Pakistan Railways Official Booking Website
The official Pakistan Railways online booking portal is booking.pakrail.gov.pk. This is the only authorised online channel for purchasing tickets at face value. Be cautious of third-party websites charging extra fees. The portal is accessible 24/7 and bookings open exactly 30 days before the departure date.
What You Need Before Booking
You need: (1) A valid Pakistani CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card) — CNIC number is mandatory for all bookings. (2) A mobile phone number for SMS confirmation. (3) A payment method: Debit/credit card (Visa/Mastercard), JazzCash, Easypaisa, or bank transfer. (4) Sufficient time — the site can be slow during peak booking hours (early morning when new dates open).
Step-by-Step Booking Process
Step 1: Go to booking.pakrail.gov.pk. Step 2: Select 'Book Ticket' and enter Origin, Destination, Travel Date, and Number of Passengers. Step 3: Click Search — available trains and classes will be displayed. Step 4: Select your preferred train and class. Step 5: Enter passenger details including CNIC for each traveller. Step 6: Select seats (if seat selection is available for that class). Step 7: Proceed to payment and complete the transaction. Step 8: You will receive an SMS and email confirmation. Save or screenshot your booking reference number.
Collecting Your Ticket
After online booking, you can collect a physical ticket from any Pakistan Railways booking office by showing your CNIC and booking reference number. Alternatively, on many trains you can board with the SMS confirmation and CNIC — the Train Inspector (TI) will verify. It is recommended to collect a physical ticket for long-distance overnight journeys to avoid any issues.
Booking at the Station
All major railway stations have booking offices open 6 AM–10 PM daily. You need your CNIC. Queue times can be long at major stations (Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi) — arrive early. For long-distance trains, station booking opens 30 days before departure (same as online). Unreserved Economy tickets can sometimes be purchased on the same day.
Common Booking Problems and Solutions
Problem: 'No seats available' for your preferred class → Try a different train on the same date, a different date, or a lower class. Problem: Payment failed but money deducted → Wait 24 hours; most are automatically refunded. Contact customer support at 051-9215149 if the refund doesn't appear. Problem: Wrong CNIC entered → You cannot correct this online. Visit the booking office with your CNIC. Problem: Train cancelled → Pakistan Railways will contact you via SMS and process an automatic refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book Pakistan Railways tickets without CNIC?
No. A valid Pakistani CNIC (or NICOP for overseas Pakistanis) is mandatory for all Pakistan Railways reservations. Each passenger's CNIC must be provided. Foreign nationals must use their passport number.
How many days in advance can I book Pakistan Railways tickets?
Online booking opens exactly 30 days before the departure date at midnight. For example, for a March 20 departure, booking opens February 19. Popular trains (especially Green Line and Tezgam on Fridays) sell out within hours of opening.
Can I book Pakistan Railways tickets on my phone?
Yes. booking.pakrail.gov.pk is mobile-responsive and works on smartphones. There is no official dedicated app — use the website in your mobile browser. Some third-party travel apps also allow Pakistan Railways bookings.
What payment methods does Pakistan Railways accept online?
Pakistan Railways online accepts Visa/Mastercard debit or credit cards, JazzCash wallet, Easypaisa, and certain bank transfers through 1-Link. JazzCash and Easypaisa are the most reliable payment methods for avoiding transaction failures.
Can I book Pakistan Railways tickets for someone else?
Yes, but you must enter their CNIC number. The ticket is tied to the passenger's CNIC. The person travelling must carry their CNIC as ID on the journey regardless of who booked the ticket.