You book Indian trains on IRCTC, the official booking site and app, choosing a class anywhere from Sleeper up to AC First. Book as early as your dates are fixed — popular routes and classes sell out — and note that foreigners can also use the Foreign Tourist Quota, a separate allocation held back on popular trains.
The classes explained
Indian Railways classes
| Class | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | AC First Class | Private cabins, the priciest option, roughly ₹2,000–5,500 per journey (indicative) |
| 2A | AC 2-tier | Curtained berths, four to a bay, comfortable and popular with foreign travellers |
| 3A | AC 3-tier | The most common AC class — six berths to a bay, good value |
| SL | Sleeper (non-AC) | Cheapest reserved class, roughly ₹450–700 on budget routes (indicative) |
| CC | AC Chair Car | Seating, not berths — used on day trains |
| EC | Executive Chair | Premium seating on fast day trains like Shatabdi |
| 2S | Second Sitting | Unreserved or reserved basic seating, short daytime hops |
How to book
Register an IRCTC account with your passport details and an international mobile number or email address, then book directly through the website or app. If you would rather not deal with the registration process, a travel agent can book on your behalf for a small fee. For faster, more comfortable long-distance travel, look at the premium named trains — Rajdhani (overnight, fully AC), Shatabdi (day trains between major cities) and Vande Bharat (India’s newer high-speed service).
Foreign Tourist Quota
The Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) lets foreign passport holders book popular trains up to 365 days ahead, well beyond the 120-day general-quota window — useful for planning a trip far in advance or grabbing a berth on a train that shows sold out on the regular chart. FTQ tickets are issued through International Tourist Bureaus at six stations: New Delhi, Agra Cantt, Varanasi, Mumbai Central, Chennai Central and Howrah (Kolkata). If a train you want is showing sold out, check whether FTQ seats are still available before giving up on it.
Tatkal & the 2026 Aadhaar change
Tatkal is Indian Railways’ quick-release quota, opening one day before departure — 10:00 for AC classes, 11:00 for non-AC — with a surcharge of roughly 30% on AC classes and 10% on non-AC (not available in 1A or EC). Honest note for 2026: since July 2025, booking a Tatkal ticket requires Aadhaar authentication, India’s biometric ID system that foreign tourists do not have — which means Tatkal is effectively closed to foreign tourists booking online. If you are a foreign traveller, plan around this by booking early through the general quota or using the Foreign Tourist Quota instead of counting on Tatkal as a same-day fallback.
- Book as early as your travel dates are fixed — do not wait, especially in peak season (see [the best time to visit India](guide:best-time-to-visit-india)).
- Download the IRCTC app before you travel.
- SL and 3A are the sweet spot for value and comfort on most routes.
- Check your PNR status the day before departure to confirm your berth.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book Indian trains?
Through IRCTC, the official booking website and app — register with your passport and an international mobile number or email, then book directly.
Which class should I pick?
Sleeper (SL) is the budget non-AC option, 3A is the most popular comfortable AC class, and 2A or 1A cost more for extra space and privacy.
Can foreigners use Tatkal?
No longer online, since the 2026 rule requiring Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings — foreign tourists should use the Foreign Tourist Quota or book early through the general quota instead.
How far ahead can I book Indian trains?
120 days ahead through the general quota, or up to 365 days ahead through the Foreign Tourist Quota, available to foreign passport holders at six International Tourist Bureaus.