Difference between reserved and unreserved ticket in railway  | How to get a unreserved ticket |Railway ticket types

Railway ticket types

Difference between reserved and unreserved ticket in railway 

In the Indian Railways system, there are two types of tickets available for travel: reserved and unreserved.

Reserved tickets are those which are booked in advance and guarantee a specific seat or berth for the passenger on the train. These tickets are generally more expensive than unreserved tickets and can be booked up to 120 days in advance. Reserved tickets are available for all classes of travel, including AC classes, sleeper class, and general class.

On the other hand, unreserved tickets are those which can be purchased on the day of travel itself and do not guarantee a seat or berth on the train. These tickets are generally cheaper than reserved tickets and are available only for general class travel.

Passengers with unreserved tickets are allowed to travel on any train on the same route within a specified time frame, which is usually indicated on the ticket. However, if the train is crowded and there are no available seats or berths, passengers may have to stand or sit on the floor during the journey.

Overall, the main difference between reserved and unreserved tickets is that reserved tickets guarantee a specific seat or berth on the train while unreserved tickets do not.

How to get a unreserved ticket if your reservation not confirmed the last time 

If your reservation is not confirmed and you still want to travel, you can purchase an unreserved ticket for general class travel. Here are the steps to get an unreserved ticket:

Visit the railway station: Go to the railway station from where you plan to board the train.

Find the ticket counter: Look for the unreserved ticket counter or the general ticket counter.

Request the ticket: Once you reach the counter, request an unreserved ticket for your destination.

Pay for the ticket: Pay the ticket fare in cash or through a digital payment mode. The cost of an unreserved ticket is generally lower than a reserved ticket.

Board the train: After purchasing the ticket, board the train and find a seat in the general compartment. However, it is important to note that unreserved tickets do not guarantee a seat, and you may have to stand or sit on the floor during the journey if the train is crowded.

It is important to plan ahead and book your ticket in advance to ensure that you have a confirmed reservation and a guaranteed seat or berth on the train.

What to do if my ticket is still RAC

If your ticket is still RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), it means that you have a partially confirmed ticket and you will be allocated a seat or berth on the train only if there are cancellations from other passengers. Here are some options that you can consider if your ticket is still RAC:

Check PNR status: Check the PNR status of your ticket on the Indian Railways website or app to see if there have been any updates to your ticket status.

Wait for updates: Wait for updates on your ticket status until the chart is prepared. The chart is usually prepared a few hours before the train departure time.

Cancel the ticket: If you do not want to travel, you can cancel your ticket and claim a refund. The amount of refund depends on the time of cancellation and the rules of the Indian Railways.

Travel on RAC ticket: If you are willing to travel on a partially confirmed ticket, you can board the train and wait for the seat or berth allocation. If there are cancellations, you will be given a confirmed seat or berth.

Book an alternative train: If you are unable to travel on your current ticket, you can consider booking an alternative train or booking a new ticket for a different date or time.

It is important to keep in mind that RAC tickets are not guaranteed seats or berths on the train and it is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid such situations.

What is EQ in irctc train 

In the IRCTC train reservation system, EQ stands for "Emergency Quota". The emergency quota is a reserved quota of seats or berths that is set aside for use in emergencies or special circumstances. This quota is usually reserved for government officials, VIPs, or individuals with a medical emergency.

The emergency quota is released only when all other quotas such as the general quota, Tatkal quota, and other quotas are fully booked. The number of seats or berths available under the emergency quota is limited and is usuall