As Diwali approaches, a familiar hustle takes over as people flock to book train tickets to reunite with their families. IRCTC Tatkal tickets become the golden ticket to a joyous celebration, but securing them is often akin to a high-speed chase. According to Zee Business, with a bit of preparation, you can outsmart the crowd and claim your seats before they’re all gone.
Log in Early and Plan Ahead
Timing is everything, especially when booking Tatkal tickets. The booking window opens exactly one day before your departure — 10 am for AC classes and 11 am for sleeper classes. To stay ahead, log in at least 10–15 minutes before your booking window starts. Prepare by jotting down your train number, route, and preferred class. This ensures you can leap directly into payment mode, where every second’s delay could mean losing your seat.
Pre-Save Passenger Details
Speed is your ally. To avoid wasting time typing in passenger names, ages, and identification numbers, leverage IRCTC’s feature that lets you save these details beforehand. Simply select from your prepared list during checkout, skipping an entire form-filling step that could cost you precious seconds.
Invest in a Reliable Internet Connection
Don’t let technical glitches derail your travel plans. Opt for a high-speed broadband connection, or a stable mobile data service to book with confidence. Booking on a laptop or desktop often proves more reliable than mobile apps which might falter under high traffic. Also, steer clear of logging in from multiple devices, which might cause session glitches and slowdowns.
Opt for Swift Payment Methods
When you’ve clicked ‘Book,’ the race isn’t quite over — payment must be swift. Choosing UPI, net banking, or a pre-saved card from your profile ensures that the ticket is yours. Slow options like bank transfers can be risky as seats could vanish while your payment processes. Keep your UPI PIN or card ready for hassle-free transactions.
Monitor Seat Availability Proactively
A little vigilance goes a long way. Minutes before the booking starts, have the train seat availability page open, and refresh periodically to catch updates. If seats vanish, having a backup plan ready — whether it’s an alternative train or a different class — enhances your odds of traveling on time.
This Diwali, let planning be your ticket to a seamless journey. With strategic preparation and efficient booking practices, you can ensure that your festive travels begin not with stress, but with joyful anticipation.