How to Find the Platform Number of Your Train in Advance
How many times has it happened that you run into the railway station to catch your train, but are unaware about the platform number. So you rush to the station looking for any Railway boards or asking the fellow passengers on the station if they know about the train or not. It happens. To almost everyone.
And honestly, this confusion is worse at big junctions—Delhi, Patna, Howrah, Secunderabad, Mumbai… you name it. Some stations have 8–24 platforms, and running between them with luggage or elderly family members is not fun.
So the obvious question is: Can you know the platform number before you reach the station? Short answer: Yes, now you can.
Why Knowing the Platform Number Early Actually Helps
For most people, it isn’t just about convenience. It’s about planning.
If you know the platform:
- You don’t have to rush.
- You can head directly to the right side of the station.
- You can avoid unnecessary walking or confusion.
- You immediately know where the coach position board will be.
- You save time, especially if the train is running late or early.
Earlier, finding the platform number meant depending on railway staff, display boards, or announcements. And sometimes, the info appeared just minutes before arrival. Today, things are smoother.
Ways to Check Platform Information
1. Display Boards at the Station
Still helpful, but you only get this info after reaching the station. If you’re already late — this isn’t ideal.
2. Railway Announcements
Good… when they’re clear. Not so good in a noisy station, especially during peak hours.
3. Calling 139
IRCTC’s helpline does share running status and sometimes platform details.But waiting through IVR options can feel longer than a train delay.
4. RailMitra’s Live Train Running Status (Most Useful Today)
RailMitra’s Live Train Running Status is honestly the simplest way I’ve come across. With RailMitra, you don’t have to guess anything. Just:
- Open the RailMitra App or Website
- Go to Live Train Running Status
- Type the train number or name
- Select journey date
And that’s it — it shows you:
- Real-time train position
- Whether it’s late or on time
- Expected arrival at upcoming stations
- Platform number (when assigned)
- Delay history
- Distance left to reach next stop
The platform number is especially useful because sometimes it changes at the last minute, and RailMitra updates it based on live railway data.
I’ve personally seen this happen—once while travelling from Allahabad to Varanasi. The platform changed just 8 minutes before arrival. Since RailMitra updated the info quickly, I moved before the crowd rush started.
Why This Matters Even More Today
Indian trains are getting more punctual (some days!), stations are expanding, and coach positions spread far across long platforms.
So knowing exactly:
- Which platform
- Which direction the engine will face
- Where your coach is expected to halt
can literally save you from sprinting with luggage or missing the train door because it stopped 200 meters away.
Bonus Tip: Useful When Ordering Food in Train
If you use RailMitra to order food in train (which many passengers do these days), the delivery partners use the correct platform number to hand over the food.
So having platform info in advance avoids any confusion during handovers.
What If No Platform Number Shows Yet?
Don’t panic — sometimes Indian Railways assigns platforms close to arrival, especially at major junctions. Just refresh the live status every few minutes. Most trains get a confirmed platform either:
- When they depart the previous station
- 20–40 minutes before arrival
Final Thoughts
Finding the platform number in advance used to be luck. Now, it’s simple — thanks to tools like RailMitra. Instead of asking strangers or running between boards, you check it once on your phone and walk confidently to the right platform.
Less hassle. Less stress.More control over your journey.