Do You Need a Printed Ticket?
Allowed
Printed itineraries no longer mandatory. SMS or email confirmation plus ID is enough.
Quick answer
Most travellers breeze through with just a phone these days. CISF officers only need to see your name, flight number, and PNR to match the airline’s manifest. An email or SMS works if it’s readable.
However, printers matter when your phone battery is unreliable, when multiple passengers share the same device, or when a visa officer abroad insists on seeing onward proof. Printing a single-page itinerary at home saves you ₹50-₹200 that airlines charge for emergency printouts.
A hybrid approach works best: keep everything digital but stash one folded copy in your passport sleeve as insurance.
Digital-ready
- ✔Star the airline email or add it to a travel folder.
- ✔Rename the SMS screenshot with the flight number for quick search.
- ✔Share the ticket PDF with fellow travellers via WhatsApp/Drive so each person has access.
When to carry paper
- ✔International trips with visa-on-arrival/OOT (onward/return) proof requirements.
- ✔Travelling with seniors who prefer a physical document.
- ✔Flying from smaller airports that still stamp bag tags manually.
Digital vs Printed use-cases
| Use case | Digital | Printed |
|---|---|---|
| CISF entry | ✅ Screenshot/app | Optional backup |
| Visa counters abroad | ⚠️ Depends | Safe to carry paper |
| Lost phone | ❌ | ✅ Essential |
Do this
- ✅ Keep PDFs offline so they open even without network.
- ✅ Print in black-and-white on A4 with large font for easy reading.
- ✅ Highlight the PNR using a marker if you expect relatives to use it for baggage tracking.
Avoid this
- ⚠️ Don’t rely on workplace printers at the last minute; security teams may keep the building closed late night.
- ⚠️ Avoid creasing the barcode if you plan to scan it.
- ⚠️ Do not hand over booking screenshots with cropped names; include the whole line.
FAQ
Q. Do I need printouts for connecting flights?
Not unless the foreign transit airport insists. Keep digital copies plus one print if you exit and re-enter security.
Q. Can the airline print it for free?
Most low-cost airlines charge ₹50-200. Full-service carriers may waive it but expect a queue.
Q. Is a photocopy enough?
Yes. Unlike IDs, a photocopy of the itinerary is fine because it’s not a security document.
Tips before you fly
- ✈️ Use cloud print kiosks (like Printo, airport cafes) if you forget at home—cheaper than airline counters.
- ✈️ Add the PDF to your e-reader/tablet as another battery-friendly backup.
- ✈️ Write emergency contacts on the back of the printed ticket.
Related YourTravelGuide guides
Official references
India DGCA guidelines — simplified
Verified on: 5 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.