Guides15 October 20266 min read

IRCTC Login From UK: Book India Train Tickets

In the UK? Here's how to log in to IRCTC and book Indian Railways tickets from London or anywhere in Britain — payment, the OTP fix, booking times in UK time, and flights to India.

By Divyesh Gajjar · Founder of ConfirmYatra

IRCTC login and booking India train tickets from the UK — London skyline on the Thames

With a huge British-Indian community, booking Indian Railways tickets from the UK is common — and easy on IRCTC. Here is how to log in and book from London or anywhere in Britain.

Can You Book India Trains From the UK?

Yes. IRCTC is not geo-blocked in the UK — no VPN, and you do not need to be in India. Log in with your username and password as usual; only payment and the OTP need sorting.

IRCTC Login From the UK: Step by Step

Open the IRCTC website or Rail Connect app, enter your username, password and captcha, and sign in. Reset a forgotten password via email or mobile. New user? Register with an international mobile number. For the full walkthrough, see our guide to booking from abroad.

Paying From the UK

Use an international Visa/Mastercard through IRCTC's international payment option — see how to pay on IRCTC with an international card. If you keep an Indian NRE/NRO account, linked UPI or net banking also works. Either way, be ready to approve the card OTP / 3-D Secure step.

The OTP / Mobile Number Issue

Your OTP goes to your registered mobile. Keep your Indian number reachable (UK–India roaming or an eSIM), or register your UK number on IRCTC so the OTP arrives locally.

Booking & Tatkal Times in UK Time

The UK is 4.5–5.5 hours behind India (the range is British Summer Time), so windows fall in the early morning your time:

General booking (ARP), 8:00 AM IST — about 2:30–3:30 AM UK time.
Tatkal AC, 10:00 AM IST — about 4:30–5:30 AM UK time.
Tatkal Sleeper (non-AC), 11:00 AM IST — about 5:30–6:30 AM UK time.

See Tatkal timing and rules and IRCTC advance reservation period.

Flying to India From the UK

London (Heathrow LHR, Gatwick LGW), Manchester and Birmingham have direct flights to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) on Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic in about 8.5–9.5 hours; one-stop fares via the Gulf (Emirates, Qatar) are often cheaper. After landing, continue by train — see India's top scenic train routes.

Get a Confirmed Seat

Book up to 60 days ahead. On RAC or waiting list, check your odds with will my RAC ticket get confirmed and track it on our PNR status tool.

Bottom line: booking India trains from the UK is easy — IRCTC isn't blocked, pay with an international card or Indian account, sort your OTP, and note the booking window falls in the early morning UK time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book Indian train tickets from the UK?

Yes. IRCTC works from the UK without a VPN. Log in normally, pay with an international card or Indian account, and make sure you can receive your OTP.

What time does IRCTC booking open in UK time?

The UK is 4.5–5.5 hours behind India, so general booking (8 AM IST) opens about 2:30–3:30 AM UK time, and Tatkal opens roughly 4:30–6:30 AM.

How do I pay on IRCTC from the UK?

Use an international Visa/Mastercard through IRCTC's international payment option, or an Indian NRE/NRO account via UPI, and approve the OTP / 3-D Secure step.