How to Book Train Tickets 2 Months in Advance at 8 AM Sharp – Your Complete Guide
If you’re planning a trip on Indian Railways and want the best seats (or at least confirmed tickets!), you’ve probably heard about the “2 month advance train ticket booking time 8 AM” trick. Let me break it down in simple words so you never miss out again.
What Exactly is the 2-Month Advance Booking Rule?
Indian Railways opens Advance Reservation Period (ARP) exactly 60 days in advance, excluding the day of the journey.
For example:
- If you’re traveling on 1st March, booking opens on 30th December (not 1st January).
- The booking window starts at 8:00 AM the next day after the 60-day calculation.
That magical moment at 8 AM, 60 days before your journey date, is when the maximum number of seats/berths become available. This is why everyone says “2 month advance train ticket booking time 8 AM” – because that’s literally the earliest and best time to grab confirmed tickets.
Why 8 AM is So Important
- At exactly 8:00:00 AM, IRCTC releases the full quota (general, tatkal, ladies, lower berth, etc.).
- Within the first 5–10 minutes, most popular trains (Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, Duronto, and even mail/express trains during holidays) get filled up fast.
- If you log in even at 8:05 AM, you might end up in long waiting lists.
Step-by-Step: How to Book at 8 AM Successfully
- Calculate the Exact Date
Journey date minus 60 days = Your booking date (don’t count the journey day). - Be Ready 10–15 Minutes Early
Log into IRCTC at 7:45 AM. Keep your details pre-filled (passenger list, ID proofs, preferred berth). - Use the Fastest Method
- IRCTC website (old.irctc.co.in sometimes loads faster than the new one)
- IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app (usually the quickest)
- Avoid third-party apps at 8 AM – they add extra steps.
- Quick Tips for Lightning Speed
- Use a good internet connection (Wi-Fi + mobile data backup).
- Pre-load captcha (some browsers allow it).
- Keep payment ready – UPI is the fastest (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM).
- Use “Quick Book” option if available.
- Tatkal vs Advance Booking
Remember: Regular advance booking opens at 8 AM (60 days before), while Tatkal opens only 24 hours before at 10 AM/11 AM. So for the best chance, always go for the 2-month advance slot.
Real-Life Example
Want to travel from Delhi to Mumbai on 26th January (Republic Day rush)?
60 days before 26th Jan = 27th November
So booking opens on 27th November at 8:00 AM sharp. Set your alarm!
Final Pro Tips
- Weekends, festivals, summer/winter vacations – tickets vanish in seconds.
- If you miss 8 AM, try again at 8:15–8:30 AM; sometimes people cancel during payment.
- Create multiple IRCTC accounts in the family (different IDs) to increase chances.
Bottom line: If you want confirmed train tickets in India, mark your calendar and be online at 8 AM exactly 60 days before your journey. That’s the golden “2 month advance train ticket booking time 8 AM” rule every smart traveler follows!
Happy journey and safe travels! 🚂✨
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