RailCheck

Ticket bookings are now open for travel dates up to Thursday, 22 October 2026

This date is calculated based on the assumption that the train begins its journey from the originating station on the same calendar day.

Never miss an IRCTC booking again! Instantly see when tickets open—whether it's 60-day advance.

How IRCTC 60-Day Advance Booking Works

Indian Railways allows passengers to book reserved train tickets up to 60 days in advance of the journey date. This window is known as the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Booking typically opens at 8:00 AM IST on the opening day through IRCTC and at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations.

The 60-day count is calculated from the date of journey, excluding the day of travel itself. For example, if you plan to travel on 30 May, advance booking opens around 31 March (60 days before, excluding the travel date). Use the calculator above to pick your journey date and instantly see when reservations open for that trip.

Step-by-step: using this calculator

  1. Select your intended date of journey in the date picker.
  2. The tool subtracts 60 days and shows when IRCTC booking is expected to open.
  3. Note the opening time (usually 8:00 AM) and set a reminder so you can book early for better berth availability.
  4. For trains that originate on a different calendar day at your boarding station, verify the opening date on IRCTC or enquiry.138 before booking.

Worked example

Suppose your train departs on Friday, 15 August 2026 from the originating station. Counting back 60 calendar days (excluding the travel date) lands on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. Advance booking for that journey should open at 8:00 AM IST on 16 June. Enter 15 August in the calculator above to confirm the opening date for your own trip.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Counting the travel day — the 60-day window ends the day before departure, not on the journey date itself.
  • Using the wrong journey date — for intermediate boarding points, IRCTC may use the train's origin date, not when the train reaches your station.
  • Missing the 8:00 AM IST window — popular trains sell out within minutes; log in early and have payment ready.
  • Confusing Tatkal with advance booking — Tatkal opens only one day before travel at 10:00 AM (AC) or 11:00 AM (non-AC), not 60 days ahead.
  • Timezone confusion — all IRCTC opening times follow Indian Standard Time (IST), regardless of where you are booking from.

Advance booking vs Tatkal

General (advance) quota tickets open 60 days before travel and offer the widest choice of berths. Tatkal booking opens one day before departure at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC, with limited seats and higher fares. If you miss the advance window, Tatkal is an option—but seats sell out quickly on popular routes like Delhi–Mumbai Rajdhani or Vande Bharat services.

Tips for a successful IRCTC booking

  • Log in to IRCTC a few minutes before the opening time and keep payment details ready.
  • Book from the train's originating station when possible—quotas often release more seats from the source.
  • Check alternate trains, classes, or nearby stations if your first choice is waitlisted.
  • After booking, save your 10-digit PNR and use our PNR status checker to track confirmation chances.

RailCheck is an independent tool and is not affiliated with IRCTC or Indian Railways. Always confirm booking dates and fares on the official IRCTC website or railway enquiry channels before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Answers about the 60-day reservation window, Tatkal timing, and how to use this calculator

  • No. IRCTC's Advance Reservation Period (ARP) counts 60 calendar days before your journey date, not including the travel date itself. If your train departs on 30 May, booking opens 60 days earlier—on 31 March at 8:00 AM IST.