- By Ridam Sharma
- Thu, 17 Apr 2025 05:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking Tips: Last-minute rail travel in India is nothing short of a juggling act for passengers. Tatkal tickets have always been a challenging situation for travellers across the nation. Tatkal or immediate seats are allotted to passengers when confirmed seats from regular quotas are full, which is one day before departure. With recent clarifications from IRCTC confirming no changes to booking timings as of 2025, here’s a step-by-step guide for travellers who want to secure a Tatkal ticket.
Key Information About Tatkal Tickets:
1. Tickets open one day before departure (excluding the travel date).
2. Timings:
For AC Couches (2A/3A/CC/EC/3E): 10:00 AM IST.
For Non-AC Classes (SL/FC/2S): 11:00 AM IST.
3. Fares: 10–30% more than the usual fare, with non-refundable confirmed tickets.
How To Book Tatkal Train Tickets Online Fast:
1. The first step of online train booking is Registration and Login
Through Website: Visit IRCTC’s official website, log in with credentials, or register with a verified mobile/email.
Through Mobile App : Download the IRCTC app (Android/ios) and log in.
2. Enter source, destination, and journey date.
3. Select “Tatkal” quota under the ticket type.
(Pro Tip: Use the Plan My Journey tool to check train routes and availability. )
4. Filter trains with Tatkal availability.
5. Click Book Now under your preferred class.
6. Enter names, age, gender, and valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.).
(Note: Only four passengers per PNR allowed. )
7. Payment
-You only get five minutes to complete payment (up from three minutes).
- Available Online payment Options are UPI, credit/debit cards and net banking.
8. After successful payment, download your e-ticket with PNR and passenger details.
FAQS
1. Which Is The Fastest App To Book A Tatkal Ticket?/ Which Is The Better Way To Book A Tatkal Ticket - Mobile Or Website?
| Feature | IRCTC Website | IRCTC App |
| Speed | Better for bulk bookings | Faster during peak traffic |
| Captcha | Standard complexity | Simplified input |
| Accessibility | Requires desktop setup | On-the-go booking |
How To Make Tatkal Booking Faster?
1. Do Pre-Login before the Tatkal booking schedule. Log in 10 to 15 minutes before booking time to avoid last-minute delays.
2. Use IRCTC’s auto-fill feature for passenger details.
3. Sometimes filling captcha takes most people’s time. Therefore, it becomes easy when you are already familiar with common CAPTCHA patterns to reduce errors.
How To Get A Tatkal Ticket Easily?
1. Use multiple devices, like a laptop and a smartphone, to increase chances.
2. Opt for stable internet connections like wired broadband or high-speed Wi-Fi over mobile data.
3. The IRCTC app often handles traffic better than the website during peak hours.
Things To Carry To The Railway Station After Tatkal Booking:
1. Verify your PNR. Confirm status via the IRCTC portal or apps like NTES.
2. Carry a printout or digital ticket with a valid ID.
3. Tatkal tickets always get checked; arrive 30+ minutes before departure.
Which Is The Fastest Payment Method For Tatkal Booking?
The most recommended fastest payment method for Tatkal booking is to use UPI for payments, as it's the fastest mode. If the UPI service is down, which is very rare, try again using a Debit card with PIN mode.
How To Increase The Chances Of A Tatkal Ticket?
1. ID Proof Mismatch is a problem. Therefore, ensure your name matches your ID exactly; discrepancies lead to boarding denial.
2. Keep card/UPI details ready to avoid a timeout.
3. People mostly face class confusion. It is important to know that First AC (1A) is excluded from Tatkal and Premium Tatkal offers limited seats at higher fares.
Which Is The Best Site To Book A Tatkal Ticket
The official IRCTC website is the best platform for booking Tatkal tickets. While other online platforms like MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, EaseMyTrip and Ixigo also offer Tatkal bookings. However, they ultimately redirect the traveller to the IRCTC website for the actual booking process.
Key Policy Updates For Tatkal Ticket Booking In 2025
1. No changes to agent timings, individual bookings prioritised.
2. Waitlisted Tatkal tickets follow standard cancellation charges (no refund for confirmed tickets).
3. OTP verification and unified login across app/website are necessary to prevent bot abuse.
Read Also: UIDAI Aadhaar Card Update: How to Change Name, Address and DOB on Aadhar Online