Tatkal ticket booking, start to finish
Timings, charges, rules, forms and refunds — every Tatkal guide in one place, written from official Indian Railways rules and kept current for 2026.
- ac_unitAC classes (1A/2A/3A/CC)10:00 AM
- weekendSleeper & 2S11:00 AM
- eventOpens1 day before
All times IST, based on the train's source station.
One day ahead of the journey, timed to the train's source station.
Booking opens at these exact IST times — be logged in early.
Tatkal charge is ~30% of base fare (10% for 2S), within official caps.
One passenger must carry the original ID used at booking.
All Tatkal guides
Deep-dive guides on every part of Tatkal booking.
Tatkal Tips And Tricks
Learn tatkal tips and tricks — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
Read guidearrow_forwardTatkal Booking Rules
Learn tatkal booking rules — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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Waiting List Tatkal
Learn waiting list tatkal — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
Read guidearrow_forwardTatkal Form
Learn tatkal form — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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Tatkal Refund Rules
Learn tatkal refund rules — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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Premium Tatkal
Learn premium tatkal — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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Tatkal Booking Time
Learn tatkal booking time — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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Tatkal Charges
Learn tatkal charges — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
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How To Book Tatkal Ticket Fast
Learn how to book tatkal ticket fast — step-by-step guide with tips, rules, and examples. Updated 2026.
Read guidearrow_forwardTatkal tools
Free calculators and countdowns to nail the Tatkal window.See all tools →
Would you rather not need Tatkal at all?
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Set a free booking reminderarrow_forwardTatkal FAQs
What time does Tatkal booking open?
Tatkal booking opens one day before the journey (from the train's source station). AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A, CC, EC) open at 10:00 AM IST and non-AC classes (Sleeper, 2S) open at 11:00 AM IST. Seats sell out within minutes, so be logged in and ready before the clock hits.
How much extra do Tatkal tickets cost?
The Tatkal charge is added on top of the base fare — 10% of base fare for Second Sitting (2S) and 30% for all other classes, within official minimum and maximum caps per class. Use the Tatkal Charge Calculator to get the exact premium for your class and fare.
Can I cancel a Tatkal ticket and get a refund?
No refund is given on confirmed Tatkal tickets if cancelled — that is the standard rule. However, fully waitlisted Tatkal tickets that don't clear are auto-cancelled and refunded (less clerkage), and refunds do apply in specific cases like train cancellation or a delay beyond three hours.
Is ID proof required for Tatkal?
Yes. At least one passenger travelling on a Tatkal ticket must carry the same original photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence, PAN, etc.) whose number was entered at booking, during the journey.
How many passengers can book on one Tatkal ticket?
A maximum of four passengers can be booked per Tatkal ticket (PNR). IRCTC also limits how many Tatkal tickets an account can book in a session, so keep passenger details ready in a Master List for speed.