RAC tickets, or Reservation Against Cancellation tickets, are a common feature of travel, especially in countries such as India where train travel is popular. But Can I Travel With RAC Ticket?
Yes, you can travel with an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket on Indian Railways.
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What is RAC Tickets ?
An RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket on Indian Railways allows a passenger to travel on a train but does not guarantee a seat. The berth is divided into two seats for two RAC ticket holders, and a full berth is allotted if passengers with confirmed tickets do not board or if there are last-minute cancellations or unsold allocations.
RAC tickets can be canceled, and passengers can check their RAC status using the PNR number. RAC is different from a waitlisted ticket, as it ensures the possibility of travel and allows the passenger to board the train, but with a shared seat . It is generally considered better to a waitlisted ticket, as RAC passengers have priority over waitlisted passengers in the event of cancellations.
Can I Travel With RAC Ticket?
Yes, you can travel with an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket on Indian Railways. An RAC ticket allows a passenger to board a train but does not guarantee a seat. When the general quota seats are full, passengers are placed in the RAC waiting.
Two people are assigned to the same side lower berth seat. If there is a cancellation in the general quota seats, every person in the RAC line is given the status CNF (Confirmed). RAC passengers can cancel their tickets 30 minutes before the train’s arrival.
If the status remains in RAC after charting, a full berth will be reserved for confirmed passengers who have not yet boarded the train. While on the train, the TTE checks passengers who have not come and assigns vacant seats to RAC passengers. The TTE has a duty to offer vacant slots to RAC passengers in priority according to the RAC passengers listed in the chart.
Tips for Traveling with RAC Tickets
If you are traveling with an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket on Indian Railways, here are some tips that may be helpful:
● Sharing a Berth: If both passengers have an RAC ticket, they have to share a single berth that folds down into two seats during the daytime. Each traveller can sit on one of these during the journey. At night, they can take turns using the berth for sleeping.
● Seat Allocation: Passengers who have RAC tickets are assigned a seat in the train seating arrangement, typically in a Non-AC Coach.
● Confirmation: If other passengers cancel their tickets, then tickets can be confirmed, leading to a full berth being allocated to RAC passengers. This usually happens based on the order of the RAC ticket’s Waiting list number (WL).
● PNR Status: You can check your PNR (Passenger Name Record) status to see if your RAC ticket has been confirmed or remains RAC.
● Cancellations: Sometimes, passengers cancel their confirmed tickets, which can result in RAC tickets being confirmed. So, even if your ticket is in RAC status initially, it may improve as others cancel their reservations.
● Boarding: You can board the train with an RAC ticket just like any other passenger with a confirmed ticket, and always be sure to carry a government-issued ID for verification during the journey.
● TC Interaction: If you are traveling with an RAC ticket and someone with a confirmed ticket claims your seat, try and ask the TC for a confirmed berth if one is available.
Benefits of Traveling with RAC Tickets
RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, which is a unique ticketing system implemented used by the Indian Railways to provide accommodation to passengers even when their seat or berth is not initially confirmed. Here are the benefits of traveling with RAC tickets:
● Allows Travel: The key advantage of having an RAC ticket is that one can have a pass to get on the train, unlike waiting list tickets. If a person is having a waiting list train ticket, they cannot travel.
● Affordable: RAC tickets are usually cheaper than fully confirmed tickets, making them a more affordable choice for those on a tighter budget.
● Higher Chance of Confirmation: RAC passengers are allowed to travel on the train and have a higher chance of getting a confirmed seat or berth compared to waiting list passengers.
● Upgradation: RAC ticket holders are moved up the waiting list as passengers with confirmed tickets cancel their reservations, and RAC tickets are upgraded to confirmed status as seats become available.
● Refundable: In case the traveler does not end up traveling, they can cancel the RAC ticket and get a full refund of the deposit.
How to Cancel an RAC Ticket?
To cancel an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket for Indian Railways, you can follow these steps:
● Cancellation Timeframe: You can cancel an RAC ticket at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train.
● Refund Policy: Refunds are not allowed after the scheduled departure time of the train. For e-tickets, if the reservation charts have been prepared, you need to file an online Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) for obtaining a refund.
● Cancellation Charges: The cancellation charges and refund policy may vary based on the type of ticket (i-ticket or e-ticket).
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )
can i travel with rac ticket in 3AC?
Yes, you can travel with an RAC ticket in 3AC. In 3AC, there are four berths per coach, and a total of eight passengers are allotted in these four berths. If you have an RAC ticket, you will be given a half seat in the side lower berth, and the other half will be given to another passenger. If the other passenger does not show up, the full seat will be allotted to you according to IRCTC guidelines.
can i travel with rac ticket in sleeper?
Yes, you can travel with a RAC ticket in sleeper class. However, RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, meaning that two passengers share one side lower berth. If either of the RAC passengers does not board the train, the full berth will be allotted to the remaining passenger according to Indian Railway rules.
can i travel with rac ticket in rajdhani express?
Yes, you can travel with an RAC ticket in Rajdhani Express. RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation, which means that two passengers share one berth. If either of the RAC passengers does not board the train, the full berth will be allotted to the remaining passenger according to Indian Railway rules. Also, the Indian Railways has recently announced that RAC tickets of Rajdhani Express will be automatically confirmed.
can i travel with rac ticket in train?
Yes, you can travel with an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket in a train. With an RAC ticket, you are guaranteed entry onto the train, but you will share a berth with another RAC passenger. If the other RAC passenger does not board the train, the full berth will be allotted to you according to Indian Railway rules.
Are RAC and WL the same?
RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) and WL (Waiting List) are distinct ticket statuses within the Indian Railway system. RAC guarantees a seat on the train, but not necessarily a full berth, as two passengers share one berth. WL indicates that a passenger is on the waiting list and will not receive a seat unless there are cancellations that allow their position to improve. Therefore, RAC and WL are not the same—RAC ensures a seat, whereas WL does not guarantee a seat or berth.
Yes, RAC tickets can be canceled, and the refund policies vary depending on the mode of transportation and the time of cancellation.
In some cases, if there are available berths, RAC tickets may get upgraded to CNF automatically.
In some cases, if there are available berths, RAC tickets may get upgraded to CNF automatically.
If your RAC ticket doesn’t get confirmed, you can still board the train or bus and avail of sitting accommodation.
While it’s possible to book RAC tickets for multiple passengers, they might not get consecutive berths, and sharing berths with strangers is common.
RAC tickets are generally priced lower than CNF tickets since they don’t guarantee a confirmed berth.
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