Are you planning to travel by train anytime soon? You need not worry about booking train tickets 120 days in advance. Indian Railways has announced that it will reduce the ticket advance reservation period from 120 to 60 days. Earlier, the time to book train tickets in advance was 120 days, during which time you had to book the tickets, eliminating the chances of cancellation. The railway board has decided to limit the number of days to 60 from November 1, 2024. The date of railway reservation excludes the day of the journey. However, the passenger who has booked the train ticket till October 31 will remain the same. Also, the important information from the railway authorities is that there will be no changes in the advance ticket reservation period for foreign tourists. Also, there are no changes in the case of trains like Gomti Express, Taj Express, and a few others, where the reservation time period is already shorter. The announcement that the train ticket reservation period will be reduced to 60 days is extremely beneficial for travellers booking tickets at the last minute. This brings convenience for millions of passengers who want to book their railway tickets closer to their journey date. You can easily make travel plans 60 days before.
How to Book Train Tickets in IRCTC?
Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to book train tickets using IRCTC login credentials.
- Step 1: Visit the IRCTC website.
- Step 2: Log in to the website by entering your IRCTC user ID and password.
- Step 3: Enter your FROM and To station, date of journey and class of travel.
- Step 4: Click on the Search button to check the availability of trains.
- Step 5: A list of trains for the desired route will be displayed on the screen.
- Step 6: Click on the Train Schedule link to learn about the route and timings of the desired train.
- Step 7: Click on the class of travel for the chosen train.
- Step 8: Click on the Book Now button.
- Step 9: A page will appear with the names of the train, station, class of travel and date of journey displayed on the screen.
- Step 10: Enter the passenger details, such as the name, age, gender, berth preference and other details.
- Step 11: Once you enter the details, click on the Continue button.
- Step 12: The passenger and journey details, as well as the total ticket fare, will appear on the screen.
- Step 13: Click on the Continue button to proceed with the payment process.
- Step 14: A list of payment options will be displayed on the screen, such as Net banking and multiple payment services)
- Step 15: Select the desired payment option, and click on the Pay and Book button for the successful payment process.
- Step 16: Once the payment process is completed, you will receive a confirmation of IRCTC ticket booking on your email or mobile number.
Benefits of Booking IRCTC Train Tickets in Advance
The advantages of a reduced time period for ticket reservations are mentioned below.
- Increased chances of seat confirmation: Early ticket booking increases the chances of tickets being confirmed. This is highly beneficial during the festival or peak season.
- Lower ticket price: Due to the high demand for popular routes and festivities, the price of tickets may increase at the last minute. To reduce the financial burden, it is advisable to book train tickets much in advance at an affordable price.
- Better travel planning: The Indian Railways’ reduction in the advance ticket reservation period allows you to easily invest your time in other travel-related activities. You can also have peace of mind that your tickets are booked on time and that you have confirmed seats.
- Reduces last-minute stress: There are possibilities to travel for emergencies, events, or any other programs that are planned at short notice. In such cases, booking railway tickets in 60 days will greatly benefit travellers.
Conclusion
The reduction of the train ticket reservation period from 120 days to 60 days provides greater flexibility for travellers. This change allows passengers to plan their trips closer to the travel date, making it easier to secure tickets without long-term planning. It offers added convenience for millions of Indian Railways passengers. You can make railway reservations on redRail by redBus for a hassle-free booking experience.