After the introduction of online ticket booking facility by the subsidiary of Indian railways,the INDIAN RAILWAY CATERING AND TOURISM CORPORATION (IRCTC),it has become very easy for everyone to book a ticket,or know the availability of seats and to access many such facilities of Indian railway.Usually people wait in long Q to book a ticket or dial railway enquiry for different needs only to find a long ringing phone.But now things have changed.We can get information quickly with the irctc website and anyone with a minimum of ATM-CUM DEBIT CARD can book a railway ticket online.You can book for any train journey.Many more features like tour packages are also available in the site.
How to book a ticket
2.In the Login box click on "Signup" and make an account.Now after registration you will have an ID and password
3.Login using the ID and password
4.In the home page look for the box shown in the figure "Plan My Travel"
.Give the details of your travel.Its always better to take e-ticket as you can print that ticket whenever you like.Don't check Tatkal for normal ticket booking. Click "Find Trains" and you will get the list of train on that route,in the given date,according to your specification.Select one train and check for availability of ticket by clicking "Show Availability".You will get all the details.like,whether seat is available,or waiting list.It will show the seat availability of near dates also.
If you are satisfied,then you can proceed and click "Book ticket".In the new page a form will appear which you have to fill and submit.According to the availability you can even choose berth.This form is similar to the one we fill in the reservation counters.Once you have completed the form and verified all the details,its time to make the payment!As i have said earlier,a minimum of ATM-CUM Debit card is needed for this.When you click "go",you will be directed forward to make the payment.You will have to select the payment option(like which bank card) and then you will be asked to enter the card details like 16 digit card number,your card pin number,date of expiry etc..it depends on the card used.
Just make sure that the window in which you are entering the card details has "https" in the address bar of the browser instead of "http".A logo of Veri Sign also will there in the window which certify security.Once you have completed the payment,you will be logged out of the site.Close the browser
Voila!!your ticket is booked.Now you have to take a print out.You can do it whenever you have time.Of course before the journey!
To take a print out. Login with your ID and password.In the left side of the window you can see "My transactions".In that "Print E-Ticket".Now you will be again asked to enter your password.Enter it and in the page you will see the list of Transaction ID of the tickets you have booked.Since now we have booked only one ticket only that will be present in the window.Click on the transaction ID and your ticket will appear!.In that page click on "Print E-ticket English".Make sure that you do this from a computer having printer!!.Now you will get the print of your ticket.
You can print this ticket anytime you want.Though no identification details has to be given while booking the ticket, you will have to carry one identity card along with your ticket printout during the journey.The list of identity cards are(Voters identity Card,Passport,Pan card,Driving licence,Photo Id card of central or state government issued to their employee.).Any one of the five is enough.
NB:Once you book the ticket an email message and SMS message will come to the email ID and mobile number given during Signup,containing the transaction ID and other details.The E-mail message also will have a copy of the ticket.But i always prefer printing the ticket from the site itself.Also please note that if you take too much time to do some action in the website,when you proceed,the window may change with a message on it "Session Expired".So you have to Login again.Its just a security measure.So try to do everything in normal speed which means that you must have a clear idea about your travel before you enter the site for booking.Also try to do the payment as fast as possible.Its my security tip to you.
Many more features are available in the site though basically everyone use it to book ticket.Many tour packages are available.You can browse through the site and know all the facilities available.Also a small service charge has to be given for all transactions,but it worth all our effort to go to the railway station and book a ticket.
SO BOOK YOUR TICKET EASILY FROM HOME AND HAVE A NICE JOURNEY
GODSPEED