Buses better than trains?

around_india

i was going through some of the combinations of routes on buses and on trains. i just realized that buses are way cheaper than trains.

if we were to weigh this logically, buses are better because:
- there are many of them
- don't have to face the disappointment of "no seats" even during demand times, unlike in trains (these are always booked)
- they have various stops
- they will wait for you in case you're late
- you don't share your seat with anyone
- you can book online with all payment options

In defence of the trains, the only comfort i think is that you have:
- restrooms on board
- the journey is a little more predictable

himmat01

Trains unlike buses are driven by professionaly trained personnel. I do not trust the driving abilities of most bus drivers in India.

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Mickey S

You think so?

You don't share your seat with anyone on a train, either, and the seats on trains (especially in the AC classes) are much bigger than those on buses.

You can book trains online too.

Trains are far more comfortable than Indian buses, even in the non-AC classes, and if you can get a reservation on a train it's always worth paying a little more to travel that way. But if you want maximum flexibility, with the option of changing your mind along the way, then buses are the obvious way to go.

Personally, I never use a bus in India unless it is not possible to get where I want to go by train.

Nick-H

You may not even get a seat on a bus, despite having a ticket. This will not happen on trains in reserved classes: onse your ticket is confirmed your seat is certain, and the amount of space you will have to enjoy is certain.

Planes are best !

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steven_ber

Disagree, maybe over short distances (but for theses trips, unreserved on the trains are cheap), but long distance, Sleeper Class is cheap, and likely cheaper than most 'bookable' buses.

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capt_mahajan

And buses can be bone jarringly uncomfortable over 12 hours and more, in many parts of the country.

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gianni66

In my experience, there is absolutely no comparision between trains and buses as far as the comfort and reliability concerns; indipendently from the class in which you travel, trains are better for the following reasons:

- in most of the cases they are faster than buses;
- you can book your seat in advance (and choose the type of seat);
- there are restrooms onboard;
- seats are more comfortable;
- unless you travel in unreserved second class, you can be sure that your coach will not be overcrowded and you will not spend hours standing and pushed on other passengers;
- you can easyly find the schedules and rely on them (at most you can have few hours delay in the long distance trains);trains schedules are fixed, bus schedules are really unpredictable and difficult (sometimes impossible) to find online;
- buses are conditioned by the traffic conditions, trains have their own "roads";
- especially during night, trains are safer than buses.

Advantages of buses are instead:

- you can jump on a bus without reservation in each moment, decide whenever you want to leave, be free non to plan in advance;
- buses are generally cheaper than trains;
- above all, you are much deeper in contact with India seen from a bus window; rail tracks are more isolated, and in AC classes you will not see too much from the painted windows.

Conclusion: choose trains for long distances, if you look for comfort, if you have to travel overnight (I took once a "sleeper bus", but it's not an experience which I will repeat!), if you want to have reliable (more or less...) schedules; choose buses for short distances (2-3 hours maximum) and whenever you want a deep Indian experience "on the road"!

Aishah

I would have to agree with Gianni - but like Nick I prefer (if only I could afford them!) planes! Buses are often quicker than trains - at least around our way from here to Jodhpur, Bikaner, the roads are so good, buses faster. Also slightly manic... For safety and comfort i would go trains. For a short journey, bus.
And over both, next to planes I prefer good cars....It all comes down to cost however when you are on a tight budget.

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Nick-H

Yep. I like cars too!

Autorickshaws are fun, though...

gianni66

I disagree with this... travel by a private car is NOT to travel, at least if we are talking about leisure travelling (bussines trips can be a different matter).

Using public transportation is a unique way to discover a country. Tourists travelling by private cars or private buses miss a fundamental part of the pleasure, they just jump from one site to the next with a temporary suspension of their "being in India".

However, my very favourite way to travel is... by bicycle! But maybe this is not so praticable in India!

rangss

Bus: Just what will you do at midnight when you need to take a leak? Stop the bus in the middle of a town or wait till the bus reaches a lonely spot?

In a train, you have a place to do it...no matter what condition it is in.

Based on this single parameter, I prefer trains anyday!

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Nick-H

It can be like that yes. I have to admit that my first couple of trips to India were like that: AC car from hotel to hotel on a pre-booked tour. We all have to start somewhere!

But, once any reluctance to partake of one's surroundings is discarded, a car gives the ultimate freedom. It scores low on social life, though!

Driving one's own car is a very intense way of, as you put it, "being in India" --- but it is a very poor way of getting to appreciate the view along the way.

For local exploring, or getting to know a city, there is nothing to beat walking. Strolling, in fact; the slower the better

steven_ber

Is it polite to pee out of bus windows?

steven_ber

The safety concerns of buses, bus drivers and Indian roads have been talked about a lot on this forum, but I was still very worried on my last trip to find cars, lorries and buses speeding along roads at night with their headlights on full blast.

It completely blinds people driving in the opposite direction and they then can't see if anything is trying to overtake the viechal with the blaring headlights.

It's kind of amusing at first, but a couple of near misses later, the fun is replaced by worry and fear.

I think I've already mentioned on this forum that I think there should be a national campaign to stop this lunacy.

Sama

you must be talking about the fancy, comfortable private buses?

because all I have to say to the above two comments is:



nothing says tamil nadu like a 4 hour bus trip watching cheesy tamil videos from the '70s played at full blast. I think I also felt something run across my foot the other day.....

I would also advise during an overnight train trip to bring ear plugs. I was on a 12 hour trip to cochin from madurai in 2AC and a kid screamed for half that time together with people on their cell phones.

the plugs would keep the little roaches I saw from crawling into your ears at night too...I used some tissue in mine....

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