Tejas Express Timings, Routes, Fares & Booking Rules
A complete guide to booking Tejas Express tickets. Learn about booking timings, ticket fares, route lists, IRCTC refund policy, and seat layouts.
TL;DR
- General Reservation Period: Tickets for Tejas Express open 30 days in advance (ARP) instead of the standard 120 days.
- Tatkal Booking: Tatkal quota booking starts at 10:00 AM, one day before departure, as Tejas only features premium AC classes.
- Current Booking: Current availability opens 4 hours before train departure, allowing passengers to book confirmed seats at discounted rates.
- Refund Policy: Automatic full refunds apply to waitlisted e-tickets. The delay compensation policy was discontinued by IRCTC in February 2024.
- Catering: Onboard food is optional; you can choose to skip it during booking to save on food charges.
What is the Tejas Express booking time in IRCTC?
Tejas Express general tickets can be booked online via the IRCTC app or website starting at 8:00 AM daily up to 30 days in advance (ARP). For the Tatkal quota, bookings open one day before the journey, starting at 10:00 AM for AC classes, as Tejas is a fully air-conditioned train.
Unlike standard trains in India that have an Advance Reservation Period (ARP) of 120 days, the premium Tejas Express operates on a shorter 30-day booking window. This makes it much easier to plan trips on shorter notice.
For last-minute travelers, the Tatkal booking window opens at 10:00 AM sharp one day before the train's scheduled run. Because Tejas Express features only Executive Chair Car (EC) and AC Chair Car (CC) coaches, all seats fall under the AC Tatkal window. If general classes show zero availability, checking Tatkal at 10:00 AM is your best option.
When does Current Availability open for Tejas Express?
Current availability for Tejas Express opens immediately after the first reservation chart preparation, which is exactly 4 hours before the train's scheduled departure from its originating station. A current available ticket is a fully confirmed seat with assigned coach and berth numbers, closing 30 minutes before departure.
If you missed the general booking window and did not secure a Tatkal ticket, current availability is your final option. Immediately after the chart is prepared, all unsold berths across different quotas (like ladies, seniors, or defense) are merged into a single pool. These seats are offered as a current available ticket at standard fares, or occasionally with a 10% discount on the base fare.
Unlike a waitlist, a current booking is a fully confirmed seat. You will instantly see your coach and seat number. If you check current booking and find no seats left, you can use the LastBerth platform to find alternative arrangements before the train departs.
How does the Tejas Express refund policy work?
For corporate Tejas Express trains (like Delhi-Lucknow and Mumbai-Ahmedabad), a full refund is granted if you cancel a waitlisted e-ticket, as the system processes automatic refunds for waitlisted e-tickets after charting. However, confirmed Tatkal bookings are non-refundable, and normal AC cancellations follow standard slab-based clerkage fees.
For passengers on waitlists, understanding the refund flow is essential. First, WL full form is Waiting List. The booking progression goes from WL (Waiting List) → RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) → Confirmed. If you hold an e-ticket that remains waitlisted (e.g., in position queues like WL/1 or WL/10) after the final charting, the system automatically cancels the ticket and refunds the amount to your payment account. You cannot board the train with a waitlisted e-ticket.
For confirmed tickets, cancellation charges apply based on how close you cancel relative to the train's departure:
- More than 48 hours: Flat ₹240 for Executive Class and ₹180 for AC Chair Car.
- Between 12 and 48 hours: 25% of the ticket fare.
- Between 4 and 12 hours: 50% of the ticket fare.
- Less than 4 hours: No refund is permitted.
Important Note: The delay compensation policy (which refunded ₹100 for delays over one hour and ₹250 for delays over two hours) was discontinued by IRCTC on February 15, 2024. Automatic financial payouts for delayed journeys are no longer active.
What is the ticket fare and catering menu for Tejas Express?
Tejas Express fares are dynamic, following a flexi-fare model where prices increase by 10% for every 10% of seats booked, capped at 1.5 times the base fare. Onboard catering is optional; passengers who opt-in receive premium meals, snacks, and beverages, with charges included directly in their ticket fare.
Fares on the Tejas Express are structured around two seating classes: AC Chair Car (CC) with a 3x2 seat configuration, and the premium Executive Chair Car (EC) with a 2x2 layout, offering wider legroom and personalized touch screens.
Below is an overview of the catering and fare details:
| Class | Seating Layout | Food Option | Menu Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Chair Car (CC) | 3x2 Seats | Optional (Add-on charge) | Morning tea, packaged breakfast, evening snacks, standard dinner |
| Executive Chair Car (EC) | 2x2 Seats | Optional (Add-on charge) | Premium breakfast/dinner, organic juices, cornflakes, premium sweets |
If you select the food option during booking, the catering charges are included in your ticket. For passengers who choose to opt out, the fare is reduced by the catering component. Water bottles and newspaper services are provided to all passengers free of charge.
Common Booking Questions (FAQ)
Can I travel in Tejas Express with an RAC ticket?
Yes, you can travel in Tejas Express on an RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket. Under RAC status, two passengers share a side-lower chair space. As confirmed passengers cancel their tickets, RAC passengers are systematically upgraded to full confirmed seats.
Can I book a child ticket without a berth in Tejas Express?
No, because Tejas Express is a fully seated train featuring only chair cars, every passenger—including children aged 5 to 11—must be allocated a separate seat. Consequently, you must pay the full adult fare for children in this age group, and there is no half-fare option without a seat allocation.
Is food compulsory on the Tejas Express?
No, onboard catering is entirely optional on the Tejas Express. You can opt-out of meals during the booking process on IRCTC. Selecting "No Food" will deduct the catering charges from your final ticket price, allowing you to carry your own food and save money.
How do I check my Tejas Express confirmation chances?
You can use the PNR status check & direct booking tool on LastBerth. LastBerth calculates the historical confirmation probability of your waitlist position. If your ticket has low chances of clearing, you can use the homepage tools like Finding Smart Seats or Seat Status Coach Journey Lookup to find split bookings and secure a confirmed seat on the same train.
Does Tejas Express have a ladies quota?
Yes, Tejas Express trains have a ladies quota set aside for female passengers traveling alone or with young children. This quota remains open until chart preparation, after which any unbooked seats are released to the general booking pool.
Is there a dynamic fare (flexi-fare) in Tejas Express?
Yes, Tejas Express utilizes a dynamic pricing structure. The base fare increases in slabs of 10% for every 10% of seats sold. To get the cheapest ticket, it is highly recommended to book your seat as soon as the 30-day booking window opens.
Kartik Arora
Railway Travel Expert • 500+ Journeys
Kartik is a passionate Indian Railways traveler who has spent years decoding the complex algorithms behind IRCTC waitlists, Tatkal quotas, and chart preparation. He built LastBerth to help fellow travelers find confirmed tickets when all hope seems lost.
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