trains on the same route.
Fares on six Eastern zone routes went up on 20 December 2025, when Bangladesh Railway added a bridge charge, called a pontage charge. The table shows the intercity fares after that change.
Dhaka to Chattogram
From Tk 450 Shovan Chair
Chattogram to Jamalpur
From Tk 545 Shovan Chair
Intercity fares per adult, one way. Booking online adds Tk 20 per seat. Check seats fills the search form above with the route.
Fare table by seat class
| Route | Shovan Chair | Snigdha | AC Seat | AC Berth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka to Chattogram | Tk 450 | Tk 857 | Tk 1,030 | Tk 1,591 |
| Dhaka to Sylhet | Tk 410 | Tk 788 | Tk 943 | Tk 1,465 |
| Dhaka to Dewanganj | Tk 255 | Tk 489 | Tk 587 | Tk 924 |
| Chattogram to Jamalpur | Tk 545 | Tk 1,041 | Tk 1,254 | Tk 1,925 |
Fares per adult, one way, as reported by Prothom Alo in December 2025. Add Tk 20 per seat if you book online.
- Some premium non-stop trains on the Dhaka to Chattogram route are priced a little higher than the table.
- Mail and commuter trains are much cheaper. Dhaka to Chattogram by mail train is Tk 150.
- Western zone routes such as Dhaka to Rajshahi, Khulna and Rangpur were not part of the December 2025 rise.
- The exact fare for your train always shows on the search result page before you book.
Payment methods and charges
- Mobile banking: bKash, Nagad, Rocket, Upay
- Cards: Visa, Mastercard, DBBL Nexus
The online service charge is Tk 20 for each seat. So 4 seats cost Tk 80 more online than at the counter. This charge is not returned if you cancel.
AC classes (Snigdha, AC Seat, AC Berth) include 15% VAT in the fare. You see the full amount before you pay, so there is no hidden cost.
Train seat classes explained
The booking page shows short codes such as F_SEAT, F_CHAIR and S_CHAIR. Many people pick the wrong class because the codes are not explained. Here is what each one means, from the most comfortable to the cheapest.
| Code | Full name | AC | What you get | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC_B | AC Berth | Yes | A bed in a closed cabin of 2 or 4 berths, with bedding | Night journeys |
| AC_S | AC Seat | Yes | A seat in a closed AC cabin | Day journeys in comfort |
| SNIGDHA | Snigdha (AC Chair) | Yes | Reclining chair in an open AC coach, 2 + 2 seats in a row | Most popular AC choice |
| F_BERTH | First Class Berth | No | A bed in a closed cabin with fans | Night journeys on a lower budget |
| F_SEAT | First Class Seat | No | A seat in a closed first class cabin with fans | Families who want privacy |
| F_CHAIR | First Class Chair | No | A wider chair in an open first class coach | Day journeys with more room |
| S_CHAIR | Shovan Chair | No | A separate chair for each passenger in an open coach | Best value for most trips |
| SHOVAN | Shovan | No | Bench-style seats shared with others | Short trips |
| SHULOV | Shulov | No | Basic bench seats, the cheapest class | Very short trips |
What is F_SEAT in a train?
F_SEAT means First Class Seat. It is a seat inside a small closed cabin, not in an open coach. The cabin has fans and no air conditioning. A group that books the whole cabin gets a private space.
What is F_CHAIR in a train?
F_CHAIR means First Class Chair. It is a non-AC chair in an open coach. The chair is wider and has more leg room than Shovan Chair, and it costs less than Snigdha.
Which class should you choose?
- Lowest cost with your own seat: Shovan Chair
- Hot weather or a long day trip: Snigdha
- Overnight trip: AC Berth, or First Class Berth to save money
- Family with small children: AC Seat or First Class Seat, because the cabin door closes
Not every train has every class. The search result shows only the classes that train carries.
Train ticket refund and cancellation rules
You can return a ticket until 6 hours before the train leaves. The earlier you cancel, the more money you get back.
| When you cancel | What is deducted |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours before departure | Tk 40 for AC classes, Tk 30 for First Class, Tk 25 for other classes |
| 48 to 24 hours before | 25% of the fare |
| 24 to 12 hours before | 50% of the fare |
| 12 to 6 hours before | 75% of the fare |
| Less than 6 hours before | No refund |
The Tk 20 online service charge is not refunded in any case.
