Railway Ticket Enquiry and Online Booking: PNR, Availability, Fare and E-Ticket Guide (2026)
Before and after booking a train ticket, passengers often need to make a railway ticket enquiry, such as checking seat availability, PNR status, fare, or train running status. This guide covers all the common railway ticket enquiries, plus how to book an E-Ticket online on IRCTC, the charges, the booking limits and the latest 2026 rules, in simple words.
Latest 2026 updates: The advance booking period is now 60 days (reduced from 120 days). Also, in the first 15 minutes of general booking, online tickets can be booked only by Aadhaar-authenticated users. Confirm current rules on IRCTC, as they are revised from time to time.
Types of Railway Ticket Enquiry
| Enquiry | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Seat Availability | Whether berths are available on a train, date and class |
| PNR Status | The confirmation status of a booked ticket (CNF, RAC, WL) |
| Fare Enquiry | The fare for a route, class and quota |
| Train Running Status | Where the train is now and its expected timings |
| Refund Status | The status of a cancelled ticket refund |
You can make these enquiries on the IRCTC website and app, on the Rail Connect and other official apps, or by dialling 139 (the Rail Madad enquiry number).
Booking Timings and Key Rules
- Online booking hours: tickets can be booked from about 00:20 hrs to 23:45 hrs on all days.
- Advance Reservation Period: now 60 days in advance (excluding the date of journey). Opening-day booking is available after 8:00 AM.
- Tatkal timings: 10:00 AM for AC classes (2A, 3A, CC, EC, 3E) and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes (SL, 2S).
- First 15 minutes: in the opening 15 minutes of general booking, online booking is allowed only for Aadhaar-authenticated users, to curb misuse.
IRCTC Convenience Fee
IRCTC charges a convenience fee per e-ticket (not per passenger), plus GST:
| Class | Convenience Fee (plus GST) |
|---|---|
| Non-AC classes (SL, 2S) | Rs 15 |
| AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A, CC, EC, 3E, FC) | Rs 30 |
A small payment gateway charge may also apply depending on the payment method. Fees are revised occasionally, so check the amount shown at payment.
Monthly Booking Limit
- Without Aadhaar linking: up to 12 tickets per month per user ID.
- With Aadhaar linking (and at least one Aadhaar-verified passenger in the booking): up to 24 tickets per month.
The count is per user ID and resets at the start of each month. Linking Aadhaar in your IRCTC profile is the simple way to double your limit.
How to Book a Train E-Ticket Online (Step by Step)
Booking on IRCTC has two one-time and repeat steps. Registration is done once, booking is done each time.
✅Step 1: Register (one time)
- Open www.irctc.co.in or the Rail Connect app.
- Create a user ID with your correct email and mobile number (registration is free).
- Link your Aadhaar to raise your booking limit and to book in the first 15 minutes.
✅Step 2: Book the Ticket
- Log in with your user ID and password, and enter the captcha.
- Enter journey details: From and To stations, date, and class (Sleeper, 3A, 2A, and so on).
- Search to see the list of trains, timings and the train schedule link.
- Check availability and fare by clicking the class option for your train.
- Click Book Now, enter passenger details (name up to 15 characters, age, sex, berth preference).
- Review the booking and choose a payment option (UPI, card, net banking, wallet).
- Make payment. On success, the ticket confirmation and the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS) are shown, and an SMS with the PNR is sent.
- You can reprint the ERS anytime from the Booked Tickets section.
You can book for any two stations on the train’s route, including originating and destination stations.
Booking Types and Options
While booking, you can also choose:
- Berth preference (Lower berth, and so on), and Senior Citizen options.
- Person with Disability booking, with concession where applicable.
- Premium Tatkal and Tatkal where available.
- Filters like flexible with date and trains with available berths.
ID Proof for Travel
Carrying a valid original photo ID is essential for an e-ticket journey (any one, such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN). In a group, one passenger must carry the ID. Show the ERS or the SMS as ticket proof. If you cannot show a valid ID and ticket, a penalty applies and you may be treated as travelling without a ticket.
Payment Methods
- Master, Visa and Amex cards (credit and debit).
- Net banking, cash cards, and UPI or BHIM.
- International cards issued outside India are accepted when the ticket is booked at least 2 days before the journey.
Booking Through Agents
You can book through authorised ticketing agents, with a few precautions. Make sure the agent has a valid Authorisation Certificate, always ask for a receipt, and check all details on the ticket carefully.
Agent service charge: Rs 20 per ticket for Sleeper and Second Class, and Rs 40 per ticket for higher classes (plus GST). There is no agent service charge for cancellation. Agents are barred from booking in the first 30 minutes of opening (general 08:00 to 08:30, Tatkal AC 10:00 to 10:30, Tatkal non-AC 11:00 to 11:30). If an agent charges more than the prescribed fee, you can complain to IRCTC.
E-Ticket vs I-Ticket (Important Note)
Indian Railways earlier offered two online ticket types, the E-Ticket and the I-Ticket. The I-Ticket service was discontinued from 1 March 2018, so today the only option is the E-Ticket.
The E-Ticket (Electronic Ticket) is booked online and used directly. There is no physical ticket and no need to print it, as you can show the SMS or ERS to the TTE along with a valid original photo ID. E-ticketing has been available since 24 February 2006. (The old I-Ticket was a physical ticket couriered to your address, which is no longer offered.)
Frequently Asked Questions
60 days in advance (excluding the journey date), reduced from the earlier 120 days.
Rs 15 for non-AC classes and Rs 30 for AC classes, per e-ticket, plus GST.
12 without Aadhaar linking, and 24 with Aadhaar linking (with one Aadhaar-verified passenger in the booking).
No. You can show the SMS or the ERS along with a valid original photo ID to the TTE.
No. The I-Ticket service was discontinued from 1 March 2018. Only the E-Ticket is available now.
Use the PNR Enquiry option on the IRCTC website or app, or dial 139, using your 10-digit PNR number.
Quick Summary
| Advance booking | 60 days (excluding journey date) |
| Booking hours | About 00:20 to 23:45 hrs |
| Convenience fee | Rs 15 non-AC, Rs 30 AC (plus GST) |
| Monthly limit | 12 (no Aadhaar), 24 (with Aadhaar) |
| Tatkal | 10 AM (AC), 11 AM (non-AC) |
| Ticket type | E-Ticket only (I-Ticket discontinued 2018) |
| Enquiry number | 139 |
Whether you are checking availability, PNR status or fare, or booking a fresh e-ticket, the IRCTC website and app and the 139 helpline cover all your railway ticket enquiry needs. For more, see our guides on PNR Status Enquiry, Tatkal Ticket Booking, and Railway Helpline Numbers.
Have a question about booking or a ticket enquiry? Ask in the comments, and we will help in simple words.