What is a railway room booking?
Railway room booking is a service that provides accommodation directly at the major railway stations. You can stay for a full 24 hours or just pay for the hours you will actually need, ranging from 3 hours to 48 hours. You can opt for private single rooms, private double rooms, budget-friendly dormitory rooms with shared halls and air-conditioned rooms or rooms without air-conditioning.
Who Can Reserve a Retiring Room?
For booking a train room, one should have a valid PNR No. Your train booking is required to be confirmed or RAC; the system will not allow bookings to be made for waitlisted tickets. One passenger can make two bookings per PNR at his/her boarding station and at his/her destination station. Depending on your budget and preference, you can choose between private single or double rooms, economical dormitories with shared halls, and options with or without air conditioning.
Easy Steps to Book Hotel Rooms Online
When you want to book hotel rooms online or reserve station spaces through IRCTC, the process is straightforward:
Visit the Portal: Open the official IRCTC Tourism portal or Retiring Room site and enter your 10-digit train ticket PNR number.
Choose Your Station: You can book a room at your starting (boarding) station or your final arrival station.
Select Your Slot: Choose when you will check in, how many hours you will stay (3-48), and which type of room you would like (AC/Non-AC, Single/Double, or Dormitory).
Fill Details & Pay: Enter Guest Details and pay securely for a room booking.
Why Choose These Rooms Over a Budget Hotel?
It's okay to stay at an outside hotel, but it's better to stay at a station retiring room. For one, you will not have to pay any rupees for taxis or auto-rickshaws, as you can walk directly from your coach to your room. You also have complete flexibility with your timetable here since IRCTC does not demand that you come in at a certain time during the day, as in the case of short blocks, which can be paid for at any time. Moreover, it does not burn a hole in your pocket, with minimum prices of ₹10 to ₹40 depending on your room choice and length of stay, providing you a budget hotel. Best of all, these spaces are located within railway premises, so there are security guards on hand around the clock.
Cancellation and Important Rules
As plans can change without notice, here are a few policies you should keep in mind before you book. Two days before arrival, there will be a small 20% cancellation fee; a 50% cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel the booking one day before arrival. No refund will be granted if you cancel on the day of check-in.
Please note: All cancellations must be done online, and we do not accept any railway ticket counters for cancelling online room bookings. Finally, arrive at check-in with a valid government-issued photo ID with ticket information.
Conclusion
For any traveller who has to wait for a connecting train or requires a quick rest, the use of an online retiring room booking is the most convenient option. It is budget-friendly and provides you with clean rooms at the train station. The next time you are packing up your bags, book your tickets in advance from the official IRCTC website using your confirmed PNR, and your travelling experience will be hassle-free and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. If my train ticket is waitlisted, may I use an online retiring room booking?
No, rooms can only be reserved if your PNR status is either confirmed or RAC.
2. What is the maximum number of hours allowed in a room?
You can reserve a stay for a minimum of 3 hours up to a maximum of 48 hours.
3. What paperwork is required when I check in?
A valid government-issued photo ID card and train ticket information are required.
4. What happens if I want to cancel my room on the check-in day?
If you cancel on the scheduled date of check-in, no refund will be granted.
5. Do I have the ability to make a railway room booking at an intermediate station on my journey?
No, you can reserve a room only at the beginning station or at the end station to which the PNR is connected.
