15

As a matter of interest, does anyone just book through IRCTC rather than Cleartrip?

16

No need to answer - I've been searching the archives. Eek! Oh well, here goes nothing...

17

As encouragement - I've managed to get my Cleartrip account activated and can look at train/seat availability.....haven't tried to buy anything yet, we'll see!

18

Result, Kaz! Hopefully that will sort it for you - thanks for your prompting. I just needed a push.

I've got both accounts now but haven't synchronised them yet - IRCTC responded with the mobile verification code really quickly. I'm in Japan at the moment so will look into it when I get back home.

I will have a lot of time in India so wouldn't normally bother about booking tickets in advance, but I have to meet someone in Madurai by a certain date, so it would be good to get that sorted at least.

I don't know if I would use this to book online when I'm in India because I'd have to do it at an internet cafe and I'm a bit concerned about online security. Hmm.

19

to doughnut, , this means you have an indian mobile phone where they sent you the mobile verification code??
please write when you finally have everything and booked through that.
thnx

20

Hi there, no I followed the instructions on the link Kaz posted and used a dummy number for the mobile. Then I emailed IRCTC and requested they send the mobile verification by email. I got it the next day.

Trying to register with IRCTC on the Cleartrip site was a lemon, so I did it directly on the IRCTC site. Entered a dummy mobile and zip code (because they won't take UK post codes). When I got the email confirmation from IRCTC I emailed them giving the user name, password (from their confirmation email) and dummy mobile number, and said that I was registering from abroad, had used a dummy mobile number and could they send me the mobile verification code by email.

to write my email I just followed the instructions on Kaz's link and attached a scan of my passport and also said I would be booking tickets from abroad with Visa. I don't know if these last two things are necessary, but it seemed best to cover all eventualities!

I'll try to book the ticket when I get home, but in theory I'm good to go now. In theory! :o)

Oh, one thing about the dummy mobile is that it has to be 10 digits, but the most obvious ones are taken. In the end I used a combination of numbers that I would remember.

21

For the dummy mobile, I just used the first 10 digits of my own phone number. I ended up having to email IRCTC with a copy of my passport twice, as when I tried to link my existing Cleartrip account to my new IRCTC one, I somehow ended up with a new set of OTPs!

Still, all this is good practice for applying for the visa - my next challenge....

22

Kaz, after reading your post I thought I had better try to link the two accounts (I hadn't got to that stage). Oh how that serves me right for feeling all sorted and smug! I didn't realise I had to 'activate' my already activated IRCTC account, and so have ended up with two email OTP numbers. Needless to say, I have now emailed IRCTC for the mobile OTP.

This is why people in India commonly say 'shanti shanti'.

Mind you, applying for a visa is nothing usually. I'm a PIO (person of Indian origin) and so am, in theory, entitled to a 5-year entry visa. You would not believe the hassle I have had both times I applied for one - the first time, I had to be interviewed by the first secretary at India House. The second time, they said I wasn't entitled to one - even though I had already had one once before, and had all the paper evidence to prove my PIOness. I will never apply for another on ever again - it's just way too much hassle!