After a covid-induced hiatus, vacation and business travel is back with a bang. There is an increasingly large number of people who resort to online train ticket booking for their business engagements, vacation travel, recreational escapades, or family get-togethers. With the increasing availability and accessibility to online travel-related services, people are embracing the joy of travel with convenience and efficiency like never before.
Convenience Of Online Train Ticket Booking
Unlike earlier times when standing in long queues at the ticket booking counter to get a physical ticket was the only way to book train tickets, online train ticket booking comes along as a game-changer. Accessing a vast array of destinations, exploring train options, and preparing a customized itinerary is now possible with just a few clicks.
Online train ticket booking can be done through the official IRCTC website link or an authorized travel booking portal. Travelers not only save time with online bookings but also enjoy cost benefits with promotional offers and discounts.
But despite the many advantages of online train ticket booking, there are certain pitfalls to avoid to ensure that the journey is safe and hassle-free.
Booking Tickets Without Verifying Train Schedule
One of the most common mistakes that travelers make is to purchase tickets without verifying the train’s timetable. Despite running on the same route, different trains stop at different stations. So simply believing that the train will stop at a particular station can mess up your travel plans. Log on to a trusted IRCTC-authorized train booking platform to get the exact train schedule for the preferred train.
Making Last Minute Reservation
While certain events are unavoidable and require a last-minute reservation, for other times it is advisable to plan a trip well in advance. This will help you avail better prices for tickets and make more informed travel-related decisions. Also, the unavailability of confirmed seats, especially during the festive season and holidays can push you to cancel your travel plans.
Missing Out On PNR Status Check For Railway Ticket
Every train ticket booked has a unique PNR number that is printed on the top of the ticket. The PNR number, or the Passenger Name Record, provides information about the reservation status of the ticket. Not doing a PNR status check for railway ticket can land you in trouble on the date of travel. The PNR status check will help you know whether your train ticket is confirmed or on the waiting list. This will help you plan your travel more systematically. Passengers can check the PNR status of their train ticket by logging into any IRCTC-authorized train booking platform. Move to the PNR status link and enter the PNR number. The PNR status of your ticket will appear on the screen.
Reaching The Platform Without Checking The Live Train Status
Passengers waiting at the platform for their train is a common scene. This happens typically when the passengers reach the railway station without doing a live train status check. Prolonged waits and unwanted delays can be uncomfortable. Of the many online travel-related services available, the live train status check is extremely helpful to cut travel-day distress. Performing the check is extremely easy. Simply log into any IRCTC-authorized train booking platform and move to the ‘train running status’ link. Enter the train number to get complete details of the current status of the running strain.
Not Availing The Order Food In Train Service
Passengers miss part of the fun by not availing of the ‘order food in train’ facility offered by the eCatering facility of IRCTC. It may not be wrong to say that home-cooked food is unparalleled. But packing food for travel is stressful. To make your travel seamless, the online food ordering facility allows you to order your favorite food and get it delivered hot and fresh to your seat number. Besides being convenient, the food is hygienic and fresh. This settles all concerns revolving around ‘eating out’ during your train travel, making your train travel more fun-filled and refreshing.
Conclusion
There is nothing like a bad travel destination. But all travel-related chaos and ‘not-so-perfect-experience’ is linked to poor planning and execution. Thus, availing the online travel-related services is the first step towards a blissful travel experience. Start with the online train ticket booking after a comprehensive verification of train schedules. Do not miss doing a PNR status check for railway ticket. Also, avail of other travel-related services en route to enjoy a seamless journey experience.
FAQs
When can I initiate online train ticket booking?
The IRCTC’s e-ticketing is possible 120 days before the planned date of travel.
How to use a railway booking date calendar during online train ticket booking?
Just select the date of the journey in the calendar and submit. The online calendar shows travel dates up to 120 days both before and after the date of travel. You can also initiate an online train ticket booking for the return journey if it is within 120 days after the date of outward travel.
How to check if my train ticket is confirmed?
A traveler must do a PNR status check for railway ticket before the travel date. The PNR number is available on the top of the ticket. It is a 10-digit number. Log into any IRCTC-authorized ticket booking platform and move to the ‘PNR Status Check’ link. If the online train ticket system displays CNF as a response, it indicates that the train ticket is confirmed.
What are the cancellation charges for tickets with RAC and waitlist status?
For RAC or waitlisted tickets that are canceled less than 30 minutes before the departure of the train, a charge of Rs. 20 per ticket cancellation is charged. However, if the ticket remains on the waiting list after the first ticket charting, there is no need to cancel the ticket manually. It will be automatically canceled by the system and a full refund will be generated.
What are the cancellation charges for confirmed tickets?
The cancellation charges levied on confirmed train tickets depend upon the time of cancellation until the scheduled time of departure. The charges are deducted as per the ticket cancellation chart.
https://contents.irctc.co.in/en/CancellationRulesforIRCTCTrain.pdf
