Solving problems with IRCTC/Cleartrip registration

Oki, that's nice to know. But so how does that add up with your finding it a "new" thing in your

And if so, maybe you'd like to share some more details on it. It would be of interest to others here. Best on a new thread of its own, this one isn't really about it.

Selar & Mach, I visited the link provided by the site and here is my view on it:

I found maximum of the package without details (I mean, without link) and wherever it is provided (only with "SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TOUR"), it is asking to submit enquiry for rates.

If you go through the details you would be finding it is not clear any train ride would b provided. It simply says meeting at railway station on arrival and transfer to railway station to board train for onward journey.

IMO, it requires more brushing up!

I have been through the whole, incredibly frustrating, process of trying to register with IRCTC from the UK. It has taken me almost a month and several phone calls to IRCTC help line in India and about 30 emails. Finally this morning I managed to register. Hey guess what! I can only pay for my train reservation (The Kalka - Simla Shivalk Dlx Exp) with either an indian Credit Card or Amex card. Neither in my wallet full of UK credit cards do I have! AAAGGGHHHH! I have managed to book all of my other train journeys during my stay in India through Cleartrip.com without any problem, but for some reason this particular journey can only be booked through IRCTC. Unless someone else has any suggestions.

Selena
Welcome to IM.
Congrats on becoming one of the select few to have a functioning IRCTC account in the UK.

Unfortunately it is Amex or nothing from the UK. We got ours no bother via Sainsburys' as it is linked to their Nectar card scheme.

The Shivalik does have 8 seats per trip in Foreign Tourist Quota. That was my plan until I got IRCTC working. When do you travel? How long are you in India before you travel the KS?

Hi Dave,
After all that bother setting up my Irctc account, in the end I asked one of the hotels that I am staying in to make the reservations for me, so I am now sorted, phew! I cannot understand why this particular train cannot be booked through cleartrip.com like everything else??
We are travelling to India on 28th Feb. All by train - Delhi - Shimla - Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur and finally ending up in Goa for a bit of beach relaxation!

Sadly Cleartrip don't seem to be interested in improving their service. It's not just on the Kalka - Simla. I wanted a Duronto between Jaipur and Mumbai which they don't list, hence the somersaults to get my IRCTC account working again.

Nice itinerary apart from the last bit. I prefer trains for relaxation.

A bit more of an update as at 21 January. I tried to book train tickets on line with irctc this afternoon but was unable to access my account.
I booked the tickets that I wanted via Cleartrip with no difficulty and checked my e-mail for their confirmation message. In my inbox was a message from irctc from early this morning to tell me that they had reset my password. I know not why. This new password worked and allowed me to set a password of my own choice and then book a trip up and down the Matheran.

Conclusion. It is currently possible to book from outside India using both Cleartrip and IRCTC (with Amex)

for all India fans: its possible to book from www.cleartrip.com also with "german" Visa Credit Card...so happyyyyyyyy

Hi

1. Set alarm for 8am on the day before travel (under new rules this is when they are released) so that I could book Taktal ticket for Sealdah-New Japaliguri tomorrow...

2. Alarmed! No availability on Cleartrip for Taktal till 10am, because "agents" can't book tickets for the first two hours, and Cleartrip are viewed as an agent...

3. Felt very clever when I found my old IRCTC log-in details (though I remembered vaguely that I might have moved to Cleartrip because foreign credit cards might not work...)

4. Went through the IRCTC booking process and yes, it still rejects my Visa card (not Indian enough)

5. Felt even cleverer when I searched on Indiamike and found that Amex would be accepted! Yay! Dug out my Amex card...

6. Errr... FAIL! 15-digit Amex (as opposed to 16-digit) not accepted!

It does seem faintly ridiculous that foreigners (other than 16-digit Amex cardholders) can't use the taktal system for the first 2 hours that they're available. My understanding is that the whole Taktal system was overhauled because of corrupt purchase of tickets - now what they have done is restricted it to Indians *only* on the internet for the first two hours that they're available. Hmmmm... seems pretty mad to me. I guess you could still brave a station at 8am...

If you're IRCTC reading this (some hope) please do something!!

Oh well. Another day in India. Here's hoping my ticket's still avail at 10am on Cleartrip...

Count D

Something strange is happening - I am trying to book on IRCTC 89 days in advance and finding that 2AC (KGP_NDLS) is already WL! Trying for departure KGP on May 11 or 12.

Finally bought 1AC for May 11.

Cheers

Nattusbs

ok, a bit confused here about AMEX.

I am in the USA and do have an American Express credit card. Practically speaking, what benefits will this give me as far as IRCTC or cleartrip goes?

As far as IRCTC goes, the registration method as outlined on this thread should be good to go.

As far as ClearTrip goes, that route just seems to be out at the moment for foreigners, as outlined at New regulations on Cleartrip.com.

(Sam, I realize you're aware of some of these threads now, but this will be read by others, of course.)

Though I guess technically once you manage to register with IRCTC, this should also allow you access again to booking with ClearTrip. Except then there wouldn't seem to be much reason to use ClearTrip for it anymore, unless you should find that exceptionally handy or so.

I got registered with IRCTC without Indian modile by emailing them at care@irctc.co.in with a scan of my passport. In return they emaailed me my mobile code which worked OK and I got registered. BUT; they say as a foreigner I can use only Amex which I do not have and one more BUT: while trying to merge my IRCTC account with my Cleartrip or with my Makemytrip accounts the system asked for a new email and a new mobile phone code. I am thinkng to approach IRCTC agaign and ask them for mobile code in the same manner BUT is there any use for me not having Amex?

Do Cleartrip or Makemytrip accept foreign Visa or MC cards after new reguslations are in force?

I have asked them but no reply.

I got a reply from Makemytrip, they do not accept foreign Visa or MC cards.

Cleartrip does accept foreign credit cards.
Once you go thru the additional process of registering your account with irctc, you should be able to book your tickets via cleartrip.