IRCTC Ticket Booking Complete Guide 2026 — Step by Step

Booking train tickets on IRCTC can feel overwhelming for first-timers. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step — from creating your account to downloading your e-ticket.

Step 1: Create Your IRCTC Account

Before you can book tickets, you need a free IRCTC account. Visit irctc.co.in and click "Register". You will need to provide:

• A unique username (6–35 characters, letters and numbers only)
• A strong password
• Your full name, date of birth, and gender
• A valid mobile number (for OTP verification)
• A valid email address
• Your occupation and residential address

After submitting the form, verify your mobile number and email via OTP. Your account is ready to use immediately after verification.

Step 2: Search for Trains

Log in to IRCTC and go to the "Book Ticket" section. Enter:

• From Station: Your boarding station (type the name or station code)
• To Station: Your destination station
• Date of Journey: Select from the calendar (bookings open 60 days in advance)
• Class: Select your preferred class (1A, 2A, 3A, SL, etc.)
• Quota: General, Tatkal, Ladies, Senior Citizen, etc.

Click "Find Trains" to see all available trains. You can also use ChaloTrain's Train Search to check availability before going to IRCTC.

Step 3: Check Seat Availability

The search results show all trains with their departure and arrival times, duration, and available classes. For each train, you can see:

• Available seats in each class (shown as a number or "AVL")
• RAC status (e.g., "RAC 5" means 5 RAC berths available)
• Waitlist position (e.g., "WL 12" means 12 people on waitlist)
• Fare for each class

Use ChaloTrain's Seat Availability tool to check availability across multiple dates at once before deciding.

Step 4: Select Train and Add Passengers

Click "Book Now" on your chosen train and class. On the passenger details page:

1. 1Add passenger details: name, age, gender, and berth preference (lower, middle, upper, side-lower, side-upper).
2. 2Add up to 6 passengers per booking (4 for Tatkal).
3. 3Enter your mobile number for SMS alerts.
4. 4Select "Auto Upgrade" if you want to be upgraded to a higher class if your chosen class is full.
5. 5Choose "Consider for Alternate Train" to be automatically moved to another train if your chosen train has no availability.

Step 5: Review and Pay

Review your booking summary carefully. Check the train name, date, passenger details, and total fare including the IRCTC convenience fee. Then proceed to payment.

Step 6: Download Your E-Ticket

After successful payment, your e-ticket is generated instantly. You can:

• Download the PDF from your IRCTC account under "Booked Ticket History"
• Print the ticket or show it on your mobile phone during the journey
• The ticket will also be sent to your registered email and mobile number

For e-tickets, you must carry a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License) during the journey. The ID must match the name on the ticket.

Important IRCTC Booking Rules

• Advance booking opens 60 days before the journey date (excluding the date of journey)
• Tatkal booking opens 1 day before departure (AC classes at 10 AM, non-AC at 11 AM)
• Maximum 6 passengers per booking (4 for Tatkal)
• Maximum 6 tickets per month per account (12 with Aadhaar verification)
• Children below 5 years travel free without a berth; children 5–11 years get a half-fare berth

Frequently Asked Questions