Necessity of Pre-Booking Trains?

I'll be back in India for the second time in April and May, though it'll be the first time I'm really "on my own" (handling all the logistics and stuff). I was informed by another poster on another thread that as it'll be "the season" in April and May, I will have to make advanced bookings for my train tickets.

I intend to fly in to Kolkata, spend a couple of days there for my companion to "get used to India" (her first time), then hop on a train to NJP (for Darjeeling and Sikkim), back to NJP for the trains to Varanasi/Mughal Sarai, then on to Agra, Delhi. Maybe try to catch a flight to Mumbai, then Goa, then back to Mumbai, though there's also a possibility that I will end up on trains for the whole route.

Some questions:

- the most important: since it's April/May.. is it really really necessary that I get all my tickets booked beforehand? Or can I just hang around the city and try for the foreign or ladies' quota? (I remember not being able to get a ticket for NJP from Kolkata in December on any quota, and ending up on a bone-rattling WBTC Rocket Bus!) I will be travelling 2A or 3A most of the time, maybe unreserved or Chair for routes like Agra-Delhi.. so is it advisable to pre-book, all the way?

- any advice against travelling in AC classes all the way? On the routes I'd mentioned, are there any that have 'must see' scenery, or anything you might hate being stuck in an AC coach for? Is sleeper class in the Indian summer madness, esp. for two young ladies?

- do you think that's "too much of train"? I haven't done so many train rides before (except Singapore to Thailand)..

In April/May it's probably better to book ahead, the schools are out and many Indian families are on holiday at this time of year!!
Plus at this time of year the AC carriages will be heavily subscribed as even for the local Indians it's dang hot!!

Ladies and Tourist quotas aren't available on all trains and where they are present they are usually pretty small. So as you've already learnt they don't always help.

Taktal tickets are another way of getting tickets at short notice but it's an expensive way to travel, say the train leaves from Delhi going to Howrah (kalkota) if you board in Varanasi under the taktal scheme you have to pay for the point to point journey, from Delhi to Howrah and a fairly heavy booking fee

General class is Ok for those short journeys and if it all gets too much on those crowded wooden seats you can upgrade your ticket to second class just ask the TT, there's generally some empty seats awaiting passenger boarding further down the line.

Don't try this for overnight journeys, as you can really come unstuck, I know I tried it and spent 22 hours sitting on my rucksac near the toilets!!

AC carriages don't afford you the same views as second class but I suggest in April/May it might be wise, second class travel at this time of years is like travelling in a dusty oven.
For good views in AC, just make for the carriage door, great views!!

In summing up if you want to be in certain places at certain times book ahead (remember you can get refunds on tickets should you decide to hang around in a place you like but always check there's a seat of a train in the next few days before doing this) that way no suprises, you know your on a train.

If you don't mind being stuck somewhere for 1.2.3 even 5 days just book as you go!!

Hope that helps

Happy Travelling!!

This is near the peak season so do book your tickets as early as possible & the same for hotel bookings too.
Considering the season travel in AC carriages highly recommended.

Thanks for your great help.. will definitely book ahead.

Can't wait to go back to India!

Dear skinnylatte,
In addition to what Mr.cyberhippie had stated, I would like to further advise you:
To the best of your extent possible, make sure you are always a Passenger from end-to-end so that you do not get embroiled in the waitlist problems, more so, when April&May is peak season and the demand for AC Coaches is unimaginable and unmanageable.
........
Kindly note the Quotas for the journeys between two Intermediate Stations (or) from Starting point to an Intermediate Station (or) from Intermediate Station to Terminating Station would be too less to accomodate more persons.
-----
Don't rely too much on Tatkal Bookings too!!!!
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V.Srinivasa Prasad
21.3.2006/14.20 hrs.

OK I just tried to book on IRTC.

Does not look good. Does this mean there are no more seats? If i select "Show availability" I get results like:

1 21- Apr- 2006 WL 20/WL 6
2 22- Apr- 2006 WL 20/WL 8
3 23- Apr- 2006 WL 17/WL 5
4 24- Apr- 2006 WL 1/WL 1
5 25- Apr- 2006 WL 3/RAC 6
6 26- Apr- 2006 WL 18/WL 13


RAC - Reservation Against Cancellation
WL - Wait List
RLWL - Remote Location Wait List
PQWL - Pooled Quota Wait List
REGRET/WL - No More Booking Permitted

Hi
There's also a drop down box, that asks which quota you want to use select foriegn tourist to see if the train has a foreign tourist quota!!

