How to Read Your Train Ticket — Every Field Explained
An Indian Railways ticket contains a lot of information packed into a small space. This guide decodes every field so you know exactly what your ticket is telling you.
All Ticket Fields Explained
Whether you have a printed counter ticket or an IRCTC e-ticket PDF, the information is largely the same. Here is what every field means:
Your unique 10-digit Passenger Name Record number. Use this to check booking status on ChaloTrain.
The 5-digit train number and the official name of the train (e.g., 12301 HOWRAH RAJDHANI).
The date on which you will travel. Format is usually DD-MM-YYYY.
Your travel class: 1A, 2A, 3A, SL, CC, 2S, etc. This determines your coach type and berth.
The station where you will board the train, shown with the station code and scheduled departure time.
Your destination station with the station code and scheduled arrival time.
Assigned after chart preparation (4–6 hours before departure). Shows your exact coach (e.g., S4) and berth number (e.g., 32 LB for Lower Berth).
Name, age, gender, and concession type for each passenger on the ticket.
Total fare paid including base fare, reservation charge, superfast charge (if applicable), and GST.
GN (General), TQ (Tatkal), PT (Premium Tatkal), LD (Ladies), SS (Senior Citizen), etc.
Understanding Berth Codes
Once the chart is prepared, your ticket shows a berth code. Here is what each code means:
| Code | Berth Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| LB | Lower Berth | Bottom berth — easiest to access, preferred by elderly and women |
| MB | Middle Berth | Middle berth in 3-tier coaches — folds up during the day |
| UB | Upper Berth | Top berth — most privacy but requires climbing |
| SL | Side Lower | Lower side berth — used as seat during day, berth at night |
| SU | Side Upper | Upper side berth — compact but private |
Understanding the Fare Breakdown
The total fare on your ticket is made up of several components:
- Base Fare: Calculated based on distance and class of travel
- Reservation Charge: Fixed charge for reserving a berth (₹15–₹50 depending on class)
- Superfast Charge: ₹15–₹45 extra for trains running at average speed above 55 km/h
- Tatkal Charge: Additional charge for Tatkal bookings (varies by class and distance)
- GST: 5% GST on AC class tickets; no GST on non-AC tickets
- IRCTC Convenience Fee: ₹15 (non-AC) or ₹30 (AC) per transaction for online bookings
Use ChaloTrain's Fare Inquiry tool to check the exact fare for any train, class, and quota before booking.
E-Ticket vs Counter Ticket
E-Ticket (IRCTC)
- • Booked online via IRCTC or apps
- • PDF sent to email; show on mobile
- • Must carry original photo ID
- • Auto-cancelled if WL at chart time
- • Can cancel online for refund
Counter Ticket (PRS)
- • Booked at railway reservation counter
- • Physical printed ticket
- • No ID required (ID preferred)
- • WL passengers can board and pay TTE
- • Cancel at counter for refund
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between boarding station and origin station on a ticket?
The origin station is where the train starts its journey. The boarding station is where you will actually board the train. These can be different if you are joining the train at an intermediate station.
What does "Chart Not Prepared" mean on my ticket?
"Chart Not Prepared" means the reservation chart for your coach has not been finalized yet. Charts are typically prepared 4–6 hours before departure. Once prepared, your coach and berth number will be assigned.
What is the quota code on my train ticket?
The quota code indicates which reservation quota your ticket was booked under. GN = General, TQ = Tatkal, PT = Premium Tatkal, LD = Ladies, SS = Senior Citizen, DF = Defence, HP = Divyaang (Persons with Disability).
Can I travel if my name is misspelled on the ticket?
Minor spelling errors are generally acceptable as long as the TTE can identify you with your photo ID. However, if the name is completely different, you may be asked to deboard. Always double-check passenger names before confirming the booking.
What does the distance shown on the ticket mean?
The distance in kilometres shown on the ticket is the railway distance between your boarding and destination stations. This is used to calculate the base fare. Railway distance may differ from road distance.
Check Your PNR Status
Now that you know how to read your ticket, check your PNR status to see your current booking status.
Check PNR Status