What is WL in Train?

What is WL in Train? WL stands for Waitlist in train ticket booking terminology. It indicates that a passenger does not have a confirmed reservation but is instead placed on a waiting list.

If a confirmed reservation becomes available due to cancellations, passengers on the waitlist are given priority to receive these seats or berths.

Table of Contents

What is WL in Train Ticket Booking?

How Waitlist Works in Indian Railways

1. Booking Status:

When you book a train ticket and it shows WL, it means all available seats or berths are currently booked.
Your ticket status will be displayed as WL followed by a number, such as WL1, WL2, etc. This number represents your position in the waitlist queue.

2. Confirmation Process:

As other passengers cancel their confirmed tickets, waitlisted tickets move up in the queue.
For example, if you have WL2, and two passengers with confirmed tickets cancel their bookings, your status will move up to WL0 (RAC or Confirmed based on availability).

3. Chart Preparation:

The final reservation chart is usually prepared a few hours before the train’s departure (typically 4 hours before for most trains and 30 minutes before for special trains).
If your waitlist status changes to a confirmed reservation before the chart is prepared, you will be allocated a seat or berth.
If it remains waitlisted, you will not be allocated a seat or berth, and for e-tickets, the booking will be automatically canceled, and a refund will be initiated.
For waitlisted IRCTC railway counter ticket, passenger can board the train with no seat.

Type of Waitlists

1. GNWL (General Waitlist):

Most common waitlist type.
Applicable when you book from the originating station or a station close to it.

2. RLWL (Remote Location Waitlist):

Applied for passengers booking from intermediate stations along the train route.

3. PQWL (Pooled Quota Waitlist):

Used when booking is made from intermediate to intermediate stations, not covering the full train route.

4. TQWL (Tatkal Quota Waitlist):

Applicable for tickets booked under the Tatkal quota.

Example Scenario

Booking:

Suppose you book a ticket and receive WL5 status.
Your ticket status: WL5.

Cancellations:

As other passengers cancel, the waitlist number decreases.
If 3 passengers cancel, your status moves to WL2.

Chart Preparation:

If further cancellations occur, and your status reaches WL0, your ticket gets confirmed.
If not, your ticket remains WL2 at the time of chart preparation.

Important Points

Cancellation Policy: Waitlisted e-tickets are automatically canceled if not confirmed and a refund is processed.
Booking Limits: You can still board the train with a waitlisted counter ticket, but without a confirmed seat, you may face issues during the journey.
Upgradation: In some cases, waitlisted passengers might be upgraded to higher classes if there are available berths.

Conclusion

WL or Waitlist in train booking indicates a passenger’s position in the queue for a confirmed seat or berth. Understanding the waitlist system can help passengers manage their travel plans better and make informed decisions about their bookings.