What is RLWL in Train Tickets? Full Form Explained

RLWL stands for Remote Location Waiting List. It is a type of waiting list in Indian Railways that applies when you book a train ticket between two stations that are not the starting or ending points of the train. These stations are called remote locations, and they are important stops along the train’s route.

Key Features of RLWL

Intermediate Station Booking

  • RLWL tickets are issued when you book a ticket from a remote location to another station on the same route.
  • These stations are important intermediate stops where a lot of passengers board or get off.

Allocation Quota

  • Every remote location station has a limited quota of seats.
  • Once these are booked, new bookings from that station go on the RLWL.

Lower Confirmation Chances

  • RLWL has less chance of confirmation compared to GNWL (General Waiting List).
  • Your ticket will only get confirmed if someone cancels a ticket for the same route and station pair.

No Boarding at Origin Station

  • If you have an RLWL ticket, you cannot board the train at the starting station.
  • You can only board from your booked remote location.

Status Changes Dynamically

  • As passengers cancel their tickets, your RLWL status moves up.
  • For example, RLWL10/RLWL5 means you were number 10 in the queue at booking and are now number 5.

How RLWL Works

Let’s say a train goes from Station A to Station Z, stopping at Station C and Station D.

If you book a ticket from Station C to Station D, but all reserved seats are taken, your ticket gets RLWL status.

As cancellations happen for that segment (C to D), your ticket can move up the list and may get confirmed closer to the journey date.

What Affects RLWL Confirmation?

Passenger Load

  • More people traveling from remote stations = less chance of your RLWL ticket getting confirmed.

Train Type and Route

  • Popular trains and long-distance routes often have more RLWL bookings, making it harder to get a confirmed seat.

Booking Time

  • Booking early gives a better chance of confirmation.
  • Last-minute bookings have lower chances.

Quota Allocation

  • Other quotas like Tatkal or Ladies Quota can affect how many RLWL tickets are confirmed.

How to Check RLWL Status

You can check your RLWL ticket status using:

  • IRCTC website or app
  • Trainman app
  • Indian Railways counters

Example of ticket status: RLWL12/RLWL6

  • The first number shows your position when you booked.
  • The second number is your current position after cancellations.

Important Notes About RLWL Tickets

Cancellation Policy

  • You can cancel an RLWL ticket up to 30 minutes before the train departs.
  • You will get a refund, minus the cancellation charges.

Travel Restrictions

  • If your ticket is still RLWL at the time of departure, you cannot board the train.
  • Unconfirmed RLWL tickets are not valid for travel.

No Separate Chart for RLWL

  • GNWL has a separate chart prepared before the journey.
  • RLWL does not have a separate chart; updates happen dynamically based on cancellations.

Conclusion

RLWL (Remote Location Waiting List) is given when you book tickets between important stops, not from the main start or end stations. These tickets have lower chances of confirmation compared to GNWL. Always check your ticket status using your PNR number and make backup travel plans if needed.