Why take the train
Indian Railways is one of the largest rail networks in the world, and a train journey is one of the best ways to see the country. Overnight sleepers save a hotel night, modern express trains link major cities quickly, and heritage lines like the Darjeeling toy train are experiences in themselves.
For older travellers, a well-chosen train can be more comfortable than a long drive on busy roads, with space to walk about and a proper berth to sleep on.
Booking from the UK
Create an account on the official IRCTC website using your international mobile number, including the country code. You verify the number and your email by one-time passcodes. Your passport number is recorded at booking.
You can pay with international debit and credit cards. Tickets are e-tickets, confirmed by email and SMS, and you carry your passport on board as identification.
- Register on the official IRCTC website with a UK mobile number.
- Verify your phone and email.
- Search for your train and choose the Foreign Tourist Quota where available.
- Pay by international card and save the e-ticket.
Flights first, then the train?
Tell us where your family is and when you want to go. We check every airline and we’ll beat any quote*.
The Foreign Tourist Quota
Many trains hold a small number of berths for foreign tourists. According to the Indian Embassy in Brussels, Foreign Tourist Quota tickets can be booked up to 365 days in advance, in classes such as first AC, second AC and executive chair car. If you do not get a berth, the booking is cancelled and refunded to your card.
Cancellation rules on this quota are stricter than normal tickets, with a larger deduction, so book once your dates are fixed.
Our tip: Popular routes and festival dates sell out quickly. Book the train as soon as your flights are confirmed.
Choosing a class
The classes you are most likely to use as a visitor.
| Class | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| First AC (1A) | Lockable cabins with two or four berths | Overnight comfort and privacy |
| Second AC (2A) | Open bays of berths with curtains | A good balance of comfort and price |
| Third AC (3A) | Open bays with more berths | Budget overnight travel |
| AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car | Reclining seats on day trains | Fast daytime journeys |
Fast day trains
Vande Bharat express trains, Shatabdi and similar services link major cities in a few hours, with chair car seating and meals on many routes. They are a good alternative to a short flight, for example between Delhi and Agra or Jaipur, or along busy corridors in the south and west.
Luxury trains
India’s luxury trains offer a cruise on rails, with private cabins, fine dining and guided excursions. The Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas’ Express tour Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle, the Deccan Odyssey explores Maharashtra and beyond, and the Golden Chariot covers Karnataka and the south.
They run in the cooler months, usually from about October to March, and sell out well ahead. They are a favourite for anniversaries and special birthdays. We can book flights to match the departure and return dates. See our flights to Rajasthan guide.
Heritage mountain railways
Three hill railways, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty and the Kalka to Shimla line, together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are slow, charming and very popular, so book ahead. See our Darjeeling and Sikkim guide.
Stations and luggage
Big stations are busy and confusing. Arrive in good time, check the platform on the display boards, and look for your coach number on the platform indicators. Licensed porters, in red shirts, can carry heavy bags, and it is wise to agree a price first.
Keep luggage locked and chained under your berth on overnight trains, and keep valuables with you.
Food and comfort on board
Many trains include meals or sell them on board, and on the fast trains meals are often part of the fare. Bottled water is widely available at stations and on board. On overnight trains in AC classes, bedding is usually provided. A small bag with a torch, snacks, tissues and a shawl makes long journeys more comfortable.
Trains with older relatives
Lower berths are much easier for older travellers, so request them when booking where possible. Platforms can involve steps and footbridges, and some stations have lifts, ramps or battery cars. Allow plenty of time, and travel with someone who can help with luggage.
See our page on assisted travel for elderly passengers for the help we arrange on the flights.
Trains and flights together
Leave plenty of time between a train and a flight, as delays happen, especially in winter fog in the north. We book the international and domestic flights, and can plan the dates so the train journey fits naturally into the trip.
Popular journeys for visitors
Some of the most rewarding train trips for visitors are the fast day trains between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on the Golden Triangle, the overnight sleepers between Mumbai and Gujarat or Rajasthan, the coastal line through Goa and Kerala, and the hill railways to Darjeeling, Ooty and Shimla.
For families visiting relatives, trains are also a comfortable way to travel between cities in Gujarat, Punjab or South India once you have landed.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to take overnight trains in India?
Generally yes in AC classes. Lock your luggage under the berth, keep valuables with you and travel with others where possible.
Can I book a train in India for my parents?
Yes. Book on IRCTC in their names with their passport or ID details, and request lower berths for older travellers.
Can I book Indian train tickets from the UK?
Yes, on the official IRCTC website, using a UK mobile number and paying by international card.
What is the Foreign Tourist Quota?
A small number of berths kept for foreign tourists on many trains, bookable up to 365 days in advance.
Which class should I book?
First AC or second AC for overnight comfort, and chair car or executive chair car for day trains.
What are the luxury trains in India?
The Palace on Wheels, the Maharajas’ Express, the Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot, among others.
Are the mountain railways a UNESCO site?
Yes. The Darjeeling, Nilgiri and Kalka to Shimla railways form the Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site.
Do I need my passport on the train?
Yes. Carry the passport used for the booking as identification.
Are trains suitable for elderly parents?
Yes, with planning. Request lower berths, allow time at stations and travel with someone who can help.
