Train travel is an integral part of life in India, with the Indian Railways carrying over 715 crore passengers in 2024-25. 89% of all reserved train tickets are booked online, which underscores the scale at which train ticket booking systems need to operate.
Knowing how to book train tickets online is important because seats on busy routes can fill up fast, especially around festivals, long weekends, and school holidays. This is even more true now, as the advance reservation period for booking tickets has been reduced from 120 days to 60 days, which compresses the time frame available to travellers who want to book their train travel early.
This guide explains the booking process from start to finish. It also covers quotas, PNR status, cancellation, eligibility requirements, and tips for booking your train tickets well in advance.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Train Tickets Online in India
If you’re interested in making an online train booking, you can use redRail. Here’s the process on how to book train tickets online in India via redRail:
- Visit the redBus website or app and click on the train tickets. You can also download redRail mobile app.
- Enter your source station, destination station, and travel date to search for available trains.
- Review the list of trains and seat availability.
- Choose your preferred train, class, and journey option.
- Proceed to log in using your IRCTC user ID.
- Enter passenger details and complete payment.
- Enter your IRCTC password to confirm the booking.
- You will receive the ticket via email and on your registered mobile number.
IRCTC Rail Ticket Booking Quotas
A quota is the booking category under which seats or berths are allocated. These include General, Ladies, Defence, Foreign Tourist, Lower Berth, Premium Tatkal, Yuva, Duty Pass, Handicapped, Parliament House, and more. Here are some details about what these quotas mean:
- General quota: This is the default option for online train booking, and is available to all citizens.
- Tatkal quota: Tatkal is meant for short-notice travel. It opens one day before the journey date from the train’s originating station. It opens at 10:00 am for AC classes and 11:00 am for non-AC classes. No concessions are allowed in Tatkal bookings.
- Premium Tatkal quota: This quota is designed for urgent online train booking and offers only confirmed seats, but at a price higher than Tatkal and dynamic with demand.
- Ladies quota: This quota is designed for ladies travelling alone/with children below 12 years of age and offers secure seating in designated compartments, as well as lower berths that are easier to access.
- Lower berth quota: Senior citizens (men above 60 years of age and women above 45 years of age), as well as pregnant women, can avail of lower berths via this quota.
- Foreign Tourist quota: Foreign tourists/NRIs can book tickets under this quota up to 365 days before the travel date. However, the fare under this quota is 50% higher than the fare under the general quota.
What is PNR status?
PNR stands for Passenger Name Record, and is an integral part of understanding how to book train tickets online. You can use your PNR number to view information such as the ticket booking status, coach/berth/seat details (if allotted), and the current train status.
How to check PNR status?
You can check PNR status on the IRCTC website or on platforms like redRail. The process is simple:
- On the redRail application: Tap on “PNR Status” on the homescreen, enter the PNR Number, which is at the top of the ticket, and tap on “Check Status” to fetch the PNR status.
- On the redBus website: Visit the redBus website, click “Train Tickets” at the top of the page, then click “Check PNR Status,” and enter the 10-digit PNR number. Finally, click on “Check Status”, and the PNR status will appear on your screen.
Why check PNR status?
Here are the top reasons why you should check your PNR status before travelling:
- It shows whether your ticket is confirmed, RAC, or waitlisted.
- It helps you plan boarding and seating if the coach or berth has been allotted.
- It tells you whether the chart has been prepared.
- It helps you decide whether to keep alternative travel options ready.
- It reduces last-minute confusion on busy routes and festive travel dates. This point follows from the status change note on the official enquiry page.
How to Cancel Train Ticket Booking Online?
An essential component of learning how to book train tickets online is understanding the train ticket cancellation process. Train tickets may be cancelled online up to 4 hours before departure for confirmed tickets and 30 minutes before departure for RAC/waitlisted tickets. You can cancel your train tickets on redRail. To cancel train tickets, via redRail, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Log in to the redRail app.
- Step 2: Tap on ‘My Bookings’ at the bottom of the app.
- Step 3: Select “Review and Cancel” to proceed with cancellation. You will be able to see all booked tickets on your screen.
- Step 4: Choose the passenger(s) whose ticket you wish to cancel, and confirm cancellation.
Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will be able to view cancelled tickets under the “Cancelled” tab.
If you opted in to the free cancellation service on redRail at the time of booking, you will receive a full refund as long as you cancel before chart preparation, with no cancellation charges, and the refund will be processed within 5-7 business days.
What Are the Requirements to Book a Train Ticket Online?
You don’t require any ID proof at the time of online train booking, but you do need to be aware of certain information to successfully book online. This includes:
- An IRCTC user account. New users can register on the website or app.
- Source station, destination station, and date of journey.
- Passenger details, including name, age, gender, and berth preferences.
- Access to a payment method such as netbanking, UPI, payment wallets, or credit/debit cards.
- A valid mobile number and functional email ID for receiving e-tickets and booking alerts.
Essential Tips for Booking Train Tickets in Advance
When learning how to book train tickets online, remember that a few simple actions can improve your odds of success. These include:
- Be aware of when bookings open, as missing the opening date on a busy route can push you into the waitlist.
- If booking through Tatkal, remember that AC Tatkal bookings start at 10:00 am, and Non-AC Tatkal bookings start at 11:00 am.
- Create your IRCTC account before the booking date, and remember your username and password.
- Check the train schedule and available travel classes before making payment.
- When choosing quotas, be aware of the fare implications.
- Track your PNR after booking, especially if your ticket is not confirmed.
- Be aware of cancellation and refund rules before booking. If you book train tickets via redRail, you can avail of “Alternate Trip Assurance,” which offers 3X refund on fully waitlisted tickets to book alternate train travel, as well as full refunds if you opt for the “Free Cancellation” service.
FAQs
How to book train tickets online on IRCTC?
Visit the IRCTC ticket booking portal, log in, enter the route and date of travel, select the train and class that you wish to travel by, add the traveller details, and complete payment.
When does IRCTC ticket booking start?
60 days before the journey date is when IRCTC ticket booking starts. Tatkal opens one day before travel from the train’s originating station at 10:00 am for AC classes and 11:00 am for non-AC classes.
What is PNR status in train booking?
PNR (Passenger Name Record) status is a 10-digit unique number on Indian Railways tickets. It provides travellers with updates on waitlist status, booking confirmation, and coach/berth details.
Can I cancel an IRCTC ticket online?
Yes. IRCTC allows online cancellation of e-tickets until the train’s chart is prepared. Refunds depend on whether your ticket is confirmed or not and how close the cancellation is to departure.
Is ID proof required for online train booking?
No, ID proof is not required for online train booking, though original ID proof is required during the journey.
Which is the official train reservation booking app?
IRCTC Rail Connect is the official train reservation booking app from IRCTC for reserved train ticket services. It supports booking, cancellation, and journey alerts.
What are the main quotas in IRCTC booking?
The main quotas when booking train tickets are General, Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, Ladies, Lower Berth, and Foreign Tourist quota.
How many seats can be booked in one online transaction?
A maximum of six berths or seats can be booked at a time for a specified journey between two stations served by the train. For Tatkal bookings, the limit is four berths/seats.
