Travelling With Ease: Discounts And Concessions For Cancer Patients In India

Travelling can be a daunting task for cancer patients, especially when they have to travel long distances for treatment or medical check-ups. However, there are several discounts and concessions available for cancer patients in India that can make their travel easier and more affordable.

Published on: 10 February, 2023

Battling cancer, one of the deadliest conditions known to man, is a daunting experience. In addition to the physical toll it takes on the body, it is also emotionally and financially taxing.

Cancer patients deserve all the support and solidarity that individuals and organisations can offer them, during the course of their treatment which can run in lakhs at the very least. Travel concessions are offered by the following in India exclusively for cancer patients and their families – especially those who have to travel from one state to another for hospitalisation, as a way to help alleviate their financial burden significantly:

1. Indian Railways

Cancer patients are eligible for 100% concession in AC 3-Tier/sleeper; a 75% concession on second class, AC Chair Car; and a 50% concession in AC 2-Tier and AC First Class. These are allowed on the basic fares of mail and express trains.

The bystanders of cancer patients are also eligible for a 75% concession in second class, sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier and a 50% concession AC 2-Tier and AC First Class. These are allowed only on basic fares for mail and express trains.

The concession is 50% of the basic fare for male patients and 75% of the basic fare for female patients.

At a time, passengers can avail only one type of concession.

The minimum distance required to avail of the cancer concession offered by Indian Railways varies based on the class of travel.

For AC classes (First AC, Second AC, and Third AC), there is no minimum distance requirement for availing the cancer concession.

For non-AC classes (Sleeper Class, Second Sitting, and General Class), the minimum distance requirement is 100 kilometres.

Concession will be applicable only on the primary charge, not for a super-fast surcharge, reservation fee etc.

Passengers can’t ‘promote’ their concession tickets to a higher class.

It is important to note that to avail the cancer concession, a passenger must carry a valid medical certificate issued by a recognized Indian institution. The documents issued by persons/organisations of other countries won’t be permissible for railway concessions.

Bookings cannot be made online.

Access the IRCTC cancer patient concession form here.

2. Air India

Cancer patients are eligible for 50% concession on the basic fare of select booking in the Economy Class between place of residence and the place of treatment where the cancer hospital/ cancer Institute is located.

Travel permitted within India as well as on India - Nepal sectors.

Cancer patients should fill out an application stating that he/she is proceeding for treatment supported by a certificate issued by a hospital that specializes in cancer treatment

Bookings cannot be made online.

Access more details about Air India concessions here.

3. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

Cancer patients can avail travel concessions for road, rail and air transport from Tata Memorial Hospital to their place of permanent residence. It is important to enter your nearest airport/railway station/bus depot correctly in the registration form to avail travel concession.

Train - The patient can travel for free or avail 50% discount while the attendant can avail 25% concessions on rail tickets, based on the distance between their hometown and the hospital, in AC 3-Tier, Ac 2-Tier and First Class.

Bus - The patient can avail up to 50% discount based on the distance between their hometown and the hospital, while the attendant has to pay full fare.

Concessions cannot be availed online.

Access more details about Tata Memorial Hospital concessions here.