Booking rail tickets from abroad- a Beginner's Guide

lozza_84 · Jul 29th, 2009, 23:32

Thanks Rajered, that's certainly put my mind at rest. Yes I have an e-ticket and will carry a copy with me.

nigelg · Aug 6th, 2009, 15:08

After logging onto the IRCTC site http://www.irctc.co.in/ there is an announcement that there is an extra step when paying by credit card:

Quote:

Now all VISA/MASTER credit cards require an Extra Authentication to make an online transaction

and there is a link which explains more:

Quote:

To make online transaction process more secure through VISA/MASTER Credit Cards, RBI has made mandatory extra level of authentication called VBV (Verified by Visa) or MSC (Master Card Secure Code) password from 01st August 2009 onwards. This password is required to use while you are making an online transaction. All customers are requested to visit your respective card issuing bank’s website or VISA/MASTER sites and register your card for Verified by Visa or Master Card Secure Code to get your password.

For VISA Credit Card registration process, click on the following link
http://www.visa-asia.com/ap/sea/card...y/activate.jsp

For MASTER Credit Card registration process, click on the following link
http://www.mastercard.com/us/persona...e/sign_up.html

I tried the Visa link, but it only has countries in Asia.

I do have a VbV credit card I use in the UK, but I am wondering whether it will work on IRCTC.

Has anyone tried to book tickets from the UK with credit cards since this came into force?

lozza_84 · Aug 10th, 2009, 18:29

Hi Nigel, I'm in the UK and I booked a ticket before the 1st August and even then still had to go through the 'Verified by Visa' authentication process. Luckily I already had it set up so it wasn't a problem.

You'll find this is a fairly standard process for most online payments these days (I need to use it for booking rail tickets in England) so i'd reccommend getting it set up.

The reason the visa link was only displaying Asian countries is that the link you are using is visa-asia.com, try searching for the UK or European equivalent. If you can't find it, contact your bank or card provider, I'm sure they'd be able to help you. Once it's done I don't see there will be a problem in using your card to book on IRCTC.

nigelg · Aug 11th, 2009, 03:50

Hi lozza, thanks for the info.

tombud10 · Aug 18th, 2009, 05:33

Which payment option do I select for buying E-tickets with:

A UK Lloyds TSB Debit Card

A UK Tesco Mastercard Credit Card

?

Thanks!

Tom

arunganpath · Aug 18th, 2009, 14:01

I would suggest Mastercard credit card.

tombud10 · Aug 19th, 2009, 05:35

Hello me again! Another query:

Is it true you can only currently book FOUR journeys per month for Indian Rail travel? Im booking e-tickets. I need about seven seperate tickets for my upcoming month-long visit (and one domestic flight)Does "per month" mean the month you are booking the tickets in, or the month you are travelling. I read somewhere else you could book TEN journeys a month.

Thanks for your help.

Tom

arunganpath · Aug 19th, 2009, 12:10

Tom, you can book upto 10 tickets in a month through IRCTC website. "Booking" here means the date on which you book the tickets and not the date of travel. This is to prevent agents accessing this site.

tombud10 · Aug 19th, 2009, 23:53

Most helpful! Thank you!

Tom

mhambrook · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash51

Great info.

After 10 failed attempts, mostly due to lost communications, I managed to get my e-tickets booked OK

Visa card using the CitiBank CP

If you ok it with your bank anyone can book e tickets at irctc site it saves loads of hassle waiting at stations for tourist quota tickets which are purely for tourists who dont book in advance just because you are a tourist doesnt mean you have to use tourist quota be sure to book at least 2 weeks in advance for sleeper class cheap as chips!

mhambrook · Sep 19th, 2009, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunganpath

Tom, you can book upto 10 tickets in a month through IRCTC website. "Booking" here means the date on which you book the tickets and not the date of travel. This is to prevent agents accessing this site.

there is no limit on how many tickets you can book in 1 month

machadinha · Sep 19th, 2009, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhambrook

there is no limit on how many tickets you can book in 1 month

No, that's untrue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhambrook

If you ok it with your bank anyone can book e tickets at irctc site

Most people report having to fiddle around some though with the right combination of correct payment gateway & the appropriate card to get it to work for them.

