Booking rail tickets from abroad- a Beginner's Guide

Darryl · Dec 20th, 2008, 12:16

I haven’t booked on - line ticket yet but I’ve been familarising myself with the various forms, reading IM posts and trying to anticipate any glitches before I try it.

I have a mastercard and I will try the axis gateway. I’ve done a few dummy runs. I’ve gone as far as the Axis payment form there seems only three things required cc number, expiry date and cvv number. After that page can anyone tell me is there any other authentication page or form to go through ? (as I haven’t dared to touch the pay button yet).

The reason I ask is that in my research on the Cleartrip website (thought I might need it as alternative) there’s statement about international mastercards going through a further securecode verification page involving pin number, internet password and so on and those that fail it will be rejected- it’s all spelt out in the FAQ. As I think that my card mightn’t have this level of authentication (checked on mastercard website) I am concerned if this additional security hurdle exists on the irtc website as well.

Darryl

Darryl · Dec 24th, 2008, 08:20

I've actually done it - booked a ticket on-line this morning - easy peasy. I used the axis gateway with mastercard and there were no additional pin numbers etc to enter.

I used the main booking form on the irtc website. One thing - what I said about the additional pin number, internet password etc in the above post - I think I noticed when I did a dummy run but using the "Quickbook" option on their website - not 100% certain but the Quickbook option seemed to have different forms and process on the payment section - something prospective users may want to investigate before they use.

s.evans670@btinterne · Dec 25th, 2008, 18:59

We have booked and paid for our rail travel for febuary09 on e tickets all we have to do is turn up with prn numbers in hand fantastic cant wait, Steve

Darryl · Dec 27th, 2008, 17:36

...and the print out..dont forget the printout - tho I guess 50rps penalty and a ticket reissue wouldn't concern many of we tourists..

s.evans670@btinterne · Dec 27th, 2008, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darryl

...and the print out..dont forget the printout - tho I guess 50rps penalty and a ticket reissue wouldn't concern many of we tourists..

yes already done and sitting in the envelope with flight tickets, just waiting on our visas now

jamesg200312 · Dec 28th, 2008, 09:22

Hi there. I'm looking to book some of my train tickets online before I head out to North India. One concern I have however is booking train tickets within close proximity of the other. I have heard lots of Indian trains running / arriving late and don't want to miss the train i've already paid for. For instance below:

Monday 9th Feb: Ajmer (JN) - Marwar 9708 Aravali Express
Depart: 11:20 Arrive: 13:15 338Rs (£4.67) AC 2 Tier Sleeper

Monday 9th Feb: Marwar (MJ) - Jodhpur (JU) 6312 Bikaner Express
Depart: 14:55 Arrive:17:00 290Rs (£4.05) AC 2 Tier Sleeper

Would this be too risky? For journey's like this, is it easier to just buy the tickets when I get to the station?

thanks for your kind help.

Aishah · Dec 28th, 2008, 10:13

I certainly wouldn't buy the tickets for those classes when you get to the station - AC 2 Tier sleeper, can be fully booked at least a fortnight prior to the date. Is there a particular reason why you want to stop at Marwar? There are direct trains Ajmer to Jodhpur.

s.evans670@btinterne · Dec 28th, 2008, 14:27

we booked our tickets for two on the same day without problem and have recieved the prn no im sorry for the quick reply but Im late for work.

jamesg200312 · Dec 28th, 2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aishah

I certainly wouldn't buy the tickets for those classes when you get to the station - AC 2 Tier sleeper, can be fully booked at least a fortnight prior to the date. Is there a particular reason why you want to stop at Marwar? There are direct trains Ajmer to Jodhpur.

Ah, Is that the 2ja train? I couldn't find that anywhere on www.irctc.co.in which is why I chose Ajmer-Marwar-Jodhpur as I thought the 2ja went via marwar anyway?

