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If you are a foreign tourist travelling in Delhi and trying to book a train ticket then you must watch this video before you proceed to do the booking. Because there are chances that you may be the next target of fraud travel agencies, who look like real government offices but they are completely fake. So, the question arises – Where should you go to book the train tickets in Delhi? The answer is ‘International Tourist Bureau’. International Tourist Bureau never stops working. It means it is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, round the year. This video guides you how to reach to the official train booking office for foreign tourists in Delhi.

Read : How to get confirmed train tickets in India

Beware of the touts

Do not listen to those who try to tell you that the train ticket office for International tourists is closed, or the train is cancelled or something else. Just proceed to the ‘International tourist bureau’ on the first floor of the New Delhi railway station building. This office is open round the clock, which means it is open even at nights and on holidays.

Address – International Tourist bureau,

First floor, Platform number One, Paharganj Side, New Delhi Railway Station, Phone : (91) 11-42625156, Fax: (91) 11-23343050

Other India cities having such offices –

Agra Cantt (Agra)
Jaipur
Varanasi
Mumbai
Kolkata
Jodhpur
Ahmedabad
Chennai
Bangalore
Secunderabad (Hyderabad)

Facilities available for foreign tourist

Officials at the International Tourist bureau are entrusted the job to provide assistance to the foreign tourists and Non-resident Indians regarding enquiries, train reservation and other travel planning etc. Payments are also accepted in US Dollars, Euro, GB Pound besides Indian Rupees. You have to produce your passport and a valid visa to get the ticket.

Contact us in emergency

Travel agencies posing themselves as government travel authorities are the biggest tourist traps. So be careful while you search for a government travel office. This article gives you a fair idea of all the Government tourist offices in India. I would always recommend getting in touch with the authentic government offices in case of emergencies. Otherwise, fraud agencies may rip you off.

Check this link - www.touristhelpline.com/details-of-government-tourism-authorities-in-india

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This is a list of Government tourism offices in India (all states). Every tourist visiting India must have this list. Lack of authentic information and ignorance have led tourists to serious problems. There are many travel agencies in the market (especially in hotel hubs in Delhi), who present themselves as government tourism authorities, but they are complete frauds. There have been instances of violence against tourists who refused to book a tour or ticket from these agencies or tried to escape from them.

The fraud travel agencies in Delhi

One of the fraud travel agencies at Paharganj, in front of New Delhi railway station

In Delhi, places like Paharganj, Cannought Place and Karol Bagh are the epicentres of such frauds. The fake agencies write ‘Incredible India’, ‘Tourism department of Government of Delhi’, ‘Government of India’ over their display boards. Never trust them. The majority of the fraud happens when a tourist goes for a railway ticket booking. As soon as the touts come to know about this, they will try to approach you by all possible means. Never listen to anybody.

The Government of India has set up the ‘Incredible India HelpLine’. It is operated in-house to address and guide the tourists during any emergency which may include medical, crime natural calamities or on being stranded. This service is available as toll-free on telephone 1800111363 or on a shortcode 1363.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Best place to book a train ticket in India

One of the fraud travel agencies at Connaught Place

The best source to book a train ticket in India is ‘www.irctc.co.in’ (A government website for booking the trains all over India). Anybody can book a train seat from any part of the world through this website. Another resource is the ‘International Tourist Bureau’ located at New Delhi Railway station (and few more places). Precisely, this office is located on the first floor of the platform no. 1 of NDLS (the official code of New Delhi Railway Station). This office is now open 24×7 round the year. Watch this video to see how to approach the International Tourist Bureau.

If you are not able to get a confirmed train ticket, don’t worry. Nikita R Shankar has shared her tricks to tell you how to get a waitlisted ticket confirmed.

The Foreign Tourist Quota in Indian Railways

The biggest benefit of booking a ticket from this office is that a passenger can get a confirmed ticket in a train (subject to availability) under the Foreign Tourist Quota. Indian Railways keep some seats blocked for the eligible passengers under this quota. There are chances when the online ticket booking system shows no seat available in a train but under this quota, one gets a seat easily.

Who is eligible for the foreign tourist quota ?

All foreign nationals having a valid passport and visa
Non-resident Indians (also Indian nationals stayed for more than 6 months at a stretch outside India)

Popular tourist scams in Delhi, India

There is no seat available in any of the trains to your desired destination. But I can get one for you.
Fraud travel agencies at Paharganj, in front of New Delhi railway station
Due to some reasons, the train has been cancelled. I can arrange a taxi or flight for you.
The booking office is closed or shifted to some other place. I can take you there.
We are the official government tourism offices. We will provide you a proper transaction receipt of all the transactions you do with us.
We will arrange a packaged tour or taxi or book a hotel for you.
Roads leading to your hotel have been closed today due to a demonstration or religious function or festival.

Never trust these people. Always contact the Government tourist offices mentioned here in case of emergency. These offices are operated by the Government of India (Federal/Central Government) and all other state governments. Tourists can contact them to get any information or help.