Tatkal ticket passengers? You must pay these charges, if your travel distance surpasses Indian Railways criteria

Tatkal tickets are always purchased at higher rate than compared to other Indian Railways reserved tickets as a few additional charges are levied be it in second class or AC compartment. There is massive rise for booking tatkal tickets at Indian Railways station windows everyday. However, to eliminate standing in queues for tatkal tickets, the Indian Railways through its catering service provider IRCTC also allows online booking. A specified time, period and facility is available for train passengers who are looking to book tatkal tickets. But are you aware of how you are charged for your tatkal tickets? Guess what! The Indian Railways look into the distance of your travel journey, while giving you a ticket. And if you surpass that, the minimum distance criteria, then your ticket price will go higher. 

The minimum distance of travel for tatkal passengers is set 100km for reserve second sitting (2S), while 500km for sleeper and 250km for AC Chair car. Also, 500km each for AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier, while 250km is set for executive class.

Hence, if you have to travel more than the minimum distance with tatkal tickets, then between Rs 10 to Rs 15 charges will be levied on reserve second sitting, between Rs 100 to Rs 200 on sleeper. 

While, charges of Rs 125 to Rs 225 is set on AC Chair car and Rs 300 to Rs 400 charges is on AC 3 tier.

Finally, charges of Rs 400 to Rs 500 each is set on tickets booked for AC 2 tier and executive coach.

 Check the Tatkal ticket charges table below for journeys on Indian Railways trains:

These charges will  levied uniformly both in peak period & non-peak periods.

On Indian Railways website, it is known that, tatkal tickets will be issued for actual distance of travel, instead of end-to-end, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train. The same Tatkal berth/seat may be booked in multiple legs till preparation of charts. At the time of preparation of charts, unutilized portion may be released to the General RAC/Waiting list passengers.

Tatkal facility is also available in Executive Class of Shatabdi Express trains also, by earmarking 10% of the accommodation available i.e. 5 seats per coach.

Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM for AC Classes and 11 AM for NON-AC Classes, on one days in advance from  actual date of journey.

Notably, no duplicate Tatkal tickets shall be issued. Duplicate Tatkal tickets shall be issued only in exceptional cases on payment of full fare including Tatkal charges.

At the time of Tatkal ticket booking no need to furnish identity proof if travelling in group. As only one passenger needs to produce any their details. 

These details are passport, voter identity, PAN card, driving license, student card, credit cards, Aadhaar card, etc. 

If you try to book tickets from agents, then remember they are restricted from booking Tatkal tickets between 1000 hours and 1200 hours. This restriction shall be enforced through frequent inspection at the counters. The agents both web service agents and web agents shall also be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets on the internet between 1000 hours and 1200 hours.