A train ticket is a document that allows a person to travel from one place to another via railway. In this blog, we will cover:
●Ticket booking modes
●Steps to book a ticket
●Ticket cancellation methods
●Applicable cancellation charges
Train Ticket Booking Modes
Train tickets can be pre-booked for Sleeper (SL), Third AC (3A), First AC (1A), Second AC (2A), Third AC Economy (3E), and Chair Car (CC) classes. Unreserved ticket booking is available in the following ways:
1. Offline General/Tatkal Booking
This mode requires you to visit the nearest railway station and purchase your ticket at the ticket counter.
Key points to note:
●Unreserved class tickets are issued on the same day and are valid for a few hours.
●Reserved class tickets can be booked up to 60 days before the journey.
●Tatkal booking windows open at 10 AM for AC classes and 11 AM for sleeper classes daily.
●No transaction charges are applied for counter bookings.
●Platform tickets (₹10 to ₹50) are available at counters and may vary as per the latest railway circulars or notifications.
2. Online General/Tatkal Booking
This is the most convenient method. You need an official IRCTC user ID and password.
Important notes:
●Both general and Tatkal bookings can be done through IRCTC.
●IRCTC provides both a mobile app and a web portal. The UTS app can be used to access unreserved tickets.
●Nominal transaction charges apply based on the chosen payment gateway. For details, visit the officialIRCTC blog.
●Tatkal ticket bookings include extra charges: ₹20 (2S) to ₹400 (1A). Check the IRCTC blog for the latest info.
Online Booking – Step-by-Step Guide
To book train tickets online, follow these steps:
1.Create an IRCTC account using a valid email and mobile number.
2.(Optional) Add a master list of passenger names.
3.Search trains by origin and destination, and apply filters as needed.
4.Select the train and seat class to view availability and fare.
5.Proceed to booking and complete payment via UPI, wallet, card, or net banking.
6.After railway ticket booking, your ticket will be sent to your registered email and phone.
7.Carry a valid photo ID when travelling, as the ticket checker may ask for verification.
Ticket Cancellation – Step-by-Step Guide
Ticket cancellations are common due to rescheduling or other changes in travel plans. The process differs slightly for online and offline bookings.
1. Online General Ticket Cancellation
Steps to cancel your online ticket:
●Log in to the IRCTC website.
●Go to the “Booked Tickets” section and select the ticket to cancel.
●Proceed to cancel. You can cancel a single or multiple passengers using the same PNR.
●The refund is credited to the original payment account.
●For partial cancellations, carry a fresh Electronic Reservation Slip during the journey.
2. Offline General Ticket Cancellation
Steps for cancellation of counter-booked tickets:
●Visit the IRCTC website and go to Trains > Cancel Ticket > Counter Ticket.
●Enter your PNR number, train number, and captcha, and submit.
●Validate using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
●Post OTP verification, see the pnr status and proceed with cancellation.
●Refund details will be sent to your mobile.
●RAC or waitlist tickets can be cancelled online up to 30 minutes before departure.
Cancellation Charges for General Tickets
If a confirmed ticket is cancelled 48 hours before the scheduled train departure, the following flat charges apply:
Ticket Class | Cancellation Fee |
AC First Class / Executive Class | ₹240 |
AC 2 Tier / First Class | ₹200 |
AC 3 Tier / Chair Car / 3E | ₹180 |
Sleeper Class | ₹120 |
Second Class | ₹60 |
If a confirmed ticket is cancelled 12 to 48 hours before departure, 25% of the ticket fare is charged.
If cancelled 4 to 12 hours before, the cancellation fee is 50% of the fare.
For detailed information, visit the IRCTC cancellation policy:
●No refund is provided for confirmed Tatkal tickets.
●Waitlisted or RAC tickets are subject to the above cancellation fees.
