What is RAC in Trains: Everything You Need to Know

Are you curious to understand what RAC in trains stands for? Please read this article to understand its workings, benefits, limitations, and frequently asked questions. Have you ever booked a train ticket and received a RAC status? The acronym stands for Reservation Against Cancellation; this type of train ticket allows you to board and secure a seat/berth but doesn’t guarantee confirmation that this seat/berth will remain vacant. Let us explore what this term means, its workings, and all pertinent details. RAC in trains is an advantageous option for travelers who require expediency or when tickets are sold out. While RAC tickets don’t guarantee a seat or berth, they almost guarantee travel by 70%. Make sure you regularly check your RAC status and plan your trip accordingly.

What is RAC in Trains?

A RAC ticket allows you to board the train and obtain a seat or berth but only guarantees one. It means you may share it with another passenger holding a RAC ticket. Each RAC ticket possesses its unique ten-digit PNR (Passenger Name Record) number, allowing you to check your status on the train.

How Does RAC Function in Trains?

When booking a RAC ticket, the system assigns you a seat or berth number with the prefix “RAC.” For instance, if your ticket shows “RAC 14,” you are the 14th person in line and will share that space with another passenger. As passengers cancel their tickets, more confirmed berths become available. You move up in line if someone confirms their cancellation. Occasionally, confirmed passengers might get upgraded to an available seat or berth!

Benefits of RAC Ticket Booking

Do you want to travel even when seats or berths are sold out?

Booking a RAC ticket instead of buying a 70% confirmed ticket allows you to save money and travel. Be aware, though, that certain limitations apply regarding RAC on trains:

You might need to share a seat or berth with another passenger if other travelers don’t cancel their tickets. However, your ticket doesn’t guarantee a confirmed seat or berth. In some cases, you may even have to travel without one if other travelers don’t cancel their bookings.

Do RAC tickets get confirmed?

Train RAC tickets have the potential to be confirmed, but confirmation is only sometimes guaranteed. As passengers cancel their tickets, more seats or berths become confirmed, and you move up in line if a confirmed passenger cancels theirs. But chances of getting confirmed seating or berthing increase significantly when demand for that train is high, so it’s essential to keep checking your status using either your PNR number on the ticket or through the Indian Railways website or mobile app to determine whether your RAC ticket has been confirmed or not.

If your RAC ticket is confirmed after chart preparation, you will still be allowed on board and given a seat or berth; however, you must share it with another passenger who holds a RAC ticket. If no confirmed seats or berths are available before then, passengers may still travel onboard the train without an assigned space.

It’s essential to note that RAC tickets can be canceled and a refund given after deducting any cancellation fees. Unfortunately, you cannot change your seat or berth since it has already been shared with another passenger.

One of the advantages of RAC tickets is that you can travel even when all seats or berths are sold out. Furthermore, they’re more cost-effective than buying full-fare tickets, helping you save money. Furthermore, RAC tickets are handy for emergencies when a confirmed seat or berth needs to be secured quickly.

However, there are some restrictions with RAC tickets. For example, you might need to share your seat or berth with another passenger, which could make for an uncomfortable experience for some travelers. Furthermore, it would be best to be assured you’ll get a confirmed seat or berth. You may need to travel without one if other passengers cancel their reservations.

Which is better, RAC or WL?

Train tickets come with two options regarding cancellation policies: Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) and Waiting List (WL). While both tickets are unconfirmed, there are some distinctions between them.

RAC tickets guarantee a seat or berth you must share with another passenger, while WL tickets offer nothing. With a RAC ticket, you know which seat or berth you will share; however, with a WL ticket, there are no guarantees. You must wait for someone else to cancel their reservation before getting any confirmed accommodations.

On the waiting list front, WL tickets are placed on a waiting list that gets updated as passengers cancel their reservations. If your ticket is lucky enough to get confirmed when another passenger cancels their reservation, however, if not, you must cancel and travel without a seat or berth. On the contrary, RAC tickets do not need to be canceled. Instead, they will guarantee you a confirmed seat or berth should another passenger cancel their booking.

