Festive Travel Challenges
The Indian Railways prepares for a significant surge in passenger volume during the Diwali and Chhath festivals, particularly in Northern India. These
celebrations prompt a large number of people to travel to their hometowns, generating substantial demand for train tickets. As a result, securing regular tickets becomes difficult. The Tatkal ticket scheme serves as a final option, but getting these tickets proves challenging due to a limited number of seats and the increased demand during the festive period.
Smart Prep Essentials
To boost your chances of getting a Tatkal ticket, it's wise to be ready ahead of time. Start by gathering all the passenger details and payment information before Tatkal bookings start. To expedite the process, consider creating a master list within IRCTC, authenticated via Aadhaar, to store essential information like names, ages, preferred seating, and meal choices. For speedier transactions, use UPI payments or maintain a balance in your IRCTC wallet.
Alternative Travel Plans
When the popular routes and trains are fully booked, think about exploring other travel possibilities. You might find better seat availability by selecting less busy routes or trains. Special festival trains are frequently put into service on busy routes, offering additional chances for travel. Be open to different travel options to enhance your chances of securing a confirmed ticket during the peak travel season.
Booking Assistance Tools
To make the booking process easier, explore tools designed to help streamline the steps. The IRCTC Tatkal Magic Autofill Chrome extension can be particularly useful, allowing for rapid form completion with previously saved details. These tools can save valuable time and increase your chances of getting a ticket by speeding up the input of passenger information.
IRCTC Booking Steps
To book a Tatkal ticket, first, access the IRCTC website and log in with your credentials. Next, enter your journey details, including departure and arrival stations, travel date, and preferred class. In the quota options, select 'Tatkal' to view the available trains. Then, select your preferred class from the train list. The quota options are usually displayed on the right side. Click "Book Now" for your chosen combination, then enter passenger information like name, age, gender, berth choice, and meal preferences. Complete the verification code and provide your mobile number for notifications. Finally, review your ticket information, including costs and berth availability, before proceeding to payment. Select your preferred payment gateway to complete the process and receive your ticket confirmation via mobile, along with a VRM receipt.