Quote:

be sure to book at least 2 weeks in advance for sleeper class

How do you come up with the two weeks? There's actually nothing to say about it not knowing which precise train and class and when.

DAVID_75 · Oct 5th, 2009, 22:13

Hello there, I tried to book train tickets from abroad but everytime I entered mu credit card details (mastercard) and confirmed payment I received a message that my bank had not authorised the payment. I then spoke to my bank and they told me that there is no problem from their side. I tried again with the same result. I have used another credit card (Amex)as well as another gateway (HDFC)as recommended by the India Rail Service Line. All in vain. I called again and was told that I cannot book trian tickets with a non-indian credit card but must book tourist tickets once I arrive in India...Is this true? What am I doing wrong? Help is much appreciated. David

vonkla · Oct 5th, 2009, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID_75

I have used another credit card (Amex)as well as another gateway (HDFC)as recommended by the India Rail Service Line. All in vain. I called again and was told that I cannot book trian tickets with a non-indian credit card but must book tourist tickets once I arrive in India...Is this true? What am I doing wrong? Help is much appreciated. David

Did you try the AXIS gateway. In most cases this is the best one.
You sure don't need an Indian creditcard.

DAVID_75 · Oct 5th, 2009, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonkla

Did you try the AXIS gateway. In most cases this is the best one.
You sure don't need an Indian creditcard.

Vonkla - Many thanks. It worked.

I am on WL 2 and 3 at the moment. Does this mean I need to reprint the ticket once seats are confirmed?

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Jul 29th, 2009, 23:32	#751
lozza_84 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 25	Thanks Rajered, that's certainly put my mind at rest. Yes I have an e-ticket and will carry a copy with me.

Aug 10th, 2009, 18:29	#753
lozza_84 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 25	Hi Nigel, I'm in the UK and I booked a ticket before the 1st August and even then still had to go through the 'Verified by Visa' authentication process. Luckily I already had it set up so it wasn't a problem. You'll find this is a fairly standard process for most online payments these days (I need to use it for booking rail tickets in England) so i'd reccommend getting it set up. The reason the visa link was only displaying Asian countries is that the link you are using is visa-asia.com, try searching for the UK or European equivalent. If you can't find it, contact your bank or card provider, I'm sure they'd be able to help you. Once it's done I don't see there will be a problem in using your card to book on IRCTC.

Aug 11th, 2009, 03:50	#754
nigelg Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UK Posts: 27	Hi lozza, thanks for the info.

Aug 18th, 2009, 05:33	#755
tombud10 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 24	Which payment option do I select for buying E-tickets with: A UK Lloyds TSB Debit Card A UK Tesco Mastercard Credit Card ? Thanks! Tom

Aug 18th, 2009, 14:01	#756
arunganpath Junior most member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 749	I would suggest Mastercard credit card.

Aug 19th, 2009, 05:35	#757
tombud10 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 24	Hello me again! Another query: Is it true you can only currently book FOUR journeys per month for Indian Rail travel? Im booking e-tickets. I need about seven seperate tickets for my upcoming month-long visit (and one domestic flight)Does "per month" mean the month you are booking the tickets in, or the month you are travelling. I read somewhere else you could book TEN journeys a month. Thanks for your help. Tom

Aug 19th, 2009, 12:10	#758
arunganpath Junior most member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 749	Tom, you can book upto 10 tickets in a month through IRCTC website. "Booking" here means the date on which you book the tickets and not the date of travel. This is to prevent agents accessing this site.

Aug 19th, 2009, 23:53	#759
tombud10 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: England Posts: 24	Most helpful! Thank you! Tom

Oct 5th, 2009, 22:13	#763
DAVID_75 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: London Posts: 2	Hello there, I tried to book train tickets from abroad but everytime I entered mu credit card details (mastercard) and confirmed payment I received a message that my bank had not authorised the payment. I then spoke to my bank and they told me that there is no problem from their side. I tried again with the same result. I have used another credit card (Amex)as well as another gateway (HDFC)as recommended by the India Rail Service Line. All in vain. I called again and was told that I cannot book trian tickets with a non-indian credit card but must book tourist tickets once I arrive in India...Is this true? What am I doing wrong? Help is much appreciated. David