Travel plans don’t always go the way we expect. You book a ticket thinking you’ll board from a certain station, but on the day of journey, life happens — traffic delays, last-minute meetings, or someone offering to drop you at a different station.
Most passengers panic at this point and wonder:
“Do I need to cancel the ticket and book again?”
The good news? No.
Indian Railways and IRCTC provide a smart feature called IRCTC Boarding Change, allowing passengers to change their boarding point without cancelling the existing ticket.
Surprisingly, many passengers don’t even know this option exists — yet it can save time, money, and a lot of stress.
Table of contents
- 1 What Is IRCTC Boarding Change?
- 2 ⭐ Benefits of IRCTC Boarding Change
- 3 Important Rules for IRCTC Boarding Change
- 4 How to Change Boarding Station in IRCTC Online (E-Ticket Method)
- 5 IRCTC Boarding Change for Counter Ticket
- 6 Common Mistakes Travellers Make
- 7 Why This Feature Matters
- 8 Smart Tips for Hassle-Free Boarding Change
- 9 FAQs on IRCTC Boarding Change
- 10 Final Takeaway
What Is IRCTC Boarding Change?
Think of your boarding station as the “entry gate” to your train journey. Changing it simply means starting your travel from a different station — as long as the train has a scheduled halt there.
Example:
- Original ticket: Patna Junction → New Delhi
- But now you’re closer to Ara Junction
Instead of cancelling, you can update your boarding point to Ara.
Your PNR stays the same, your seat remains yours, and the journey continues smoothly.
⭐ Benefits of IRCTC Boarding Change
- No need to cancel or rebook
- No extra charges
- Same PNR and seat confirmation
- Perfect for sudden travel plan changes
- Helps avoid penalties from TTE for boarding at a different station without authority
Important Rules for IRCTC Boarding Change
Before updating your boarding station, keep these official rules in mind:
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Allowed only once | ✅ Yes |
| Must be done before first chart preparation | ✅ Yes |
| Allowed for confirmed & RAC tickets | ✅ Yes |
| Allowed for Tatkal tickets | ❌ No |
| Boarding change allowed for e-ticket | ✅ Yes (online) |
| Boarding change allowed for counter ticket | ✅ Yes (offline only) |
| No refund for untraveled portion | ❌ Not allowed |
| If found boarding from old station without update, penalty applicable | ⚠️ Yes |
If boarding is changed within 24 hours of train departure, no refund applies unless the train is delayed by 3+ hours, coach missing, or train gets cancelled.
How to Change Boarding Station in IRCTC Online (E-Ticket Method)
Follow these simple steps:
- Log in to IRCTC website or Rail Connect App.
- Go to My Account → Booked Ticket History.
- Select the ticket and click “Change Boarding Point”.
- A list of halting stations appears — choose your new boarding station.
- Confirm the update.
- Your updated ticket will be saved and a confirmation message will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Pro Tip: Always download or screenshot the updated ticket to avoid confusion onboard.
IRCTC Boarding Change for Counter Ticket
Passengers with printed tickets must follow the offline method:
- Visit the nearest reservation office.
- Carry the ticket and a valid ID.
- Submit a written request for boarding point change.
- Complete this process at least 24 hours before train departure.
Alternatively, you can use the online counter-ticket portal:
Online counter ticket portalSteps:
- Select Transaction Type: Boarding Point Change
- Enter PNR + Train Number + Captcha
- Submit and verify OTP
- Select new boarding station
- Confirm to update
Common Mistakes Travellers Make
🚫 Waiting until after chart preparation
🚫 Assuming boarding change is automatic
🚫 Choosing a station where the train doesn’t stop
🚫 Boarding from another station without updating (leads to penalty)
Why This Feature Matters
IRCTC Boarding Change is especially useful in situations like:
- Traffic congestion in metro cities
- Sudden plan changes
- Office schedule conflict
- Boarding late to join family or group
It prevents unnecessary cancellations, saves money, and makes travel flexible — something modern passengers truly appreciate.
Smart Tips for Hassle-Free Boarding Change
✔ Change early — don’t wait till the last minute
✔ Double-check timings for your new boarding station
✔ Keep the updated ticket handy
✔ Use Rail Connect App — faster and smoother than the website
✔ Track the train live using railway tracking platforms
FAQs on IRCTC Boarding Change
Q1. Can I change the boarding point after the chart is prepared?
No. Boarding point change is allowed only before charting.
Q2. Will my seat number change after updating the boarding point?
No, your seat remains the same as per original booking.
Q3. Is boarding change allowed for Tatkal tickets?
No, Tatkal tickets are not eligible.
Q4. Can I change both boarding and destination station?
No. Only the boarding point can be changed.
Q5. Is there any additional fee for IRCTC boarding change?
No — it’s completely free.
Q6. How many times can I change the boarding station?
Only once — except if you changed during booking, then one more change is allowed.
Final Takeaway
The IRCTC Boarding Change feature is a lifesaver for travellers whose plans shift unexpectedly. Whether you’re stuck in traffic, delayed at work, or simply closer to another station, you don’t need to cancel your ticket or stress.
Just update your boarding point and travel smoothly — same ticket, same seat, zero extra cost.
Want more IRCTC tricks, updates, and travel hacks? 🚆
Stay tuned and bookmark this guide — it may save your next journey. 😉