IRCTC Online Ticket Booking: A Complete Guide
You might be wondering, ‘What is IRCTC?’ Well, they’re India’s Railways’ official online ticket booking service. They offer a range of services, including passenger reservations, freight reservations, and travel-related information. But are you able to use the website when you’re not in India?
The Ultimate Guide To IRCTC Online Ticket Booking
If you are looking for a complete guide on IRCTC online ticket booking, then look no further. In this article, we will take you through the entire process of booking an IRCTC ticket online, step-by-step.
Before we get started, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you will need to have valid ID proof (such as your PAN card, passport, or driving license) handy while booking your ticket. Secondly, please note that only Indian citizens can book tickets through the IRCTC website.
Now let’s get started with the guide.
Step 1: Create an account on the IRCTC website
The first step is to create an account on the IRCTC website. You can do this by providing your personal details like name, email address, and mobile number. Once you have created your account, you will be given an activation link via email/SMS. Once you have activated your account, you can log in and start using the various features of the website.
Step 2: Search for trains and select your journey details
Once you have logged in to your account, you can search for trains by entering your journey details like the source and destination stations, date of travel, etc. Once you have found a suitable train, select it and click on the ‘Book Now button.
How To Buy Train Tickets On The IRCTC Website
IRCTC is the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, which handles online ticketing for Indian Railways. To buy a train ticket on the IRCTC website, follow these steps:
1. Go to the IRCTC website and create an account. You will need to provide some personal information and a valid email address.
2. Once you have created your account, log in and click on the ‘Book Ticket’ tab.
3. Enter your journey details, including the train number, class of travel, and dates of travel. You can also search for trains by destination or departure time.
4. Select the tickets you want to book and add them to your shopping cart. You can book up to six tickets in one transaction.
5. Once you have added all the tickets you want to book, click on the ‘Proceed to Payment’ button.
6. Enter your payment details and make the payment. Once the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket attached.
What Are The Rules For Reservation Of Train Tickets?
There are a few rules that you need to keep in mind while booking your train tickets:
1. You can only book your tickets 120 days in advance from the date of travel.
2. The Indian Railways website allows you to make changes to your reservation up to 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.
3. If you cancel your ticket more than 72 hours before the departure of the train, you will be refunded the entire amount minus a cancellation fee.
4. If you cancel your ticket within 72 hours of the departure of the train, you will only be refunded 50% of the ticket price.
5. It is not possible to modify or cancel your reservation once the train has departed from its originating station.
How To Check The Status Of Train Tickets With IRCTC
If you have booked a train ticket through IRCTC, you can easily check the status of your booking online. All you need is your PNR number, which is printed on your ticket.
To check the status of your ticket:
Visit the IRCTC website and log in to your account
Click on the ‘Booked Tickets’ tab
Enter your PNR number in the relevant field
Click on the ‘Check Status’ button
The current status of your ticket will be displayed on the screen. If your ticket is confirmed, it will show as ‘confirmed’. If it is waitlisted or RAC, it will show as such. You can also view details such as the train name and number, departure and arrival times, class of travel, and so on.
Other Tips And Tricks While Booking Train Tickets Online
When booking train tickets online, there are a few other tips and tricks that can come in handy. Here are a few of them:
-If you’re having trouble finding a specific train or seat availability, try using the ‘Advanced Search option on the IRCTC website. This will allow you to search for trains by specifying various criteria such as departure and arrival times, class, train type, etc.
-If you’re looking to book tickets for a large group, you can do so by creating a ‘Ticket Booking Request’ on the IRCTC website. This request can be sent to up to 10 different IRCTC agents, who will then get back to you with their best offers.
-You can also use the ‘Travel Insurance’ option on the IRCTC website to insure your journey in case of any unforeseen circumstances. This is an optional service, but it could give you some peace of mind while traveling.
What Are The Steps To Booking A Ticket Online?
The steps to booking a ticket online are as follows:
1. Go to the IRCTC website and create an account by registering with your personal details.
2. Once you have registered, log in to your account and click on the ‘Book Ticket’ tab.
3. Enter your journey details such as the from and to the station, date of travel, class of travel, etc. in the respective fields.
4. Select the train you wish to travel in from the list of trains displayed and click on the ‘Book’ button.
5. On the next page, enter the passenger details such as name, age, gender, etc., and click on the ‘Proceed to Payment’ button.
6. Choose your preferred mode of payment (credit/debit card or net banking) and make the payment to confirm your booking.
Conclusion
IRCTC online ticket booking is a great way to save time and avoid the hassle of waiting in line at the railway station. With a few simple steps, you can book your train tickets from the comfort of your own home. We hope this guide has been helpful in getting you started with IRCTC online ticket booking. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave us a comment below.
