Tatkal Booking Guide
Everything you need to know about booking Tatkal railway tickets on IRCTC — timings, charges, eligibility, and pro tips.
What is Tatkal Booking?
Tatkal is a special quota introduced by Indian Railways for passengers who need to travel at short notice. Tatkal tickets are available at a premium price and open for booking 1 day before the journey date.
💡 Tatkal tickets are a great option when regular berths are full but you need to travel urgently.
Tatkal Booking Timings
AC Classes (1A, 2A, 3A, CC)
10:00 AM
1 day before journey (IST)
Non-AC Classes (SL, 2S)
11:00 AM
1 day before journey (IST)
Use our Tatkal Time Calculator to find the exact opening date for your journey.
How to Book Tatkal Tickets
Check Tatkal Opening Time
Use the Tatkal Time Calculator to confirm the exact date and time when booking opens for your train and class.
Log into IRCTC in Advance
Log in to your IRCTC account 10–15 minutes before Tatkal opens. Ensure your profile, passenger details, and payment details are saved.
Search for Your Train
At exactly 10:00 AM (AC) or 11:00 AM (Non-AC), search for your train. Click 'Book' immediately — seats go fast.
Select Tatkal Quota
On the booking page, select 'Tatkal' from the quota dropdown. The system will show available Tatkal seats.
Fill Passenger Details Quickly
Use the auto-fill feature or have passenger details ready. Tatkal seats can be exhausted within minutes.
Complete Payment
Proceed to payment immediately. Use UPI, net banking, or a saved card for the fastest checkout.
Tatkal Charges
Tatkal charges are levied on top of the base fare. They vary by class and distance.
| Class | Tatkal Charge (% of basic fare) | Max Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 1st AC (1A) | 30% of basic fare | ₹400 |
| 2nd AC (2A) | 30% of basic fare | ₹400 |
| 3rd AC (3A) | 30% of basic fare | ₹400 |
| AC Chair Car (CC) | 30% of basic fare | ₹125 |
| Sleeper (SL) | 30% of basic fare | ₹200 |
| 2nd Sitting (2S) | 10% of basic fare | ₹15 |
Pro Tips for Tatkal Booking
- ✓Be logged in to IRCTC at least 5 minutes before Tatkal opens.
- ✓Add all passengers to Master List in your IRCTC profile for quick selection.
- ✓Keep a payment method pre-authorized or use UPI for instant payment.
- ✓Use the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app as a backup.
- ✓Don't refresh the page too many times — it may block you temporarily.
- ✓If Tatkal is not available, check the Premium Tatkal quota which has dynamic pricing.
⚠️ Tatkal Refund Rules
Confirmed Tatkal tickets are generally non-refundable. There is no refund for cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets. However, if the train is cancelled by Railways, a full refund is processed. For detailed refund rules, use our Refund Calculator or read the Railway Refund Rules .