Train ticket bookings open 60 days prior to departure; however, many travelers solidify their plans closer to the date of travel. Data from MakeMyTrip indicates that nearly 40% of users engage in multiple sessions to secure train tickets.
Out of these users, 70% find themselves booking waitlisted seats due to limited availability.
The availability timeframe also shifts with demand.
In April 2025, most high-speed trains reached full capacity approximately 13 days before departure. By May, this window contracted to over 20 days as demand increased.
The new forecasting tool is designed to assist users in better planning. Travelers can now see projections for seat availability directly within the booking process on the MakeMyTrip app and website. This allows them to time their reservations more effectively, particularly during peak travel seasons.
“Our goal is to make train travel more predictable and less stressful,” stated Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip. “This innovative feature employs data science to address a genuine planning challenge faced by millions of Indian rail passengers.”
Alongside the forecast, MakeMyTrip has also introduced Sold-out Alerts. This feature informs users when the seat availability on their selected train drops below a specific threshold, promoting timely bookings.
(Edited by : Anshul)
First Published: Jun 2, 2025 5:06 PM IST
