Indian Railways Opens Christmas 2025 Bookings: Step-by-Step Guide To Book Tickets via IRCTC Website & App

The Indian Railways has begun advance ticket bookings for the Christmas 2025 festive season, giving passengers extra time to secure their seats well before the holiday rush begins. With lakhs of people expected to travel across the country in December, early bookings through IRCTC's online platforms are now live for added convenience.

How to Book Train Tickets on IRCTC Website

Passengers can easily book their Christmas travel tickets through the IRCTC official website www.irctc.co.in by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit IRCTC's official website and log in with your username and password.
Step 2: Enter your departure and destination stations, travel date, and class of travel.
Step 3: Click on 'Find Trains' to view the available train options.
Step 4: Choose the train and class of your choice, then click 'Book Now.'
Step 5: Fill in the passenger details - name, age, gender, and berth preference.
Step 6: Proceed to the payment gateway, where you can pay via UPI, debit card, credit card, or internet banking.
Step 7: Once the payment is successful, your e-ticket will be generated instantly.
Step 8: Download or print your ticket for a hassle-free travel experience.

Booking Train Tickets via IRCTC Rail Connect Mobile App

If you prefer using your smartphone, the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app makes booking train tickets even easier. Here's how:

Step 1: Download and install the IRCTC Rail Connect app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Step 2: Log in using your IRCTC credentials or create a new account if you're a first-time user.

Step 3: Enter your origin and destination stations, date of journey, and travel class.

Step 4: Tap 'Search Trains' to check availability.

Step 5: Select your preferred train and tap 'Book Now.'

Step 6: Add passenger details and proceed to secure payment.

Step 7: After successful booking, your e-ticket will be available directly in the app under the 'My Bookings' section.

Aadhaar Verification for Extra Benefits

The IRCTC has allowed users to link their Aadhaar number to their account for additional benefits. Aadhaar-authenticated users can book up to 12 tickets per month, whereas non-verified users are limited to six tickets monthly. Linking Aadhaar also speeds up identity verification during booking.

Plan Your Christmas Journey Early

The Christmas and New Year season is one of the busiest travel periods in India, especially for routes connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai. Indian Railways has advised passengers to plan and book early to avoid disappointment and to enjoy a stress-free festive journey.Using IRCTC's online and mobile platforms, booking your Christmas 2025 train tickets is now faster.