Tatkal Ticket in IRCTC Site Possible?

Dear friends !

I just came across a difficulty when I tried to book a AC 3 tier tatkal ticket of Doon Express [3010] and also Sealdah Rajdhani Express online using the IRCTC website, but was getting a message that "Booking not permitted. Try some other Train/Class."

I was just wondering if Taktals are not possible to book online or it was my systems problem or something.

Please do advice someone.

I'm only guessing as there could be other reason, but are you within the 5 day reservation period? Taktal booking is only allowed at 8AM on five days before of actual date of journey excluding date of journey.

We're having to guess as you've given nothing useful to work on.

My guess....

As the Doon Express and the Rajdhani start from different stations and cities, I'll guess that you're boarding at neither, and are not going the full route.

Tatkal tickets are sold for the whole of the train's route (though you can choose to board at another station), and if you tried to book from (for example) Allahabad to Kolkata, the website wouldn't allow you to.

Really Steven I thought the tickets were charged for the whole journey only.

It would be a real mess if you had to know the end stations before you could book the tatkal quota ticket, it would leave most people floundering.
I'm not doubting your expertise but I am thinking what a dumb idea.

The rules seem to concur Steven

Or does the wording pertain only to the charges incurred. That would make more sense.
I was going to try it out myself but reservations are closed for the day.

Still think it's an unfriendly system if this is the case.

A few years ago I tried to book Tatkal from an intermediate station and couldn't, I then booked from originating station to the terminating station, but opted to change the boarding station, this was allowed.

I'm guessing it's still the same.

It's difficult to think of a correct way to sell these tickets, can you imaging a tourist booking the Kerala Express from Agra to Delhi, and booking via Tatkal, the cost would be massive, and would a tourist know this wasn't the cheapest option?

Thank you all so much for your responses.

Yes trustindia,I was within the 5 day limit of Tatkal service.

And you are right steve_ber, I was trying to book the tickets from "Haridwar" for Doon Express,which is not the starting point,maybe that was the possible reason of not being able to book the tickets, which I could only confirm again tomorrow morning.

But,can you please instruct me,how I can opt to board in "Haridwar" for a Tatkal ticket in Doon Express ? Dehradoon is the starting point for the journey.And I would like to go to Kolkata,the last point of the journey.

Weird, I've booked from intermediate station before without a problem, this was at the train station of course. I imagined it would be the same online.

I can't remember how to book, then board at another station, it's been so long since I done it.

You'll have to select Dehra Dun and Howrah, then have a look around, I seem to remember having to click on a box with a train symbol on it (or was is a station code), anyway, I think there was then a list of stations that the train called at, you then select Haridwar.

Let us know if that's still correct.

I'm surprised you're not allowed to book Tatkal from Haridwar on the Doon Express.

thanks a lot steven_ber!
I can try it again tomorrow,as the site is closed now.And I will certainly write about it here after I try.Yes,I couldn't book the Tatkal ticket from Haridwar when I tried earlier.

Could be one of 2 things.

1, a ticket seller doing it all for you.

2, some trains allow tatkal from other stations, especially if the train passes through a major city, then terminates at another major city, for example, do a search for Delhi - Mumbai trains, look at the trains that start north of Delhi (Golden Temple Mail, Punjab Mail etc.) then look for availability in Tatkal, you'll find Tatkal availability from Delhi to Mumbai.

how to book TRAN ticket headquarter quota online

how to book ticket headquarter quota online

You can't. Simple.