Tech Tips: How to book Tatkal train tickets, see timings, charges, and how to book!

Have you made last-minute travel plans? Or have an urgent event to attend in another city but haven't booked any train tickets in advance? Worry not, as IRCTC allows passengers to book train seats a day before the journey through its Tatkal scheme. Under this scheme, you can book tickets for Tatkal travel plans.

Indian Railways offers instant booking of train tickets for almost all its trains in all reserved classes. So be it sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, or 1AC you can get tickets at the last moment. However, there is a possibility that you may not get the seats as there are only limited seats under Tatkal booking.

Let us look at the timings, price, and how to book IRCTC Tatkal tickets online in detail.

IRCTC tatkal ticket booking time

IRCTC opens the booking window for Tatkal tickets one day prior to the date of commencement of the journey of the train from its originating station. So if you are traveling from Rajdhani Patna to Kanpur Delhi, the journey start date will be counted from the day the journey started from Rajdhani Patna.

Additionally, if you wish to book AC class tickets (2A/3A/CC/EC/3E), the booking window will open at 10:00 AM. Meanwhile, Tatkal tickets for non-AC classes (SL/FC/2S) can be booked from 11:00 am onwards.

IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Charges

Since IRCTC has to reserve seats for the Tatkal scheme, it charges extra for booking. So if the normal ticket price is Rs 900 then you have to pay around Rs 1300 for a Tatkal ticket. IRCTC levies 30% of the basic fare for all travel classes except second class (sitting) and its rate is 10%.

How to book Tatkal train ticket online through the IRCTC website

Go to the IRCTC website- irctc.co.in

Now login with your IRCTC User ID and Password. If you do not have an IRCTC account, you can create one by clicking on the "Sign Up" button and following the instructions.

After login, click on "Book Ticket".

Select the booking type "Tatkal" and fill in all the details including source station, destination station, and date of journey.

- Select your preferred train and class for your journey.

After this enter passenger details.

You can also choose your birth preference. However, it is not sure whether you will get your berth seat or not. As the lower births are usually given to the elders.

Now review the fare and other details, and then click on "Proceed to Payment".

- You can pay using Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or other available options.

- Confirm booking.

- Download the e-ticket.

How to book Tatkal train ticket online from the IRCTC app

To book a tatkal ticket through the IRCTC app-

Install the IRCTC app on your smartphone.

Open the app and log in to your IRCTC account.

Now select the option of 'Instant Booking'.

- Select train and date.

Enter passenger details.

- Select your preferred seat class and berth type.

- Check Fares

Pay for the ticket using Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking.

- Check payment status and download the ticket once it is confirmed.

You can also book Tatkal tickets through third-party apps like Paytm. Here is the step-by-step process to make a booking through the digital payment app.

How to book a tatkal train ticket on Paytm

Open the Paytm website or app on your device.

Click on the 'Train' option from the menu or homepage.

Now tap on the 'Instant' option.

Fill in the details like departure and arrival stations, date of journey, class of journey, etc.

- Select the train in which you wish to travel and click on the "Book Now" option.

- Enter passenger details.

- Review ticket details and select a payment option from the available options.

- Pay and complete the transaction.

- You will also receive a confirmation SMS and email regarding your ticket booking.