How to Book Train Tickets in India

There are a few ways to book train tickets:

  1. Online: You can book train tickets online on the website of the specific train company ( IRCTC ) or on a third-party website such as MMT, IXIGO, Cleartrip, or Goibibo.
  2. At a train station: You can also book tickets in person at a train station ticket office ( Reservation Counter ) or at a ticket machine.
  3. On the phone: You can call a third-party ticketing agency to book tickets over the phone.
  4. On the train: In some cases, it may be possible to buy tickets on the train, but this is usually more expensive and tickets may not be available if the train is full. It is generally best to book tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat.

To book tickets, you will need to provide the following information:

  • The origin and destination stations
  • The date and time of travel
  • The type of ticket you want (e.g., one-way, round-trip, first class, etc.)
  • Your personal and payment information

Once you have booked your tickets, you can either print them out or download them to your phone or another device. You will need to present your ticket to the conductor on the train or at the gate when you board.


How to Book a Train Tickets online from mobile through the IRCTC app

To book a train ticket online using the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) app on your mobile phone, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the IRCTC app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app and create an account if you don’t already have one.
  3. Select the “Book Ticket” option.
  4. Enter the origin and destination stations and the date of travel.
  5. Choose the train you want to travel on and select the class of travel (e.g., sleeper, second class, etc.).
  6. Select the number of tickets you want to book and choose your preferred berth type (e.g., upper berth, lower berth, etc.).
  7. Review the fare and click “Proceed to Payment”.
  8. Enter your personal and payment information and click “Make Payment”.
  9. Review the booking details and click “Confirm Booking” to complete the process.

Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an e-ticket at your registered email address and mobile number. You can also view the ticket in the IRCTC app under the “My Tickets” section. To board the train, you will need to show the ticket along with a valid photo ID to the conductor or at the gate.


How to Check Train Ticket Status

To check the status of a train ticket, you can do the following:

  1. Online: You can check the status of your ticket online on the website of the specific train company ( IRCTC APP or https://www.indianrail.gov.in/enquiry/PNR/PnrEnquiry.html?locale=en ) or on a third-party website such as Confirm Ticket. You will need to enter your ticket booking reference number or PNR (Passenger Name Record) number, which is a unique 10-digit code that is assigned to your ticket when it is booked. You can find the PNR number on the ticket itself or in the booking confirmation email or SMS that you received.
  2. On the phone: You can call the specific train company ( 139 ) or a third-party ticketing agency and provide them with your PNR number to check the status of your ticket.
  3. At a train station: You can also check the status of your ticket at a train station ticket office or at a ticket machine by providing your PNR number or ticket booking reference number.

The status of your ticket will tell you whether it is confirmed, waiting list, or canceled. If your ticket is confirmed, it means you have a seat reserved on the train. If it is on the waiting list, it means that the train is fully booked and you are on a waitlist for a seat. If your ticket is canceled, it means that your booking has been canceled and you will not be able to travel on the train.


How to Book Train ticket offline in India

To book a train ticket offline in India, you can visit a train station ticket office or use a ticket booking counter at an authorized travel agency.

To book a ticket at a train station ticket office, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the train station ticket office and take a ticket from the counter.
  2. Wait for your turn to be called.
  3. When your turn comes, tell the ticketing officer the origin and destination stations and the date and time of travel.
  4. Choose the train you want to travel on and select the class of travel (e.g., sleeper, second class, etc.).
  5. Select the number of tickets you want to book and choose your preferred berth type (e.g., upper berth, lower berth, etc.).
  6. Review the fare and pay for the tickets using cash or a debit/credit card.
  7. Collect the tickets from the counter.

To book a ticket at a travel agency, follow these steps:

  1. Go to an authorized travel agency that has a ticket booking counter.
  2. Tell the booking agent the origin and destination stations and the date and time of travel.
  3. Choose the train you want to travel on and select the class of travel (e.g., sleeper, second class, etc.).
  4. Select the number of tickets you want to book and choose your preferred berth type (e.g., upper berth, lower berth, etc.).
  5. Review the fare and pay for the tickets using cash or a debit/credit card.
  6. Collect the tickets from the booking agent.

Note that it is generally recommended to book tickets in advance to ensure that you get a seat on the train, especially during peak travel times. You may also be able to book tickets at the train station ticket office or travel agency up to 90 days in advance.

Can a foreigner book Train Tickets for the Indian railway?

Yes, a foreigner can book train tickets to India. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and app allow foreign nationals to book tickets for travel within India.

To book a train ticket online as a foreigner, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or download and open the IRCTC app.
  2. Click on the “Tourist” tab on the website or select the “Tourist Train” option in the app.
  3. Select the origin and destination stations and the date of travel.
  4. Choose the train you want to travel on and select the class of travel (e.g., sleeper, second class, etc.).
  5. Select the number of tickets you want to book and choose your preferred berth type (e.g., upper berth, lower berth, etc.).
  6. Review the fare and click “Proceed to Payment”.
  7. Enter your personal and payment information and click “Make Payment”.
  8. Review the booking details and click “Confirm Booking” to complete the process.

Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an e-ticket at your registered email address and mobile number. You can also view the ticket in the IRCTC app under the “My Tickets” section. To board the train, you will need to show the ticket along with a valid photo ID to the conductor or at the gate.

