How to Book AC Bus Tickets via IRCTC

IRCTC isn't just for trains. The platform also lets you book inter-city AC bus tickets through partnerships with state transport corporations and private operators. When trains are full or don't run on your route, IRCTC bus booking is a handy alternative.

What IRCTC Bus Booking Offers

IRCTC has partnered with bus operators to offer:

• State transport AC buses (UPSRTC, RSRTC, GSRTC, MSRTC, etc.)


• Private AC bus operators (on select routes)


• Volvo, Scania, and multi-axle AC buses


• Routes primarily connecting major cities within states and across state borders

How to Book

On IRCTC Website

1. Go to irctc.co.in and log in
2. Look for "Bus Tickets" or "IRCTC Bus" option in the menu
3. Enter From city and To city
4. Select travel date
5. Search for available buses
6. Browse results — filter by departure time, bus type, price
7. Select your bus and choose a seat from the seat map
8. Enter passenger details
9. Pay online (UPI, card, net banking)
10. Receive booking confirmation via SMS and email

On IRCTC App

The Rail Connect app also has a bus booking section. The process mirrors the website.

Available Routes

IRCTC bus booking covers hundreds of routes. Some popular ones:

Route	Distance	Travel Time	Approx. Fare (AC)
Delhi → Jaipur	280 km	5-6 hrs	₹600-1,200
Delhi → Chandigarh	250 km	4-5 hrs	₹500-1,000
Mumbai → Pune	150 km	3-4 hrs	₹400-800
Bangalore → Chennai	350 km	6-7 hrs	₹700-1,400
Hyderabad → Bangalore	570 km	8-10 hrs	₹800-1,600
Ahmedabad → Mumbai	530 km	8-9 hrs	₹700-1,500
Lucknow → Delhi	500 km	7-8 hrs	₹600-1,200

Bus Types Available

Type	Comfort Level	Price Range
AC Seater	Standard AC with push-back seats	Budget
AC Sleeper	Flat berths for overnight travel	Mid-range
Volvo AC	Premium seating, better suspension	Premium
Multi-axle AC	Smoothest ride, USB charging	Premium
Non-AC Seater	Basic, no AC	Cheapest

When Bus Is Better Than Train

Short-to-medium routes (150-400 km): Buses often have more frequent departures than trains. Delhi to Jaipur has buses every 30 minutes — trains run a few times daily. Routes without direct trains: Some city pairs don't have good train connectivity (small cities, newly developed routes). Buses fill this gap. Last-minute travel: When trains are fully booked, buses almost always have availability. You can book a bus even hours before departure. Point-to-point convenience: Buses often pick up and drop at city-center bus stops, while train stations might be on the outskirts. Flexibility: Buses run throughout the day. Trains have fixed schedules. If you need to travel at 2 PM and no train runs at that time, a bus does.

When Train Is Better

Long routes (500+ km): Trains are faster, more comfortable, and have sleeping berths for overnight travel. A 1,400 km Delhi-Mumbai journey by bus (20+ hours) is grueling compared to a 16-hour Rajdhani with a berth. Overnight travel: Train berths are far more comfortable than bus sleeper seats. Actual flat berths vs narrow reclining seats — the train wins. Large groups: Trains handle groups better with multiple berths in one coach. Buses have fixed seating. Budget travel: Sleeper class trains are cheaper than AC buses for the same distance in most cases.

Cancellation Policy

IRCTC bus cancellation policy varies by operator:

• Some allow free cancellation 24+ hours before departure


• Others charge 10-25% depending on timing


• Last-minute cancellations may forfeit the fare

Check the specific cancellation policy displayed during booking before paying.

Payment and Confirmation

Same payment methods as train booking — UPI, cards, net banking. Confirmation is instant with an SMS and email containing your bus ticket details, boarding point, and operator contact number.

Tips

Compare with RedBus and other platforms. IRCTC's bus listings may not include all operators. Cross-check on RedBus, MakeMyTrip, or Goibibo for potentially more options. Choose multi-axle or Volvo for long routes. The ride quality difference between a basic AC bus and a Volvo is significant. Worth the extra ₹200-400. Check the boarding point location. Bus boarding points are sometimes different from the main bus stand. The booking confirmation usually specifies the exact pickup location. For overnight bus travel, choose sleeper. AC sleeper buses have flat berths (narrower than trains but usable). AC seater buses are uncomfortable for sleeping.

When trains are unavailable, IRCTC bus booking is a solid alternative. For train planning and availability checking, use indianrail.app — and fall back to bus booking when the train isn't an option.