I think after reading steven_ber's excellent thread on sleeper class I may go for that as were on quite a small daily allowance (£15-£20) and should be able to handle it being quite young and both heavy sleepers. What's it like to try and buy sleeper tickets on the day? Or are they in even higher demand as there what most of the indian population can afford?

Thanks for answering my silly questions!

HelenR · Jan 7th, 2009, 03:36

Except for one cancellation, none of our trains were more than 2 hours late. Maybe we got lucky, I'm not sure.

About sleeper class... After what I've seen, I would definitely not recommend sleeper class to anyone. The scene is of total chaos since everyone wants a window seat, there's all this pushing and shoving, plus there's the luggage issue...

We were awakened several times on the trains in 2AC, mostly because of someone's loud music. They have these mini-TVs or something like that (I don't think they were iPhones but quite similar, with a screen and all) and they love watching music videos on them. Maybe people in sleeper class won't have them though, I don't know how expensive those things are.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

s.evans670@btinterne · Jan 7th, 2009, 13:36

2ac and sleeper class are both different when we have travelled ac in the past we have had no problems with noise/loud music I hope we have no problems this time as we spend at least 5/6 nights on trains next month

Aishah · Jan 7th, 2009, 15:22

I think everyone has different experiences - I travel mainly 2AC or 1st Class, and in all the time I've been here, have not found noise problems on the train at night. Maybe it's different routes having different problems, mine has been mainly between Jodhpur and Delhi or Pathankot, or Delhi to Dehra Dun or Pathankot. All have been fine - everyone bunkered down not late for the night and sleeping.

HelenR · Jan 8th, 2009, 10:49

I guess we were unlucky. All of our Varanasi trains and both of our Amritsar-Delhi trains were loud.

We ran into the same problem on the sleeper bus too so it's really just about luck...

diasal · Jan 21st, 2009, 17:06

I am now ready to pay but the section comes up with different optins CITI etc ,which one do i choose ?i have a visa debit card,what does i-pin number mean ,i dont have one .can someone help?

Diasal, I have merged your post with an existing thread on the subject. If you go back a few pages you should find your answer. If you have any more problems with payment post here for help. Good luck! karuna

K_Shel · Feb 9th, 2009, 20:15

WL means wait list right? Weve just booked a train from Thivim to Mumbai for Fri night and our e tickets say Booking status WL 24 & 25 & Current Status WL 14 & 15. What do we do?

The status says delivered though?
We tried to book takal but it wouldnt let us initially we then just did general and it worked.

Dec 28th, 2008, 10:13	#682
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,625	I certainly wouldn't buy the tickets for those classes when you get to the station - AC 2 Tier sleeper, can be fully booked at least a fortnight prior to the date. Is there a particular reason why you want to stop at Marwar? There are direct trains Ajmer to Jodhpur. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Jan 21st, 2009, 17:06	#689
diasal Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: midlands Posts: 26	Booking rail tickets from abroad- a Beginner's Guide I am now ready to pay but the section comes up with different optins CITI etc ,which one do i choose ?i have a visa debit card,what does i-pin number mean ,i dont have one .can someone help? Diasal, I have merged your post with an existing thread on the subject. If you go back a few pages you should find your answer. If you have any more problems with payment post here for help. Good luck! karuna

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Dec 20th, 2008, 12:16	#676
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	I haven’t booked on - line ticket yet but I’ve been familarising myself with the various forms, reading IM posts and trying to anticipate any glitches before I try it. I have a mastercard and I will try the axis gateway. I’ve done a few dummy runs. I’ve gone as far as the Axis payment form there seems only three things required cc number, expiry date and cvv number. After that page can anyone tell me is there any other authentication page or form to go through ? (as I haven’t dared to touch the pay button yet). The reason I ask is that in my research on the Cleartrip website (thought I might need it as alternative) there’s statement about international mastercards going through a further securecode verification page involving pin number, internet password and so on and those that fail it will be rejected- it’s all spelt out in the FAQ. As I think that my card mightn’t have this level of authentication (checked on mastercard website) I am concerned if this additional security hurdle exists on the irtc website as well. Darryl

Dec 24th, 2008, 08:20	#677
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	I've actually done it - booked a ticket on-line this morning - easy peasy. I used the axis gateway with mastercard and there were no additional pin numbers etc to enter. I used the main booking form on the irtc website. One thing - what I said about the additional pin number, internet password etc in the above post - I think I noticed when I did a dummy run but using the "Quickbook" option on their website - not 100% certain but the Quickbook option seemed to have different forms and process on the payment section - something prospective users may want to investigate before they use.

