Here are seven things to keep in mind before ordering food on a train with Zomato.
Photo Credit: Zomato
With food delivery platforms like Zomato, passengers can order meals from popular restaurants directly to their seats while travelling. Whether you are craving a quick snack, a regional speciality or a full meal during a long journey, these services offer a wider variety of options compared to onboard catering services.
Booking food on trains is no longer limited to pantry car meals and station snacks. Thanks to food delivery platforms like Zomato, passengers can now order meals from popular restaurants directly to their seats while travelling. Whether you are craving a quick snack, a regional speciality or a full meal during a long journey, these services offer a wider variety of options compared to onboard catering services.
However, factors like train delays, network connectivity, cut-off timings and station coverage can affect your overall experience, which is why it is important to plan your order carefully. From checking station availability and delivery timings to understanding PNR-based ordering and payment options, there are a few important things you need to know before placing an order. Here are seven things to keep in mind before ordering food on a train with Zomato:
Zomato Is An Authorised IRCTC e-Catering Partner
Zomato operates as an authorised IRCTC e-catering partner. Hence, when you use Zomato’s Food on Train option, food preparation and delivery are coordinated using live train status and PNR details. It is important to remember that Zomato’s Food on Train is an official service and not a workaround.
To order food on the train, you first need to open the Zomato app and enter ‘Train’ or ‘IRCTC’ in the search bar. Then, select the ‘Food on Train’ option. After selecting the option, enter your PNR number or train name and choose the station where you want your food to be delivered. After that, choose a restaurant and place your order.
You can place the order as early as seven days before the journey or up to 30 minutes before the train reaches the delivery station. This flexible time frame makes it easier to plan your meals in advance so that you do not have to worry about what to eat while travelling.
Zomato’s Food on Train feature tracks the live status of your train instead of the scheduled timing to ensure that food preparation begins based on your train’s real-time location and is dispatched according to the actual arrival time. Even if your train is delayed, Zomato times your order so that delivery partners arrive at the station before the train pulls in.
Real-Time Order Tracking
Once you have placed the order, you will see a live tracking page in the Zomato app that shows the status of your order from preparation to delivery. In case your travel details change, you can also update your coach details through the tracking page.
The Food on Train feature lets you view and choose from restaurant partners operating near selected stations along the travel route. You can typically order breakfast, full meals, snacks and beverages depending on the location of the station where you want the order delivered. When you enter the PNR number in the app, it will show what is available at the upcoming stations on that specific route.
If you want to cancel your order, you are eligible for a full refund only if the restaurant has not yet started preparing your food. If your order has already been prepared, you will not receive a full refund. In the event that an order cannot be delivered, a full refund is issued. You can also raise order-related concerns through the tracking page in the Zomato app.
Do I need a confirmed ticket to order food on the train?
Yes, you need a confirmed PNR to use Zomato’s Food on Train service.
Can I cancel or get a refund if I do not want the order?
You can usually cancel for free until your order preparation has started or up to two hours before the train’s scheduled arrival at the station.
What happens if my train gets delayed?
Zomato tracks live train status instead of the scheduled timing. Partner restaurants prepare and dispatch your food when the train actually arrives at the delivery station to ensure the food stays fresh.
How many stations does Food on Train serve?
Zomato delivers meals across 170+ stations in India, covering 3000+ trains and connecting passengers with a wide range of restaurant partners along their route.
Where will I receive the order?
Your order is delivered directly to your train coach at the selected station. Head to the coach door during the stop and collect your order.
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