The limit for the number of passengers in a single train ticket is six for general tickets and four for Tatkal tickets. What if there are more than six passengers? In such cases, booking can be termed group booking or bulk booking. Though IRCTC train tickets are available online, such group ticket booking is not currently available online. You must go to the railway station, fill in the forms manually and provide documents to book such tickets.
Booking Group Tickets Online
As of now, group bookings are available only through the counters at railway stations. Online booking for groups is yet to be available. Features of group booking are as follows.
- Group booking is available for all trains that require seat reservations.
- At a time, the Station Master can allow bulk booking for a group of up to 50 passengers.
- For a group of 100 or more passengers, permission must be taken from higher officials such as Senior DCM/DTM, Area manager, etc.
- Two copies of the ID proof of each passenger are required for group ticket booking.
- Booking must be made at least 48 hrs before departure time.
How to do Group Booking on IRCTC Trains?
You must choose a railway station that has a computerised booking facility for bulk booking. Now, let’s see what you need and how to make the booking.
- Choose your travel date, decide on the number of passengers and collect their details such as name, age, ID proof, etc.
- Visit the railway station and get authorisation for group travelling from the Station Master or Chief Reservation Supervisor as available.
- State the reason for group travel, such as a wedding invitation, corporate meeting invite, tournament, educational tour permit, etc.
- Now go to the bulk booking counter (there will be a dedicated counter at major stations) and fill in the passengers’ details.
- Verify the details and complete the payment to book the tickets.
Features of Group Booking on Tejas Trains
Group booking in Tejas trains is currently available online. The features of such group bookings are as follows.
- Bulk booking on trains such as Tejas, Superfast Express, etc.
- Group booking of 10 or more passengers or booking an entire coach.
- Such group booking will be available for wedding parties, corporates, groups attending social events, etc., for non-AC sleepers, AC sleeper cafes, etc.
- Passengers can also avail tea, snacks, and other meals, depending on the timing of the journey.
- These coaches also have RO water, coffee machines, etc, for more convenience.
- Such group booking may be made as early as 60 days or as late as 5 days before the scheduled departure.
- You must submit a caution deposit of INR 100000
- Most importantly, online group bookings for premium trains can be made via the IRCTC tourism portal.
Conclusion
While group booking is available, confirmation of the tickets will depend on train seat availability. Sometimes it may even go to the wiring list. In such cases, keep track of the PNR status and confirm it after the completion of IRCTC chart preparation. Once your tickets are confirmed, keep track of the train running status and reach the station on time. Group booking or not, IRCTC trains do not wait for anyone and will depart the station after the stipulated halting time.
FAQs
1. Who Can Book Group Tickets on IRCTC Trains?
Group booking on the train can be done by anyone who is part of the group or otherwise. The one who comes for booking must have the necessary details of the passengers travelling.
2. What is a bulk fare ticket?
There is no fare difference between normal tickets and tickets on bulk booking. The ticket rates remain the same. However, IRCTC trains offer student concessions. You may enquire about the same at the time of group booking and see if it can be applied here.
3. Can we cancel the bulk booking in IRCTC?
You can cancel the group booking and get a refund as per the IRCTC cancellation charges. But you must cancel it at least 1 day before the departure date.
4. Can I make a group booking on IRCTC trains online?
No, you cannot book group tickets online, if it exceeds 6 passengers. You may log in to your account using IRCTC login credentials and choose to do multiple bookings of 6 passengers each. However, each Aadhaar-verified account at IRCTC can book only 24 tickets per month.
5. Are group bookings available with current reservations?
No, you cannot book group tickets through the current reservation as you must book these tickets at least 48 hrs before the departure time.