Booking Indian Rail tickets from abroad: A Beginner’s Guide

Marga · Feb 9th, 2008, 14:14

ayyyyyyyssssssssss!!!

Now I've got another problem. When I'm buying the tickets online and I have to choose method of payment the only option that I can choose to buy them by mean of a credit card (visa) fails. And the thing is that if you read the information for that option it says that it doesn't accept international credit cards. Honestly, this is driving me crazy!!! And there are really few seats free already!!!

Could anybody help me again???

Thanks

steven_ber · Feb 9th, 2008, 14:18

Members normally suggest the CITI bank gateway, and the 2nd gateway in the list (these may be the same one).

Also, you need to type as fast as you can (acc number copied, ready to paste, and all other details written down) to avoid timeouts.

And if all else fails, contact your bank, sometimes banks don't allow the payments because they don't fit in with your usual spending patterns. (dozens of people have reported this problem)

Good luck.

Marga · Feb 9th, 2008, 14:37

Gorgeous! I've got them, can't believe it!!! You're great! I hope after my journey I can help some other people too

Zeppy · Feb 9th, 2008, 21:24

I just had the same problem trying to book a UK train with an international credit card. Two UK internet vendors refused non-UK issued Visa and Amex cards. Is this catching?

Marga · Feb 10th, 2008, 17:04

Even if it seems incredible, it happens. It happened to me trying to buy an internal flight in India as well. I solved it by phoning them directly and I bought the tickets by phone with no problem. In my case they didn't have any problem to accept international credit cards but the software was not prepared for them. That's even more amazing!!!
I'm afraid this is not going to help you but...

Zeppy · Feb 10th, 2008, 20:41

Right, that's what I finally did as well. I called the train company, and a very nice Indian helped me buy my ticket from London to Nottingham. The website didn't like my nonconforming "post code." Three cheers for the telephone. I was only on hold for a couple of minutes, too.

malhotras · Feb 12th, 2008, 19:25

jarman, you got the station name wrong thats y u couldn't find it. You can check station by just putting delhi. Station name is not nizzamudin but it is HAZ Nizzamudin or H Nizzamudin
Station code for this NZM

before booking through irctc.co.in you can always check from indianrailways.gov.in under train fares and accomodation

IRCTC has now improved, but if u log on on busy times (as per India) you will face communication failures. Don't forget 1 billion people are there in India.Even 1 % are trying to book tickets congestion is very very HIGH. I always try to book tickets after 6pm in India. They do e-tickets now so no problem of collection/ delivery. You just need one valid proof of photo identity

Sarah55 · Feb 26th, 2008, 21:15

I have tried ten times so far to get the site to accept my card. Citibank portal (which has worked for me in the past) is no longer available. I'm in the UK - what options do I have please?

Does anyone know of someone I can call in India? I need to book fairly urgently.

And has anyone successully managed to book from outside India since the Citibank option was removed?

machadinha · Feb 27th, 2008, 01:15

After reading a couple of current posts in the field, and like, er, what's the other poster's name (--> alpertonian), I'm assuming this is some temporay glitch, Sarah. Maybe give it a few days and see what happens.

Alternatively, there should be agents your way that can handle this for you. There's one in UK that comes recommended, will dig around for it.* But anyway just check the yellow pages for agents & see what they say. They may need some time but you seem to have that.

* Nope, sorry, it's hard to look for. Others here know it. Seems to be the #1 outfit there.

** Ah here it is (via http://www.seat61.com/India.htm):

http://www.indiarail.co.uk/

I think I've read they only deal in IndRail passes, anyway, check it out.

steven_ber · Feb 27th, 2008, 01:29

Sarah, I've not checked the IRCTC website for a while so can't really advise, but if you're having big problems booking, try the company at the bottom of post 1 in the following thread.

Is an Indrail pass worth the money?

However, he may be reluctant to book you a waitlisted ticket in 1A, mainly because there are so few berths in 1A, and cancellations are not common in this class.

However, train 3150 departs New Jalpaiguri at 20.30 and gets to Sealdah at 08.15, it had availability on 4th April in 2-tier air con when I checked a couple of hours ago.

It would cost you about £15 (per person) to book this journey using an Indrail pass.

