I find the IRCTC app much faster. Once you load the master list during a session, it stays cached—no repeated server calls. Also, unless it’s changed recently, the master list doesn’t show up on the desktop site during Tatkal hours.
So here’s what I usually do:
- Prepare your master list in advance with only the passengers you plan to book for.
- Keep a second device ready with UPI (I prefer PhonePe).
- Copy your UPI ID on the device you’ll use for booking.
- Log in about 2 minutes early.
- Search for the train and load the booking page for the previous day—this helps load the master list in advance.
- Once booking opens, search again and proceed with the actual date.
- Do a few trial runs beforehand to get familiar with the payment flow.
I use BHIM UPI powered by PayTM, but I don’t log in to PayTM. I just paste the UPI ID and approve the payment from the second device where PhonePe is already open and unlocked. No OTP is needed, which saves time.
With this setup, I’ve managed to book tickets within 1–2 minutes of the opening time using the IRCTC app on iOS (I assume the Android app is just as fast).
Funny thing—once I was so quick that IRCTC temporarily banned my account. Had to explain my process on Twitter to get it unbanned! They accepted it. They’ve changed the UPI entry UI now—it used to be much simpler.
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