Can I Travel With Waiting List Ticket

[Wanderlust]

I have a sleeper class ticket which is in waiting list. The current status is GNWL161/WL93. Only 2 days are left for the journey and I don't think it will get confirmed. I need to travel at any cost as there's no feasible alternative. Will I be allowed to board the train?

Can I travel with waiting list ticket on trains in India? What does the rule book say? Does a TTE allow passengers to travel in reserved compartments with a waiting list reservation?

 

[jnorth88]

This is difficult to answer, because some people are more strict than others, and it is always possible to slip through. But it might be worth it to show, and see if someone cancels at the last moment, or does not show. There is always a bit of room. It might be worth a shot. Is this the only class, or are there others with tickets available? Also, check to see if a bus is available, as well.

 

[BadBoy]

I don't think your ticket will be confirmed... GNWL161 means the original waiting list was 161 but some people have cancelled ticket and the waiting list at the moment is 93(i.e WL93)...

In case you have an E-ticket then you cannot board the train as they get cancelled automatically, but if you have tickets purchased from station then you can board the train.

 

[Debapriya Deb]

Can I travel with waiting list ticket on trains in India?

Technically you can't, but practically it is possible to travel with a waiting list ticket if you have booked it from a railway counter. There can be three situations with respect to travelling with a waiting list ticket in Indian trains -

1. You have purchased an online e-ticket. In this case, you won't be allowed to board the train - neither in the reserved compartments, nor in the unreserved (general) compartments. Wait listed e-tickets automatically get cancelled at the time of chart preparation and the deducted money is refunded back to your bank account electronically. So travelling with a waiting list e-ticket (e ticket and i ticket are entirely different from each other)is the same as travelling without a ticket. You will be fined by the TTE for travelling without a valid ticket. So never even try to board a train with waiting list e-tickets. If you need to travel at any cost, then purchase an unreserved ticket from the railway station and board the general compartment.

2. If you have purchased the ticket from a railway counter and it is in waiting list, then it doesn't get cancelled automatically. Which means you have a valid ticket, although in the waiting list. In such cases, you are not allowed to get into the reserved compartments, but you can still travel in a general compartments. Practically though I have seen people travelling in the slepper class with waiting list tickets. TTEs may allow any wait listed passenger to board the reserved compartment purely on humanitarian grounds. Usually they allow wait listed passengers in sleeper class, but not in AC compartments. However please note that this is not the rule, but rather an exception.

3. If you are travelling in a group and atleast one seat is confirmed (partially waitlisted ticket), then you are entitled to travel in the reserved compartments. The waiting list passengers may need to 'adjust' and it may not be a comfortable journey, but atleast you will be allowed to board the train on a reserved compartment.

Regards,
Deb

 

[Wanderlust]

Thanks for all your responses. Those were really helpful.

 

[OursIsTheFury]

If there's an opening at the last minute, maybe. But the problem with getting a waiting list ticket is that you pretty much agree that you may or may not be able to get it in time. If the driver or conductor might be nice enough, you might be able to talk your way into a seat if there's an available one, but I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Most trains are usually packed, to the point of overflowing.

 

[Admin]

Can I Travel with a Waiting List Ticket in Indian Railways? (2025 Update)​

Indian Railways allows passengers to book waiting list (WL) tickets, but whether you can board the train depends on the type of ticket and current status at the time of travel.

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1. Can You Travel with a Waiting List (WL) Ticket?​

Ticket Type	Can You Board the Train?	Notes
WL Counter Ticket	Yes	Allowed to board, but no guaranteed seat/berth.
WL E-Ticket (IRCTC Online)	No	Automatically canceled if unconfirmed. Refund is processed.
WL Tatkal Ticket	No	Cannot board. Refund as per Tatkal rules.
RAC Ticket	Yes	Allowed to board with a shared seat.

Important Rule (2025 Update):

• If you have a counter ticket (paper ticket) and your ticket is still in WL status at the time of departure, you can board the train but must find an available seat/berth or travel in the general compartment.
• If you booked online (IRCTC e-ticket), your WL ticket gets canceled automatically, and you cannot travel with it.

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2. What Happens If You Travel with a Fully Waiting List E-Ticket?​

Penalties & Fines:

• If you travel with an unconfirmed online waiting list ticket, the ticket examiner (TTE) can treat you as a ticketless traveler.
• You will be charged a penalty + full fare for the journey.

Possible Exceptions:

• If there are vacant seats, the TTE may allot you one (but this is not guaranteed).

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3. What Can You Do If Your WL Ticket is Not Confirmed?​

Check PNR Status:

• Before boarding, check your PNR status on IRCTC, NTES, or Indian Railways Inquiry website.
• If it changes to RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), you can board with a half-seat.
• If it remains WL, you need to look for alternatives.

Consider General Class Travel:

• If you have a counter WL ticket, you can shift to General Class (unreserved).

Book a Tatkal Ticket:

• Try booking a Tatkal ticket 24 hours before the journey.

Look for Alternative Trains:

• Some trains have current availability just before departure.

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4. Difference Between WL and RAC in Indian Railways​

Type	Can You Travel?	What Happens?
Waiting List (WL) Counter Ticket	Yes	No guaranteed seat/berth, can travel in general class.
Waiting List (WL) E-Ticket	No	Auto-canceled, refund processed.
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation)	Yes	Get a half seat, may be upgraded to full berth if available.

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5. Indian Railways WL & RAC Ticket Rules (2025)​

Scenario	What Happens?
WL e-ticket booked online but not confirmed	Auto-canceled before departure, refund processed.
WL counter ticket not confirmed	Can travel but must find an empty seat or travel in the general compartment.
WL ticket gets upgraded to RAC	Can travel with a half-seat allocation.
Boarding with an unconfirmed WL e-ticket	Treated as ticketless travel, fine applicable.
RAC ticket holder	Can board and may get a full berth if available.

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6. What If Your WL Ticket Gets Confirmed After Chart Preparation?​

• Final chart preparation happens 3-4 hours before departure.
• If your ticket is confirmed, your seat/berth number will be assigned automatically.
• If it remains WL, you cannot board with an online e-ticket.

Pro Tip: Always check the PNR status before leaving for the station!

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Final Thoughts​

• Waiting list counter tickets = You can travel, but without a reserved seat.
• Waiting list e-tickets (online IRCTC) = Auto-canceled, you cannot travel with them.
• RAC tickets = You can board and get a shared seat.
• Unconfirmed e-tickets = DO NOT board, as you will be treated as ticketless and fined.

Need help checking PNR status or alternative travel options? Drop a comment! ️