Understanding IRCTC booking time and train ticket booking time is crucial for securing your preferred train tickets. This comprehensive guide covers everything about railway ticket booking time, advance reservation period (ARP), current ticket booking time, and railway reservation time for 2026. Once you've booked your ticket, use our IRCTC Cancellation Charges Calculator to check refund amounts if you need to cancel.
Quick Answer: IRCTC booking time is 10:00 AM IST daily. You can book train tickets up to 60 days (2 months) in advance (effective November 1, 2024). The advance reservation period (ARP) opens at 10:00 AM IST, and this is the same for general ticket booking, AC ticket booking time, and sleeper ticket booking time.
What is IRCTC Booking Time?
IRCTC booking time, also known as IRCTC booking start time or IRCTC booking timing, is when the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation opens ticket booking for the next available date in the advance reservation period. The current ticket booking time for IRCTC is 10:00 AM IST every day.
This online train ticket booking time applies to:
- General ticket booking - Regular confirmed tickets
- AC ticket booking time - All AC classes (1AC, 2AC, 3AC)
- Sleeper ticket booking time - Sleeper class tickets
- Reservation ticket booking time - All reserved classes
- Normal ticket booking time - Standard booking
IRCTC Booking Time Schedule
| Ticket Type | Booking Time | Advance Booking Period |
|---|---|---|
| General/Reservation Tickets | 10:00 AM IST | 60 days (2 months)* |
| AC Ticket Booking | 10:00 AM IST | 60 days (2 months)* |
| Sleeper Ticket Booking | 10:00 AM IST | 60 days (2 months)* |
| Tatkal Tickets | 10:00 AM IST | 1 day before journey |
| Premium Tatkal | 10:00 AM IST | 1 day before journey |
| Foreign Tourist Quota | 10:00 AM IST | 365 days (1 year) |
* Effective November 1, 2024. Some premium or special trains may have different rules.
Advance Reservation Period (ARP)
The advance reservation period (ARP) determines how many days before train ticket can be booked. Currently, the ARP is 60 days (effective November 1, 2024), which means you can book tickets for journeys up to 2 months in advance. This change was made to curb "no-shows" and better gauge true travel demand.
Example: If today is January 27, 2026, you can book tickets for journeys up to March 28, 2026 (60 days later). The opening date for booking is calculated as: Today's date + 60 days.
Important Update: Indian Railways/IRCTC officially reduced the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) from 120 days to 60 days, effective November 1, 2024. This change applies to most train tickets. However, some premium or special trains might still have different rules, and Foreign Tourist Quota bookings remain at 365 days.
How Many Days Before We Can Book Train Ticket?
How many days before train ticket can be booked? The answer is 60 days (2 months), effective November 1, 2024. This is the maximum advance booking time for reservation train ticket booking. The 60 days advance train ticket booking time opens at 10:00 AM IST daily.
To find which date railway booking open today, simply add 60 days to today's date. For instance:
- Today: January 27, 2026 → Booking opens for: March 28, 2026
- Today: January 28, 2026 → Booking opens for: March 29, 2026
- Today: January 29, 2026 → Booking opens for: March 30, 2026
60 Days Calculator
The current advance reservation period is 60 days (effective November 1, 2024). Use our 60 days calculator above to find when booking opens for your journey date. Always check the current IRCTC advance booking time and ARP on the official IRCTC website, as some premium or special trains may have different rules.
Current Ticket Booking Time
The current ticket booking time for IRCTC is 10:00 AM IST. This IRCTC current ticket booking time is when the booking open for the next available date in the advance reservation period.
Current ticket booking time online remains consistent throughout the year. The IRCTC online ticket booking time is the same whether you use:
- IRCTC website (irctc.co.in)
- IRCTC mobile app
- Authorized travel agents
Important: The current ticket booking time is in Indian Standard Time (IST). Make sure to account for timezone differences if you're booking from outside India. The IRCTC timing is always 10:00 AM IST, regardless of your local time.
Railway Reservation Time
Online Railway Reservation Time
Online train ticket booking time and train ticket booking time online is 10:00 AM IST for advance booking. The railway reservation time for online booking through IRCTC is the same as the IRCTC booking time.
Train reservation time and train reservation timings are consistent across all online platforms. Whether you're looking for railway booking time, railway booking timings, or railway reservation timings, the answer is the same: 10:00 AM IST.
Railway Reservation Counter Timings
Railway reservation counter timings are different from online railway reservation time. The railway reservation timings at physical counters are:
- Weekdays: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Sundays: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Note that railway reservation counter timings may vary slightly by location. However, the railway booking time for advance reservations (60 days) still opens at 10:00 AM IST, even at counters.
IRCTC Train Timings vs Booking Time
Don't confuse IRCTC train timings (when trains depart/arrive) with IRCTC booking time (when you can book tickets). IRCTC train timings refer to the schedule of train departures and arrivals, while IRCTC booking time refers to when ticket booking opens.
