Speed Up Your Tatkal Booking: Tips for Securing Your Ticket Fast

Booking a train ticket through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) can be daunting, especially regarding Tatkal tickets, which are in high demand. Tatkal tickets are meant for last-minute travel plans and are open for booking 24 hours before the train's departure. Here’s a guide to help you secure your Tatkal ticket in the fastest way possible.

1. Know the Tatkal Booking Rules

Understanding the rules and timings for Tatkal booking is crucial:

Booking Window: Tatkal bookings open at 10 AM for AC classes and at 11 AM for Non-AC classes.

Advance Reservation Period: Tatkal tickets can be booked only one day before the journey date, excluding the date of the journey.

2. Plan and Prepare in Advance

Train and Route Information: Know the train number and route in advance.

Link Aadhaar: By linking your Aadhar number with the IRCTC to increase the no of ticket bookings per month up to 24 tickets and add the passenger details (Name, Age, Berth preference).

3. Login Early:

Log in to your IRCTC account through the website / mobile app at least 10-15 minutes before the booking window opens and keep the login alive. Because sharp at 10:57 everyone starts to refresh the login page to get the updated status for booking.

Ensure to use high-speed internet and close the background running applications to increase the internet speed.

4. Payment Options:

To opt for faster payments use IRCTC eWallet to add the required amount before booking a ticket to avoid payment failure and processing time.

Booking window opens:

• Choose the train, class, and date.

• Select the passenger details from the list.

• Ensure to select the UPI payment method to pay transaction charges at your best.

• Select the IRCTC iPay option for the payment.

All these steps needs to be completed within 3-5 minutes for the popular trains/festive days.

Bonus Tip:

If you're planning to book for your family include all age persons. Then try to split the ticket for Senior Citizen use Quota: Senior Citizen/Lower berth option seats may be available with lower berth options. In case, if Senior Citizen ticket is booked at the middle/upper berth, then TTE has the right to swap to the lower berth at the time of ticket checking.

Carrying a valid govt issued ID proof either hard or soft copy (Digilocker)

Final Thoughts

Booking Tatkal tickets on IRCTC requires speed, preparation, and a good understanding of the process. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of securing a ticket for your last-minute travel needs. Always stay updated with any changes in IRCTC rules or processes to make your booking experience smoother.

Happy travels and good luck with your Ticket booking!