Train fares.

Just wanted to say that I think this thread should be made sticky... It has really a lot of useful information but is not easily found on the board. I remember reading it a couple of weeks ago and today I tried to find it again which was not easy.

The problem is that there are loads of really useful threads by many members in this section, we could easily have a whole page of stickys.

I've put links to some of them (including this one) in the 'Train Information' thread.

Thanks for all that info, i still found it very complicated and hard to understnad! i never even knew that a cjt was available but now that i do i wonder is it for me?

I wish to travel:
Delhi - Ramnagar - agra - gwalior - jaipur- mumbai - concona - cochi - Delhi
Do i qualify for the cjt? or does any variation of this journey? If so can i book it in advance throught the internet?

Thanks. Like i said, i tried to follow your info but got a bit lost so there may be something major i have overlooked!

Thanks in advance for your time and help!

Gemma

Dear Gemmy,
Your observation:-
"agra - gwalior - jaipur"
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@@@You cannot travel between Agra-Gwalior twice, because while going to Jaipur you have to come back to Agra again, unless that portion happens to be a branch line.
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@@@I am afraid, the CJTs cannot be purchased on the Internet.
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V.Srinivasa Prasad
1.3.2006/12.15 hrs.
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Thank you Steven Ber for all your hard work on the train section. I had been wanting to take Indian train trips forever it seems and never could work it out to be in a town long enough to get tickets. But with your info I booked 4 trips over the internet and it was absolutely terrific. The cheapest ticket was delivered to my hotel in Calcutta. I had visions of someone roaring up with it on a motorcycle. And the porters and touts at the stations were quite something else. (for a different thread I'm sure). Anyway, I really appreciate all your hard work.

I think I have the answer from other threads, but I'd just like to confirm:

The fare info on IR site always displays additional charges like Tatkal fare, extra res. charge, etc.
My question relates to the Shatabdi trains. Let's say booking is wide open, u show up 1 hour before departure, hand over the res. form and buy your ticket - do u have to pay the additional Tatkal fare as well? I think not, but I'd like to confirm.

Example: Take a look at train no. 2017 from NDLS to DDN on 14 Nov, General Quota.
The 1A fare is Rs. 900, no addl. fare,
the CC fare is Rs. 470, addl. Tatkal Rs. 150.

When does the Rs. 150 kick in? Only when booking under Tatkal quota, right?

Tatkal isn't allowed in 1A.

Tatkal quota has to be chosen to be able to purchase a ticket from the Tatkal quota (and pay the extra Tatkal charge).

Always check the general quota first, if there is no availability in the general quota, then try the Tatkal quota.

Even if you buy a ticket from the general quota a day before the train, you'll still only be charged the normal fare and no Tatkal charge.

There will only be a Tatkal charge if a ticket is purchased from the Tatkal quota,

Thanks, Steve.

That's what I thought too. Cheers.

Another Thank you. I was going to open up a separate thread about the concession(al/ary) fares but your first post clarified things. At first sight, just from the pick list for the Concession box on the Fare enquiry webpage of indianrail, it look as if I qualified for 3 different concessions ( 4 if my skill at reverse somersaults qualified me as a circus artist). Your base page, with the added definition of the qualifications eliminated 2 of them if I go by a strict definition of the category and I really should.

-skk

Steven Ber,

Good work on the trains, by the way. Your argument about the train ticket being a hotel stay is good. I've used that one on myself for years. In fact, many nights in 2nd class non-A/C I lie there reminding myself that I'm actually saving money by doing this.

Glad i found this site and read the well compiled info....

thanks