While planning a train journey, the most difficult part is getting confirmed seats. If you also face this issue while booking train tickets, make sure you read ahead to find out tricks to get a confirmed train ticket for your next journey.

While booking your tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) app, there are two things to remember. These tricks will help you ease the planning process and ensure a comfortable journey.

Read below this article to learn how you can book your train ticket online. Also, find out some essential things that you must know when booking a train ticket.

Steps For Confirmed Train Ticket Booking

To book a confirmed train ticket, please follow the following steps:

• First, download the IRCTC app on your device and log in.

• After logging in, click on ‘My Bookings', where all your journeys booked will be visible.

• Click on the booking, and then the top three dots will be visible to you.

• Click on the three dots and choose ‘Opt Vikalp’.

• Then all these trains available on the chosen dates will be shown.

• Choose the trains according to your comfort and convenience.

• This will increase your chances of getting a confirmed train ticket, as it increases the number of options, giving you more chances.

• The second trick to remember while booking a train journey is to choose auto-upgrade.

• While booking a ticket, you choose the train class.

• What happens when you choose auto-upgradation is that even if you don’t get a ticket in your chosen class, they will auto-upgrade your class where there are tickets available.

• Sometimes, while booking, you might not get confirmed train tickets as there might not be available seats.

• But this option helps you get confirmed tickets for another class. This comes in handy, especially when you need to confirm your journey at short notice.

Also read: Did You Get Your Refund After Cancelling Your Train Ticket?

Types Of Quotas Available On Train Tickets

Quota tickets are a way to book train tickets under some categories. Some of the quotes are:

• General Quota (GN): This is the most common quota and people belonging to the ‘general’ category can book under this.

• Tatkal Quota: Used for emergencies and can be booked a day before.

• Senior Citizen Quota: For both, males and females above a certain age.

• Ladies Quota: Some seats are reserved for ladies and they can book them using this quota.

• Physically disabled Quota: Designed for people with physical disabilities.

• Defence Quota: Reserved for defence personnel and their families.

Also read: Find Lost Luggage In Train | Operation Amanat by Indian Railway

How To Check The PNR Status Of the Train Ticket?

To check the Passenger Name Record (PNR) status of one’s train ticket, one needs to follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Open the IRCTC app.

2. Log in and please click on the ‘PNR Status’ section.

3. Please enter your PNR number.

4. Select ‘submit’ and it will show you the current status of your train ticket.

Things To Remember When Booking A Train Ticket

• Pay later: If you need to book a train ticket immediately and want to eliminate the paying process, make sure to avail of the pay later feature. This was introduced by the IRCTC for Indians who wish to pay later. This feature can also be used to buy Tatkal tickets.

• Ideal days of booking: Avoid booking tickets on the weekends, as there will be a lot of people trying to book at the same time, increasing the traffic on the app and decreasing the chances of getting tickets.

• Last-minute bookings: If you have already planned for a journey well in advance, avoid booking the tickets at the last moment. Book the tickets well in advance to increase your chances of getting confirmed seats. You can book 120 days before your journey.

• In emergencies: For unplanned and urgent journeys, take Tatkal tickets. For non-A/C seats, you can book at 10 a.m., and for A/C seats, you can book at 11 a.m.

• Maintenance time: The IRCTC app undergoes maintenance every day from 11:45 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. IST. So, make sure you book your tickets before this period, as you will not be allowed to book tickets.

The IRCTC app is available on both Android and iOS. These features were introduced to ensure more efficiency while booking train tickets. Passengers who used to wait for days on end just to get confirmed train tickets no longer have to worry.

Read more: Indian Railways Has Introduced New Luxury Train Coaches Called M Coaches

Conclusion

The IRCTC app wanted to make the whole process of booking hassle-free and easy for their passengers, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey right from the start.

So, if you are a person who constantly travels and finds it hard to get confirmed train tickets, do not forget to try these tricks out the next time. Also, inform your family and friends of these features, as they will come in handy for them as well.

You can visit the Indian Railway Enquiry for all reservation-related inquiries. For more context, download the Rail Connect app, available for both Android and iOS users.

You can also reach out to Jaagruk Bharat through their community page with any questions that you might come across.