Traveling by train is a popular and budget-friendly way to explore India. Whether you’re traveling for work, fun, or religious reasons, India’s extensive train network has something for everyone.
However, amidst the excitement of planning your trip, it’s easy to forget about an important aspect: food. Knowing what food is included in your train ticket can make your journey much more comfortable.
Many passengers don’t realize that food is already included in their ticket, which can lead to confusion or missed chances to order meals when booking.
To avoid this confusion, it’s important to know how to check if food is included in your train ticket.
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to find out what food options are available with your train ticket in India. By following these steps, you can make sure your train journey is smooth and enjoyable without worrying about meals.
How to Check the Food Included in a Train Ticket in India
There are several ways to check whether food is included in your train ticket or not. However, three of the easiest methods to confirm food inclusion on your train ticket in India are through online booking platforms, confirmation emails, and contacting customer service. Let’s look at each of these methods in detail.
Online Booking Platforms
One of the simplest ways to determine if food is included in your train ticket is by using online booking platforms.
These platforms are websites or apps where you can book your train tickets, such as IRCTC, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, and others.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Visit the website or open the app of the train operator or booking platform you used to purchase your ticket.
- Log in to your account if required.
- Access the booking details for your train journey. Typically, you can find this information under sections like “My Bookings” or “My Trips.”
- Look for any indications of complimentary meals or food services included with your ticket. This might be denoted by icons, symbols, or text. For instance, on IRCTC, you may notice a “food” icon adjacent to your ticket details if food is part of the package.
For example, you’ve booked a ticket for the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Mumbai using the IRCTC platform.
To verify whether food is included with your ticket, follow these steps:
- Visit the IRCTC website or open the app and log in to your account.
- Navigate to the “My Bookings” section and select your ticket for the Rajdhani Express.
- Check for the presence of a “food” icon next to your ticket details. If you see this icon, it indicates that food is included in your ticket.
Confirmation Email
Another way to check the food inclusion on your train ticket is to check your confirmation email. This is the email that you receive after booking your train ticket, which contains your booking information and PNR number.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Check your email inbox for the confirmation email from the train operator or the booking platform.
- Open the email and locate the section that details your booking information. This may include your train name, number, date, time, class, seat, etc.
- Look for any information regarding complimentary meals or food services included in your ticket. This may be mentioned in the email body or in an attachment. For example, on MakeMyTrip, you can see a “Meals Included” section in your email attachment if food is included.
Example: Suppose you have booked a ticket for the Shatabdi Express from Chennai to Bangalore on MakeMyTrip or any app. To check the food inclusion on your ticket, you can follow these steps:
- Check your email inbox for the confirmation email.
- Open the email and look for the attachment that contains your booking information.
- Open the attachment and look for the “Meals Included” section. If you see it, that means food is included in your ticket.
Contacting Customer Service
If you are not sure about the food inclusion on your train ticket, or you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the customer service of the train operator or the booking platform.
You can find the customer service contact information on the website, the confirmation email, or the ticket itself.
You can call or email customer service and provide your booking details, such as the PNR number, the train name, number, date, time, class, and seat.
You can inquire about the food included in your ticket, and also request for any changes or modifications, if possible.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Locate the customer service contact information for the train operator or the booking platform. You can usually find this on their website, app, or email.
- Call or email customer service and provide your booking details, such as your PNR number, train name, date, etc.
- Inquire about the food included in your ticket. Ask them to confirm the types, timings, and availability of the meals or food services.
Example: Suppose you have booked a ticket for the Duronto Express from Kolkata to Pune on Cleartrip. To check the food inclusion on your ticket, you can follow these steps:
- Locate the customer service contact information for Cleartrip. You can find this on their website, app, or email.
- Call or email customer service and provide your booking details, such as your PNR number, train name, date, etc.
- Inquire about the food included in your ticket. Ask them to confirm the types, timings, and availability of the meals or food services.
Apart from relying on online booking platforms, confirmation emails, or customer service, you have the option to utilize third-party apps to verify food inclusions on your train ticket.
These apps, although not directly affiliated with train operators, offer convenient ticket booking services along with additional features.
Here are some popular third-party apps for train booking in India:
- Paytm: Renowned for its cashback and discounts on train tickets, Paytm also allows you to check food inclusions by accessing booking details within the app.
- Goibibo: Known for finding the best deals and lowest prices on train tickets, Goibibo provides an easy way to check food inclusions through meal icons or text on the app.
- MakeMyTrip: Offering a wide range of features and benefits, MakeMyTrip is a comprehensive app for train booking. You can check food inclusions by simply clicking on the food icon or text within the app.
- RailYatri: A versatile app for train travelers, RailYatri provides various services like train status, seat availability, and PNR status. You can check food inclusions by tapping on the food option within the app.
