When you book a train ticket in India, you often come across different types of waitlist statuses like GNWL, RLWL, PQWL and more. Among these, RLWL (Remote Location Wait List) is one of the most common, but also one of the least understood.
Many railway passengers get confused when they see “RLWL” on their ticket and want to know:
- What does RLWL means in Railways?
- What are the chances of RLWL ticket confirmation?
- Can I travel with an RLWL ticket?
In this article, we’ll explain RLWL full form, meaning, confirmation chances, key differences from GNWL, and everything else you need to know before booking your next train ticket.
RLWL Full Form in Railway
RLWL full form is Remote Location Wait List. It is one of the types of waitlist tickets issued by Indian Railways during train booking.
Must Read: TQWL Means in Railway, Check Rules, Confirmation Chances
RLWL Meaning in Train Booking with Example and Explanation
When a train has boarding points at intermediate stations (not just the originating station), passengers booking tickets from these stations may get RLWL status if seats are already filled.
Example: If a train runs from Delhi to Mumbai but you are boarding from Kota (an intermediate station), your waitlist ticket may fall under RLWL instead of GNWL.
RLWL vs GNWL: Key Differences
- GNWL (General Waitlist): Issued when booking from the train’s starting station or a major junction.
- RLWL (Remote Location Waitlist): Issued when booking from an intermediate station.
- Priority: GNWL has higher chances of confirmation compared to RLWL.
How RLWL Tickets Get Confirmed?
RLWL confirmation depends on:
- Cancellations from the same boarding station quota.
- Overall seat availability in the train.
Unlike GNWL, RLWL does not enjoy priority and usually has lower confirmation chances.
Read More: Types of Waiting List in Indian Railways
RLWL Confirmation Chances By Numbers
Remote Location Waitlist (RLWL) tickets usually have lower confirmation chances compared to GNWL because these are issued for passengers boarding from smaller intermediate stations, not the train’s originating point. The quota of seats available for RLWL confirmation is smaller, as most seats are allotted to GNWL (General Waitlist) passengers first.
Below is a general idea of RLWL confirmation chances by numbers based on real-world trends observed from IRCTC and railway travelers:
RLWL 1 to RLWL 5: Moderate to High Chances
- RLWL 1 confirmation chances Around 70 to 80%; may confirm easily on most routes.
- RLWL 2 confirmation chances Around 65 to 75%; confirmation possible with normal cancellations.
- RLWL 3 confirmation chances Around 60 to 70%; depends on route and class.
- RLWL 4 confirmation chances Around 55 to 65%; fair probability of confirmation.
- RLWL 5 confirmation chances Around 50 60%; may shift to RAC or confirm last minute.
RLWL 6 to RLWL 15: Moderate Chances
- RLWL 6 to 7 confirmation chances Around 45 to 55%; confirmation depends on cancellations from same boarding quota.
- RLWL 8 to 10 confirmation chances Around 40 to 50%; could move to RAC status.
- RLWL 11–15 confirmation chances Around 35 to 45%; low but possible on high-traffic routes.
RLWL 16 to RLWL 30: Low Chances
- RLWL 16 to 20 confirmation chances Around 25 to 35%; usually stays waitlisted unless heavy cancellations.
- RLWL 21 to 25 confirmation chances Around 20 to 30%; confirmation is rare.
- RLWL 26 to 30 confirmation chances Around 15 to 25%; may not clear, especially in peak season.
RLWL 31 to RLWL 50: Very Low Chances
- RLWL 31 to 35 confirmation chances Around 10–20% chance; mostly remains waitlisted.
- RLWL 36 to 40 confirmation chances Around 8–15% chance; highly uncertain.
- RLWL 41 to 45 confirmation chances Around 5–10% chance; confirmation unlikely.
- RLWL 46 to 50 confirmation chances Around 5% or less; rare confirmation even in off-season.
RLWL 51 to RLWL 75: Extremely Low Chances
- RLWL 51 to 60 confirmation chances Below 5% chance; almost never confirms.
- RLWL 61 to 75 confirmation chances Very unlikely to confirm, even in low-demand months.
RLWL 76 to RLWL 100: Practically No Chance
- RLWL 76 to 100 confirmation chances Near 0% chance; passengers should consider alternate trains, routes, or Tatkal quota.
Summary Table
| RLWL Range | Confirmation Probability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | 50%–80% | Good Chances |
| 6–15 | 35%–55% | Moderate |
| 16–30 | 15%–35% | Low |
| 31–50 | 5%–20% | Very Low |
| 51–75 | <5% | Rare |
| 76–100 | 0–1% | Practically None |
(These are general trends; actual chances may vary depending on train, route, and season.)
Tips to Increase RLWL Chances of Confirmation
- Prefer GNWL tickets whenever possible.
- Book tickets as early as possible.
- Check alternate trains with GNWL quota availability.
- Try booking from the originating station instead of intermediate stops.
- Use Tatkal / Premium Tatkal if urgent travel is required.
Also Read: DPWL Meaning in Railway – Check Full Form, and Importance
If Your RLWL Ticket is Not Confirmed?
- An unconfirmed RLWL ticket is automatically cancelled after chart preparation(Online Ticket)
- Refund is processed as per railway rules.
- Passengers cannot board the train with an RLWL ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions About RLWL(Remote Relocation Waiting List)
Q1. What does RLWL means in railway?
RLWL means Remote Location Wait List, issued for passengers boarding at intermediate stations.
Q2. What is RLWL full form?
RLWL full form is Remote Location Wait List.
Q3. What is the difference between RLWL and GNWL?
GNWL is from the train’s starting station; RLWL is from an intermediate station. GNWL has better confirmation chances.
Q4. Can I travel with an RLWL ticket?
No, an unconfirmed RLWL ticket is not valid for travel.
Q5. What are RLWL confirmation chances?
Usually low, but depend on cancellations from the boarding station’s quota.
Q6. Which is better, RLWL or GNWL?
GNWL is always better in terms of confirmation probability.
Q7. Does RLWL get automatically cancelled?
Yes, if it remains on the waitlist after chart preparation.
Conclusion
RLWL or Remote Location Wait List is a ticketing status assigned to passengers booking from intermediate stations. While GNWL enjoys higher priority in confirmations, RLWL has comparatively low chances. To improve your travel experience, always prefer GNWL tickets and book early to avoid falling into RLWL.
