Indian railways is one of the largest and busiest railway system in the world. Every year Indian Railways transport about 6 billion people and 7 billion tones of freight.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) provides an online booking facility through its web site. Customers can book tickets online with a credit card, debit card or a net banking account.


How to Book Railway Ticket Online : First step in booking a ticket online is to create a new account in IRCTC site. IRCTC Online Ticket Booking Site Go to the new user signup page and fill your personal details to create a new account. Also there is option to select extra features like Mumbai suburban season ticket booking, mobile railway ticket booking, preferred payment option for sms based booking, registration options for SBI Railway Credit Card and Subh Yatra and signup options for special offers, news letters and commercial offers.

Booking your Ticket : Once account is created you can login to your account and book tickets. Select your travel date, source and destination station name or code, class (sleeper/second sitting/Ac Chair Car/AC 3 tier/AC 2 tier/First Class/First Class AC) and ticket type.

i-Ticket and e-Ticket : Indian Railways offers two types of ticket through it's online booking system. First one is i-Ticket. It is like a normal ticket which will be delivered at your doorstep in 2-3 days time. For i-Tickets you have to book the ticket at least two days in advance. i-Tickets are issued for Waiting List, Confirmed and RAC cases.

An e-ticket can be booked up to the time of chart preparation for your train. To book an e-ticket you have to enter your ID proof details like PAN Card, Voter's ID Card, Passport, Ration Card, Central/State Govt. ID Card or Driving License. After booking just take a printout of the Electronic Reservation Slip and carry it during travel with the ID proof.


Payment Options

1. Payment by Credit Cards like Citibank Cards, Diners Club Cards, ICICI Bank Cards, American Express Cards. Agents can book through any Visa/Mater/Amex cards.

2. Payment through Direct Debit Facility - ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, IDBI, Citibank, Bank of Punjab, Oriental Bank of Commerce, UTI, State Bank of India, Centurion Bank of Punjab, Punjab National Bank, Federal Bank, Corporation Bank, Syndicate Bank, Union Bank of India, IndusInd Bank, ITZ Cash, State Bank of Travancore, Andhra Bank, Icash Card, Karnataka Bank, SBI debit card, HDFC Debit Card etc

Notes

1. For e-tickets while traveling you must carry the electronic reservation slip otherwise you will have to pay a fine of Rs 50.

2. e-tickets can be cancelled only through internet. Cancellation will be confirmed online and the money will be credited to the same back account.