How to Change Boarding Station in IRCTC After Booking

We’ve all been there. You book a ticket in a hurry, thinking you’ll board from your usual station. But when the actual day arrives—plans shift. Maybe your office meeting got extended in another town, maybe a friend offers to drop you at a different stop, or maybe the traffic in your city makes it impossible to reach the original station on time.

Now the obvious question comes up: “Do I have to cancel this ticket and start all over again?”
Thankfully, the answer is no. IRCTC lets you change your boarding station even after booking.

Honestly, most people don’t even know this exists. And yet, it can really save you from panicking, wasting time, or shelling out extra cash. Sounds good, right? Let me show you how it works, in plain words.

So, What Does “Changing Boarding Station” Actually Mean?

Think of your boarding station as the “entry gate” to your train journey. It’s the place where the ticket examiner expects to see you.

But life, as we know, doesn’t always stick to the plan. IRCTC gives you the option to shift that entry gate to another station on the train’s route.

Let’s say:

• Your ticket says Patna Junction → New Delhi.
• But you’re stuck in Ara for some reason.
• Instead of canceling the whole thing, you can simply update your boarding to Ara Junction.

Your seat remains yours. Your PNR doesn’t change. You just start the trip a little later in the journey. You can also check your train schedule using RailMitra platform to know about the different halting stations of the train.

The Ground Rules You Should Know

Before you jump in and try to change your boarding station, there are a few do’s and don’ts set by Indian Railways. I’ll put them in plain words:

• You can only do it once per ticket.
• The request must be made before the first reservation chart is prepared. If you wait too long, it’s game over.
• Tatkal tickets? Sorry, not eligible.
• Your PNR and seat number stay exactly the same. You can check your live PNR Status using RailMitra platform.
• If you booked from a counter, you’ll need to visit the reservation office at least 24 hours before the train leaves the original boarding station.
• Skipping the earlier part of the journey doesn’t get you any refund.

Sounds fair enough, right?

How to Actually Change Boarding Point in IRCTC

Alright, let’s talk process. It’s easier than most people imagine.

1. Log in first. Go to IRCTC’s site or just open the Rail Connect app. Sign in with your usual ID and password.
2. Check your tickets. Under “My Account,” you’ll find “Booked Ticket History.” This is where all your active journeys live.
3. Pick the right ticket. Select the one where you need to shift the boarding station. You’ll see an option that says “Change Boarding Point.”
4. Choose your new station. The system shows all the halts between your source and destination. Choose the boarding station that you want.
5. Hit confirm. You don’t have to stand in a long line, chase anyone over the phone, or deal with piles of forms. It’s surprisingly simple. The updated ticket sits in your account instantly. Download it, or just keep it saved on your phone.

Where Travelers Usually Slip Up

The process of changing the boarding station is not difficult. However, a few slip ups cause unnecessary problems to the passengers. Here are few of those:

• Waiting too long. If you try after chart preparation, you’re out of luck.
• Assuming it doesn’t matter. Some board from another station without updating. TTEs may treat that as traveling without a valid ticket. Risky move.
• Forgetting the stop. Not every train halts at every station. Check first!
• Not carrying proof. Even if it’s digital, have the updated ticket handy. Saves you awkward arguments with railway staff.

What If You Have a Counter Ticket?

E-ticket users are lucky—it’s just a few clicks. But for those who prefer printed tickets (yes, plenty still do), here’s how it works:

• Visit the reservation office with your ticket.
• Carry an ID proof.
• Submit a written request to change your boarding point.
• Do this 24 hours before the train leaves from the original station.

Seriously, in real travel situations, this little trick can save you a lot of headaches.

Why This Option Matters So Much

At first glance, this might seem like a small feature. But think about it:

• No need to freak out or run around in circles. Your cousin asks you to come from a closer town? Just update the boarding point.
• Avoids losing money. Cancelling confirmed tickets often burns a hole in the pocket. This avoids those charges.
• Family-friendly. Parents, kids, relatives—sometimes it’s easier if everyone boards from a different city that’s more convenient.
• Time-saver in metros. In cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai, where reaching a station can take hours, this option is pure gold.

I’ve seen business travelers save entire trips thanks to this. Without it, they would’ve been stranded.

Smart Tips for Smooth Changes

Here are a few practical tricks I’d recommend from experience:

• Do it early. Don’t wait till the last minute.
• Prefer the app. The Rail Connect app feels faster and more stable than the website.
• Check the timing. A train that leaves Delhi at 6 PM might reach Ghaziabad only at 6:45. Don’t miscalculate. Use RailMitra’s live train running status to track your live train timings.
• Always keep the updated copy. Screenshots work, but the official PDF is safer.
• And the best part? It won’t cost you a single extra rupee. Nada. Zip.
  

Quick Takeaway

Long story short, it is possible to change your boarding station after you booked your train ticket. The process is simple and convenient for the betterment of the passengers. 

Life is unpredictable and so are our travel plans. If there are changes in your travel plan like changing the boarding station, there is no need to freak out or panic. Caught in traffic? Stuck at work? Or suddenly closer to another station? No stress. Log in, update your ticket, and hop on without any drama.

Indian Railways may feel old-school sometimes, but features like this show they’re slowly catching up to how modern travelers actually live.

FAQs

Q1. Can I change the boarding point after the chart is out?
Nope. Once the chart is prepared, the option vanishes.

Q2. Will my seat change?
No. You’ll get the same seat as booked earlier.

Q3. Can Tatkal tickets use this feature?
Not allowed. Tatkal is locked once booked.

Q4. Can both boarding and destination be changed together?
No, only the boarding point can be altered.

Q5. Any extra fee for this?
It’s free. No extra charges, really.