Difference Between E-Ticket and I-Ticket (With Table)

The evolving world emerges into a newer level on daily basis, so does the fast pace life of humans and their needs. With each need keeping the individuals on their toes to attain them, it becomes inevitable to render the fulfilling efforts to compete for those essentials in life.

Hence, appeared the usage of tickets, for travelling is a hugely significant part of life. Be it for leisure and relaxing trips with the family and friends, or professional and business trips with colleagues, it is indisputable fact to say travelling plays a major role. So, knowing about ticket booking comes in handy. And further, understanding the difference between the E-Ticket and I-Ticket would pay off when the time of need occurs.

E-Ticket vs I-Ticket

The main difference between E-Tickets and I-Tickets is that tickets should be booked online specifically for E-Tickets but for I-Tickets, it can be booked either at the reservation centre or through the internet.

E Ticket vs I Ticket

E-Tickets are paperless, as the name suggests they are booked online with the help of electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones. Apparently, the payment for an E-Ticket is also done through online techniques. With the support of the general notion, an E-Ticket is deemed to be an easier option when it comes to booking tickets. The crucial feature of the online procedure while booking an E-Ticket makes it less time-consuming.

I-Ticket is yet another means of ticket booking. Contrary to E-Ticket, I-Ticket is a paper form of ticket issued from the railway counter or any reservation centre. I-Ticket is a normal ticket with the name of counter ticket as well. As a part of the procedure to book an I-Ticket, it is also booked through the internet.

Comparison Table Between E-ticket and I-ticket

Parameters of comparisonE-TicketI-Ticket
Expansion of the termElectronic ticket.Internet ticket
Mode to book the ticketsIt is mandatory to book only through online methods, and once the procedure is done, online payment has to be done.It can be booked through the internet as well as booked at the railway station where the reservation office for booking tickets is located.
Confirmation of ticketsThe reserved ticket confirmation will be sent through the email registered while booking tickets.The confirmation of the ticket and the paper form of the ticket will be sent to the home address within few hours.
SignificanceIt can be booked and used on the same day without a prior need to book.Prior booking of at least two to three days must be done.
ShortcomingsOnce the received email with the details of the E-ticket is deleted or lost, it becomes hard to retrieve the same.To cancel the booking of tickets, it is indispensable to go to the particular counter and pay a higher cancellation charge.

What is E-ticket?

E-ticket is an electronic ticket, delivered in the form of a paperless ticket, as an email. E-ticket is one of the methods of ticket entry used by numerous of people, owing to its tremendous convenience to the customers.

It is much simpler to book online as the payment would be done through the same online means, pertaining with the other form of ticket booking. People with the time constriction would much prefer to use this procedure to save the time.

Paper tickets, I-tickets are still in use among many, but some airlines would consider charging an extra amount fee for issuing paper tickets. Hence, an E-ticket would save that trouble.

Moreover, an E-ticket is used for the purpose of booking to travel by train and aeroplane. In addition to it, it is utilized to book tickets for concerts and other entertainment purposes.

It is essential to carry identification proof of a traveller when using an E-ticket, to prove that the person who booked the ticket is the same person who is travelling. And this won’t be a hassle, since travellers keep their identification proof like license with them.

Easy to book and carry all the time, an E-ticket would be a convenient method to book tickets.

What is I-ticket?

I-ticket, an internet ticket, is booked either at the railway counter or through the process of internet. The payment can be done by using cash or sometimes card at the railway counter. The ticket will be sent to the home address through the courier but the extra charge has to be paid for the courier.

Hence, I-ticket is generally considered to be a bit expensive than the E-ticket. Yet, that didn’t deter people from using this method to book tickets.

I-ticket is a paper ticket which has to be reserved a couple of days prior to the travelling day. Recently, Indian Railways came up with the rule to not issue any tickets if the passengers didn’t provide the full address and pin code.

And due to some emergency or any other reason, if the cancellation has been made, the traveller has to travel back to the railway counter or any place where the reservation is done to cancel the ticket. Along with travelling, the person has to pay a considerably higher cancellation charge which is considered to be quite a setback.

Similarly, to modify any details about the passenger on the paper ticket, I-ticket users have to travel to the reservation counter and fill out the forms to change the details according to the need. This might be regarded as one of the major limitations of the I-ticket usage.

Main Differences Between E-Ticket and I-Ticket

  1. E-Ticket has the speed and potential that I-ticket doesn’t possess enough.
  2. E-Ticket is considered to be quite easier to carry and will not be lost since the passengers mostly possess their phone and keep it safe with them almost all the time.
  3. No need to look for identification proof to render if I-ticket is used.
  4. E-ticket is easier to cancel with a comparatively lesser cancellation fee to pay.
  5. E-ticket users will avoid the trouble of being at home to receive the I-Ticket when the courier is sent.
  6. E-ticket users will avoid the trouble of being at home to receive the I-Ticket when the courier is sent.

Conclusion

Despite the shortcomings here and there, I-ticket is still used widely among people, for the old-time sake. E-ticket owns the advantages of the short time needed to book through online along with the lesser money required to spend. Regardless of the factors determining the pros and cons of E-ticket and I-ticket, they both are much straightforward to book tickets.

Yet, technology has grown to a peak and still reaching its height. Hence, it is only applicable to grow along with it to keep up with the current reality and trends. E-tickets are booked at home with quiet leisure. Time is irreversible and much valuable. If E-tickets is an opportunity to book tickets easier and earlier, it is yet another reminder to dive into creating similar and very beneficial technologies.

References

  1. https://emta.com/IMG/pdf/EMTA-Ticketing.pdf
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167404812001058