IRCTC provides numerous ways for its customers to book train travel tickets. While you can generally book tickets from their website and phone app, given the popularity of train travel in India, there’s a good chance that you might not find a reserved seat in time for your journey.
For such scenarios, IRCTC has a quick reservation scheme called Tatkal, allowing users to book reserved tickets on any train at short notice. However, as with regular tickets, Tatkal tickets also sell out quickly. Additionally, since Tatkal tickets are in a much shorter supply than general tickets, they’re sold out even quicker.
In this article, we’re talking about how to quickly book Tatkal tickets in IRCTC using their website and the web app. You can watch the video below or continue reading the article.
Also read: How to check the ticket booking history in IRCTC?
Things to keep in mind before booking Tatkal tickets
As easy as booking Tatkal tickets might seem, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- Tatkal tickets can only be booked a day before the journey.
- The booking window for AC class (2A/3A/CC/EC/3E) tickets opens at 10:00 AM, while non-AC class (SL/FC/2S) tickets can be booked from 11:00 AM. So plan your booking accordingly.
- You can book Tatkal tickets for up to 20 passengers at a time.
- IRCTC levies an extra fee for booking Tatkal tickets, meaning these tickets will be more expensive than the general ones. This fee is capped at 30 per cent of the base fare on all ticket classes except Second Sitting, which is only charged 10 per cent of the base fare.
- Using a fast internet connection while booking tickets is recommended as it increases your chances of getting a successful booking.
- The IRCTC site experiences heavy traffic during Tatkal ticket booking windows, so quick thinking and patience are your best friends. There’s a good chance the site will crash or stop working as expected if you don’t get your ticket booked as soon as possible.
Also read: How to change your IRCTC phone number?
Booking Tatkal tickets using the IRCTC website
If you use the IRCTC website, follow these steps to book Tatkal tickets.
Step 1: Head over to the IRCTC website and click the Login button at the top to log into the ticket portal. If you don’t have an account, make one beforehand.
Step 2: On the home page, under the Book Ticket tab, fill out your departure and arrival stations, journey date, and ticket class, and select Tatkal as the ticket type. Once you’re done, click the Search button.
Step 3: IRCTC will show you all the trains available between the selected stations with Tatkal ticket options. Select the train you want, followed by the class of ticket and click the Book Now button to book your tickets.
Also read: How does IRCTC auto-upgradation work?
Booking Tatkal tickets using the IRCTC app
Follow these steps if you’re using the IRCTC phone app to book your tickets.
- Open the IRCTC app and tap the Login button in the top right to log in to the site.
- Tap the Train icon after login.
- Tap Book Ticket.
- Fill out your departure and arrival stations, journey date, and ticket class, and select Tatkal under the Quota field. Once you’re done, click the Search Trains button.
- IRCTC will show you all the trains available between the selected stations with Tatkal ticket options. Select the train you want, followed by the class of ticket and click the Passenger Details button in the bottom right to fill out passenger details and book your ticket.
Also read: What do RLWL, TQWL, PQWL, GNWL and RAC mean on IRCTC?
