here are two ways your ticket will be booked. From Counter From IRCTC Website From Counter: If you booked your ticket from Railway Counters and it has a waiting list then you will be able to travel with that Waiting List ticket. From Online (IRCTC): If you booked your ticket from Online websites (IRCTC) or IRCTC App and your ticket has a waiting list then it will be automatically canceled by the IRCTC after chart preparations and you will not be able to travel with that Waiting List ticket.