Travelling by train in India is one of the most cherished experiences, especially for passengers from Bihar and cities like Patna. But one thing that has always been a challenge for travellers is getting good, hygienic, and tasty food during a long train journey. Gone are the days when you had to depend on pantry car food or wait at platform stalls. Today, ordering food in train is as simple as ordering from your favourite restaurant at home.
Whether you are boarding a train from Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, or any other station in Bihar — or travelling anywhere across India — this complete guide will walk you through exactly how to order food in train using your PNR number in 2026.
Why Ordering Food in Train Has Changed Forever
A few years ago, train passengers had very limited food options. Either you carried homemade food, bought from platform vendors, or ate whatever the pantry car offered — which was often overpriced and not always fresh. But with the rise of e-catering services, everything changed.
Now you can sit comfortably in your seat, open your phone, enter your PNR number, and get hot, freshly prepared restaurant food delivered right to your berth. This facility is available across 500+ railway stations in India — from major metros like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to cities like Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Ranchi.
For passengers travelling from Bihar — especially those boarding trains at Patna Junction, Danapur, or Ara — this service has been a game changer. Long distance trains like Rajdhani Express, Poorva Express, Magadh Express, and Sampoorna Kranti Express now have multiple restaurant options available for online food ordering.
What is PNR Number and How Does It Help in Food Ordering?
PNR stands for Passenger Name Record. It is a 10-digit unique number printed on your train ticket — whether you booked through IRCTC, a travel agent, or any booking app. This number contains all your journey details — train number, coach, seat, boarding station, and destination.
When you use a food delivery platform for trains, this PNR number automatically fetches:
- Your train number and name
- Your boarding station
- Your upcoming stations where food can be delivered
- Your seat and coach number for accurate delivery
This makes ordering food in train extremely accurate and hassle-free — no need to manually enter train details every time.
Step by Step — How to Order Food in Train Using PNR Number
Here is the exact process you need to follow:
Step 1 — Keep Your PNR Number Ready Your PNR number is on your ticket or in your IRCTC booking confirmation message. Keep it handy before you start ordering.
Step 2 — Visit the Food Delivery Platform Open your browser or app and go to a trusted train food delivery service. For passengers looking for food on train, RailMitra is one of the most reliable platforms available across India with 2500+ FSSAI approved restaurant partners.
Step 3 — Enter Your PNR Number On the homepage, you will see a box to enter your PNR number. Type your 10-digit PNR and click on Search or Find Food.
Step 4 — Select Your Station The platform will show you a list of upcoming stations where food delivery is available. Select the station where you want your food delivered — ideally choose a station where your train stops for at least 5-10 minutes.
Step 5 — Browse Restaurant Menu You will see a list of restaurants available at your selected station. Browse through the menus — you can find everything from North Indian thalis and biryani to South Indian meals, Jain food, Chinese, and snacks.
Step 6 — Add Items and Place Order Select your favourite items, add them to cart, and proceed to checkout. Fill in your coach and seat number for accurate delivery.
Step 7 — Make Payment You can pay online via UPI, debit card, credit card, net banking — or choose Cash on Delivery if you prefer.
Step 8 — Track Your Order After placing the order, you can track its status in real time. The delivery partner will contact you when they reach your station and bring food directly to your coach.
Best Trains From Patna Where You Can Order Food Online
If you are travelling from Patna, Bihar — here are some of the most popular trains where online food delivery is available:
Sampoorna Kranti Express (12393/12394) — Patna to New Delhi route. This is one of the busiest trains from Bihar and food delivery is available at multiple stations en route including Mughal Sarai, Allahabad, Kanpur, and New Delhi.
Rajendra Nagar — Anand Vihar Express — Another popular choice for Bihar passengers travelling to Delhi NCR.
Poorva Express (12303/12304) — Connecting Howrah to New Delhi via Patna. Excellent food options available at Patna Junction itself.
Magadh Express (12401/12402) — Patna to New Delhi. Long journey train where ordering food online becomes very convenient.
