Using trains and buses in India without advance booking?
We talked about the different booking periods on Indian trains, and also about which class one might want to use. We learned that locals may ride on the roof of trains because the trains are too crowded.
So in general I get the idea that trains and buses are pretty crowded on the subcontinent and booking a seat or berth in advance is recommended.
However, I usually don't decide to move on to the next place until the day before, sometimes even the evening before. It is practical to just show up at the railway or bus station and try to get on board?
I usually don't like to take very long rides but I am sure I have to at some point, so I will use both local and long distance trains.
Best Answer
Buses:You can go to the bus station and then get tickets.A lot of buses in India with travel time of 5-6 hrs operate without advance reservations but keep in mind that sometimes(especially during festive season,etc) they may be quite crowded and you really don't any part of that. Also if you can plan 12-24 hrs in advance,you can be nearly sure that you'll get reservation in buses even for long journeys.All the major bus operators have their websites,you can check them though I recommend going to some tour operators also(Again the concept of festive seasons kick in).
Trains:Without reservation local trains are cool,buy the tickets on the station and hop in...Though they may be crowded depending on time of the day(rush hour). For long distance trains there are general bogies,but they are way overcrowded and not clean and safe.DON"T USE THEM.Instead there is 'tatkal' scheme (http://www.indianrail.gov.in/tatkal_Scheme.html) by Indian Railways allowing you reservations the day before the date of travel.
Source:My own experience,and some friends in India.
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Can we go in trains without reservation?
Yes, the Railways is now giving passengers a chance to travel without reservation. You can travel on unreserved tickets in general coaches. After the corona pandemic, the Railways is once again starting to slowly reassure passengers of old facilities.Can we go to railway station without ticket?
In June last year, the Railways began running special trains and issued strict guidelines -- e-ticketing through IRCTC website or through mobile App, no tickets booking at reservation counter, only passengers with confirmed tickets to be allowed entry at station and screening to be done before boarding with only ...Can we travel without reservation now?
Do you need a reservation? Yes, you do. You need to make a seat or berth reservation for all long-distance journeys on Indian trains, you cannot simply turn up and hop on. Reservations are now completely computerised.Can you buy train tickets at the station in India?
Yes you can buy tickets at the station. There is a separate set of counters for advance reservation on railway stations.🤔How to Buy bus and train tickets on very cheap price in uk🇬🇧? Travelling tips and tricks in uk ?
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Answer 2
Like Reid mentioned. You can try for Tatkal. But chances are that you will be unable to without some valid ID. And I am not sure if Passport counts. If it does then you are in luck.
Your other option is to buy a general class ticket. And when you get to the train either board that class. Or get an upgrade by paying one of the ticket guys. It will be a bit more pricey.
You can obtain train info from the following
Answer 3
Just to add a piece of information that you might already know, there is a Foreign quota so there still might me some tickets available for long distance rides. There are two conditions - you have to be a foreigner (you don't say?!) and you have to pay in foreign currency, not sure, but I believe only American dollars, British pounds and Euros. A great thing is you get to use a separate counter for your train booking.
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