Indian Railway Retiring Room Complete Guide (2026): Facilities, Eligibility and Rules

By: Nish Kumar | onFebruary 20, 2026

Indian Railways Retiring Room offers a short stay at major railway stations for passengers with RAC/confirmed tickets. You can book an overnight stay or rest during long journeys. Check the room availability and book accommodation online at an affordable price.

Many travelers are unaware of this Indian Railways facility of offering proper rest at railway stations with accommodation and basic facilities while waiting for the train. Early morning travelers or late arrivals require an overnight stay.

This complete guide will discuss the railway lodging facility offering short-stays across the country. It will explore the rules, eligibility, and offered facilities that provide better comfort during travel. It also explains the rules and booking hacks for booking rooms at railway stations.

What is the Retiring Room in Indian Railways?

Some trains don’t offer comfortable boarding or arrival time and you may have to book a ticket with late-night boarding or arrival. In such a situation, you may need to wait longer at the railway station by reaching early or wait until morning. Here, railway retiring room booking can offer privacy and a comfortable stay at a low price.

Travelers can plan bookings with confirmed/RAC tickets. So check your PNR status with RailMitra and plan your journey smartly. It is ideal for long or overnight journeys, early morning departures, and family trips. You can plan for a dormitory or private room with AC or non-AC facilities according to your preference and availability.

Also Read:Check Your PNR Status – Complete Guide with Live and Accurate Results

Who is Eligible for Retiring Room Booking?

Any individual who meets the following eligibility criteria set by Indian Railways can book a private room or a dormitory bed.

Confirmed/RAC Ticket Requirement: You must have a confirmed or RAC ticket to book your accommodation with Indian Railways.
One Room Per PNR: You can only book a dormitory or room (AC or non-AC) when the number of occupants meets the number of passengers per PNR.
Valid Identity Proof: You must present an identity proof during check-in. It can be any government ID, such as an Aadhar Card, a Driving License, or others.

Also Read:How to Avoid Railway Fine When Travelling Without an ID?

Facilities Available at the Indian Railway Retiring Room

You can enjoy the railway accommodation and use thetrain live statusto reach the platform at the right time or board. Indian Railways offers various facilities according to passenger bookings. It may range from basic to AC room facilities in which are as follows.

Basic Amenities

Pillow, Bedsheet, and Blanket
Clean Bed with Mattress
Bathroom
Water Supply
Charging Support

AC Room Facilities

Improved Bedding Quality
Air Conditioner Availability
Better Interior
Locker

Additional Services (At major stations)

Lift Access
Security
Room Service
Housekeeping Support

Railway Lodging Facility Available Station List

People may wonder if their boarding or arrival station has a station lodging facility or not. So, you must know that more than 500 railway stations offer this facility for passengers, which are shared below.

New Delhi (NDLS)
Howrah Junction (HWH)
Patna Junction (PNBE)
Jaipur Junction (JP)
Mumbai CST (CSMT)
Pune Junction (PUNE)
KSR Bengaluru City (SBC)
New Jalpaiguri Junction (NJP)
Chennai Central (MAS)
Chennai Egmore (MS)

What are Station Stay Facility Charges?

You may need to check thetrain scheduleand plan your Indian Railway accommodation service accordingly. Retiring room charges are low but vary with stations and types of room with occupancy including hours to stay. So, check below what you may need to pay as booking charges.

Private AC Room: Rs. 300 – 2000 for 12 hours.
Non-AC Room: Rs. 100 – 800 for 12 hours.
Dormitory Bed: Rs. 50 – 300 per bed for 12 hours.

Indian Railways Retiring Room Rules

You must follow the rules below to book your accommodation with the Indian Railways available facility. However, rules may vary with stations.

Check-in and Check-out: You must show ID proof during check-in with proof of booking number. Check-in time is usually 8 AM and 8 PM but varies due to train arrival. You must vacate after the booked accommodation hours are over. However, you must inform the relevant authority during checkout.
Room Allotment: Room allotment is done on a first come first served basis. You can book any of the available types from AC or non-AC rooms or dormitories.
Cancellation & Refund: You may get a refund for online railway accommodation booking after deducting certain charges if cancellation is done before check-in hours.
Stay Time: Indian Railways allows accommodation from 3 hours up to 48 hours.

Retiring Room vs Waiting Room

There is a huge difference between the railway accommodation and the waiting room in terms of-

Privacy: You can get privacy in railway accommodations, but can’t get it in waiting rooms.
Booking Requirement: You are required to make a booking for the station stay facility, but not for the waiting room.
Charges: The waiting room is free for everyone, but charges apply for booking the railway retiring room.
Bed Facilities: You can get a bed with railway accommodation booking but not in waiting room.

Booking Hacks for Railway Accommodation Facility

Smart passengers use the below hacks during travel to make their journey more interesting.

Book Immediately After Ticket Confirmation: Early access can provide higher chances of available seats. You must book just after getting the PNR to enhance your booking chances.
Keep PNR and ID Handy: You must keep your ID proof, like Aadhar and PNR, with you while booking to avoid delay during booking the retiring room.
Choose a Dormitory: It is widely available, low-priced, and fulfills the main requirement, such as a bed and basic facilities, such as toiletries.
Prefer 12 Hours Slot: You can prefer 12 hours booking, backing up the train delay hours and sufficient time to rest.

Also Read:Follow These Simple Steps When Connecting Train Gets Delayed

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Station Stay Facility in Indian Railways?

Ans. A retiring room is a short stay accommodation facility provided by Indian Railways for RAC or confirmed ticket. It includes AC or non-AC rooms or dormitories at railway stations at a lower price.

Q. What facilities are available in the Indian Railways rest facility?

Ans. You can find the following facilities.

Basic facilities such as a bed, pillow, blanket, water supply, and bathroom facilities.
AC room facilities such as air conditioning, locker facilities, better interiors, and others.

Q. What are the railway accommodation booking charges?

Ans. Retiring room charges vary with the preferred choice of AC or non-AC room/dormitories, as well as accommodation hours.

Dormitory: Ranges from Rs. 50 – 300 per bed.
Private Room: Ranges from Rs. 300 – 2000 per room.

Q. Can I cancel the railway stay booking?

Ans. Yes, you can cancel your booking, but you may face cancellation charges according to Indian Railways rules.

Q. Can I book a retiring room at New Delhi railway station (NDLS)?

Ans. Everyone with a RAC or confirmed ticket with the boarding/destination station Delhi, can book the stay facility at NDLS.