Tatkal ticket booking: 5 tips to get a confirmed train ticket

Tatkal ticket booking for your next train journey can be tedious. Not only do you have to be agile when booking the ticket but you also must be vigilant enough not to make mistakes. Tatkal tickets help you secure a seat on a train of your choice when the regular quota is full or when you have urgent plans to travel on a train. Also Read: IRCTC Down: Passengers Not Able to Book Tatkal Ticket, Booking Cancelled

However, tatkal tickets do not always guarantee a confirmed ticket. You are likely to end up with a waitlisted ticket from the Tatkal quota. Here are five tips you can follow to increase your chances of getting a confirmed ticket.

How to get a confirmed Tatkal ticket

— Be aware of the exact opening time: Tatkal ticket bookings open at fixed times, irrespective of the train. While the bookings for journeys above 120 kilometres open at 10 am every day, those for tickets for journeys below 120 kilometres start at 11 am. You must also ensure a secure internet connection for ticketing.

— Have multiple logins ready: IRCTC prevents users from logging into their accounts on more than one device simultaneously. To increase your chances of getting a ticket, you can create login IDs for friends or family members who can try booking the same ticket at the same time.

— Keep the passenger list ready: You are required to fill in details such as the passenger’s name, age, and ID proofs while booking a ticket. Typing these details takes time. You can save these details by creating passenger lists to save time during the booking process and increase your chances of securing a confirmed ticket.

— Use faster payment options: IRCTC supports various payment methods, such as digital wallet, UPI, credit cards, debit cards, net banking, and pay-later options. However, some of these methods are often reliable and take time to complete. You should ensure to go with a fast and reliable payment method for a quicker checkout.

— Consider alternate options: If the train you are booking a ticket for is in high demand on particular days, you can consider booking Tatkal tickets for trains with less demand or on weekdays, given your travel dates are flexible.