Lower Berth IRCTC: Want a Lower Berth or Window Seat on the Train? Know These 4 Secret Tricks of IRCTC!

Lower Berth IRCTC: Almost everyone loves to travel by train, especially on long-distance journeys. The experience becomes even more delightful if one gets a window seat or a comfortable lower berth. However, the problem is that unlike flights, there is no direct way to choose a specific seat on a train. Although you can select your preference for Lower, Middle, or Upper berth while booking, the final allotted seat might turn out to be an upper berth. But by following a few special tricks, you can significantly increase your chances of getting your desired seat.

The seat allocation process in Indian Railways is managed by an automated algorithm. Its main objective is to distribute passengers evenly across all coaches to maintain the train’s balance. Therefore, while getting a specific seat often depends on luck, knowing a few strategies can be beneficial.

Trick 1: Booking Multiple Tickets

This method might seem a bit expensive and unusual, but it can be quite effective in urgent situations. If you absolutely need a lower berth or a window seat, you can book three to four tickets for a single passenger using the same name and details.

• Method: While booking, enter the same name and age in the passenger details section and apply for three or four seats. When setting preferences, try different combinations like Lower in one, Side Lower in another, and Middle in the third.
• Outcome: Generally, when you book multiple tickets, the probability of getting at least one lower berth or a window seat is high. Once you get your preferred seat, you can cancel the remaining tickets.
• Remember: In this method, you will have to pay a cancellation charge for the cancelled tickets. This charge varies for sleeper and AC coaches. Therefore, this method should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Trick 2: Using the Senior Citizen Quota

If you have a senior citizen in your family, a sure-shot way to get a lower berth is by using the Senior Citizen Quota.

• Eligibility: Men aged 60 years and above, and women aged 45 years and above are eligible for this quota.
• Method: While booking, you need to select the ‘Lower Berth/Sr. Citizen’ quota instead of the ‘General’ quota.
• Benefit: Booking under this quota almost guarantees a lower berth, provided seats are available in that specific quota.

rick 3: The Reservation Choice Option

The IRCTC portal has a special feature that can help you secure a lower berth. This option can be found in the ‘Other Preferences’ section during ticket booking.

• Option: Select the choice “Book only if at least one lower berth is allotted.”
• How it works: If you select this option, the system will confirm your ticket only if at least one lower berth is available. If no lower berths are free, the ticket will not be booked, and your money will be refunded to your account within 3-4 working days.

Trick 4: Booking on Trains with High Availability

This is a general observation. Your chances of getting a preferred seat are higher when you book tickets on trains with high seat availability. This is because the railway’s algorithm can give more weightage to passenger preferences as it has more options for seat allocation. Therefore, it is a smart move to check the seat availability on different trains while planning your journey.