- Cleartrip: With its user-friendly interface, Cleartrip is known for its simplicity in train booking. You can easily check food inclusions by viewing booking details on the app.
These third-party apps offer convenient ways to check food inclusions on your train ticket.
However, it’s always advisable to verify information with official sources such as the IRCTC website or app, confirmation emails, or customer service before commencing your journey.
How to Check if Food is Included in Your Train Ticket By PNR Number
To check the food included in your train ticket PNR, follow these steps:
- Visit the official Indian Railways website or download the IRCTC app.
- Log in with your credentials or enter your PNR number.
- Navigate to the “Booking Details” or “PNR Status” section.
- Look for the “Meal” or “Food” section to see if it’s included in your ticket.
Once you’re logged in, find your booking details or PNR status, then locate the section specifically mentioning meals or food to see if it’s included in your ticket.
Understanding the Food Options
Once you have checked the food inclusion on your train ticket, you should also understand the food options available on your train.
Depending on the type and duration of your train journey, you may have different food options, such as complimentary meals, paid food services, or both.
Complimentary Meals
Some trains in India offer complimentary meals to their passengers, especially on long-distance or premium trains. These are the meals that are included in your train ticket and are served to you at no extra cost. Here are some things to know about complimentary meals:
- The types of meals included in your ticket may vary depending on your train class and route. For example, some trains may offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while others may offer only snacks or beverages.
- The meals are usually served at fixed timings, which may depend on your train schedule and destination. For example, breakfast may be served between 7 am and 9 am, lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm, and dinner between 7 pm and 9 pm.
- The meals may have limited or no choices, depending on the availability and demand. For example, you may have to choose between vegetarian or non-vegetarian options, or between Indian or continental cuisines.
- The meals are usually prepared by the train pantry or catering staff, or by contracted vendors. The quality and hygiene of the meals may vary depending on the source and standards.
Example: Suppose you’re on the Vande Bharat Express traveling from New Delhi to Varanasi, and you’ve found out that your ticket includes meals. Here’s what you should know about the free food:
- Meal Times: You’ll get breakfast at 7 am, lunch at 12 pm, and dinner at 7 pm.
- Meal Choices: You can pick either vegetarian or non-vegetarian meals, and you can also choose between regional or continental dishes.
- Food Quality: The food comes from trusted places like Chaayos, Nescafe, and Haldiram’s. It’s packed safely and served with eco-friendly cutlery.
Knowing these details helps you plan for when and what to eat during your journey on the Vande Bharat Express.
Paid Food Services
Some trains in India offer paid food services to their passengers, in addition to or instead of complimentary meals.
These are the food options that are available for purchase onboard the train or from outside vendors. Here are some things to know about paid food services:
- The food options may include snacks, beverages, meals, or packaged items, depending on the train and the vendor. For example, you may find samosas, sandwiches, tea, coffee, biryani, thali, chips, biscuits, etc.
- The food options may have more variety and choices than complimentary meals, depending on the availability and demand. For example, you may find regional, national, or international cuisines, or different dietary preferences.
- The food options may be available at any time during the journey, depending on the train and the vendor. For example, you may order food from the train pantry or catering staff, or from e-catering services or station vendors.
- The food options may have different prices and payment methods, depending on the train and the vendor. For example, you may pay by cash, card, or online, or you may pre-book or pay on delivery.
Example: Suppose you are travelling on the Shatabdi Express from Chennai to Bangalore, and you have checked that food is included in your ticket. However, you want to try some other food options during your journey.
Here are some things to know about the paid food services on this train:
- The food options include snacks, beverages, meals, or packaged items, such as idli, vada, dosa, upma, pongal, filter coffee, lemon tea, juice, water, etc.
- The food options have more variety and choices than the complimentary meals, such as south Indian, north Indian, or Chinese cuisines, or vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or vegan preferences.
- The food options are available at any time during the journey, either from the train pantry or catering staff, or from e-catering services or station vendors. You can order food online or by phone, or buy food from the train or station staff.
- The food options have different prices and payment methods, such as cash, card, or online, or pre-book or pay on delivery. You can check the menu and prices on the train or online, or ask the staff for details.
How to Order Food in Train In India: A Complete Guide
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring you’re aware of the food options included in your train ticket is essential for a hassle-free and enjoyable journey across India.
By utilizing online booking platforms, reviewing confirmation emails, or contacting customer service, passengers can easily confirm whether complimentary meals are part of their ticket package.
Taking a few moments to check for food inclusions not only avoids confusion but also allows travelers to plan accordingly, whether by bringing additional snacks or anticipating onboard dining experiences.
With these simple steps, passengers can embark on their train adventures with confidence, knowing they’ll be well-fed and ready to savor every moment of their Indian rail journey.