When choosing between the two options, your priorities should be considered. For example, suppose you want a guaranteed seat or berth, even if it means sharing it with another passenger. In that case, RAC is likely your best bet, whereas WL could offer more freedom and a chance at getting an exact berth. Furthermore, RAC tickets are cheaper than WL tickets which could also influence some passengers’ choices.

When you can’t secure a confirmed seat or berth on a train, both RAC and WL tickets offer options. However, while RAC tickets guarantee a shared seat or berth, WL tickets don’t guarantee anything and instead place you on a waiting list. Ultimately, which option is better depends entirely on your priorities and preferences.

How Much Can RAC be Confirmed?

The number of Reserving Against Cancellation seats or berths that can be confirmed varies from train to train and depends on several factors, like cancellations, demand for the service, and available seats/berths.

Typically, RAC tickets are more likely to be confirmed than WL (Waiting List) tickets because RAC seats or berths are reserved for passengers who have booked a RAC ticket. As passengers with confirmed seats or berths cancel their reservations, vacant RAC seats or berths become available to those with booked reservations.

However, it’s essential to know that no fixed number of RAC seats or berths can be confirmed. Instead, it depends on cancellations and demand for the train; sometimes, all tickets might get confirmed, while in other instances, only some might.

Additionally, the number of RAC seats or berths that can be confirmed depends on the class of travel. For instance, tickets in higher classes, such as AC, have a greater likelihood of confirmation than those issued for sleeper class travel.

Finally, the number of RAC seats or berths that can be confirmed varies from train to train and is determined by factors like cancellations and demand. Therefore, while RAC tickets are more likely to be confirmed than WL tickets, there is no fixed limit on how many can be confirmed at any given time.

% of RAC Ticket Getting Confirmed

The percentage of RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets getting confirmed varies from train to train and depends on various factors, such as cancellations and the demand for the train. However, RAC tickets are generally more likely to be confirmed than WL (Waiting List) tickets.

It isn’t easy to provide an exact percentage of RAC tickets getting confirmed, as it can vary greatly depending on the specific train and the class of travel. In some cases, all RAC tickets might get confirmed, while in others, only a few. However, according to Indian Railways data, the percentage of RAC tickets that get confirmed ranges from 70% to 90%.

It’s also important to note that the percentage of RAC tickets getting confirmed can vary based on the time of booking. For instance, if you book a RAC ticket early, you have a higher chance of getting a confirmed seat or berth than booking it close to the travel date.

The percentage of RAC tickets getting confirmed varies depending on several factors, and no fixed percentage can be given. However, RAC tickets generally have a higher chance of getting confirmed than WL tickets, and the percentage of RAC tickets getting confirmed ranges from 70% to 90%.

What Happens if a RAC Isn’t Confirmed?

Suppose your reservation for a RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket needs to be confirmed. In that case, you may have to share it with another passenger. When booking a reservation through RAC, a seat or berth number is assigned but not guaranteed; if someone with a confirmed booking cancels theirs, your RAC ticket becomes confirmed, and you’ll get the full berth or seat. On the contrary, no cancellations occur. However, it means sharing space with another passenger.

If your RAC ticket is not confirmed, you are still permitted to board and travel but must share your seat or berth with another passenger. For AC class tickets, a side berth will be given for sharing with another passenger; sleeper class tickets require sharing with another traveler. Nevertheless, suppose both passengers on a RAC ticket must obtain confirmed seats or berths. In that case, one passenger will receive a seat or berth, and the other must travel without one.

Suppose you have a RAC ticket. It must still be presented at the railway station before the sPleaseeparture of the train. It is because avoiding up at the station could result in canceling your ticket and no refund being offered.

If your RAC ticket is not confirmed, you must share a seat or berth with another passenger. While still allowed to board and travel on board, sharing will be necessary. Therefore, you must report to the station before the scheduled departure even if your ticket isn’t confirmed.

Frequent Answered Questions

Q. Can I cancel my RAC ticket?

Absolutely – after deducting any cancellation charges.

Q. How can I check my RAC status?

A. You can check your RAC status using either the PNR number on your ticket, the Indian Railways website or mobile app, or through other means as determined by Indian Railways.