Dec 25th, 2008, 18:59	#678
s.evans670@btinterne Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: liverpool uk Posts: 155	We have booked and paid for our rail travel for febuary09 on e tickets all we have to do is turn up with prn numbers in hand fantastic cant wait, Steve

Dec 27th, 2008, 17:36	#679
Darryl Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 96	...and the print out..dont forget the printout - tho I guess 50rps penalty and a ticket reissue wouldn't concern many of we tourists..

Dec 28th, 2008, 09:22	#681
jamesg200312 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London Posts: 12	Hi there. I'm looking to book some of my train tickets online before I head out to North India. One concern I have however is booking train tickets within close proximity of the other. I have heard lots of Indian trains running / arriving late and don't want to miss the train i've already paid for. For instance below: Monday 9th Feb: Ajmer (JN) - Marwar 9708 Aravali Express Depart: 11:20 Arrive: 13:15 338Rs (£4.67) AC 2 Tier Sleeper Monday 9th Feb: Marwar (MJ) - Jodhpur (JU) 6312 Bikaner Express Depart: 14:55 Arrive:17:00 290Rs (£4.05) AC 2 Tier Sleeper Would this be too risky? For journey's like this, is it easier to just buy the tickets when I get to the station? thanks for your kind help.

Dec 28th, 2008, 14:27	#683
s.evans670@btinterne Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: liverpool uk Posts: 155	we booked our tickets for two on the same day without problem and have recieved the prn no im sorry for the quick reply but Im late for work.

Jan 7th, 2009, 03:36	#685
HelenR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 116	Except for one cancellation, none of our trains were more than 2 hours late. Maybe we got lucky, I'm not sure. About sleeper class... After what I've seen, I would definitely not recommend sleeper class to anyone. The scene is of total chaos since everyone wants a window seat, there's all this pushing and shoving, plus there's the luggage issue... We were awakened several times on the trains in 2AC, mostly because of someone's loud music. They have these mini-TVs or something like that (I don't think they were iPhones but quite similar, with a screen and all) and they love watching music videos on them. Maybe people in sleeper class won't have them though, I don't know how expensive those things are. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Jan 7th, 2009, 13:36	#686
s.evans670@btinterne Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: liverpool uk Posts: 155	2ac and sleeper class are both different when we have travelled ac in the past we have had no problems with noise/loud music I hope we have no problems this time as we spend at least 5/6 nights on trains next month

Jan 7th, 2009, 15:22	#687
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,625	I think everyone has different experiences - I travel mainly 2AC or 1st Class, and in all the time I've been here, have not found noise problems on the train at night. Maybe it's different routes having different problems, mine has been mainly between Jodhpur and Delhi or Pathankot, or Delhi to Dehra Dun or Pathankot. All have been fine - everyone bunkered down not late for the night and sleeping.

Jan 8th, 2009, 10:49	#688
HelenR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 116	I guess we were unlucky. All of our Varanasi trains and both of our Amritsar-Delhi trains were loud. We ran into the same problem on the sleeper bus too so it's really just about luck...

Feb 9th, 2009, 20:15	#690
K_Shel Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 42	WL means wait list right? Weve just booked a train from Thivim to Mumbai for Fri night and our e tickets say Booking status WL 24 & 25 & Current Status WL 14 & 15. What do we do? The status says delivered though? We tried to book takal but it wouldnt let us initially we then just did general and it worked.