How to refund a ticket online
- Log in on the e-ticket website or the Rail Sheba app.
- Open Purchase History and find the ticket.
- Tap Refund or Cancel Ticket and confirm.
- The system checks the ticket and shows the amount you will get back.
- The money returns to the same bKash, Nagad or card you paid with.
Refunds can take up to 8 working days. If the money has not arrived by then, email support@eticket.railway.gov.bd with your ticket details and the payment transaction ID.
Three things people often miss
- A ticket bought online is refunded online. A ticket bought at a counter is returned at a counter.
- There is no option to change the date, the train or the passenger name. Cancel the ticket and book a new one.
- In recent Eid seasons the railway announced that Eid advance and return tickets cannot be refunded. Read the notice for that season before you buy.
Train tracking in Bangladesh
You can find where your train is with one SMS. It works on any phone and needs no internet.
- Open the message app on your phone.
- Type TR, a space, then the train number. Example: TR 701
- Send it to 16318.
- A reply tells you where the train is now.
The train number is printed on your ticket. Trains in Bangladesh often run 30 to 90 minutes late, so check before you leave for the station.
Cox’s Bazar train ticket
The Cox’s Bazar route is the hardest one to get a seat on. Two intercity trains run from Dhaka, the Cox’s Bazar Express and the Parjatak Express. The Saikat Express and Probal Express run between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
Fares from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar after the December 2025 change are Tk 1,449 in Snigdha, Tk 1,740 in AC Seat and Tk 2,656 in AC Berth.
- Book at 8:00 AM, 10 days before your travel date. Weekend seats go within minutes.
- Travel on a weekday if you can.
- If Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar is full, book Dhaka to Chattogram and then a Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar train.
Eid train tickets
Before each Eid, Bangladesh Railway announces a special advance sale. The rules are stricter than on normal days.
- All intercity Eid tickets are sold online. Counters do not sell them in advance.
- Each travel date goes on sale on its own fixed day. The railway publishes the full list.
- One person can buy only once for the outward trip and once for the return trip, with up to 4 seats each time.
- Sales for West zone trains and East zone trains usually open at different times of the day.
- A limited number of standing tickets are sold at station counters on the travel day.
The dates and times change every year. Follow the official notice for that Eid, and treat any older schedule you find online as out of date.
Common booking problems and how to fix them
Money was cut but no ticket came
Check Purchase History first. If there is no ticket, the payment failed and the money is normally sent back to the same account within a few working days. Keep the transaction ID.
OTP code does not arrive
Wait one minute, check your network signal, then tap Resend. The code goes only to the number on your account.
NID verification fails
Type the NID number and date of birth exactly as on the card.
“No seats available” at 8:00 AM
Refresh after 15 to 30 minutes, or try another class or train.
You lost the ticket
Log in and download it again from Purchase History, or open the ticket email.
You forgot your password
Use Forgot Password on the login page and reset it with an OTP.
Website is slow or will not load
Try the Rail Sheba app, or try again a few minutes later. Traffic is heaviest at 8:00 AM.
Stay safe from fake ticket sellers
Bangladesh Railway warned passengers in September 2025 about fraud on social media. Sellers on Facebook and other platforms take money by mobile banking, promise a ticket, then switch off the phone.
- Buy only from eticket.railway.gov.bd, the Rail Sheba app or a station counter.
- Install only the app named Rail Sheba published by Bangladesh Railway.
- Never send money to a person for a ticket, and never share your OTP or password.
- Do not travel on a ticket bought in someone else’s name.
