India - How to Book a Train in India
On the Cheap: India - How to Book a Train in India
Travelling around India by train is an experience! They have a really good rail system set up, but keep in mind, "India is great, but always late!"
IRCTC
To book a train online for travel in India, you need to have a verified account with IRCTC. To do this, head to their website and find the 'Sign Up" button. Fill out the entire form on the Sign Up page, and if you do not have an Indian mobile number, just put 0000000000. You need an Indian mobile in order to receive a confirmation code to confirm your identity, but there is a way to get around this!
Email your username, password and a scan of your passport (to confirm your identity) to the IRCTC customer care email: care@irctc.co.in . They should response in a day with a confirmation code to verify your account.
Cleartrip
While that's happening, create a Cleartrip account. This website links to the IRCTC website, but is much easier to use, and has a good app attached to it, so your train times are easy to track while you are travelling. You can also add in flight details so all your transport information is in one place.
Train Travel Tips
Do not book AC Chair Class (SS) or Second Sitting (2S) unless you are really desperate, as they basically cram as many people as possible in, and you are sitting/standing. All the other classes have beds, so you can get a good (ish) nights sleep (saving on accomodation).
Book at least a month in advance to ensure you get the train you want.
Sometimes there is a waitlist to get on the trains. We found that with any waitlist that was under 50 people long, we would generally end up being issued a bed
Take a blanket if you are taking an overnight train. Some classes supply blankets and pillows but the cheaper ones do not.
A train ride will generally take around 1.5 times the suggested time. For example, a 12 hour train ride will take about 18 hours.
Take snacks, water, toilet paper and hand sanitiser
Enjoy!
:)
