Short distance train rides

Here's the basic premise. If you need to travel on a given service, in a given class, on a given day you need to book as far in advance as possible. Every time you vary one of those provisions, makes it 'easier' to get on a train.

How about for short distance,popular routes (like Delhi-Agra,for example)?

In that example is not about how popular the service, or the length of the route - what matters is how many services there are a day.

Do they also need to be booked far in advance,

It comes back to which service you are prepared to take, and in which class.

or can you just go to the station and buy a ticket?

For the most part, you really can't do that in any practicable way.

Are they all seated only,or can you stand up if seats are full?

The trains are fully seated.

Do you need an RAC ticket in that situation?

An RAC ticket will get you on the train. It does not guarantee you a berth, and you may be sharing a seat.

Let's say you wanted to travel Delhi - Agra this Tuesday.

You're prepared to leave at 4:30am. You can't get a seat in 1A, but you can make a booking in every other class.
You want to leave between 10:00am and 12:00pm - sorry, not a ticket to be had.
Some trains will include unreserved carriages - so if you are prepared to fight the crowd at the ticket counter, and then have a cheek-by-jowl journey to Agra - you can.

And there are further conditions - most trains have a Tatkal quota which is released the day prior to the train leaving its originating station. And foreign tourists can access the Foreign Tourist Quota which has a limited number of seats on a very limited number of services. And even then, some other foreign tourist may have booked those tickets before you.

The simple answer is yes and no, Luca.. They all canbook up For sleeper class and higher, but depends season. Other variables as well.

But if you don't care for a fee, then when in Delhi, just take a tourist quota ticket.. Most of the time you'll get it almost same day.. But always make sure to book general class if possible.

You can always try for a same Day ticket or pay taktal rates, but the lines and hassle of same day are rarely worth it.. Imo.. If lines are short, you are lucky...

If you are traveling general class then don't worry.If a short trip. As an example, goa to gokarna, about three hours and 25 ruppee, is perfectly fine in general/3rd class.

Just play with your irctc account on a train route.. For example, Feb 6 del to AGRA, there are still 20 in EC and 550 for CC.. So still no need.. The irctc account really works well to see short term ticket availability...

Thanks for the answers guys.

So...if for example someone doesn't care about time of train,class or even if they have a seat...just to get somewhere on a particular day!

But doesn't want to choose that day far in advance (maybe decide the day before?).

Is it still better to book online,even the day before? Or go to the station and see what is available?

I think this gets to bigger questions. Posters sometimes talk about wanting "flexibility" but they are not prepared to be flexible themselves. What they want is spontaneity.

So...if for example someone ...maybe decide the day before?

Honestly, they should take the bus.

Is it still better to book online,even the day before? Or go to the station and see what is available?

I think if someone is in the country they are better using a local agent. As Andi says, the lines at ticket counters are best avoided. And you can "see what is available" online - no need to visit the train station.

Ok,thanks for the information...

It's been awhile since I was in India... But something that is almost never mentioned on here is the fact that there are unreserved carriages on nearly all trains in India. Only the fanciest, AC-only trains don't have them. You can ALWAYS get an unreserved ticket, and go in the unreserved carriages. For short distances, like Delhi-Agra, it's not too much of a hassle, even if the carriage is busy. No need to book in advance if you're traveling unreserved.

When I was in India, I used a lot of... I think they're called Inter-City Express trains (or maybe the name is wrong). Unlike most Indian trains, they only traveled fairly short distances, typically 4 or 5 hours. They often left early in the morning, running between a huge city and a smaller city, or two medium sized cities. They had a class - and I can't remember what it's called - which gave you a reserved seat. Not fancy, not much space, a bit like traveling unreserved, but with a guaranteed seat. Things might have changed, but when I was in India, it was very often possible to buy these tickets last minute, ie. the night before.

Thanks Giora,I'll look into those options too.Plus the bus one mentioned above....

Thanks for sharing this information.

delhi to agra is just 2 to 3 hours by train and 4 hours by bus..u can also take bus from a bus depot...goverment n private..u can also book bus online (only private)...or u can book train tickets online by tatkal one day before travel at 10 am on irctc site(u need to be quick and have little experience with the site)...for tatkal tickets u can also contact private agents...u can even get train general ticket for a train 10 min before(depends on queue) at station ticket counter, u can travel standing n can also be lucky if u got seat in general coach(just beware of thieves, i won't recommend foreigners to travel in general coaches, can be little smelly sometimes xD, keep your luggage close and within eye and wallets n phone in front pockets)...or u can buy general ticket and ask ticket checker or official(in black blazzer or white shirt) if a seat can be arranged in reservation coach(u have high chance of getting a seat as u r a foreigner) people will offer u some space for few hours in reservation coach...people are very friendly to foreingers in india...just ask ticket checker before taking going in reservation coaches..

i hope that helps