It’s even possible to hire an entire train specifically for a special occasion or even group travel in India. Indian Railways offers booking entire trains” service for weddings, corporate events, pilgrimages, and political rallies for an individual, organisation, or tour operator to book entire trains exclusively for use by the customer. Here is an elaborate guide on full train booking, costs involved, and the procedure.
How To Book Entire Train In India?
Booking an entire train in India is through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) or the Chief Commercial Manager (CCM) of the respective railway zone. Advance bookings, the deposit amount of security and getting approval from railway authorities are the major steps involved in this process.
Step-Wise Process For Booking a Full Train
- Step 1: Submission of Request: Individuals or organizations need to submit a request in writing to IRCTC or the Chief Commercial Manager of the concerned railway zone. The application form should include travel date, route, number of passengers, purpose, and other required facilities.
- Security Deposit and Booking Charges- Security deposit which varies depending on the train composition and distance is taken.
- Booking charges are according to the number of coaches, distance to travel, and other additional services required.
- Process of Approval – The railway authorities will examine the request, on the basis of availability and feasibility approve the booking. Sometimes, it takes a few days to process the application, hence needs to be applied at least well in advance.
- Payment and Confirmation – After acceptance, the customer needs to pay in full as per railway tariff. A confirmation is given, mentioning the train number, departure schedule, and other stipulations.
- Final Arrangement & Travel – Indian Railways makes the train fully ready before the journey. Facilities like catering, security, and first aid are also provided on request.
The “Cost Of Booking Entire Train”
varies on distance, route, type of train, and the services needed. For example, the common 18-coach train might cost around few lakhs just for the journey covering long distances. Special trains for weddings or VIP events may have additional charges for providing luxury service.
It is possible and relatively easy to book an entire train in India for a group even if quite a bit of advance planning, approval, and cash are involved. In case you require a personalized trip away from travel in the crowd, you can rely on Indian Railways to offer a seamless experience to get an entire train reserved for your trip.
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