Train journeys in India are undergoing a remarkable transformation with the announcement of a strategic partnership between Zomato and MakeMyTrip. Together, the travel technology giant and the food delivery leader are reshaping how passengers experience dining on trains. This new service allows passengers to order meals from over 40,000 restaurant partners on Zomato, delivered directly to their seats across 130+ railway stations nationwide.
For decades, access to fresh and diverse meals while travelling by train has been a challenge. This collaboration solves that problem by merging railway travel with the scale and efficiency of modern e-catering. With the integration, passengers booking train tickets on MakeMyTrip can pre-book meals tailored to their preferences and enjoy them without stepping off the train.
Surge in Demand for On-Train Dining
The timing of this initiative couldn’t be more relevant. E-catering demand on Indian Railways has surged dramatically, with an average of 90,000 passengers ordering meals daily in 2024–25, a 66% year-on-year growth. This reflects a growing appetite for quality dining experiences on the move.
MakeMyTrip has tapped into this trend by integrating its Food on Train marketplace, giving passengers the option to book breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in advance. Instead of being restricted to standard railway catering, travellers can now access an extensive variety of cuisines from popular restaurants.
The result: better dining, greater choice, and a more enjoyable journey.
Technology at the Heart of the Experience
Technology plays a central role in ensuring this collaboration succeeds. MakeMyTrip’s Live Train Status tool provides real-time updates, sending reminders to passengers to place meal orders at the most convenient times. This intelligent integration reduces delays, ensures timely delivery, and builds confidence that food will arrive without disrupting travel schedules.
For passengers, it creates a smooth, stress-free experience. For operators, it ensures efficient service management and reduced chances of miscoordination.
Positive Passenger Response
Even in its early rollout, the partnership has drawn enthusiastic responses. Data from the soft launch shows travellers embracing the idea of ordering meals tailored to their tastes, delivered directly to their seats at affordable prices.
The convenience has been especially appreciated by families, senior citizens, and business travellers who value reliability and comfort on long journeys. To build further awareness, MakeMyTrip is preparing targeted campaigns designed to introduce the service to more passengers across diverse routes and regions.
Leadership Vision
Senior leaders from both Zomato and MakeMyTrip have underlined how this partnership fits into their broader visions.
- MakeMyTrip has consistently focused on customer-centric innovation, particularly in rail booking, where its growth has outpaced industry averages. The integration of food ordering reflects a natural extension of that strategy—creating holistic travel solutions.
- Zomato, already an authorized IRCTC partner, sees the collaboration as a chance to strengthen its role in national mobility. By leveraging its proven logistics and vast restaurant network, the platform delivers not just meals, but also confidence in service quality at scale.
This synergy elevates both brands from service providers to enablers of a modern travel ecosystem.
A Festive Launch Offer
To celebrate the launch, a special Diwali promotion is underway. Passengers booking train journeys through MakeMyTrip can receive complimentary coupons for Zomato orders during the festive period. This initiative not only adds value but also highlights the cultural significance of food in Indian celebrations, making travel more memorable for families journeying during the holiday season.
Enhancing Every Stage of the Rail Journey
The collaboration is part of MakeMyTrip’s larger strategy to improve train travel through digital solutions. Innovations are being introduced across every stage of the journey:
- Pre-booking: Tools for seat forecasts, nearby station options, and connected travel plans.
- Booking stage: Features like Seat Lock, Trip Guarantee, and Free Cancellation to make planning more flexible.
- Post-booking: Services including live PNR updates, real-time train tracking, and now Zomato-powered meal deliveries.
These features collectively bring railway travel closer to the seamless, technology-driven experiences passengers have long associated with air travel.
Zomato’s Growing Role in Railway Dining
Zomato’s involvement in train catering has already been significant. As an IRCTC-authorized partner, it has successfully delivered over 4.6 million meals across 130 stations, proving its ability to manage operations at scale. The option for passengers to pre-book meals up to seven days in advance using PNR details further enhances convenience.
By offering a wide range of cuisines at varying price points, Zomato is catering to everyone—from families seeking familiar Indian meals to younger travellers experimenting with global dishes. This inclusivity makes the service appealing across demographics.
Tourism and Economic Impact
Beyond convenience, this partnership has the potential to influence tourism and regional economies. Restaurants in smaller towns now gain access to passengers from across the country, helping local businesses expand their reach. Tourists, meanwhile, benefit from dining choices that reflect the cultural diversity of the regions they travel through, turning meals into part of the journey’s experience.
Encouraging passengers to use e-catering also supports sustainability, as fewer passengers need to leave trains in search of food, reducing congestion and minimizing delays.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Train Dining in India
This collaboration between Zomato and MakeMyTrip is more than just a service—it’s a reimagining of the railway travel experience. It moves Indian train journeys away from functional dining towards curated, technology-led solutions that enhance comfort, choice, and satisfaction.
As more passengers adopt e-catering, and as technology continues to integrate deeply into travel, partnerships like this will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility in India. With food and travel so closely tied to cultural identity, this initiative not only elevates train journeys but also strengthens the connection between passengers and the places they explore.
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