Have you ever booked a train ticket hoping for a lower berth but ended up getting an upper seat instead? This is a common problem for many passengers, especially when elderly family members are travelling.
The good news is that IRCTC provides several options that can increase your chances of getting the berth you prefer.
By selecting the right settings while booking your ticket, you may be able to avoid last-minute seat exchange requests and enjoy a more comfortable journey.
Create a Master List with Your Seat Preference
IRCTC allows users to create a Master List of passengers in their account.
This feature not only saves time during booking but also lets you store berth preferences for each passenger.
To set it up:
Log in to your IRCTC account.
Go to My Account and select My Master List.
Click Add Passenger.
Enter the passenger’s details and choose the preferred berth, such as Lower Berth.
Save the information.
The next time you book a ticket, simply select the passenger from the list. The berth preference will be automatically included in the booking request.
Select Your Berth Preference While Booking
Many passengers overlook the berth preference option while booking tickets.
When entering passenger details, you will find a Berth Preference menu below the name and age fields. Here, you can choose your preferred seat type, such as:
Lower Berth
Upper Berth
Side Lower
Side Upper
While the railway system cannot guarantee your chosen berth, selecting a preference can improve your chances of getting it.
Use the Senior Citizen Quota When Eligible
If you are booking tickets for senior citizens, don’t forget to use the appropriate quota.
The Lower Berth/Senior Citizen Quota is designed to help eligible passengers get more convenient seating arrangements.
To use this option:
Select the quota option during booking.
Choose Lower Berth/Senior Citizen instead of the General quota.
This facility is generally available for:
Men aged 60 years and above
Women aged 45 years and above
Using the correct quota can increase the likelihood of receiving a lower berth.
Choose the “At Least One Lower Berth” Option
If you are travelling with family members, especially elderly passengers, this feature can be very useful.
In the Other Preferences section, select the option:
“Book only if at least one lower berth is allotted.”
With this setting enabled, the booking will proceed only if at least one passenger in the group receives a lower berth.
Want Everyone in the Same Coach? Use This Option
When booking multiple tickets, passengers often end up in different coaches.
To avoid this, go to the Other Preferences section and select:
“Book only if berths are allotted in the same coach.”
This increases the chances of your group being accommodated in the same coach, making the journey more convenient and comfortable.
A Small Step That Can Make Your Journey Easier
While berth allotment ultimately depends on seat availability, using these IRCTC features can significantly improve your chances of getting the seat you want.
Whether you’re travelling with senior citizens, family members, or simply prefer a lower berth, taking a few extra seconds during ticket booking can make your train journey much more comfortable.
