IRCTC review
Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
IRCTC suits travellers booking Indian rail tickets alongside flights, buses, hotels, packages and tours in one place. It is a public corporation, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., founded in 1999, with a mobile app and support on phone, email and chat.
Key facts
- Best for
- Bookers who want Indian rail, flights and hotels on one account.
- Products
- Rail, Flights, Bus, Cruise, Hotels, Packages, Tours↗
- Booking fees
- INR 100 + GST per air ticket↗
- Mobile app
- Yes↗
- Legal entity
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.↗
- Headquarters
- India↗
- Founded
- 1999↗
- Support channels
- Phone, Email, Chat↗
- Official website
- irctc.com
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 3 sources
Apps and profiles
- Get the app
- Google Play
Pros and cons
Pros
- Rail sits alongside flights, bus, cruise, hotels, packages and tours in rail, flights and bus
- A mobile app is available for bookings on the move
- Support runs on phone, email and chat
Cons
- Flights add INR 100 + GST per air ticket on top of the fare
- Bus, cruise, packages and tours narrow the focus compared with a rail specialist
Who it suits
- Travellers booking Indian rail who also want flights and hotels
- Anyone planning a full trip and prefers one account for stay and transport
Who should look elsewhere
- Holidaymakers after a global rail pass, where FlixBus is a bus-only operator and Latam Travellers adds 0 hidden fees, no contracts
- Drivers needing a vehicle, since Hertz Bahamas WiFi lists car rental and transfers
Who runs it
IRCTC is the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., registered in India and founded in 1999. It is a public sector corporation rather than a commercial travel agent, which is why its rail inventory is deep. Bookers can reach it on phone, email and chat, and a mobile app handles the same bookings on the move.
How IRCTC compares
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.9
9.3 vs 8.7
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.8- 9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
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9.3 vs 8.4
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 9.6
9.3 vs 9.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.7
9.3 vs 9.5
9.3 vs 9.3
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 9.1
9.3 vs 9.3- 9.3 vs 8.4
9.3 vs 8.7
9.3 vs 8.5- 9.3 vs 9.0
9.3 vs 8.7- 9.3 vs 9.4
9.3 vs 9.3
9.3 vs 9.2
9.3 vs 9.1- 9.3 vs 9.1
9.3 vs 8.9
9.3 vs 8.8- 9.3 vs 8.5
- 9.3 vs 8.5
- 9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5- 9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
9.3 vs 8.5
Where IRCTC is available
- Available
- India
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to book a flight on IRCTC?+
Flights carry a booking charge of INR 100 + GST per air ticket. That sits on top of the airline fare rather than replacing it, so the total depends on the route and the carrier. Rail tickets do not list that charge.
Which kinds of trip can I book in one place?+
The product list covers rail, flights, bus, cruise, hotels, packages and tours under rail, flights and bus. A rail ticket, a hotel and a holiday package can sit on the same account. That breadth suits a traveller assembling a whole trip.
Is there a mobile app?+
Yes. A mobile app is available for booking and managing travel. It covers the same range listed in rail, flights and bus, from rail to hotels, which is convenient for changes while travelling.
How do I contact IRCTC?+
Support runs on phone, email and chat, so a phone call, an email and a live chat are all available. Having a phone line matters for rail bookings where a berth or quota question needs answering quickly.
Who is behind the site?+
IRCTC stands for the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., a company based in India and founded in 1999. As a public sector corporation it is not a commission-based travel agent, so rail inventory comes from the national network.
Can I book a bus or cruise as well as a train?+
Yes, bus and cruise both appear in rail, flights and bus beside rail and flights. That makes it practical for a trip that mixes a rail leg with coastal or coach travel. Availability will follow the routes it sells.
Who is not well served by this site?+
Travellers who need a global rail pass, since FlixBus covers bus only. Anyone after a vehicle can look to Hertz Bahamas WiFi, which handles car rental and transfers. It is built around Indian rail rather than worldwide itineraries.
Sources
- irctc.com/contact-us.php checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“For Cancellation E-tickets : etickets@irctc.co.in 14646; IRCTC Assistant [chatbot]”
- irctc.com/profile.php checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters, Legal entity
“IRCTC was incorporated on 27th September, 1999”
- irctc.com/travel-tourism.php checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Mobile app, Booking fees, Products
“IRCTC has introduced user friendly e-Mobile App - IRCTC Air for Android and IOS users”
Compiled from 3 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.