IRCTC Bus Ticket Booking Rules | IRCTC Bus Ticket Booking Terms and Conditions
IRCTC Bus Ticket Booking – Online Bus Booking IRCTC
IRCTC has introduced online bus booking services in 22 States and 3 Union Territories, providing overall travel experience to the passengers. Travelers can now book seats at their convenience.
IRCTC Bus Ticket Booking Guidelines
1. What are the advantages of online bus booking?
- There are many advantages of online bus ticket booking.
- You can choose your preferred seats.
- Online bus ticket booking keeps you away from the long queues of the offline ticket counters.
- You can view plenty of buses and choose an appropriate bus for your travel considering the amenities, reviews, ratings and bus images available.
- You can choose the preferred bus type (Volvo Bus, AC or Non AC) and also pickup and dropping point and timings.
- Your tickets can be booked at a reasonable price with multiple payment options.
2. Can we book state road transport corporation buses from IRCTC?
- Yes, almost all fleets of state road transport corporation buses will be enabled from IRCTC. For example, UPSRTC, APSRTC, GSRTC, OSRTC, Kerala RTC, etc.
3. Is it compulsory to carry the printout of the ticket to board the bus?
- The bus operators validate e-tickets received on your e-mail or available on the app. But, it is advisable to carry the e-ticket’s print out to be on a safer side for a hassle-free travel experience. It is also advisable to carry a govt. identity card to verify your identity before boarding the bus.
4. What if I miss the bus? Will I get a refund?
- Refund will not be initiated if you miss the bus. A refund is initiated in case of bus operator cancels the bus and have not provided any other bus as an alternate option. IRCTC will process the refund to the customer on receiving the amount from the bus operator only.
IRCTC Bus Ticket Booking Step by Step
5. How to book bus tickets online through IRCTC?
- Log on to bus.irctc.co.in
- Select From / To with travel date
- Choose bus date / time wise
- Choose seat
- Enter your personal details
- Make payment
6. By when can I get bus no. or driver details.
- You will be notified by SMS with bus no. boarding point and driver’s contact no. 2 hours before the scheduled bus departure.
7. Do I need to create an account to book bus tickets on IRCTC?
- IRCTC login credentials can be used for booking the bus tickets. In case, customer does not have IRCTC login he can book through guest user login by providing required email id and mobile no.
8. Can I cancel my bus ticket at any time?
- Yes, you can. Cancellations can only be done online for online bookings through www.bus.irctc.co.in.
9. If Bus booked online, can it be cancelled through counter and vice versa?
- No, tickets booked online can be cancelled online only.
10. Can I book SRTC bus tickets on IRCTC?
- Yes, you can book SRTC (State Road Transport Corporation) bus tickets using our website.
11. What are the payment options that IRCTC accepts?
- We accept all payment options to complete your booking like Debit card, Credit card, Net banking, Wallets and UPI.
12. How many passengers can be booked in one transaction?
- Maximum 6 passengers can be booked in one transaction.
13. Can group booking be made online?
- No. However, for details may contact at buscare@irctc.com
14. Is name change or gender change permissible?
- No, name change or gender change is not allowed. In case of changes, it is to be cancelled and go for fresh booking.
15. Is ID Proof Required for Booking?
- No. However, it is mandatory to carry one govt. id card having the same name on the ticket.
16. Where to complaint / seek information?
- Email us at buscare@irctc.com or call us at 1800110139
17. Does payment deducted confirm bus booking?
- Once ticket no. is generated than it is deemed to be a confirmed booking.
18. What are the various bus types?
- Please visit our website www.bus.irctc.co.in for details. There are various types of buses depending upon route and timings.
19. What is the age of child for the booking the BUS?
- Child above 5 years with seat requirement will have to pay the full fare.
20. While booking the amount was debited but ticket no. was not generated. What should I do?
- Amount would be refunded within 3-5 working days in the same account.
21. What should I do if I don’t see the confirmation of my booking on my screen?
- Please check your Booking History or Email us at buscare@irctc.com
22. Can partial cancellation be done?
- Yes, partial cancellation of passengers is allowed.
23. Can we change / modify dates after booking?
- No. In such cases booking needs to be cancelled and to be rebooked. Cancellation charges as per policy shall levy.
24. What are the service charges of IRCTC?
- For AC class – Rs. 20 + GST
- For Non AC – Rs. 10 + GST
- Payment gateway charges shall also be borne by the passenger
25. Is GST applicable in Bus Booking?
- Yes. It is applicable as per bus operator.
