Children Under 5 Years
For very young children, specifically those under five years of age, the Indian Railways offers a straightforward policy: free travel. This means that
if a child is below the age of 5, a ticket is not required. However, there is a caveat to this rule. While the travel is free, a separate berth is not allocated to the child. If parents wish to have a dedicated berth for their child, then they need to book a ticket, and full fare will be applicable. This arrangement allows families to travel without the added cost of a ticket for their youngest, but requires careful consideration regarding seating arrangements during the journey. This policy aims to accommodate families with young children, providing them with a cost-effective travel option, while also allowing the flexibility to choose a berth if desired. Understanding this rule is the first step in planning travel with toddlers or infants on IRCTC trains.
Ages 5 to 12 Years
The rules for children aged 5 to under 12 years are slightly different compared to infants. For children within this age bracket, the parents have two main choices to make when booking their tickets. They can either opt to book a full ticket, or they can choose to book a ticket for half the adult fare. Booking a full ticket will allocate a separate berth for the child, ensuring they have their own designated space for the journey. This option is especially convenient for longer journeys or when parents prefer their children to have their own space. On the other hand, the half-fare option does not guarantee a separate berth. In this scenario, the child will share a berth with the accompanying adult. This can be a cost-effective option for families, particularly for shorter trips. The selection between these two options allows parents to tailor their travel arrangements to suit their needs, considering comfort, cost, and the duration of the train journey.
Booking Procedure Simplified
Booking IRCTC tickets for children aged 5-12 is relatively straightforward when one knows the steps. The process typically begins on the IRCTC website or app. Firstly, the user needs to enter the travel details, including the origin and destination stations, date of travel, and the class of travel. Once the travel details are entered, the next step involves adding passenger details. Here, for children within the specified age group, the parent or guardian must enter the child's name, age, and select the 'child' option. This is where the choice between a full fare ticket with a berth or a half-fare ticket without a berth is presented. After selecting the type of ticket, the user proceeds to payment. Various payment methods are available, including credit cards, debit cards, and online banking. Upon successful payment, the e-ticket is generated, which contains all the booking details, including the child's information and berth allocation, if applicable. Keeping the e-ticket handy, whether on your mobile device or as a printout, is crucial, as it serves as the official document for boarding the train.
12 Years and Above
For children who are 12 years old or above, the IRCTC rules treat them as adults for the purpose of train travel. This means that a full fare ticket must be booked for them, and they are allocated a separate berth, similar to any other adult passenger. No concessions or special considerations are available based on age once a child has reached this age bracket. The booking process for this age group mirrors that of adult passengers, and they are expected to adhere to the same rules and regulations that apply to all adult travelers. This includes providing valid identification and complying with all the standard boarding procedures. This ensures clarity in ticket bookings and facilitates smooth travel experiences for all passengers, regardless of their age, by defining specific guidelines for different age groups.