Helpline and contact
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Complaint, fraud report or information | Railway hotline 131 |
| Problem with an online ticket or refund | support@eticket.railway.gov.bd |
| Help at a station | Station master, Railway Nirapatta Bahini (RNB) or Railway Police (GRP) |
সংক্ষেপে: অনলাইনে ট্রেনের টিকিট কাটার নিয়ম
- অফিসিয়াল ওয়েবসাইট eticket.railway.gov.bd অথবা রেল সেবা (Rail Sheba) অ্যাপ থেকে ট্রেনের টিকিট কাটা যায়।
- প্রথমে মোবাইল নম্বর ও জাতীয় পরিচয়পত্র (এনআইডি) দিয়ে একবার নিবন্ধন করতে হয়।
- যাত্রার সর্বোচ্চ ১০ দিন আগে থেকে টিকিট পাওয়া যায়। বিক্রি শুরু হয় সকাল ৮টায়।
- একজন যাত্রী এক যাত্রায় সর্বোচ্চ ৪টি টিকিট কিনতে পারেন।
- বিকাশ, নগদ, রকেট, উপায় অথবা কার্ড দিয়ে টাকা পরিশোধ করা যায়। অনলাইনে প্রতি আসনে ২০ টাকা সার্ভিস চার্জ দিতে হয়।
- ট্রেন ছাড়ার ৬ ঘণ্টার কম সময় বাকি থাকলে টিকিট ফেরত দিয়ে টাকা পাওয়া যায় না।
- ট্রেনের অবস্থান জানতে TR লিখে স্পেস দিয়ে ট্রেন নম্বর লিখুন এবং ১৬৩১৮ নম্বরে এসএমএস পাঠান।
- ভ্রমণের সময় টিকিট ও ছবিযুক্ত পরিচয়পত্র সঙ্গে রাখুন। অভিযোগ জানাতে রেলওয়ে হটলাইন ১৩১ নম্বরে কল করুন।
Frequently asked questions
Which is the official website for Bangladesh Railway tickets?
The official website is eticket.railway.gov.bd and the official app is Rail Sheba. Any other website, including this one, can only give you information.
How many days before the journey can I book a train ticket?
You can book up to 10 days before the journey date. Sales for each date open at 8:00 AM.
How many tickets can I buy at one time?
One registered account can buy up to 4 seats for a journey. You must enter the names of the people travelling with you.
Can I buy a train ticket without an NID?
Not for intercity trains. Adults register with an NID, passengers aged 12 to 18 can use a birth registration certificate, and foreigners use a passport.
Do I need to print my e-ticket?
No. You can show the ticket on your phone. Carry the photo ID you used to register, because staff may check it.
How much is the online service charge?
It is Tk 20 for each seat. Counter tickets have no service charge.
Can I cancel my train ticket and get my money back?
Yes, until 6 hours before departure. The deduction grows from a flat Tk 25 to Tk 40, up to 75% of the fare, as departure gets closer.
Can I change the date or the name on my ticket?
No. The system has no change option. Cancel the ticket and buy a new one.
Do children need a train ticket?
Children aged 3 to 12 need a child ticket, which costs less than an adult ticket. Older passengers pay the adult fare.
Can foreigners book Bangladesh Railway tickets online?
Yes. Register with your passport number. If a foreign card is not accepted at payment, buy the ticket at a station counter with your passport.
Are trains between Bangladesh and India running?
The international trains between Bangladesh and India, including the Maitree Express, have been suspended since July 2024. They had not resumed when this page was last checked.
Can I buy Dhaka Metro Rail tickets on the railway website?
No. Dhaka Metro Rail is a separate service with its own tickets and cards.
About this guide
This is an independent information website. We are not Bangladesh Railway, Shohoz or any government office, and we do not sell or resell tickets. We never ask for your NID, password, OTP or payment.
We check this page against official notices and national news reports and update it when a rule or fare changes. If you find a mistake, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it. You can also read more about us, our disclaimer and our privacy policy.
Sources we checked
- Rail Sheba on Google Play: official app, publisher and support email
- Prothom Alo, 9 December 2025: new fares on six Eastern zone routes
- Dhaka Post, 28 February 2023: online refund steps and deduction slabs
- UNB, 29 September 2025: fraud warning, 4-ticket limit and hotline 131
- The Financial Express, February 2023: NID verification and online refunds
- Prothom Alo, 26 March 2023: Eid ticket rules and ID registration
- The Man in Seat 61: seat classes and India to Bangladesh trains