Have you ever imagined a train journey where there are no strangers around you, and the entire coach transforms into a private gathering of your own friends and family?

We often see videos on social media of "wedding trains" or group trips where people sing and dance enthusiastically during the journey. If you think this is just a makeshift arrangement, let us tell you that booking a private coach or an entire train for a wedding or any major event through Indian Railways is completely legal.

The Railways' FTR service is the perfect solution to avoid the exhausting hassle of transporting guests in multiple buses or cars. Let’s explore how you can book this special journey in this article.

When should you apply, and how many coaches can you get?
You need to plan a bit for this booking. You can apply anywhere from a minimum of 30 days to a maximum of 6 months before your travel date.

If your group is small, you can book up to 10 coaches at a time.
If you require an entire train, you can apply for a maximum of 24 coaches, which includes two SLR coaches.

How to book online from the comfort of your home?
The Railways has made the process quite simple; you just need to follow a few essential steps:

First, visit the dedicated IRCTC website, ftr.irctc.co.in, and create a new user ID.
After logging in, enter the complete travel route, the date of departure, and the number of coaches required.

Once you fill in the details, a reference number will appear on your screen.
You must complete the payment within six days of the reference number being issued. As soon as you deposit the money, your FTR number will be generated, and the booking will be confirmed.

Booking by visiting the station
If you prefer a face-to-face interaction rather than using the internet, you can visit the UTS counter at the railway station. Alternatively, you can visit the Station Master's or DRM's office to provide full details regarding your trip. There, you can request an entire train, a specific coach, or a block of seats, and secure your booking by making the payment.

What is the cost involved?
Booking a train tailored to your convenience is slightly more expensive than standard travel. It costs approximately 30–35% more than regular tickets.

Refundable Security Deposit: You are required to deposit ₹50,000 per coach. Rest assured, this amount is refunded to you after the journey concludes.
Extra Day Charges: The ₹50,000 security deposit covers a seven-day journey. If the trip extends beyond seven days, an additional fee of ₹10,000 per day applies.

Cost of an Entire Train: If you book a full train consisting of 18 coaches, you must also pay the charges for the engine. In such a scenario, the minimum cost comes to around ₹9 lakh. However, the actual expense depends on the distance of the journey and the type of coaches selected.

Three important things to know before the journey
Travel on a Single ID: The best part is that you do not need to submit identity proofs for all 50–100 passengers to the Railways. Only the account and ID of the person making the booking are used, and only that individual is required to carry the necessary documents during the journey.

No Booking Guarantee: Merely making the payment does not guarantee that you will secure the coach. Availability depends on whether the Railways has spare coaches on that specific day.

Ticket Cancellation: If you need to change your plans for any reason, the refund process will be governed by the standard cancellation rules of the Railways.

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