Rail Alarm app will alert you when you are about to reach the Station even without GPS
The app does not rely on GPS, so does not drain your battery. It uses an intelligent backend system that the team has built over two years. The backend has the full railway network mapped. The app alerts users even if a train is delayed. Rail Alarm also shows the current status of the train in Google Maps and the distance to your destination. Definitely a must have app for all train travelers. You can download the Android version of the app here and the iOS app
Here’s your guide to the “Rail Alarm” or “destination station alarm” concept—often available through third-party apps, particularly notable for working without GPS or internet:
🚉 How the Rail Alarm Feature Works
📍 “Where Is My Train” App (by Google)
- This app detects train movement using cellular tower data instead of GPS or internet, making it highly effective even in offline modes. It supports destination alarms that notify you a set time or distance before reaching your stop.
- It works on both Android and iOS, and has become widely used due to its reliability and simplicity.
🧰 Other Apps Offering Similar Functionality
- Apps like ixigo Trains include a Station Alarm feature that lets users set an alert based on distance (5, 10, 15, or 25 km) from the destination station. These work only when location services are on.
- Several smaller tools and APK-based utilities also offer station-based alarm features that can operate offline.
❌ Why Indian Railways’ Own Feature Fell Short
📞 Legacy “Destination Alert” via 139 Helpline
- Earlier, passengers could set a destination alert or wake-up call by dialing 139, sending an SMS (
ALERT<PNR>), or via agent assistance. These services promised a phone call ~20 minutes before arrival. - However, Reddit users report that this service has been effectively discontinued, often returning messages like “date of travel not acceptable” or failing to send either alert calls or confirmation SMS altogether.
📋 Feature Comparison
| Feature | CRIS / IRCTC via 139 | Third-party Rail Alarm Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Works without GPS | Yes (via SMS/IVR) | Yes (via cell tower data) |
| Reliability | Frequently non-functional | Proven reliable (Where is My Train) |
| Internet Required | No | No |
| Distance-based alerts | No | Yes (distance before destination) |
| Availability | Discontinued/unofficial | Actively maintained by third-party devs |
🧠 Community Insight
Users on Reddit have suggested that the Railways’ 139-based service has largely been quietly phased out, even though no formal announcement was made. In contrast, apps like Where is My Train remain popular for offering stable offline tracking and station alerts.
✅ Final Takeaway
While Indian Railways once offered a destination alert feature via the 139 helpline, its usage today is sparse and unreliable. Meanwhile, the Where Is My Train app offers a robust and offline station alarm feature, powered by cellular tower-based train detection—not GPS—and works across Android and iOS. If you require accurate alerting without relying on GPS, these third-party apps are your best bet.
Need help setting it up or choosing the optimal app for your journey? Let me know!
