e-ticket OR i-ticket???

Hello,

I've been looking around the forum but there isn't seem to be a clear answer.

When I go to the irctc website to book my tickets, it gives me an option for "e-ticket" or "i-ticket". Which one should I choose?

My hotel people say they can do the job if I can't do it but I still want to know how I can book these tickets in advance.

IS e-ticket option one that I want if I want to print my own e-ticket? Or if I wanted to have the tickets delivered to my hotel before my arrival, do I choose i-ticket option?

I'm a little confused. Help please.

Thanks!

You are right.
If you choose the e-ticket option, you'll have to specify and carry one identification card. No ticket will be delivered to you. For the latter, ticket will be delivered and can be booked not later than (if i remember correcly) three days before the date of journey.

Which would be a recommended choice? Should I have all my e-tickets booked in advance and travel with the paper print out and a card? or should I have them delivered to my hotel?

Go for the e-ticket option. For getting i-tickets in IRCTC, you need to provide address details which , in this case, should be of the hotel perhaps. I don't feel that it's a good option to provide hotel address as yours.

THANK YOU!

I will book with e-ticket option.

Yes - that's the answer I would give too - e-ticket. But be careful because they can give you WaitListed tickets which you might buy - it's always risky with WL tickets, so make sure you get confirmed bookings before you buy.

Dear eurahong,

I've been looking around the forum but there isn't seem to be a clear answer.

##There have been lengthy discussions about E-Ticket and I-Tickets - advantages & disadvantages of E-Tickets and I-Tickets.

##Coming back, the authorities have recently made a provision for issue of E-Tickets with Waitlist Status, which was not there earlier. While extending this 'benefit'(?), it was made very clear, if the status does not moves into either RAC or Confirmed during Charting or before Charting, the E-Ticket with WL Status would automatically get cancelled, and if the passenger is found on the Train with this E-Ticket Print-out (**that got cancelled) knowingly or unknowingly, will be treated as Passenger travelling without ticket and suitably will be penalised.
-----
##Since you seem to be from Canada, FOR GOD SAKE DON'T PURCHASE E-TICKETS WITH WAITING LIST STATUS.

If you have one identification card + RAC or confirmed ticket is available then you go for E-ticket.Sometime paper ticket gets delayed & also, canceling e-ticket is possible online(money gets deposited to your bank) where as for paper ticket you need to visit railway station.

Wait list is allowed in both & you can always check your WL status online before boarding the train.
If you are not moved to RAC or confirmed you should not board the train in case of E-ticket.

VSP, how is it different to having an i-ticket, or a wait-listed ticket bought any other way, and why are you so vehement in recommending eurahong not to buy WL tickets?

e-ticket is best.Just carry one id proof(passport/driving license/pan card etc) along with the print out of the ERS(Electronic Reservation Slip) and travel without any hassle.

An i ticket means depending on fragile human networks and incurring considerable insecurity as a result..

Nick i guess u meant e-ticket.. as to my knowledge the answer would be "due to automatic cancellation of e-ticket".. in a normally bought ticket which is on waitlist.. you can travel on train but without reserved seat (mostly in general bogeys, n sometimes in reserved coaches), as it is not automatically cancelled..

Due to automatic cancellation of e-ticket.. u lose the option of travlling in general bogey too..

and if unknowingly treating it as a normal waitlisted ticeket u travel you'll be penalised

Chances of getting your berth with WL e-ticket are very small - there's a whole lot in Train Information re WL tickets. You have to wait until all RAC tickets are filled first before WL starts.
Mr K and I one time had WL1 and WL2. We were sure we would get the train. Not a chance, even though we were on the platform and spoke with TC himself. Even if booking ticket through an agent, or train station itself, I will never take a WL ticket.