IRCTC announces 20% promotional discount on Buddhist Circuit tourist train
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced an exclusive 20 per cent promotional discount on its flagship Buddhist Circuit Special Tourist Train for the March 21, 2026 departure which is the final trip of the current financial year. Notably, the second last tour of the current season is departing today, February 21, 2026 at 2:30 pm.
The limited-period offer applies to Indian nationals, including NRIs, PIOs and OCIs and brings the starting price of the 8-day all-inclusive pilgrimage down to `76,905 per person on a twin-sharing basis. The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train is one of IRCTC’s most acclaimed tourism products, covering key destinations associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha across India.
The 7 nights and 8 days itinerary begins at Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station and includes visits to Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Rajgir, Varanasi (Sarnath), Lumbini, Kushinagar and Shravasti. The journey concludes with a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. This year’s promotional discount marks a significant incentive for domestic travellers and overseas Indians, as the train typically witnesses high occupancy levels.
According to officials, the March 21 departure, the 5th trip of the financial year, is already witnessing strong demand. The service generally operates six to seven departures annually. Operated on a fully air-conditioned deluxe tourist train comprising 12 state-of-the-art LHB coaches, the package is designed to offer both comfort and convenience. Travellers can choose between specially designed AC First Class and AC Second Class coaches. The AC First Class coach accommodates 24 berths and features spacious cabins and coupes fitted with individual lockers. The AC Second Class coach, with 30 berths has been
modified to provide comfortable cabins with separate sitting areas. The train has a total capacity of 156 guests. Onboard amenities include 2 aesthetically designed dining cars with a seating capacity of 64 passengers each, serving a selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines prepared in a hygienic, fully equipped kitchen car. Clean and well-maintained toilets and shower facilities are available, along with in-room lockers for personal belongings. Additional comforts such as foot massagers have also been incorporated for passengers.
The comprehensive package covers the train journey, hotel accommodation at reputed properties along the circuit, road transfers in 2x2 buses, guided sightseeing tours and monument entry fees. Each bus is accompanied by trained tour guides —one Hindi-speaking and one English-speaking, while special language guides can be arranged upon request for international guests.
The Buddhist Circuit package continues to draw significant international interest, particularly from travellers from Japan, Thailand, Nepal and Sri Lanka, reflecting the enduring global reverence for Buddhist heritage sites in the Indian subcontinent. Apart from the Buddhist Circuit departures, the same rake is also deployed for other themed journeys under the “Gaurav Bharat” branding during the year.
With the exclusive discount for the final tour departure, IRCTC aims to encourage greater participation from domestic travellers and overseas Indians seeking a structured and comfortable pilgrimage experience.
