Foreign Tourist Quota — How to Book FTQ Tickets
Guide for foreign tourists to book Indian Railways tickets under the Foreign Tourist Quota. Eligibility, process, documents needed, and booking tips.
Traveling India by train is one of the best ways to experience the country. For foreign tourists, Indian Railways has a dedicated Foreign Tourist Quota (FT) that reserves berths specifically for international visitors. When General Quota shows sold out, FT quota might still have seats. Here's how to use it.
What Is Foreign Tourist Quota?
FT Quota is a reserved allocation of berths on popular trains, set aside exclusively for passengers holding non-Indian passports. It exists on major long-distance trains, especially routes popular with tourists — Delhi to Agra, Delhi to Jaipur, Delhi to Varanasi, Kolkata to Goa, and similar routes.
The quota size is small (typically 4-10 berths per class per train), but it's also less competed for since most domestic travelers can't access it.
Who Is Eligible?
- Holders of foreign passports (any nationality)
- NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) with foreign passports
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders
How to Book FT Quota Online
On IRCTC Website
Foreign tourists can create an IRCTC account and book online:
- Register on IRCTC using your foreign passport number as the ID
- Your email can be international — no Indian mobile number required (use the international registration option)
- After login, search for trains
- Select "Foreign Tourist (FT)" from the Quota dropdown
- Check availability and book
At Railway Reservation Counter
Visit the reservation counter at major stations. Specific counters or tourism windows handle FT quota:
- Fill the reservation form
- Present your foreign passport (original required)
- Mention you want FT Quota booking
- Pay in Indian Rupees (cash or card)
- New Delhi Railway Station (International Tourist Bureau, 1st Floor)
- Mumbai CST (Foreign Tourist Counter)
- Chennai Central
- Kolkata Howrah
- Jaipur
- Varanasi
- Agra
Through Travel Agents
Licensed travel agents (both online and offline) can book FT quota tickets on your behalf. Many tourist hotels can arrange this too. Just provide your passport details and travel requirements.
Documents Required
- Foreign passport (original for counter booking, number for online booking)
- Valid visa (tourist visa, e-visa, etc.)
- Payment in INR (cards accepted at most counters)
FT Quota Fare
The fare for FT Quota is the same as General Quota — no extra charge. You pay the standard Indian Railways fare for the class and train. This is a common misconception — FT Quota is not premium-priced.
However, the payment at station counters must be in Indian Rupees. Some older travel guides mention USD/GBP payment, but that's outdated — all transactions are in INR now.
Tips for Foreign Tourists
Book online well in advance. The FT quota is small. For popular tourist trains (Delhi-Agra Shatabdi, Palace on Wheels, Rajdhani to Varanasi), it fills up weeks ahead. Visit the International Tourist Bureau (ITB) at New Delhi station early. It opens at 8 AM. Go early, especially during peak tourist season (October-March). The queue can get long. Consider Indrail Pass. This is the Indian equivalent of a Eurail pass — unlimited travel for a set number of days. Available only to foreign tourists and NRIs. Prices start from a few hundred dollars for the basic pass. Good value if you're doing a whirlwind tour. Learn the basics of Indian railway classes. Foreign tourists often book 2A or 1A for comfort. But if you're adventurous, Sleeper Class gives you the authentic Indian train experience at a fraction of the cost. Use indianrail.app to research trains and routes before booking. The interface is clean and doesn't require an IRCTC login just to browse schedules and availability.Popular Tourist Routes by Train
| Route | Popular Train | Duration | Must-Book Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi → Agra | Shatabdi 12002 | 2 hours | CC or EC |
| Delhi → Jaipur | Shatabdi 12016 | 4.5 hours | CC |
| Delhi → Varanasi | Rajdhani/Marudhar | 8-12 hours | 2A or 3A |
| Mumbai → Goa | Konkan Kanya/Jan Shatabdi | 8-12 hours | CC or 2A |
| Delhi → Amritsar | Shatabdi 12014 | 6 hours | CC or EC |
| Kolkata → Darjeeling | NJP + Toy Train | 10 + 7 hours | 2A + Heritage |
If FT Quota Is Sold Out
Options when FT quota isn't available:
- Try General Quota — you can book under GN quota too, FT isn't mandatory
- Try Tatkal — one day before travel, at 10 AM
- Try different dates — shifting by 1-2 days often helps
- Take a different train on the same route
- Book an alternate class — if 2A is sold out, try 3A or SL
Foreign Tourist Quota is a genuinely useful provision that many international visitors don't know about. If you're planning train travel in India, check FT availability first — you might get confirmed tickets on trains that look fully booked.