Trains

Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world, carrying tens of millions of passengers a day. For a visitor, trains are usually the most practical way to cover long distances: cheaper than flying, and a genuinely good way to see the country between stops.

Since trains are the main long-distance transport in such a populous country, seats are difficult to secure. You can book up to 60 days in advance (foreign tourists get a special 365-day quota; see below). Book as early as possible. The last-minute Tatkal quota you may read about is a fast-finger-first game that sells out in minutes, and since mid-2025 it needs an Aadhaar-verified account, which visitors don't have. For you it effectively doesn't exist. Plan ahead instead.

Classes of travel

  • 1A (First AC): private or semi-private cabins, most expensive, closest to a flight in comfort.
  • 2A (Second AC): berths in curtained bays of 4, air conditioned. The common choice for overnight travel.
  • 3A (Third AC): berths in bays of 8, air conditioned, cheaper than 2A.
  • CC (AC Chair Car): reserved airline-style seating for day journeys.
  • SL (Sleeper): non-AC berths, the backbone of Indian Railways. Crowded but functional.
  • 2S / General (Unreserved): the cheapest options, no AC, standing room once seats fill.

For a first trip, 2A or 3A: air conditioned, reasonably comfortable, still inexpensive by Western rail standards.

Booking as a foreign tourist

  1. IRCTC (irctc.co.in): the official site and app. Create an account with your passport number and email; pay with an international card.
  2. Foreign Tourist (FT) Quota: a separate quota for foreign passport holders and NRIs, bookable up to 365 days ahead on 1A, 2A and EC (Executive Chair) classes on select trains. FT Quota tickets cost 1.5 times the standard fare plus a ₹200 service charge, and you must carry the passport and visa used at booking; without them you can be treated as ticketless and fined.
  3. International Tourist Bureaus: counters at major stations (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata) selling FT Quota tickets in person, taking rupees or major foreign currencies. Useful when online booking or card payment misbehaves.

A note on Tatkal: Tatkal is the last-minute quota, released one day before departure. Since mid-2025 it requires an Aadhaar-verified IRCTC account, and Aadhaar is India's resident ID, which visitors don't have. Tatkal is effectively closed to tourists; plan ahead and use the FT Quota or a Tourist Bureau counter.

Finding your train and seat

Every ticket carries a 10-digit PNR number; check it online or in the app to confirm your seat is confirmed rather than waitlisted or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation: you share a berth or get a seat only if others cancel). Coach positions are posted on boards at the platform entrance and along the platform; staff and fellow passengers are generally happy to point you to the right spot.

Food on board

Long-distance trains typically have a pantry car serving meals at your seat, and the IRCTC app supports e-catering: order in advance for delivery at an upcoming station. Platform vendors sell tea, snacks and packaged food at most stops. Buy bottled water; skip the tap.

Heritage and luxury trains

Three mountain railways are jointly a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Ooty), and the Kalka-Shimla Railway. All still run, and the journey is the destination. Separately, high-end tourist trains (Palace on Wheels, Maharajas' Express, Deccan Odyssey) run multi-day circuits priced closer to a cruise than a train ticket.

What to expect

Platforms are crowded and boarding is chaotic in the minutes before departure, especially at major stations. This is normal. Keep valuables on your person or locked while sleeping, keep ticket and ID accessible for checks, and arrive with buffer to find your platform and coach without rushing.