Train Travel in India: what actually matters to know
From real experience
riskWhen booking train tickets in India through aggregators like 12goAsia, issues can arise, such as 'paid' status without ticket issuance and unresponsive customer support.
If faced with such problems, consider seeking a refund through your bank. Exploring alternative booking platforms or purchasing directly from official carrier websites might be more reliable. Similar issues have been reported with 12goAsia in Vietnam, necessitating bank-initiated refunds.
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serviceSome services in India can assist travelers in purchasing train and bus tickets, particularly for routes where general availability might be limited.
This can also be helpful for securing tickets under a 'tourist quota' if such a system is in place for specific bookings, potentially aiding in accessing tickets even when they appear sold out on standard platforms.
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riskIndian Railways can occasionally reassign passengers to different cabin classes (e.g., from CC to Sleeper) due to train composition changes.
Even if a ticket is issued for a specific class, the actual carriage may not be present on the train. Refunds for fare differences are not always automated or straightforward at the station.
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ruleIn Indian Railways 1st Class bookings, seat numbers are often not assigned at the time of purchase.
Seat assignment typically occurs approximately 4 hours before the train's departure. Passengers should check their PNR status closer to the departure time to confirm seat details.
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ruleLocal train fare in Chennai (e.g., Velachery to Marina Beach line) is a flat rate of 5 INR.
Women can travel on local public buses in Chennai for free.
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serviceThe official website for booking train tickets in India is irctc.co.in.
It is the primary and legitimate portal for Indian Railways reservations.