Confirmed rail tickets are quite hard to get during this seasonal rush. However, the railways have updated their booking policies and provided helpful advice to passengers to increase the likelihood of securing a confirmed seat. The following useful tips can help you improve your chances of receiving a confirmed train ticket:
New 60-Day Rule
Instead of the previous 120-day limit, Indian Railways has recently implemented a 60-day advance booking policy. This implies that travellers can only book their tickets 60 days before the departure date. For instance, reservations for travel on October 20 for Diwali began on August 20.
Although there is a 60-day window, most travellers are unable to purchase tickets on the day they go on sale. The Tatkal ticket option, which is costly and less reliable, is the only choice available to travellers if they are unable to purchase tickets via the web portal or a railway ticket counter.
Tips for Easy Reservations
Make your reservation exactly two months before the trip date, on the day the booking window begins.
Log in to the official IRCTC website a few minutes before the start of the booking process.
Select the ‘Alternate Trains’ option to find available seats on other trains travelling the same route.
Keep a sufficient balance in your IRCTC wallet to prevent any payment issues.
Take a Break during Journeys when the Train Ticket is Not Confirmed
Consider ‘break journeys’ if direct tickets to your destination are sold out, such as Delhi to Varanasi, and then continue separately. Viable options may be automatically suggested via the IRCTC ‘Alternate Trains’ option.
Choosing a break journey could be a sensible option if you cannot find a confirmed train ticket that will take you straight from where you are starting to where you are headed.
Festival-Special Trains and Deals
Indian Railways is also deploying up to 12,000 special trains, such as Delhi–Gaya, Muzaffarpur–Hyderabad, and Chhapra–Delhi, on important routes this year. To make a reservation, go to the ‘Festival Specials’ option on the IRCTC website. Round-trip packages may offer a 20% return fare discount if qualified.
What to Do If Wait-listed
Be cautious if you receive a Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or Waiting List (WL) ticket. Use IRCTC or third-party apps to check your PNR status; cancellations frequently affect the status, particularly when departure draws near.
Additional Smart Moves
Keep a digital copy of your ID close at hand.
Arrive at the station early to avoid any surprises.
Choose lower berths for comfort if you are travelling with elders or children.
Booking as soon as the window opens is your best chance of getting a confirmed ticket if your travel dates are fixed.