Sarah55 · Feb 27th, 2008, 01:54

Thanks both of you. I'm going to try the irtct site again when it opens in three hours or so. Failing that, I'll get in touch with the agents

steven_ber · Feb 27th, 2008, 02:27

I may be completely wrong about the following, but I obviously feel strongly enough about it to take the time to type it.

I'd book both trains, the Darjeeling mail (waitlisted 1A), and train 3150 (2A).

You have to be on one of these trains, as you need to get back to Kolkata.

If, and it's a big if, the 1A berths have been booked by a travel agent or tour group, you've got no chance of a cancellation, none whatsoever, and as the other classes are already booked up, it will be difficult for the train man to find a place for you (though I'm sure he will find somewhere in 2A or 3A for you).

But to be sure, book both, the cancellation fee is tiny, so you can easily cancel one of the tickets a couple of days before departure.

However, this isn't really an option if you're using an Indrail Pass, but the man at SD Enterprises has years of experience of booking this train, he'll tell you instantly if you have a chance of a confirmed berth in the Darjeeling Mail.

Sarah55 · Feb 27th, 2008, 02:49

Thanks. I've just sent an email to that agent so hopefully they'll get back to me soon. Meanwhile I'll keep trying.

comet · Feb 28th, 2008, 00:27

I booked a train on the site 2 days ago fine but now the CITI credit card option is gone so its not possible, it'll be interesting to see if this will be a tempoarary or permanent change.

cristinb · Mar 4th, 2008, 05:43

I just tried to book on the Konkan Express and the Citi gateway is still missing. There are only 28 seats left in sleeper at this point, and I don't know what other options I have... I tried booking under the ICICI and HDFC credit card gateways, but neither worked. Ugh.

Feb 9th, 2008, 14:18	#482
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,147	Members normally suggest the CITI bank gateway, and the 2nd gateway in the list (these may be the same one). Also, you need to type as fast as you can (acc number copied, ready to paste, and all other details written down) to avoid timeouts. And if all else fails, contact your bank, sometimes banks don't allow the payments because they don't fit in with your usual spending patterns. (dozens of people have reported this problem) Good luck. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Feb 26th, 2008, 21:15	#488
Sarah55 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 31	I have tried ten times so far to get the site to accept my card. Citibank portal (which has worked for me in the past) is no longer available. I'm in the UK - what options do I have please? Does anyone know of someone I can call in India? I need to book fairly urgently. And has anyone successully managed to book from outside India since the Citibank option was removed? Last edited by machadinha : Feb 27th, 2008 at 01:16. Reason: merged posts

Feb 27th, 2008, 01:15	#489
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,505	After reading a couple of current posts in the field, and like, er, what's the other poster's name (--> alpertonian), I'm assuming this is some temporay glitch, Sarah. Maybe give it a few days and see what happens. Alternatively, there should be agents your way that can handle this for you. There's one in UK that comes recommended, will dig around for it.* But anyway just check the yellow pages for agents & see what they say. They may need some time but you seem to have that. * Nope, sorry, it's hard to look for. Others here know it. Seems to be the #1 outfit there. ** Ah here it is (via http://www.seat61.com/India.htm): http://www.indiarail.co.uk/ I think I've read they only deal in IndRail passes, anyway, check it out. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Foreigners Booking Train Tickets for Travel with Indian National	ArjunaWeeping	Indian Railways	5	Dec 28th, 2007 20:55
Booking Rail Tickets Online	Abz	Indian Railways	3	Jan 14th, 2005 22:19
Fighting Mosquitoes: A Beginner’s Guide	beach	Health and Well Being in India	8	Jun 23rd, 2004 21:45
train booking from abroad	lorenza	Indian Railways	1	Mar 23rd, 2004 23:49
Mumbai-Goa rail booking from abroad	-m2-	Indian Railways	7	Jan 1st, 2004 15:29

Feb 9th, 2008, 14:14	#481
Marga Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brussels (Belgium) Posts: 8	ayyyyyyyssssssssss!!! Now I've got another problem. When I'm buying the tickets online and I have to choose method of payment the only option that I can choose to buy them by mean of a credit card (visa) fails. And the thing is that if you read the information for that option it says that it doesn't accept international credit cards. Honestly, this is driving me crazy!!! And there are really few seats free already!!! Could anybody help me again??? Thanks

Feb 9th, 2008, 14:37	#483
Marga Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brussels (Belgium) Posts: 8	Gorgeous! I've got them, can't believe it!!! You're great! I hope after my journey I can help some other people too

Feb 9th, 2008, 21:24	#484
Zeppy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Paris Posts: 179	I just had the same problem trying to book a UK train with an international credit card. Two UK internet vendors refused non-UK issued Visa and Amex cards. Is this catching?

