Gone are the days of settling for pre-packaged meals or questionable pantry options on train journeys. Thanks to a recent partnership, Zomato now allows you to order food from your favorite restaurants and have it delivered straight to your seat!
This blog will guide you through the process of ordering food on Zomato during your train travel, ensuring a convenient and satisfying dining experience.
What You’ll Need:
- A confirmed train ticket: Zomato requires your PNR number to verify your journey details and ensure a smooth delivery.
- The Zomato app: Download and install the Zomato app on your smartphone if you haven’t already.
- A stable internet connection: While train Wi-Fi can be unreliable, consider using your mobile data for a seamless ordering experience.
Ordering Food on Trains with Zomato: A Two-Step Approach
While Zomato doesn’t directly integrate with PNR information yet, you can still enjoy delicious meals delivered to your train seat! Here’s a breakdown of the two main methods:
Method 1: Ordering Through a Train Ticketing App with Zomato Integration
What you’ll need:
A train ticketing app with Zomato integration (many popular apps offer this feature), such as ixigo, RailYatri, and Zoop.
Steps:
For clear understand, we are taking ixigo as example:
- Open the Ixigo Trains App: Launch the app you used to book your train ticket (which should be ixigo Trains or any other app you like).
- Locate the Food Ordering Option: There are two ways to find the food ordering section:
- Option 1: Look for the “Profile” icon at the bottom right corner of the home screen. Tap on it. Then, navigate to “My Bookings” followed by “Train”. Under your upcoming trip, you should see an “Order Now” button.
- Option 2: Alternatively, you can tap on “Trips” at the bottom of the home screen. This will show your upcoming journeys. Locate your trip and look for an option related to “IRCTC Food Booking” or “Food Order”.
- (Optional) Enter PNR: If prompted, enter your 10-digit PNR number. This helps Ixigo connect your travel details to IRCTC’s e-catering service and might provide you with a more precise list of restaurants available at your upcoming stations.
- Browse and Order: You’ll be directed to the IRCTC e-catering homepage. Here, you can choose your preferred station and browse through a list of available restaurants delivering there. Select your favorite restaurant, add items to your cart, and proceed to checkout.
- Checkout and Enjoy: During checkout, you’ll need to fill in some basic details like your name and phone number. Choose your preferred payment method and complete the order. Once the payment is confirmed, your food will be delivered directly to your train seat at the estimated time displayed on the e-catering homepage. Relax and enjoy your meal!
Method 2: Ordering Directly Through the Zomato App
What you’ll need:
- The Zomato app installed on your smartphone
- Train schedule with upcoming station information
Steps:
- Open the Zomato App: Launch the Zomato app on your smartphone.
- Search by Station, Not PNR: Since Zomato doesn’t directly search by PNR, you’ll need to search for restaurants delivering to your upcoming stations. Refer to your train schedule to identify these stations.
- Plan for Halt Time: Consider the halt time at each station. Ideally, choose a station with a stop long enough to accommodate order preparation and delivery (check Zomato’s estimated delivery time for reference).
- Browse Menus and Order: Search for restaurants delivering to your chosen station, browse menus, finalize your order, and pay using your preferred method.
- Enjoy! Settle back and wait for your meal to be delivered to your train seat.
However, we recommend prioritizing the first method: Ordering Through a Train Ticketing App with Zomato Integration. This method offers several advantages:
- Reliability: Since your PNR information is already within the ticketing app, there’s less chance of errors compared to manually searching by station in Zomato.
- Convenience: The process is streamlined, allowing you to browse restaurants and order food directly within the familiar interface of your ticketing app.
- Location-Specific Selection: Entering your PNR ensures restaurants delivering to your upcoming stations are displayed, saving you time and effort.
Of course, if your ticketing app doesn’t offer Zomato integration, the second method (ordering directly through the Zomato app) is still a great option. Just remember to plan ahead and factor in station halt times when choosing delivery locations.
Important Considerations When Ordering Food on Trains Through Zomato
- PNR Requirement: You must be a genuine rail passenger with a valid PNR number to order food.
- Order Timing: Place your order at least 65 minutes before your train arrives at the station to ensure enough time for preparation and delivery.
- Presence at Station: Be present at your seat or berth when the train arrives at the station to receive your order. Otherwise, it will be considered a “No-Show” and no refund will be provided.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are not allowed within 2 hours of your train’s scheduled arrival at the station.
- Train Delays: In case of train delays, your order may not be delivered, and even the Zomato’s “Gold on-time guarantee” won’t apply. You won’t receive a refund for undelivered orders due to delays.
- Station Convenience Fee: There’s a station convenience fee on top of your food cost.
Additional Tips
- Download restaurant menus in advance if you’re worried about unreliable internet connectivity on the train.
- Be familiar with Zomato’s cancellation policy, which typically allows free cancellation up to two hours before the estimated delivery time.
- Place your order at least 30-45 minutes before the train reaches the station for timely delivery.
- Keep track of any delays or changes in your train’s schedule.
- Choose online payment methods for a seamless and contactless delivery experience.
Conclusion
Ordering food during your train journey is now easier than ever with Zomato. Whether you use an affiliated app or order directly through the Zomato app, following these steps ensures a hassle-free experience. Enjoy your favorite meals right at your train seat and make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.