Vikramshila Express (12367/12368) — Bhagalpur to Anand Vihar via Patna. Great for passengers from East Bihar.
For all these trains and 7000+ more, you can easily order food on train through RailMitra and get restaurant quality meals delivered at your seat.
What Kind of Food Can You Order in Train?
One of the biggest advantages of online train food delivery is the variety. Unlike pantry car food which is limited and often repetitive, e-catering platforms offer a wide range of options:
North Indian Food — Dal makhani, paneer dishes, aloo paratha, rajma chawal, butter chicken, and full thalis.
South Indian Food — Idli, dosa, sambhar, uttapam, and filter coffee — available at stations in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Biryani — From Hyderabadi dum biryani to Lucknowi biryani and Kolkata style biryani — available at respective city stations.
Jain Food — For passengers who require no onion, no garlic meals. Many FSSAI certified restaurants offer specially prepared Jain thalis and meals.
Snacks and Light Bites — Sandwiches, burgers, samosa, poha, upma, and tea or coffee for short journeys.
Regional Specialities — Litti chokha at Patna, peda at Mathura, rabri at Varanasi — you can experience local flavours right at the station.
Tips for First Time Food Orderers on Train
Order at Least 45-60 Minutes Before Your Station This gives the restaurant enough time to prepare fresh food and the delivery partner time to reach the station before your train arrives.
Check Train Running Status First If your train is running late, inform the delivery platform so they can adjust the delivery time accordingly. Most platforms have a delay management system built in.
Choose Stations With Longer Halts Avoid ordering at stations where your train stops for only 1-2 minutes. Look for junction stations where the halt is 5 minutes or more — this ensures smooth delivery.
Keep Your Phone Charged and Active The delivery person will call you when they reach the station. Make sure your phone is reachable.
Double Check Coach and Seat Number Always enter the correct coach number and seat number. This helps the delivery partner find you quickly in a long train.
Why RailMitra is a Trusted Choice for Train Food Delivery
With so many options available today, choosing the right platform matters. RailMitra has built a strong reputation among Indian railway passengers for several reasons:
It partners with 2500+ FSSAI approved restaurants across India — ensuring that every meal you receive meets food safety and hygiene standards. The platform covers 500+ railway stations — from major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata to smaller cities like Patna, Gaya, Dhanbad, and Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Jharkhand.
The ordering process is simple and takes less than 5 minutes. Whether you are a first time user or a frequent traveller, the interface is easy to navigate for anyone. Real time order tracking keeps you updated at every step — from order confirmation to food preparation to delivery at your station.
For Bihar passengers specifically, RailMitra covers major stations like Patna Junction, Danapur, Ara, Buxar, Dehri-on-Sone, Gaya Junction, and Muzaffarpur — making it one of the most comprehensive train food services in the region.
Common Questions About Ordering Food in Train
Can I order food in train without a confirmed ticket? Most platforms require a valid PNR number which means you need a booked ticket. However, some platforms allow ordering with just train number and journey date.
What if my order is not delivered? Reputed platforms offer full refunds if food is not delivered due to any reason on their end — including train delay or missed delivery.
Is COD available? Yes, Cash on Delivery is available on most train food platforms including RailMitra.
Can I order for someone else travelling in a different coach? Yes, you can place an order for anyone travelling on the same train by entering their PNR and coach details.
Is the food always fresh? Since the food is prepared fresh at FSSAI certified restaurants and delivered directly to the station — the quality and freshness is maintained. Always order from platforms that work with certified partners only.
Final Thoughts
Ordering food in train has become one of the most convenient aspects of modern train travel in India. Whether you are a daily commuter or someone making a once-in-a-year journey from Patna to Delhi — you deserve a good meal during your trip.
With platforms like RailMitra offering wide coverage, multiple cuisine options, FSSAI certified partners, and reliable delivery — there is no reason to settle for substandard pantry food anymore.
Next time you book your train ticket — also plan your meals. Enter your PNR, choose your favourite restaurant, and enjoy hot fresh food delivered right to your seat.
All train travellers trust this to order food in train: https://www.railmitra.com/order-food-in-train
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