Though train journeys could be tiring for some, they make the best way to travel for millions of people. It is because train travel is an experience in itself as India is full of beautiful terrains. You get to enjoy grand spectacles as you pass through sky-touching mountains, desert plains, forests, coastal towns, metro cities, and more. But to enjoy train travelling, you need to have tickets with you. To get confirmed seats, you need to book your tickets in advance and except for the general coaches, you need to reserve your seats for all the other classes. If you are new to booking train tickets, then here is a complete guide on the ways to book train tickets in India. Scroll down and learn in detail about them:
List of Documents Required for Train Ticket Booking
For general tickets, you don’t need to produce any kind of document to get your booking done. However, if you are going to e-tickets, tatkal tickets, and other reservations, you would need to have an ID card with you. As per the rules and regulations of IRCTC, the documents that can be accepted as ID proof include:
- Aadhar Card
- Pan Card
- Voter ID card
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Central or state government issued ID cards
While booking your train ticket, you need to produce any one of the above-given documents.
Now, let’s understand the ways to book train tickets in India.
Train Booking Via Ticket Window
You can visit any ticket counter of IRCTC available in all the cities and towns with railway stations. To book your ticket, visit the counter and take a reservation form. Fill in all the required details that include train name, train number, boarding station, destination, name, age, coach class, and other such important details, and then submit it to the counter.
Also, do not forget to submit a copy of your ID proof. Next, make your payment and you are all good to have your train ticket. With the help of the PNR number provided on your ticket, you can draw all the details of your booking.
Train Booking Via Train Apps
If going to a physical counter isn’t your thing, especially in today’s era when you have the privilege of booking your tickets through a train ticket booking app, then you can download apps like Goibibo and get your tickets within a few minutes. Here are the major steps you need to follow:
- Go to the playstore, type “Goibibo” and install the app.
- Create your account using your phone number or email ID.
- Once it is done, go to the homepage and click on the “trains” icon.
- Now, select your departure & destination stations and date of travel and click on the search button.
- You will be redirected to a page with the complete list of all the trains available.
- Select your preferred train with the general or Tatkal quota.
- Now, verify your IRCTC ID and fill in the travellers’ details.
- Proceed with the payment.
Once payment is done, you will get your train ticket booking details on your number as well as your mail ID.
Train Booking Via IRCTC App
You can also book train tickets using the official app of IRCTC. To book your tickets, download the app from playstore and create your account using your name, phone number, mail ID, and date of birth. Next, go to the homepage, click on “train” and then “book ticket”.
Now, select your boarding station and destination along with coach class, quota, and date of travel. Next, click on the search button and you will have a long list of trains available for your journey. Select the preferred train, fill in the travellers’ details, and make your payment. IRCTC allows its customers to pay using multiple methods including credit cards, debit cards, and UPI payments.
If you don’t want to keep the IRCTC app, then you can also book train tickets using the official website of Indian Railways (www.irctc.co.in)
Tips to Book Train Tickets
Following are the best tips to get confirmed train tickets without any hassle:
- Book your tickets in advance
- Check out for cashback offers or seasonal discounts
- Always opt for auto upgradation
- Save all your details in advance for faster booking
- Check out the confirmation probability before booking your ticket
