Frequently asked questions
Quick, honest answers about Indian train status, PNR and booking. Each answer links to the free tool that does the job.
- How do I check the running status of a train?
- Enter the train's five-digit number, pick the journey start date if it departed its origin on an earlier day, and read the last reported station and delay. Use the running status tool to check any train by number.
- Why does a train show more than one run on the same day?
- Many long-distance Indian trains take two or three days to finish their route, so several runs of the same train number are on the tracks at once. The journey start date selects the run that left its origin on a given day. Pick the correct start date on the running status tool to track the exact run.
- What is a PNR and where do I find it?
- The PNR, or Passenger Name Record, is the 10-digit number printed on your ticket. It tracks a single booking and the reservation status of every passenger on it. Enter it in the PNR status tool to see the latest status.
- What do CNF, RAC and WL mean?
- CNF means your berth is confirmed with a coach and berth allotted. RAC means you can board with shared seating that often becomes a full berth as people cancel. WL means your ticket is waitlisted and may confirm as others cancel. Check which status applies to your booking in the PNR status tool.
- What is the difference between GNWL, RLWL and PQWL waiting lists?
- GNWL is the general waiting list, usually with the best chance of confirmation. RLWL is for intermediate stations and clears independently of the general list, often more slowly. PQWL is a pooled quota shared across short-distance stations, where confirmation chances are usually lower. Look up your waiting-list status in the PNR status tool.
- How do I find all trains between two stations?
- Enter the origin and destination station codes, for example BCT for Mumbai Central and NDLS for New Delhi, to list the trains that connect them with their timings and running days. Search by two station codes in the trains-between tool.
- What is a station code and how do I find one?
- Indian Railways identifies each station with a short code, such as NDLS for New Delhi or HWH for Howrah. Using the code gives an exact match instead of guessing between similar station names. Find any station's code in the station lookup.
- How do I read a train's schedule and route?
- A schedule lists every halt in order with its arrival and departure times and a day count. The day number increases as the train crosses midnight, which tells you when an overnight journey moves into the next day. View the full stop-by-stop route in the train schedule tool.
- What does 'chart prepared' mean for my ticket?
- The passenger chart is finalised a few hours before departure. Once the chart is prepared, status changes are limited, so this is the point at which a waitlisted ticket either confirms or does not. Check your status before the chart in the PNR status tool.
- What is Tatkal and when does its booking window open?
- Tatkal is a premium same-journey quota for urgent travel, booked at a higher fare. Its window opens one day before departure, so having your train number, station codes, class and passenger details ready in advance helps. After booking, track a Tatkal or waitlisted ticket in the PNR status tool.
- Do you store my PNR number?
- No. A PNR is used only to fetch the status you asked for and is not stored. We show exactly what the data source reports and never present fabricated results as real. Check your status privately in the PNR status tool.
- Is this an official Indian Railways or IRCTC website?
- No. MyTrainStatus is an independent, unofficial set of free tools and is not affiliated with Indian Railways or IRCTC. For live status, start with the running status tool. Start with the running status tool to track a train.