OOps just realised your booking online right............ in that case (can't book foreign tourist tickets online) I would go with the 24th or the 25th if you book now I'm pretty sure you'll get upgraded to comfirmed ticket!! In the intervening month.

Your ticket will get upgraded when people cancel their tickets which they often do in India!!

You can check the progress of your ticket using the PNR checking service from Indian Railways!!

Can't get on IR right now, or I would have posted the link.

By the way which class were you trying to book??

ah thanks!

i was trying to book the darjeeling mail. either 2A or 3A. 3A looks like they still have some confirmed availability. i just read through Beach's excellent post.. now i know a little abt what it means.

my friend has a friend in kolkata who is a travel agent.. i think i will book kolkata to NJP myself online, then get him to book the rest for me thru the ladies or foreign quotas. keeping my fingers crossed.

i feel like im aging 10 years..

how do you think my chances with WL 20/WL 8 are like?

Be advised, officially a travel agent can't book you on the tourist quota without your passport, than again this is India, he will at the very least need your passport number.

Don't stress too much, chances are you can book all you trips (apart from the first one) when you arrive, at the tourist cell in Kalkota, using the tourist quota (these guys are brilliant they'll get you on the trains you want or come up with a suitable option!!) the tourist quotas will be pretty quiet at this time of year with less tourists on the road!!

This is what I meant when I said book ahead, do it in the tourist cell, just have all your details to hand!!

For some more info on Indian trains you can look here!!

Dear skinnylatte,
Please look at the 3A Availability by 2343 SDAH-NJP Darjeeling Mail for the period desired by you:-
---
You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2343 DARJEELING MAIL 21-4-2006 SEALDAH NEW JALPAIGURI GENERAL

S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 3A
1 21- 4-2006 AVAILABLE- 0048

2 22- 4-2006 RAC 6/RAC 6

3 23- 4-2006 AVAILABLE- 0014

4 24- 4-2006 AVAILABLE- 0036

5 25- 4-2006 AVAILABLE- 0074

6 26- 4-2006 AVAILABLE- 0110
============================== ===
V.Srinivasa Prasad
21.3.2006/17.40 hrs.

Dear skinnylatte,
The reason for RAC on 22.4.2006 is that 23.4.2006 is SUNDAY!!!!
----
V.Srinivasa Prasad
21.3.2006/17.41 hrs.

thanks for your help guys.

i'm booking 3A now... 48 availabilities! so glad.

i intend to go to varanasi from NJP.. but i'm not sure on which date because i think i will like to go to darjeeling and sikkim first then decide how long i want to spend there.

if i intend to buy the NJP-varanasi ticket from a travel agent while i'm in darjeeling or sikkim.. do you reckon taht's too much of a risk to take?

The section passing through New Jalpaiguri is a very busy section, try to guess the date you'll travel and book the train yourself in advance.

Train 2505 departs New Jalpaiguri (station code NJP) daily at 17:00 and gets to Mughal Sarai (MGS) at 07:20.

Mughal Sarai is about 18 Kms from Varanasi.

Train 5632 (Th & Sa) and train 5636 (M) departs New Jalpaiguri at 18:10 and gets to Mughal Sarai at 09:05. (train 5636 then gets to Varanasi (BSB) at 10:10)

2A = Rs 1267
3A = Rs 812
SL = Rs 310

Note: - I'm sure I read something about train 2505 in the railway budget, I'll check then update the info.

attempts to book through IRCTC took as long as expected. however, at the last leg after payment.. after payment was processed i was brought to a blank page which at a payseal.com address (i'm assumign that's the payment gateway irctc is using). with no verification or confirmation of the amount i was charged, or confirmation of my tickets (i opted for e-ticket).

i've tried using every browser on my computer to access my booking history and reprint history but i only get errors, and am unable to proceed further. have tried calling the 24hour customer service lines but they are all unavailable.

short of email to customer service, i really don't know what i can do.

is the experience i have described perfectly normal?