26. What is Bus Baggage Policy?
- Each passenger is allowed to carry one bag upto 10 kgs and one personal item such as laptop bag, handbag, or briefcase of upto 5 kgs.
- Passengers should not carry any goods like weapons, inflammable, firearms, ammunitions, drugs, liquor, smuggled goods, etc or any other articles that are prohibited under law. Bus operator reserves the right to deny boarding ot charge additional amount in case passenger is travelling with extra luggage than what is mentioned above.
27. What if I cannot board the scheduled bus?
- No refund permissible after bus departing from first boarding point.
Here’s a detailed summary of the IRCTC Bus & Train Ticket Booking Rules, Terms & Conditions:
Contents
🚌 IRCTC Bus Booking Terms & Conditions
Derived from IRCTC documentation:
- Booking Capacity: Maximum of 6 passengers per transaction, no partial group splits.
- Timing: Board at least 15 min prior to scheduled departure; times are tentative.
- Notifications: SMS sent 2 hours before departure with bus number, boarding point, and driver’s contact.
- Liability: IRCTC is not responsible for delays, breakdowns, or loss of belongings; travel accidents are beyond its control.
- Cancellation & Refunds: Full refund processed to the original payment method if a bus is canceled; standard cancellation charges apply per policy.
- ID Proof: Mandatory to carry a government-issued ID matching the ticket name; not required at booking.
🚂 IRCTC Train Booking Terms & Conditions
General Internet Booking Rules
Based on IRCTC’s official terms:
- Tickets booked through IRCTC website or App. E‑tickets (ERS) must be accompanied by one valid photo ID.
- E‑tickets are non‑transferable. Confirmation chart is finalized ~4 hours before departure, earlier for overnight trains.
- Booking closes 4 hours before train departure, except for certain routes/trains.
- PNR may include up to 4 passengers per Tatkal ticket, or more for general tickets (max 6 via bus).
- Concessions require appropriate documentation (e.g., senior, student, child).
- Payment options include credit/debit cards, UPI, net banking, wallets.
Tatkal Booking Rules (updated July 2025)
New rule-set mandated by Indian Railways:
- Tatkal window opens 10:00 AM (AC classes) and 11:00 AM (non-AC) one day prior to travel.
- Aadhaar authentication mandatory for all Tatkal bookings—online, PRS counters, and agents. OTP verification obowiązkowe from July 15, 2025.
- Authorized agents are barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes to promote fair access.
- No refund for confirmed Tatkal tickets upon cancellation; waitlist cancellations eligible for partial refund.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
From IRCTC cancellation rules:
- Confirmed tickets canceled 12–4 hours before departure incur 50% refund (subject to min. charge).
- Wait-listed tickets canceled before charting qualify for refund after ₹20 + GST charge.
- No refund if TDR isn’t filed or cancellation is done too late.
- Partial cancellations on group bookings permitted with defined window-based refund rules.
⚖️ Rights & Obligations
- Single user ID per email & mobile; duplicates risk account termination.
- Misuse (e.g., bots, multiple IDs, unauthorized re-selling) may lead to deactivation or ticket cancellation.
- Changes to names/dates cannot be made post-booking—you must cancel and rebook.
- IRCTC is not liable for service delays, train cancellations, or incidental passenger losses.
📋 Summary Table
| Service Type | Booking Limits | Advance Booking Window | Tatkal Window | Refund Rule Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Tickets | Max 6 per booking | As per schedule | N/A | Full refund if canceled by IRCTC |
| E‑ticket (Train) | Up to 6 per PNR | Up to 60 days in advance | Tatkal opens at 10/11 AM | Non‑transferable; refund per clause |
| Tatkal (Train) | Max 4 per Tatkal PNR | 1 day before travel | Aadhaar + OTP mandatory for all | No refund for confirmed Tatkal, waitlist partial refund |
✅ Traveler Tips
- Link your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account before July 2025 to ensure Tatkal eligibility.
- Book non-Tatkal tickets promptly at 8:00 AM sharp for better seat chances.
- Save your OTP info and stay attentive when booking via agents or counters.
- Review cancellation timelines carefully to optimize refund eligibility.
- Keep IDs handy, and ensure names exactly match between ticket and ID.
If you’d like help calculating exact cancellation charges, linking Aadhaar to your account, or understanding which ID is accepted in your case, feel free to ask!