IRCTC Advance Ticket Booking Date Calculator
Note: The above date is calculated assuming the train starts from the starting station on the same day. The date on which the particular train starts from the starting station should be mentioned as Date of Journey.
About IRCTC Advance Booking
IRCTC allows advance ticket booking for 60 days before the journey date, excluding the day of travel. This means you can book train tickets exactly 60 days prior to your scheduled departure date.
Current Booking Rule (Effective November 1, 2024)
The advance reservation period (ARP) was reduced from 120 days to 60 days effective November 1, 2024. Under this new rule:
- Booking window: 60 days before journey date.
- Booking time: Opens at 8:00 AM IST on the booking date.
- Calculation: The journey date is excluded when counting the 60 days.
How to Calculate Your Booking Date?
To determine when you can book tickets for a specific journey:
- Use our date calculator above to find your booking start date.
- Alternatively, count back 60 days from your intended travel date.
- Booking opens at 8:00 AM IST on the calculated date.
Example: If you want to travel on September 28, 2025, you can start booking tickets on July 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM IST.
Important Exceptions
- Tatkal tickets: Can be booked one day before journey date (AC classes at 10:00 AM, non-AC at 11:00 AM).
- Special day trains: Some express trains like Taj Express and Gomti Express may have shorter booking windows.
- Foreign tourists: Retain the 365-day advance booking facility.
Reason for the Change
Indian Railways implemented this change to:
- Reduce ticket cancellations (21% of advance bookings for 61-120 days were being cancelled).
- Minimize "no-show" passengers (5% weren't cancelling or traveling).
- Prevent ticket hoarding and make tickets more available to genuine passengers.
- Better manage train occupancy and demand.
How to Use This Calculator
Simply select your desired travel date using the date picker above. The calculator will automatically compute when advance railway ticket booking opens for that date (60 days before). You can also see the latest date for which you can book tickets today.
Important: All tickets booked before October 31, 2024, under the previous 120-day rule remain valid, but cancellations are still permitted for bookings made beyond the new 60-day limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Train tickets can be booked up to 60 days in advance from the date of journey, excluding the travel date itself. This rule is effective from November 1, 2024.
The new rule effective November 1, 2024, allows advance booking only 60 days before journey date (reduced from 120 days). Booking opens at 8:00 AM IST on the calculated date.
You can buy advance train tickets exactly 60 days before your journey date at 8:00 AM IST. Use our calculator above to find your exact booking date.
Premium Tatkal booking opens one day before journey date - AC classes at 10:00 AM and non-AC classes at 11:00 AM IST.
Yes, advance tickets are refundable but cancellation charges apply based on the time of cancellation before journey date. Earlier cancellations have lower charges.
No, advance tickets are specific to the train, date, and route you book. You cannot use them for different trains or dates without proper modifications.
Book through IRCTC website, mobile app, or authorized booking counters. Online booking is available 24/7 once the booking window opens at 8:00 AM IST.
Tatkal booking starts one day before journey: AC classes at 10:00 AM and non-AC classes at 11:00 AM IST. Premium Tatkal follows the same timing.
Current rules include: 60-day advance booking, 8:00 AM booking start time, Tatkal booking one day prior, specific cancellation policies, and foreign tourist quotas remain at 365 days.
Foreign tourists retain the 365-day advance booking facility with special quotas, while regular passengers can only book 60 days in advance.