internet booking

mahemia

Hi all!

We're taking Shatabdi Express from NDLS to Agra Cant on 23rd of July (coming back in the evening to Delhi).

Also we're going to Simla on 25th (1stop in Kalka) in the Himalayan Queen.

Also I'm planning a route (25july-3aug) in Himachal Pradesh and my main transport option, if it is possible, is train.

I've some questions:

1) Shatabdi's CC class is ok? it has AC? Better class for Himalayan? We don't want luxe but a little bit of comfort and AC...

2) e-ticket is sure? Can I book it now or it is too early? It's better to order my hotel manager to book tickets for me?

3) Is e-ticket avaliable for the trains I'm taking?

4) How about do Himachal by train? it's possible, do you recomend it? Do the himachal trains has e-ticket option avaliable? Some must go trains in the region?

Thanks a lot and best wishes for all!!

mousourik

Hi mahemia,
Welcome to India.
1. The status of Shatabdi is next to Rajdhani in Indian railways. CC means ac chair car. Shatabdi is full ac train. It's not okay actually, it's absolutely good.
2. Booking starts 90 days before (and excluding) the date of journey. If your program is fixed, do book the tickets asap. e-ticket is fine, but remember to carry any proof of identity which, being a foreigner, you must be doing anyway.
3. Check irctc.co.in - i feel that e-tickets are available for every train.

Happy journey.

steven_ber

No time for full reply....just 2 quick bits of info.

There is a chance some of the trains you mention can only be booked 30 days ahead, some short distance trains have this restriction.

The following is from another post....

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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

mahemia

Thanks mousourik and sveven,

Well I've already registered in IRTC and I was having my first contact with the reservation forms...

I'd like to catch by the net as train tickets as I can for my India trip...so I'd really appreciate you answer me some questions:

1) I prefer to use e-ticket instead of i-ticket. If I'm not wrong, with e-ticket I can print my tickets at home and just go with them to the corresponding platform and just take the train. I'm right, is it so easy as it seems to be? PLEASE CLARIFY ME THIS POINT!

2) Can I pay with a tipical VISA credit card? (I've it registered in an Spanish bank) If not, there's another way to use e-ticket option?

3) How have I to fill the section "photo ID card details"??

I've to fill these fields:
Photo Identity card holder*
ID Card Type*
ID Card No*
Issuing Authority* I've no idea about how to fill this propertly!!

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP!!

steven_ber

Yes, it is that easy, the ticket you print is the same ticket you present on the train.

Yes, try the citibank payment gateway.

Use your passport details as you should always be carrying your passport with you in India. (use passport number)

ksrao801

I have a question here. What happens if one has to cancel the ticket? Will the refund to the credit card be made if it is not an Indian rupee credit card? I had a problem once for a hotel payment which was never credited back to my visa cars.

K. sankara Rao

bruce3404

Yes, it will post back to the credit card. Mine was automatically converted to my local currency (though I'm sure I paid a few % for the "privilege"). All in all, IRCTC is a very efficient system and isolates you from the hellish bureaucracy of dealing with actual living beings at the train station.