You can book advance train tickets 365 days in advance—not just 60 days; find out how..

Indian Railways has established several key regulations to enhance passenger convenience and improve the ticket-booking system. Recently, the Railways reduced the booking window for train tickets from 90 days to 60 days for general passengers. Consequently, train reservations can now be made a maximum of two months prior to the date of travel. However, different rules apply to certain specific categories of passengers; some are permitted to book their train tickets as early as 365 days in advance—well beyond the standard time limit.

Who is eligible to book tickets 365 days in advance?
This 365-day booking facility is not available to the general public; rather, it is intended for foreign tourists and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Under this policy, foreign tourists and NRIs can reserve train tickets for travel within India up to one year in advance. However, they must adhere to specific conditions to avail of this facility.

What are the conditions for booking tickets 365 days in advance?
To book tickets under this special quota, passengers must possess a valid foreign passport. Furthermore, when registering or booking via the IRCTC portal, foreign tourists and NRIs are required to provide an international mobile number, which is then verified through an OTP (One-Time Password). Additionally, this 365-day booking option is not available for all classes of travel; it is restricted to premium coaches, such as First AC, 2AC, and Executive Class (EC).

This special provision for foreign tourists and NRIs was introduced in 2017 and remains in effect today. The initiative is designed to accommodate foreign visitors, who often plan their trips to India months in advance, by ensuring they have convenient access to train reservations.

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