IRCTC HDFC Bank vs SBI IRCTC

Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.

Quick Verdict

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card wins 3 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.2/10 vs 7.5/10.

Feature IRCTC HDFC Bank SBI IRCTC
CardTrail Score 8.2/10 7.5/10
Annual Fee ₹500 ₹500
Base Reward Rate 1% 0.5%
Max Reward Rate 5% 5%
Forex Markup 3.5% 3.5%
Domestic Lounges 8 4
International Lounges 0 0
Fuel Surcharge Waiver Yes Yes
Network Visa Visa

When to Choose IRCTC HDFC Bank

  • You can meet the fee waiver condition: Renewal fee waived on spends of Rs.1.5 lakhs or more in the last anniversary year
  • Airport lounge access matters — 8 domestic visits
  • Your primary spend is: train-travel, railways

When to Choose SBI IRCTC

  • You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹50K/year
  • Your primary spend is: travel, railways

Annual Fee Value Analysis

To break even on IRCTC HDFC Bank's ₹500 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹4,167/month.

To break even on SBI IRCTC's ₹500 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹8,333/month.