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How to Read a Train Schedule: Halts, Day Numbers and Running Days

5 min read ยท Updated 10 November 2026

How to read an Indian train timetable: arrival and departure times, halts, day numbers, distance, platforms, and why running days can differ by station.

The columns of a timetable

ColumnWhat it shows
StationName and code of each stop on the route
Arrival / DepartureScheduled times at that station. The first station has no arrival and the last has no departure
HaltHow long the train stands at the station, in minutes
DayWhich day of the journey the stop falls on, counted from the departure at the first station
DistanceKilometres from the first station
PlatformThe usual platform, which can change on the day

Understanding day numbers

Day 1 is the day the train leaves its first station. When the schedule passes midnight, later stops are marked Day 2, and on very long routes Day 3 or more. A stop marked Day 2 at 04:30 means 04:30 on the next calendar day, not the same day.

Running days depend on where you board

The running days of a train, such as Tue and Fri, normally describe when it leaves its first station. If your boarding station is reached on Day 2, the train reaches you a day later. A train that runs on Tuesday and Friday from its origin passes a Day 2 station on Wednesday and Saturday.

This matters when you book. The journey date on a ticket is the date you board, so for a mid-route station it can be a day after the date the train left its origin. If a booking or availability search says the train does not run, check that you are using the date the train reaches your station.

Halts, stops and speed

  • A long halt (10 minutes or more) is common at big junctions, where engines or crews change.
  • Fewer stops usually mean a shorter journey, but not always. Compare total travel time as well as the number of halts.
  • Average speed is the distance divided by travel time. It is a quick way to compare two trains on the same route.

Platforms and last-minute changes

The platform in a timetable is the usual one. Stations change platforms because of traffic, repair work or a late-running train, so look at the display boards or ask at the station.

Open a train schedule

Search a train to see its full station-by-station schedule, halts, distance and platforms.

Open tool

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Day 2' next to a station mean?

The train reaches that station on the second calendar day of its journey, counting from its departure at the first station.

Why does a train that runs on certain weekdays show a different day at my station?

Running days refer to the first station. A station reached on a later day sees the train on a later weekday.

Are timetable times exact?

They are the scheduled times. Real arrival and departure times vary with delays, so check live status on the day.

Official sources

Rules change, so confirm the current details with the official sources.

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