Booking Train Tickets at a Railway Reservation Counter (PRS)
Even with online booking everywhere, the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter remains the right choice for many travellers. There is no convenience fee, you can pay cash, and a clerk can handle bookings that are awkward to do yourself. This guide covers how counter booking works, what to carry, the reservation form, the advance booking window, and how a counter ticket differs from an e-ticket.
Key point on timing: The Advance Reservation Period is 60 days, excluding the date of journey, counted from the train’s originating station. This was reduced from the earlier 120 days, so ignore any guide still quoting the old figure.
Why Book at a Counter
| No convenience fee | IRCTC charges Rs 15 for non-AC and Rs 30 for AC classes on e-tickets, plus GST. Counter booking avoids this. |
| Cash accepted | Useful if you do not use online banking or cards. |
| Help with complex bookings | Connecting journeys, break journeys, concessions and unusual routings are easier with a clerk. |
| Concessions | Student and certain other concessions are handled at the counter, since e-tickets do not support them directly. |
| No account needed | No IRCTC registration, password or OTP required. |
Against that, a counter means travelling to the station and queueing, and at opening time on a busy route the online system usually moves faster.
Where You Can Book
You can book at any Computerised Reservation Centre across the country, not just at major stations. Because the PRS network is linked nationwide, a counter in your town can issue a ticket for any train between any two stations on the network, subject to quota and availability.
That also means you can book your onward and return journeys together from the same counter.
What to Carry
- A valid photo ID such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Passport or Driving Licence.
- Passenger details for everyone travelling: full name, age and gender.
- Cash or a card for payment.
- Concession certificate, if you are claiming one.
Filling the Reservation Requisition Form
Before you reach the window, fill the reservation form available at the counter. It asks for:
- Train number and name, and the date of journey.
- From and to stations.
- Class you want, such as SL, 3A, 2A or CC.
- Passenger names, ages and gender, with berth preference if any.
- Your mobile number, which matters more than people realise, since it is what lets you cancel the ticket online later.
- Alternative train details, which some forms allow, in case your first choice is full.
Do not skip the mobile number. A counter ticket can only be cancelled online or through 139 if a valid mobile number was recorded at booking. Leave it blank and you must return to a counter in person to cancel. See our guide on counter ticket cancellation.
Booking Timings
PRS counters generally work through the day, with hours varying by station and by how busy it is. Larger stations run longer hours, and some operate round the clock. Key timings to know:
- General booking opens at 8:00 am on the day the 60-day window opens for your date.
- Tatkal opens at 10:00 am for AC classes and 11:00 am for non-AC classes, one day before the journey.
- Agents are barred from booking in the first 30 minutes after opening in each of those windows.
Confirm your local counter’s working hours before travelling to it, since these differ between stations.
Understanding Your Reservation Status
The status is printed on your ticket.
| Confirmed (CNF) | Coach and berth numbers appear on the ticket. In First Class and AC First Class, only the word “Confirmed” is printed, since cabins are allotted at charting. |
| RAC | Reservation Against Cancellation. You may board and are given seating, with a berth allotted if one falls vacant. |
| Waitlisted (WL) | No berth reserved. If it does not confirm by charting, you cannot travel in the reserved coach. |
An Important Difference from E-Tickets
A waitlisted counter ticket behaves differently from a waitlisted e-ticket, and this catches people out. A fully waitlisted e-ticket is cancelled automatically after charting and refunded. A waitlisted counter ticket is not auto-cancelled, so if it does not confirm, you must cancel it yourself to get a refund.
Travelling on an unconfirmed waitlisted ticket in a reserved coach is not permitted. Under the Railways Act, a passenger occupying a berth not reserved for them can be removed at the next stoppage and fined.
If You Could Not Get a Reservation
If you have no confirmed ticket but must travel, buy an unreserved ticket and approach the Train Superintendent or TTE on board, who may allot accommodation if any is available. The minimum class of unreserved ticket required depends on the train:
| Train type | Minimum ticket to board |
|---|---|
| Rajdhani and Shatabdi | First Class Ordinary |
| Mail and Express | First Class Ordinary, or Second Class Mail/Express |
| Garib Rath | Second Class Mail/Express |
If you hold a Second Class ticket and want to travel in a higher class, on-board ticket checking staff can upgrade you subject to availability, except on Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.
Checking Status and Enquiries
For the current status of an unconfirmed ticket, you can:
- Ask at the reservation enquiry counter of any Computerised Reservation Centre.
- Dial 139, which works from anywhere in the country without an STD code.
- Send an SMS to 139 for PNR status, train arrival and departure, availability and fare enquiries.
- Check online through our PNR status guide.
ID Proof During the Journey
At least one passenger on the ticket must carry an original photo ID during the journey and produce it when asked. Without it, everyone booked on that ticket can be treated as travelling without a ticket and charged accordingly. See the list of valid ID proofs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days in advance can I book at a counter?
60 days, excluding the date of journey, counted from the train’s originating station. Some intercity day trains have a shorter period.
Is counter booking cheaper than online?
Yes, marginally. There is no convenience fee at a counter, whereas IRCTC charges Rs 15 for non-AC and Rs 30 for AC classes on e-tickets, plus GST.
Can I cancel a counter ticket online?
Yes, provided a valid mobile number was given at booking. The ticket is cancelled online or through 139, and the refund is collected in cash at a PRS counter. See our counter cancellation guide.
Does a waitlisted counter ticket get cancelled automatically?
No. Unlike an e-ticket, a waitlisted counter ticket is not auto-cancelled after charting. You must cancel it yourself to claim a refund.
Can I book a train ticket from any station?
Yes. Any Computerised Reservation Centre can issue a ticket for any train between any two stations on the network, subject to quota and availability.
What time does booking open?
8:00 am for general booking on the opening day, 10:00 am for AC Tatkal and 11:00 am for non-AC Tatkal.
Quick Summary
| Advance booking | 60 days, excluding the journey date |
| Booking opens | 8:00 am general, 10:00 am AC Tatkal, 11:00 am non-AC Tatkal |
| Convenience fee | None at a counter |
| Carry | Photo ID, passenger details, cash or card |
| Essential on the form | Your mobile number, needed for online cancellation later |
| Waitlisted counter ticket | Not auto-cancelled, you must cancel it yourself |
| Enquiries | Dial or SMS 139 |
Counter booking still has real advantages, particularly the absence of a convenience fee and the ability to pay cash. Fill the form carefully, always include your mobile number, and keep the ticket safe, since it is the only copy you have. For more, see our guides on ticket booking and enquiry, refunds and TDR, and railway reservation rules.
Do you still book at the counter? Tell us in the comments why you prefer it, since many readers are weighing it against booking online.
