{"id":25038,"date":"2019-02-07T17:25:01","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T11:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.akbartravels.com\/?p=25038"},"modified":"2019-02-07T17:25:01","modified_gmt":"2019-02-07T11:55:01","slug":"become-irctc-authorised-agent-an-opportunity-to-start-your-own-travel-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.akbartravels.com\/in\/blogs\/become-irctc-authorised-agent-an-opportunity-to-start-your-own-travel-agency\/","title":{"rendered":"How to book a Railway Ticket in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Steps to become an IRCTC Agent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No visit in India is complete without experiencing the\nbustle of Indian railway stations and a safe & comfortable journey on an\nIndian express train with the tea seller’s cry of chai, chai, garam chai coming\ndown the aisle. You get the opportunity to make new friends and mix up with the\nlocals. Train travel is both a savior of money and time as they are safe,\naffordable and easy to travel. The thrill of exploring India would be\nincomplete without having a knack of the third biggest passenger rail network\nin the world after United States and China. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: How to become an IRCTC Agent<\/a> <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Booking a Train\nticket online:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, travelers would book tickets by visiting the\nnearest station. This involved standing in long queues for about two to three\nhours and still being unsure whether you\u2019re going to get the reservation done.\nSince the last few years, ticketing in India has become a lot easier due to the\nonline booking system. IRCTC<\/strong> (Indian\nRailway Catering & Tourism Corporation) is the official railway website of\nIndia on which travellers can book railway tickets online for tourism or\nbusiness purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that IRCTC does not only facilitate easy\ntravel to millions of people across the country but also offers an opportunity\nto become an IRCTC agent<\/a>\nthrough its authorized Principle\nAgents<\/a>.  Becoming an IRCTC authorised agent<\/strong> can be a rewarding and profitable home-based\nbusiness which lets you book unlimited tickets and earn excellent commission\nmargins on each booking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How early to book a\ntrain ticket?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Booking of tickets is permitted four months in advance (120 days) on a first-come-first-served basis. The Indian Railway transports approximately 18 million people daily. The thing about India train travel is that it is always overbooked and very busy. The most surefire and hassle-free way to secure your train ticket is to book online as far in advance as possible. Thus you can be rest assured knowing that you will get on the specific train you want on the specific date, especially if you have a limited amount of time in India and a packed itinerary of places you want to see. So, if planning a train journey, you have to book your train tickets as early as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: 9 Essential Tips For Train Travel In India<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Foreign Tourist Quota:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indian Railways has made train travel easy for foreign nationals and NRI\u2019s. The Foreign Tourist quota is a small section of seats on certain trains reserved for foreigners and NRI\u2019s travelling to India for tourism purpose. Seeing the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting India every year, many of whom have absolutely no idea how early to book, this quota is an added advantage. In order to avail this quota, travelers must have a valid foreign passport and tourist visa. Bookings open 60 days prior to the departure date. However, tickets under this quota cannot be booked online and the foreign tourist must book the ticket in person with the required original documents at specific allocated ticketing counters in India. The prices are the same as a standard ticket and can be paid in multiple currencies including Indian Rupee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Train Classes\nin Indian Railway:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are 8 different train classes offered by the Indian Railway<\/a>, but not all trains have all class types. The biggest different between these classes is Air-conditioned vs Non-Air-conditioned and sleeper vs sitting. The Ac class consists of 1AC, 2AC and 3AC. If comfort is more of a concern, then travel in 3AC is a better option. For those who require space and\/or privacy, 2AC or 1AC is recommended. You can choose from several other classes, but 1,2 and 3 AC are traveler\u2019s best bets for overnight trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: List of Frequently Used Indian Railway Abbreviations<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Travelling in First Class:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Experience the comforts of first-class rail travel and you\nmay never want to go back to second class. A First-class rail travel is simply irresistible.\nThere’s nothing like watching the beautiful and ever-changing scenery pass by\nfrom a quiet and comfortable train compartment, with the comforting sound of\nrail cars gliding smoothly over the rail tracks. Especially if you are\ntravelling in Indian Railways for the first time, then travelling on first\nclass can definitely make the journey more comfortable for you. First class AC\nin IRCTC is the highest class of travel offered by the Indian Railway system\nand also the most expensive. The decision to select a class type will not only\ndepend on your budget but also on the travel experience you are looking for. In\ngeneral, first class offers serenity and quietness, whereas second class offers\nmore of a community travel experience. Traveling first class usually means\nspacious, comfortable seats, amenities such as USB-ports, individual reading\nlights, complimentary drinks and meals to name a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details required to\nbook a railway ticket online:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n