Foreigners can book train tickets in India using debit, credit cards

Foreigners and NRIs would now be able to book train tickets in India online by using international debit and credit cards through IRCTC website.

Till now foreigners and NRIs could book their train tickets in India using only American Express International Credit Cards which were accepted at IRCTC portal through American Express (AMEX) Payment Gateway. Other International Cards are not accepted for payments as on date.

Other international cards are not accepted for payments till now but from now on foreigners can book their tickets abroad using their cards, said IRCTC CMD AK Manocha.

IRCTC will now permit other international credit and debit cards issued outside the country for booking of e-tickets through its ticketing site as it has made necessary changes in the system to enable global transactions.

Manocha said acceptance of all global cards will fulfill the longstanding demand of foreign tourists as they will be able to book e-tickets directly and will no longer depend on other agencies for the purpose.

Buddhist circuit trains, luxury services like 'Palace on Wheels', 'Maharajas’ Express' and other tourist specials are popular with foreigners and tickets are booked generally through tour operators.

Besides the luxury trains, foreigners will be able to book tickets for regular service once the required system gets operational on the IRCTC ticketing site.

IRCTC ticketing site is currently equipped to take the load of 15,000 tickets in a minute which means 250 tickets in a second. At present, about 58 per cent of total tickets sold are booked online.