Planning train travel? How to avoid waitlisted tickets and book smarter

Business Standard

2 days ago

If you've ever tried booking a train ticket in India, you've likely faced the frustration of seeing 'WL' (Waitlisted) beside your chosen train — especially if you booked closer to your travel date. Although Indian Railways opens bookings 60 days in advance, most travellers wait until plans are firmed up — often too late for confirmed seats.
But missing out on train seats doesn't just disrupt plans — it can also lead to more expensive, last-minute alternatives like flights or private taxis, stretching your travel budget. Here's how you can save money, reduce stress, and stay in control of your travel spend.
Why tickets get waitlisted so often:
Data from MakeMyTrip shows that nearly 40% of users take multiple sessions over several days to book their tickets. By then, most confirmed seats are already gone. In April 2025, high-speed trains were sold out around 13 days in advance. By May, this window had shrunk further — most were booked more than 20 days ahead of departure.
If you're not planning proactively, you're risking being forced into:
Buying more expensive Tatkal tickets.
Spending on alternate travel modes.
Losing out on early-bird discounts for return travel or hotel bookings.
New took to book smarter
MakeMyTrip has launched two key features aimed at empowering train travellers to make faster, more informed decisions — which can ultimately save both time and money:
1. Seat Availability Forecast
This predictive tool shows when seats on your selected train are likely to sell out. It uses:
Historical booking patterns
Real-time demand data
How it helps you: You'll get a clear idea of how many days in advance you need to book, helping you avoid the dreaded 'waitlist' status.
" Seat Availability Forecast, a new feature provides a predictive view of when seats on a selected train are likely to sell out. Built using advanced models that combine years of historical booking data with real-time demand signals, the feature enables travellers to plan and book with greater clarity. It is now live on both the MakeMyTrip app and website, embedded within the train booking flow," said MakeMyTrip in a statement.
2. Sold-out Alerts
Not ready to book right away? This tool sends you a real-time alert when seats on your chosen train fall below a certain threshold.
How it helps you: It gives you a second chance to secure a confirmed seat before it's too late — without constantly rechecking the app.
"MakeMyTrip has also introduced Sold-out Alerts, a feature that prompts timely action as seat availability begins to drop. Once activated, it notifies users when tickets on their selected train fall below a defined threshold, allowing them to book before confirmed seats run out. Paired with the Seat Availability Forecast, it adds another layer of visibility and control to the planning experience," the company said in a statement.
'We are focussed on our mission to anticipate and address the nuanced needs of Indian rail passengers. Seat Availability Forecast is a result of that effort, rooted in data science, built to be seamless, and designed to solve a real planning challenge for millions of users. It is a strong addition to our rail stack which helps make train travel more predictable and less stressful across the board.' said Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.
Tips you could use:
Set a travel budget that includes a buffer in case you need to switch modes of transport.
Use forecast tools early, even if your plans aren't final — this keeps you informed.
Sign up for alerts on your commonly used routes so you're always one step ahead.
Compare costs with alternate routes or train classes — sometimes AC 3-tier availability can be better value than 2-tier when waitlists build up.
Book return journeys together — if you know your return date, you can save money by booking both legs early.