Note that foreign nationals are required to carry a valid passport and a valid visa when traveling to India. It is advisable to check the visa requirements and obtain the necessary visa before booking your train ticket.


How to Check Train Running status in India

To check the running status of a train in India, you can do the following:

  1. Online: You can check the running status of a train on the Indian Railways website (www.indianrailways.gov.in) or on a third-party website such as Trainman or Spot Your Train. To check the status, you will need to enter the train number or name and the date of travel.
  2. On the phone: You can call the Indian Railways inquiry number (139) and follow the automated instructions to check the running status of a train.
  3. Using an app: There are several apps available that allow you to check the running status of a train in India. Some popular options include RailYatri, ixigo, and Trainman.

The running status of a train will tell you whether the train is on time, delayed, or canceled. It will also provide the current location of the train and the expected arrival and departure times at each station along its route.

Note that the running status of a train is subject to change due to various factors such as weather, technical issues, and operational constraints. It is advisable to check the status regularly to get the most up-to-date information.


Which coaches of Indian Railways are air-conditioned?

In India, most long-distance trains have a mix of air-conditioned (AC) and non-air-conditioned (Non-AC) coaches. The type of coach and fare varies depending on the class of travel.

Here is a list of the different types of AC coaches offered by Indian Railways:

  1. First Class AC (1A): This is the most expensive class of travel and offers the highest level of comfort and amenities. The coaches have private compartments with sleeping berths and are equipped with air conditioning, blankets, bed sheets, and pillows.
  2. AC 2-tier (2A): These coaches have bunk beds and are air-conditioned. They offer a higher level of comfort compared to Non-AC coaches but are less expensive than First Class AC.
  3. AC 3-tier (3A): These coaches have bunk beds arranged in three tiers and are air-conditioned. They offer a moderate level of comfort and are less expensive than the 2-tier AC coaches.
  4. AC Chair Car (CC): These coaches have seats arranged in a 2×2 configuration and are air-conditioned. They are usually found on shorter-distance trains and are less expensive than the 3-tier AC coaches.
  5. First Class AC Executive (FC): These coaches have seats arranged in a 1×2 configuration and are air-conditioned. They offer a higher level of comfort and amenities compared to the AC Chair Car and are usually found on premium trains such as the Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express.

Note that the availability of AC coaches may vary depending on the train and route. It is advisable to check the coach configuration and class of travel when booking a train ticket.


How to book a window seat on a train

To book a window seat on a train, you can do the following:

  1. Book online: When booking a train ticket online on the website of the specific train company or on a third-party website, you will usually have the option to select your preferred seat type. You can choose a window seat by selecting the “Lower Seat” option from the seat preference menu.
  2. Request at the time of booking: If you are booking a ticket at a train station ticket office or through a travel agency, you can request a window seat at the time of booking.
  3. Request at the time of boarding: In some cases, you may be able to request a window seat at the time of boarding if there are any available. However, this is not guaranteed and may not be possible if the train is full.

Note that the availability of window seats may vary depending on the train and route. It is generally recommended to book a seat in advance to ensure that you get a seat of your preference, especially during peak travel times.


How to Check Train Seat Availability

To check the availability of seats on a train, you can do the following:

  1. Online: You can check the seat availability on a train by booking a ticket on the website of the Indian Railways or IRCTC App. When you enter your travel details and choose the train you want to travel on, the website will display the available classes of travel and the number of seats available in each class. You can then choose the class and number of seats you want to book.
  2. On the phone: You can call Helpline No. 139 or a third-party ticketing agency and provide them with your travel details to check the seat availability on a train.
  3. At a train station: You can also check the seat availability at a train station ticket office or at a ticket machine by providing your travel details.

Note that the availability of seats may vary depending on the demand for a particular train and route. It is generally recommended to book a ticket in advance to ensure that you get a seat, especially during peak travel times.

How to Book Train Tickets in India
How to Book Train Tickets in India

How to Book a Tatkal Train Ticket

Tatkal tickets are last-minute tickets that are available for booking one day before the date of travel for most trains, and on the same day for some premium trains. They are meant for travelers who have not been able to book tickets in advance and need to travel on short notice.

To book a Tatkal ticket, you can do the following:

  1. Online: You can book a Tatkal ticket online on the website of the Indian Railways (www.irctc.co.in) or on a Mobile App of IRCTC. Tatkal tickets are released at 10:00 AM for AC classes and at 11:00 AM for Non-AC classes one day before the date of travel. You will need to enter your travel details and choose the train and class you want to travel in.
  2. At a train station: You can also book a Tatkal ticket in person at a train station ticket office. Tatkal tickets are usually available for booking from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the day before the date of travel.

To book a Tatkal ticket, you will need to provide the following information:

  • The origin and destination stations ( E.g Delhi to Jaipur )
  • The date and time of travel
  • The class of travel (AC or Non-AC)
  • Your personal and payment information

Note that Tatkal tickets are in high demand and tend to get booked quickly. It is advisable to book a Tatkal ticket as soon as it becomes available to increase your chances of getting a seat. Tatkal tickets are also more expensive than regular tickets and attract a higher service fee.