To find train from a specific station and check IRCTC train timings, use the "Find Trains" feature on IRCTC website or app. The IRCTC reservation timing for booking these trains is always 10:00 AM IST.
Tatkal Booking Time
Tatkal booking time is also 10:00 AM IST, but it opens one day before the date of journey. For example:
- To travel on January 28, 2026 → Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM IST on January 27, 2026
- To travel on January 29, 2026 → Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM IST on January 28, 2026
The date outside tatkal arp refers to dates beyond the Tatkal booking window (i.e., more than 1 day before journey). For these dates, you can book through the regular advance reservation period (60 days).
Premium Tatkal Booking Price
Premium Tatkal booking price is dynamic and higher than normal Tatkal fare. The premium tatkal price calculator uses dynamic pricing based on demand. To calculate premium tatkal booking price, check the IRCTC website at the time of booking.
For a tatkal fare calculator or train fare calculator, use the IRCTC website's fare enquiry feature. A general ticket calculator can help estimate costs, but actual premium tatkal price calculator results depend on real-time demand.
IRCTC Retiring Room Booking Time
IRCTC retiring room booking time is different from train ticket booking. Retiring rooms can be booked up to 60 days in advance, and the booking time may vary. Check the IRCTC website for specific IRCTC retiring room booking time details.
How to Book Railway Ticket Online
To book railway ticket online at the correct train ticket booking time:
Step 1: Prepare Before 10:00 AM IST
Log in to your IRCTC account before 10:00 AM IST. Have your journey details, passenger information, and payment method ready. The IRCTC booking start time is 10:00 AM IST sharp.
Step 2: Be Ready at 10:00 AM IST
At exactly 10:00 AM IST (the IRCTC booking timing), the booking opens for the next available date (60 days ahead). Be ready to search for trains immediately as popular trains get booked quickly.
Step 3: Complete Booking Quickly
Fill in journey details, select train and class, add passengers, and proceed to payment. Complete the booking as quickly as possible to secure your tickets before they get booked by others.
Important Tips for IRCTC Booking Time
- Set Reminders: Set a reminder for 10:00 AM IST (the IRCTC booking time) to book tickets as soon as booking opens.
- Check Timezone: Ensure you know the correct current ticket booking time in IST. The IRCTC timing is always in IST.
- Calculate Opening Date: Use our 60 days calculator above or simply add 60 days to today's date to know which date railway booking open today.
- Multiple Devices: Have the IRCTC website or app open on multiple devices to increase your chances during the train booking time.
- Payment Ready: Keep your payment method ready before the online ticket booking time to avoid delays.
Pro Tip: The train ticket booking time for popular trains and routes gets very competitive. Book immediately at 10:00 AM IST (the IRCTC booking start time) to maximize your chances of getting confirmed tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the train ticket booking time?
The train ticket booking time is 10:00 AM IST daily. This is when general ticket booking, AC ticket booking time, and sleeper ticket booking time opens for the next available date (60 days ahead, effective November 1, 2024).
What is the IRCTC ticket booking time?
The IRCTC ticket booking time is 10:00 AM IST. This irctc ticket booking time applies to all online bookings through IRCTC website and mobile app.
What is the railway ticket booking time?
The railway ticket booking time for online booking is 10:00 AM IST. For railway reservation counter timings, counters are open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays.
What is the current ticket booking time?
The current ticket booking time is 10:00 AM IST. This current ticket booking time online is when the advance reservation period opens for booking tickets 60 days in advance (effective November 1, 2024).
What is the advance reservation period?
The advance reservation period (ARP) is currently 60 days (2 months), effective November 1, 2024. This means you can book train tickets up to 60 days before your journey date. This change was made to reduce "no-shows" and better plan train operations.
How many days before train ticket can be booked?
You can book train tickets up to 60 days (2 months) before the journey date, effective November 1, 2024. This is the maximum advance booking time for reservation train ticket booking. However, some premium or special trains may have different rules, and Foreign Tourist Quota bookings remain at 365 days.
What is the IRCTC booking start time?
The IRCTC booking start time is 10:00 AM IST daily. This is when booking open for the next available date in the advance reservation period.
What are the railway reservation counter timings?
Railway reservation counter timings are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sundays. However, advance booking (60 days) still opens at 10:00 AM IST.
What is the Tatkal booking time?
Tatkal booking time is 10:00 AM IST, one day before the date of journey. For example, to travel on January 28, Tatkal booking opens at 10:00 AM IST on January 27.
Which date railway booking open today?
To find which date railway booking open today, add 60 days to today's date. If today is January 27, 2026, booking opens for journeys up to March 28, 2026 (effective November 1, 2024).
Need to calculate cancellation charges?
Use Our IRCTC Cancellation Charges Calculator