Step-by-Step Guide to IRCTC Ticket Booking for Beginners

Traveling by train in India is one of the most fun and cost-effective ways to get around the country. Every day, millions of people use the Indian Railways to get around. If you have never taken a train before, you may not be familiar with booking tickets online. That’s where IRCTC ticket booking comes in handy.

IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRTC). It is the official website and app of the Indian Railways. You can book tickets online from IRCTC instead of going to the railway station. You can also find out when trains leave, how many seats are available, and the price of the ticket in just a few clicks.

At first, the process may seem tricky for newcomers, but once you know what to do, it becomes extremely easy. All you need is a computer or mobile device, an internet connection, and your information. In this guide, we will explain everything in simple language. This guide covers everything from creating an account to booking regular or tatkal tickets, checking your PNR status, and even cancelling or changing a booking.

Let’s find out how to book IRCTC tickets so that your train journey goes smoothly and without any stress.

What is IRCTC?

IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. It is the official website of Indian Railways. Before IRCTC, customers had to wait in long queues at the station to get a ticket. With IRCTC, you can now book a ticket from the comfort of your home.

IRCTC also offers many additional services. You can plan your holidays, plan meals on the train, and even book accommodation. But the most important thing it does is help people book tickets. Every day, millions of passengers use it to book seats and plan their travel.

IRCTC offers you a fair and transparent system. You can see the available trains, ticket categories, timings, and prices before ordering. You can also choose from a sleeper, an AC, or a chair car, depending on the money you have.

For those who are new to IRCTC, the best way to avoid stress at the station is to simply enter some information and mode of payment. After booking, your ticket will be instantly sent to your phone or email.

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Things You Need Before Booking

Before booking a ticket from IRCTC, make sure you have these things ready:

• Internet Access – Your phone or computer must be connected to the internet at all times.
• IRCTC Account – You will need to create an account on the IRCTC website or app.
• Personal Details – Provide your full name, age, and gender. Your identity card must have these details.
• ID Proof – When traveling, you need an identity card like Aadhaar, voter ID, driving license, or passport.
• Payment Method – You can pay with e-wallet, debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
• Travel Details – Before booking, you need to know where you are starting from, where you are going, and when.

If you have everything ready, your IRCTC ticket booking will be quick and easy. Without these, you may lose time or miss the chance to book a seat.

How to Create an IRCTC Account

To buy tickets on IRCTC, you will need an account. Here is how you can create it:

• Go to the Website/App – Go to www.irctc.co.in or download the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
• Click on Register – You will find the “Register” button. Click on it.
• Fill Basic Details – Type your name, username, password, gender, date of birth, and phone number.
• Enter Address – Please type your full address, including PIN code.
• Verify Mobile and Email – You will receive a one-time password (OTP) via email and phone. Type the OTP for confirmation.
• Account Created – Your IRCTC account is now set up.

You will need your username and password every time you log in, so keep them safe. You only need to create an account once, and then you can use it to book IRCTC tickets in the future.

Step-by-Step Process to Book a Ticket on IRCTC

Once your account is set up, you can start booking tickets. Do the following:

• Login – Go to the IRCTC website or app and enter your username and password.
• Plan Your Journey – Enter your travel date, departure station, and arrival station.
• Search Trains – Click on “Search trains”. You will see a list of available trains.
• Check Availability – Choose the train of your choice and see if seats are available in different classes.
• Select Train and Class – Select the type of train and compartment (sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, chair car, etc.).
• Passenger Details – Please provide the names, ages, and genders of passengers. You can make reservations for up to six people at a time.
• Choose Berth Preference – Choose your berths (lower, upper, side, etc.).
• Review and Confirm – Check all the details carefully.
• Payment – You can pay by debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or wallet.
• Get Ticket – After making the payment, your ticket will appear on the screen. You will also receive it via email and text message.

This is the complete process of booking tickets from IRCTC. To avoid mistakes, always double-check the facts before making a payment.

How to Book Tatkal Tickets on IRCTC

Tatkal tickets are for emergencies. They open a day before the train departure. They are more expensive, but can help you reach early.

Here is how to get a Tatkal ticket:

• Login Early – Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 am for the AC class and 11:00 am for the sleeper class. Before that, log in.
• Choose Tatkal Option – When looking for a train, tick the “Tatkal” box.
• Fill Passenger Details Fast – Type in your name, age, and ID quickly. In a few minutes, Tatkal tickets will run out.
• Pay immediately – Pay as soon as possible.
• Get Confirmation – If you are successful, you will receive the ticket via email or text message.

There are not many Tatkal tickets available. Always keep your details available before the booking window opens. Speed is the most important thing in IRCTC Tatkal ticket booking.

How to Check Your Booking Status (PNR Status)

PNR stands for “Passenger Name Record”. You get this after booking. It is a 10-digit number. It helps you keep track of your ticket.

To check your PNR status:

• Go to the IRCTC Website/App – Sign in with your account.
• Click on PNR Status – Type your 10-digit PNR number.
• View Status – You will know whether your ticket is confirmed (CNF), waiting list (WL), or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation).

This tool makes IRCTC ticket booking even more reliable, as you always know what is happening with your journey before you start it.

Modifying or Canceling a Ticket

Travel plans change sometimes. You can change or cancel your ticket through IRCTC.

To change details:

1. Log in to your IRCTC account.
2. Click on “Booked Ticket History”.
3. Select the ticket you want to change.
4. Make changes to it, including changing passenger details, if possible.

To cancel a ticket:

1. Click on “Booked Ticket History”.
2. Select the ticket you want to cancel.
3. Click on “Cancel.”
4. After deducting the cancellation fee, the refund will be credited to your bank account.

Keep in mind that there are not many ways to get a refund for a Tatkal ticket. Before cancelling, make sure to read the guidelines.

Useful Tips for Beginners

Here are some ways to make booking tickets on IRCTC easier:

• Always sign in 5 to 10 minutes before the Tatkal service starts.
• Save your passenger’s details in your profile.
• Pay faster through UPI or Net Banking.
• Before making any decision, check if seats are available or not.
• Always keep the ID mentioned on the ticket with you.
• Get your tickets early for holidays or festivals.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

Beginners usually face a few issues while booking. Here are some solutions:

• Website Not Loading – Clear your cache and try again, or use the IRCTC app.
• Payment Failed – Don’t panic. It usually takes 3 to 5 days for the money to be refunded. Try a different mode of payment.
• Login Issues – Use the OTP to change your password.
• Ticket Not Confirmed – Check your PNR often. Sometimes waitlisted tickets get confirmed later.

Booking IRCTC tickets becomes easier with practice.

Conclusion

Booking train tickets is no longer a hassle. Anyone can easily book tickets online through the IRCTC ticket booking. All you need to do is sign up, submit your travel details, and make an online payment. Once you know all this, getting Tatkal tickets and cancelling them becomes a breeze.

From creating an account to booking regular and tatkal tickets, monitoring PNR status, changing bookings, and fixing common issues, everything is explained in this tutorial. If you follow these guidelines, you will be able to book your train tickets quickly without any mistakes.

So the next time you want to travel by train, open IRCTC, follow the given steps, and have a great experience.