Do railway fares vary by train type?

Yes, railway fares vary significantly by train type even for the same distance and class. Superfast trains charge an additional superfast surcharge which is around 30 to 70 rupees for non-AC classes and 65 to 200 rupees for AC classes. Premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto have dynamic pricing similar to airlines where the fare increases as more seats get booked. Vande Bharat trains also have a premium fare structure that includes meal and service charges. A regular Mail or Express train will always be cheaper than a Superfast or Premium train covering the same route and distance.