Indian Railways has taken another step towards making train travel more flexible and passenger-friendly. Travelers can now book tickets for Vande Bharat Express trains up to 15 minutes before departure, a move that specifically benefits last-minute travelers. This feature, introduced for selected trains under the Southern Railway zone, is expected to make spontaneous travel plans smoother and improve utilization of available seats. Currently, 144 Vande Bharat Express trains operate nationwide, connecting major cities with high-speed, modern facilities. Until now, once a Vande Bharat train departed from its originating station, ticket booking for intermediate stops was not allowed, even if seats were vacant. This new change removes that limitation, giving passengers more flexibility while improving the efficiency of Indian Railways operations. The Southern Railway (SR) zone is the first to implement this feature, covering key routes in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Passengers boarding from en route stations can now book tickets up to 15 minutes before departure.

How to book Vande Bharat Express tickets online just 15 minutes before departure

Indian Railways has upgraded its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) to handle quick, last-minute bookings:

• Visit IRCTC website or app: Go to www.irctc.co.in or open the IRCTC Rail Connect app.

• Log In or sign up: Use existing login credentials or create a new account.

• Enter travel details: Select boarding and destination stations, travel date, and Vande Bharat train option.

• Check seat availability: The system displays real-time seat availability.

• Choose class and boarding station: Pick Executive Class or Chair Car and boarding point.

• Make payment and confirm: Pay online and receive an e-ticket via SMS and email.

List of Vande Bharat Express trains offering last-minute booking

• 20631 Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central

• 20632 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central

• 20627 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil

• 20628 Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore

• 20642 Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt.

• 20646 Mangaluru Central – Madgaon

• 20671 Madurai – Bengaluru Cantt.

• 20677 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Vijayawada

Benefits of Vande Bharat last-minute ticket booking for passengers

• Increased flexibility

Travelers with sudden or emergency plans can now book Vande Bharat tickets just 15 minutes before departure, avoiding travel disruptions.

• Better seat utilization

Vacant seats, especially after intermediate stations, can now be filled quickly, ensuring efficient use of train capacity and higher occupancy.

• Passenger convenience

No more dependence on waitlists or last-minute alternate transport—passengers get confirmed tickets easily, even at short notice.

• Digital upgrade

The upgraded Passenger Reservation System showcases Indian Railways’ focus on digital transformation and smarter travel solutions.

FAQs: Vande Bharat last-minute booking

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