IRCTC
Train Ticket Booking
App
01
Case Study Overview
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is India’s official railway ticket booking platform and one of the most heavily used government apps in the country. Millions of users rely on it daily to book train tickets for work, travel, emergencies, and family trips. While IRCTC is powerful in terms of functionality, the booking experience often feels complex, overwhelming, and stressful especially during high-demand periods like Tatkal bookings. The goal of this redesign was simple: Make train ticket booking feel clear, fast, and stress-free.
The goal of this redesign was simple:
Make train ticket booking feel clear, fast, and stress-free.
Tools Used
Figma,
Timeline
4–5 Weeks
Role
User Research, UX/UI Design, Interaction Design
02
Why I Chose IRCTC
You open the IRCTC app. You know where you’re going. You have a date in mind. You hit search. And then a wall of text hits you back.
Dozens of trains. Prices scattered everywhere. No guidance, no shortcuts, no sense of which one is actually right for you.
What’s actually going wrong?
I started by sitting with the existing app for a while. Searching real routes. Pretending I needed to book a ticket right now. Here’s what I noticed:
Information overload
Every train looks the same. There’s no visual hierarchy to guide your eye. It’s just… a list of things.
No decision support
“Which is the best train?” — the app has no answer. You’re on your own with raw data.
Date switching = going back
Want to check tomorrow? You have to go all the way back to the search screen. Every. Single. Time.
Can’t shortlist trains
That’s where I saw an opportunity:
What if booking a train ticket could feel simple instead of overwhelming?
One clear goal.
How might we redesign the IRCTC train search results so that any user — regardless of experience can find the right train, understand their options, and book with confidence ?
Not a full app overhaul. Not a rebrand. . To redesign the IRCTC booking flow without changing the core structure too drastically (since it’s a government platform), but improving:
Clarity
Navigation
Visual hierarchy
User confidence during booking
The focus wasn’t to reinvent IRCTC , It was to simplify it.
03
Research & Problem Analysis
IRCTC App Redesign
1 .Information Overload
2. Poor Visibility of System Status
3. Complex Passenger Entry Flow
4. Visual Clutter
Key Weaknesses Identified
No clear step-by-step booking indicator
Weak visual grouping
Confusing error handling
Payment stage anxiety
Low focus on speed and efficiency
Key Takeaways Before Redesign
The booking journey needed structure.
Users needed reassurance at every step.
The design needed to reduce mental effort.
Simplicity should not remove functionality it should organize it better.
04
UX Research
1. User Interviews
I spoke with frequent train travelers across different age groups. Common feedback included:
“Booking feels stressful.”
“I’m never fully sure if my ticket is confirmed.”
“Too many steps.”
2. Competitive Analysis
I studied booking flows from:
MakeMyTrip
ixigo
While these apps also use IRCTC’s backend, their booking flows feel cleaner and more guided.
This showed me that simplification was possible — even within constraints.
3. App Store Reviews
05
The Redesign
Here’s what I changed and why.
Smart Train Tags
I added contextual labels “Most Popular,” “Fastest,” “Overnight”to the top of each card.
Think of it like a trusted friend whispering: “psst, most people pick this one.” It removes the burden of comparing raw data and gives users a starting point.
Favourites / Save for Later
A heart icon on every card. Tap it. Train saved. Come back anytime.
This is for the very real user who checks availability days before travel, can’t decide yet, and doesn’t want to start from scratch every time they open the app.
Waitlist Confidence Indicator
Waitlists are terrifying to new users. “WL 4–49% Chance” is so much more useful than just “WL 4”.
By adding a probability label, I give users real information to make a real decision: is this a gamble or a safe bet? Transparency builds trust.
Date Filter Bar
You’re not sure about Friday, so you slide to Saturday… maybe Sunday feels better.
No going back, no starting over — just a smooth little swipe until the right day clicks.
Onboarding Screens
A quick first impression that feels clean and intentional.
Nothing overwhelming just a smooth start that makes the app feel polished from the very first tap.
[Screen Images]
Key Takeaways Before Redesign
2024
(CSS)
Apexus Collective
