With 60-day booking rule in place, what’s right time to book train ticket this festive season

The festive season in India always brings a surge in train ticket bookings. It’s the time when many migrants return home as families reunite to celebrate festivals such as Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath. Last year, the Ministry of Railways reduced the time limit for advance booking of train tickets to 60 days from 120 days. But as the festive season is approaching and the demand for train ticket booking is surging, passengers are finding it increasingly tough to book a train ticket.

They are facing their age-old problem of not knowing the right time to book a ticket. What does the 60-day advance train booking rule say, and what is the right time to book a train ticket this festive season? Know in this write-up.

New rail ticketing system: Early charting, smarter PRS for favourite seat and secure tatkal booking

Indian Railways’ 60-day advance train ticket booking rule

With effect from November 1, 2024, Indian Railways reduced the advance ticket booking duration to 60 days from 120 days (excluding the day of journey). At intermediate stations where the train arrives the following day, reservation can be made 61 days in advance. In the case of some intercity day express trains, the advance reservation period is less, as per the latest rules.

As per the 60-day rule, a passenger aiming to travel on October 19, 2025, can book the train ticket today, August 20, 2025. However, with festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Durga Puja just a few months away, there is a huge rush for booking train tickets. Even though a 60-day booking window is in place, most passengers are unable to book tickets on the day they are up for sale. If they fail to book tickets through the online portal or a Railway ticket counter, passengers are left only with the Tatkal ticket option, which is more expensive and unpredictable to get.

Best time to book train tickets this festive season

If your travel dates are fixed, log in on the very first day tickets are available for booking, usually at 8 am on the IRCTC website. With the 60-day booking rule, the safest bet is to book on the very first day ticket reservations open for your preferred festive travel date and destination.

How can I know the reservation status of my ticket?

The reservation status is printed on your ticket. If your ticket is confirmed, your coach and berth numbers will also be mentioned on your ticket in all classes other than the First Class and the First AC Class. For these classes, the word “Confirmed”, will be printed alongside the class of travel. If your ticket shows the RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) status or is in the waiting list, the same will also be mentioned on your ticket.