Book train tickets via SMS [Guide]

Booking train tickets is the worst hassle that a traveler and endure. Whether it is the nightmare of standing in the huge queue or even waiting for online booking to pick up, both are a  huge pain. So, finally Indian Railways has woken up to fact that the 21st century is here and provided us with a service which lets you book tickets right from your phone.

You can book tickets by sending an SMS to 139, 5676714 or if you are a BSNL consumer, after registering your mobile number and other requisite information for the transaction, you will get a one-time identifier number for the bank transaction authorization. You will need to follow this format to book tickets –

1. SMS based booking through 139
Registration

• Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with your bank.
• Bank provides MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) & OTP (One Time Password) through IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) option.

More than 25 banks are providing IMPS facility. For generating MMID & OTP, visit website.
Booking Flow

• Generate OTP through your Bank for authorization of payment.
• Send SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 BOOK <TrainNo><FromStn.Code><ToStn.Code> <TravelDate (DDMM)><Class><Passenger-Name><Age><M/F>
• You will receive Transaction ID alongwith other details.
• Make payment through sending an SMS, in the following syntax, to 139 PAY <Transaction ID as received><IMPS><Your MMID as received from the bank><OTP, your one time password as received from the bank for this transaction><IRCTCUserID> and your ticket is booked; confirmation SMS is received on your mobile and same can be used during journey along with valid ID proof.
• Service is available to all mobile subscribers.
• SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).
• PG charges Rs 5/- for ticket amount < Rs 5000/ and Rs 10/- for ticket amount >= Rs 5000/- (as applicable by bank).
• Agent Service Charges: NIL
• Helpline No.: 139
• Helpline Email : smsticket139@bharatbpo.in

2. SMS based booking through 5676714
Registration

• Register your mobile number with IRCTC as well as with m-wallet (http://www.zipcash.in/user/nlogin.aspx)
• Send SMS, to 5676714, in the following syntax START < irctc user Id > for user authentication (first time only)
• Booking Flow
• Send an SMS to 5676714 to book a ticket in the following syntax: BOOK <From stn.code>,<to stn.code>, <DDMMYY>, <Trainno>,<Class>,<passenger name>,<age>,<M/F>
• 1. “PAY , MPAY, < m-PIN >” for authorizing payment through MPAY
• OR
• 2. “Send <mobileno>,<mmid>,<amount>, <transaction Id>,<OTP>” to your Bank IMPS number.
• After payment is made booking confirmation is sent to your mobile.
• SMSes @ Rs 3/- per SMS (2 SMSes are required for each booking).
• PG Charges: Currently NIL
• Agent Service Charges: As applicable.
• Helpline No. : 8882001001
• Helpline Email : support@saarthii.com

3. SMS based booking through BSNL
User should have the following:
1. BSNL SIM card installed.
2. Java enabled mobile phone
3. Andhra Bank Prepaid card.
This is a menu driven application where user has to enter the details asked for in simple step-by-step process to get the ticket.
Registration

• Install the application.
• Select the Register option to get the mPIN.
• Booking
• Click the icon BSNL Prepaid Card
• Select Ticketing > Train (IRCTC)
• Fill up the journey details such as From stn, To Stn, Train No, DOJ, Class, Quota, passenger details.
• Enter the mPIN to get the ticket information.
• SMSes: without charges.
• PG Charges: Currently NIL
• Agent Service Charges: As applicable.
• Helpline No. : 040-39849644
• Helpline Email : bsnl.support@pyrogroup.com

Just one more thing though: this service is not available for the booking of tatkal tickets, unfortunately.