Feb 10th, 2008, 17:04	#485
Marga Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brussels (Belgium) Posts: 8	Even if it seems incredible, it happens. It happened to me trying to buy an internal flight in India as well. I solved it by phoning them directly and I bought the tickets by phone with no problem. In my case they didn't have any problem to accept international credit cards but the software was not prepared for them. That's even more amazing!!! I'm afraid this is not going to help you but...

Feb 10th, 2008, 20:41	#486
Zeppy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Paris Posts: 179	Right, that's what I finally did as well. I called the train company, and a very nice Indian helped me buy my ticket from London to Nottingham. The website didn't like my nonconforming "post code." Three cheers for the telephone. I was only on hold for a couple of minutes, too.

Feb 12th, 2008, 19:25	#487
malhotras Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: London Posts: 5	jarman, you got the station name wrong thats y u couldn't find it. You can check station by just putting delhi. Station name is not nizzamudin but it is HAZ Nizzamudin or H Nizzamudin Station code for this NZM before booking through irctc.co.in you can always check from indianrailways.gov.in under train fares and accomodation IRCTC has now improved, but if u log on on busy times (as per India) you will face communication failures. Don't forget 1 billion people are there in India.Even 1 % are trying to book tickets congestion is very very HIGH. I always try to book tickets after 6pm in India. They do e-tickets now so no problem of collection/ delivery. You just need one valid proof of photo identity

Feb 27th, 2008, 01:29	#490
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,147	Sarah, I've not checked the IRCTC website for a while so can't really advise, but if you're having big problems booking, try the company at the bottom of post 1 in the following thread. Is an Indrail pass worth the money? However, he may be reluctant to book you a waitlisted ticket in 1A, mainly because there are so few berths in 1A, and cancellations are not common in this class. However, train 3150 departs New Jalpaiguri at 20.30 and gets to Sealdah at 08.15, it had availability on 4th April in 2-tier air con when I checked a couple of hours ago. It would cost you about £15 (per person) to book this journey using an Indrail pass.

Feb 27th, 2008, 01:54	#491
Sarah55 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 31	Thanks both of you. I'm going to try the irtct site again when it opens in three hours or so. Failing that, I'll get in touch with the agents

Feb 27th, 2008, 02:27	#492
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,147	I may be completely wrong about the following, but I obviously feel strongly enough about it to take the time to type it. I'd book both trains, the Darjeeling mail (waitlisted 1A), and train 3150 (2A). You have to be on one of these trains, as you need to get back to Kolkata. If, and it's a big if, the 1A berths have been booked by a travel agent or tour group, you've got no chance of a cancellation, none whatsoever, and as the other classes are already booked up, it will be difficult for the train man to find a place for you (though I'm sure he will find somewhere in 2A or 3A for you). But to be sure, book both, the cancellation fee is tiny, so you can easily cancel one of the tickets a couple of days before departure. However, this isn't really an option if you're using an Indrail Pass, but the man at SD Enterprises has years of experience of booking this train, he'll tell you instantly if you have a chance of a confirmed berth in the Darjeeling Mail.

Feb 27th, 2008, 02:49	#493
Sarah55 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 31	Thanks. I've just sent an email to that agent so hopefully they'll get back to me soon. Meanwhile I'll keep trying.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Feb 28th, 2008, 00:27	#494
comet Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: here, there and everywhere... Posts: 61	I booked a train on the site 2 days ago fine but now the CITI credit card option is gone so its not possible, it'll be interesting to see if this will be a tempoarary or permanent change.

Mar 4th, 2008, 05:43	#495
cristinb Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 21	I just tried to book on the Konkan Express and the Citi gateway is still missing. There are only 28 seats left in sleeper at this point, and I don't know what other options I have... I tried booking under the ICICI and HDFC credit card gateways, but neither worked. Ugh.