How to Book Current Railway Tickets on IRCTC
Booking train tickets in India can be a hassle, with long queues and waiting times. Thankfully, with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) website and mobile app, booking current reservation train tickets has become much easier. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the complete process of booking current railway tickets on IRCTC, step-by-step.
Introduction to IRCTC
IRCTC is the e-ticketing arm of the Indian Railways, allowing travelers to book train tickets online through their website irctc or mobile app. Some key benefits of booking tickets through IRCTC include:
- Convenience of booking tickets 24×7 from anywhere
- No long queues and waiting times at railway counters
- Ability to check seat/berth availability beforehand
- Cashless transactions via net banking, credit/debit cards, UPI etc.
- Option to choose preferred coach/seat/berth type
- Availability of concession tickets for senior citizens, children etc.
- Instant ticket confirmation via email/SMS
IRCTC offers booking for all types of train tickets including:
- Current Bookings – Tickets for trains leaving within next 1-2 days
- Tatkal Bookings – Last minute tickets for same day or next day trains
- Premium Tatkal – Ticket booking starts 2 days before train departure
- Ladies Quota – Seats reserved for female passengers
- Duty Pass/Warrant – Booking for Railway officials
- Foreign Tourist Quota – For international tourists
In this article, we focus on how to book regular current reservation tickets using IRCTC.
Prerequisites for Booking Tickets on IRCTC
Before you start booking tickets on IRCTC, make sure you have the following:
- A working laptop/desktop or a smartphone with internet access
- An IRCTC user ID and password (register on IRCTC website/app if you don’t have one)
- Details of the train you wish to book (train number, source, destination etc.)
- Names of all passengers as per their ID proof
- Date of journey
- Preferred class of travel (AC First, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper, Second Seating etc.)
Additionally keep the following payment modes ready:
- Debit/Credit Card
- Net Banking credentials
- IRCTC Prepaid Card/Wallet Balance
- UPI App linked to your bank account
Step-by-Step Guide to Book Current Train Tickets on IRCTC
Follow these simple steps to book current reservation or tatkal tickets easily on IRCTC:
Step 1: Visit IRCTC Website or App
To start booking tickets, first open the IRCTC website (www.irctc.co.in) or mobile app on your device. The site works best on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari etc.
On the IRCTC homepage, click on ‘Login’ if you already have an account or ‘Register’ to create a new account.
Step 2: Enter Login Details
For existing users, enter your username and password on the IRCTC login page. Make sure to enter the correct credentials.
If you don’t remember your password, use the ‘Forgot Password’ option to reset and create a new one.
First time users should click ‘Register’ and fill in details like name, email ID, mobile number and password to create their IRCTC account.
Step 3: Search for Trains
After logging in, click on ‘Plan My Travel’ or ‘Book Ticket’ to start your ticket booking journey.
On the search page, enter the details of your journey:
- Source Station – Enter origin station code or name (for eg. NDLS for New Delhi)
- Destination Station – Enter destination station code or name (for eg. BOM for Mumbai)
- Journey Date – Select the date on which you wish to travel
- Class of Travel – Select sleeper, AC chair car, AC 3 tier etc. as per your preference
- Quota – Choose from general, ladies, tattoo, senior citizen, handicap quotas
Hit ‘Search’ and IRCTC will display a list of all trains available as per your search criteria.
Step 4: Select Desired Train
Go through the search results and select the train that best matches your travel needs in terms of departure time, arrival time, duration, availability of seats etc.
You can check the seat availability chart by selecting the train and clicking on ‘Availability’.
Choose ‘Book Now’ for the train you wish to reserve tickets for.
Step 5: Fill in Passenger Details
On the passenger details page, fill in the following information for each traveler:
- Name (as per ID proof)
- Age
- Gender
- Concession category (if applicable)
- Food choice – Veg/Non-veg
Add details for all passengers one by one and hit ‘Continue’.
Step 6: Select Coach and Quota
Based on the seats available, choose your preferred coach type and travel quota:
- Coach Types: Sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, First Class etc.
- Travel Quota: General, Ladies, Lower Berth, Physically Handicapped etc.
Also, select any additional facilities you may require like blankets, wheel chair etc.
Step 7: Fill in Contact Details
Add your contact details – mobile number and email ID to receive your ticket confirmations.
Step 8: Make Payment
Proceed to make payment for your rail tickets by selecting from options like:
- Credit/Debit Cards
- Net Banking
- UPI
- IRCTC Wallet/Prepaid Card
For first-time users, IRCTC will prompt you to validate your account before making the payment.
Step 9: Get Ticket Confirmation
Once payment is successful, your PNR will be generated and you will receive ticket confirmation on your mobile/email.
Check all ticket details thoroughly – train number, date, class, passenger names etc. Reach the station on time and carry a valid ID for smooth travel.
That’s it! By following these simple steps you can now easily book current reservation and tatkal tickets on IRCTC website or app.
IRCTC Tips and Tricks
Keep these tips and tricks in mind for seamless ticket booking experience on IRCTC:
- Book tickets from IRCTC’s official website/app only to avoid fake sites.
- Enable 2-factor authentication for extra security.
- Book at least 2-3 days in advance for availability.
- Have all passenger details handy before booking.
- Keep payment modes ready. Create IRCTC wallet for faster checkout.
- Be patient and don’t refresh the page too often during high traffic.
- Don’t share your login details with anyone.
- Print or download e-ticket once booking is successful.
- Opt for tickets under special and premium quotas for better chances.
- Check PNR status before journey for updates.
Conclusion
Booking current train tickets through IRCTC’s portal offers great convenience compared to standing in long queues. Follow the step-by-step process outlined above and you will be able to book tickets seamlessly within minutes. Keep your details and documents ready, be flexible with train options and plan your travel well in advance for the best experience. Safe travels!