Dos And Don’ts Of Booking Train Tickets For Your Journey
If you are looking for the most cost-effective yet comfortable mode of transportation, railways are the way to go. However, it is equally inconvenient to obtain a confirmed train ticket for your trip to your dream destination or return to your sweet home during the holidays. However, where there is a will, there is a way.
That is why I am here to share a few tips you can use during the booking process to get a confirmed ticket to your destination. I expect you to book e-tickets or online tickets, as the tricks will only work there. Furthermore, some tricks can assist you in obtaining confirmed Tatkal tickets not only for yourself, but for your entire family while travelling.
So, without further ado, let’s get started with the tricks you can use during train ticket booking on IRCTC or non-IRCTC platforms to get a confirmed railway ticket.
Here Are Some Dos And Donts To Follow
Things To Do
Change the origin and destination stations
This is one of the simplest ways to obtain a confirmed railway ticket. Simply change the order of your source and destination stations by one or two stations before or after the original source and destination stations. You may have to pay a little more or less in a few cases, but this can increase your chances of getting a confirmed railway ticket.
You will have to travel a little further to reach the boarding station or after arriving at your destination, but it will be worth it if you want a confirmed ticket. Furthermore, if your preferred boarding point is located after the chosen source station, you can change it completely free of charge during the booking process.
Divide the journey into sections.
This may appear inconvenient at first glance, but I’m not talking about changing trains entirely. In most cases, you can simply divide the journey into two or three segments within the same train, increasing your chances of getting a confirmed ticket. This is only useful if you are travelling a relatively long distance within the train and there are a few major stations along the way.
If you continue to receive waiting or RAC tickets, you can try changing the class. Not everyone will be comfortable with this, but it is an option. You may have to pay a slightly higher fare, but if getting a confirmed railway ticket is your top priority, try this route. The chances of getting a confirmed train ticket are far greater than the first method I discussed.
Book train ticket in advance
Book tickets as much in advance as possible to enhance your chances of acquiring a confirmed ticket. You can book train ticket 120 days (travel date not included) before the departure date.
Book a tatkal (emergency) ticket for an unforeseen or last-minute trip. Tatkal booking begins at 10 a.m. daily for air-conditioned (AC) classes and 11 a.m. daily for non-AC classes, one day before the actual day of travel. A single ticket can accommodate up to four people.
To check out, use a more straightforward payment method.
There are several payment methods to consider when using the IRCTC Rail Connect app or the IRCTC website. This can be very useful for a few users, but it can be very confusing for the majority. So, try the simplest payment method first. If you want to pay with your credit/debit card or UPI, select the first option that says IRCTC iPay.
You can obviously use other methods if you are already familiar with them, but don’t take a chance during the final booking process if all you need is a confirmed railway ticket. When making a booking on a platform other than IRCTC, such as Amazon or Paytm, the fare will be deducted from the payment methods stored on that platform, which most people are already familiar with. Don’t be afraid to use non-IRCTC platforms for faster checkout.
Look for Cashback Deals
While booking your ticket, keep an eye out for cashback sites. Instead of spending a fortune on last-minute bookings, use the service and save money with cashback deals. Several websites offer cashback and discounts on train ticket purchases. So, choose the option to receive cashback and a discount on your booking. Booking train tickets through cashback websites may also earn you some rewards on your next payment.
What Not To Do
Booking expensive coaches
When opposed to reserving tickets in AC coaches, travelling in a sleeper coach will save you about half of your money. From the window, you may see the true beauty of India, breathe fresh air, and smell the perfume of amazing nature. If the weather is nice, you may avoid taking AC coaches and instead opt for sleeper classes. It saves a lot of money and allows you to relax by taking in the beautiful scenery. The ticket fee for sleeper coaches is usually less than a thousand rupees, but the rate for AC coaches is usually more than a thousand rupees.
Taking food from home
You can select meal options while reserving your tickets. Many internet meal delivery services are available on trains. They also provide meal discounts and rebates. You may also save money and enjoy on-board meals. RailRestro is the most trusted provider of e-catering services for Indian Railways. It delivers high-quality cuisine with sufficient cleanliness and inexpensive meal delivery services to rail passengers.
Book a train ticket on weekend
On weekends, avoid purchasing a ticket. Weekends, such as Friday and Sunday, are popular days for rail travel and people prefer to travel on weekends.
That’s it! Follow these tips to make your journey more amazing. You can book train tickets online from the comfort of your home. And it’s not just the train tickets booking system that has been revolutionized. All other services such as checking the PNR status, live train status, train schedule, and seat availability are easy-to-use as well. You only have to enter your IRCTC login credentials to book train tickets with ease.