What factors determine railway ticket fares?

Railway ticket fares are determined by the base fare which depends on the distance between the two stations and the class of travel you choose. Additional charges include superfast surcharge if the train is a Superfast or Rajdhani category, reservation fee, and convenience fee charged by IRCTC for online bookings. The class of travel has the biggest impact on fare. Sleeper class is the cheapest while AC First Class is the most expensive. Other factors include whether you are travelling on a regular day or during a peak season when dynamic fares may apply for certain premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto.