Indian buses

altmtl · Oct 23rd, 2008, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanyalynne

I'm glad I found this post, I leave for my first trip in one month (!!!) and I'm going to be in India for 6 months. Since I'm there for so long I'm not planning much and am hoping to just go where I want when I feel like it. It's good to hear some positive comments about the buses since they seem to be my best bet for cheap and spontaneous transportation.

Here's my question: (and if my question has already been answered just post the link. Don't roll your eyes and make sarcastic comments...I'm new here)

Okay, is it better to just show up at the bus station, buy my ticket an hour or so in advance and hop on OR go to a travel agency and purchase my ticket a couple days in advance?

My main reason for asking is:

Do you end up paying a significant amount more for the help of a travel agent?

And just for further info, I'm mostly talking about 4-5 hour journeys between main cities in Rajasthan (where I will be for my first month or so).

Thanks for the help!

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering the same... also wondering if there were toilets on the sleeper or deluxe buses?

HelenR · Jan 7th, 2009, 04:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by altmtl

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering the same... also wondering if there were toilets on the sleeper or deluxe buses?

Wow, this thread is really old!

But, i wanted to say a few things anyway.

When you say "buses," there are tourist buses and government buses. Those deluxe buses are usually tourist buses, although there are some government deluxe buses as well.

I would highly recommend getting on any type of government bus.

We only traveled by the basic, simplest, non-AC government bus (except for 1 time). You just go to the government bus station and buy tickets, it's never sold out.

There are no toilets on any of these buses. I don't know about private buses though. The government buses (including AC and deluxe) don't have toilets from what I've seen. We took an AC government bus at some point and it was very comfortable. The basic ones are really basic but you get used to it

The toilet is not an issue if you can pee outside

They are very very understanding about "you've gotta go when you've gotta go."

The AC buses stop at a rest stop once, which has a toilet.

The basic buses stop for rest once the driver feels hungry, it won't be announced, you won't know how long it'll take for the driver to eat. If you're traveling alone, it's best not to stray far from the bus. Also, you can ask the attendant simply "toilet" or "food" and they understand you're asking whether you have enough time for those things. They'll tell you.

The simple buses we've been on were never too crowded, except for the Jhansi to Khajuraho route.

Also, everybody was very helpful when we asked about our destination.

kobe20 · Jan 24th, 2009, 08:51

Hi I do have a question :

1. Are the buses like 24 hours operating?Are there buses that travel at night?

2.What will be the type of Bus that can go from Jaipur to Agra?

3.What will be the type of Bus that can go from Agra to New Delhi?

indiaprof · Jan 24th, 2009, 09:04

Kobe20,

The answers to your questions are 1) Yes, and 2) Everything. I think you'll find that the bus situation in India is a lot like it is in the Philippines - there are all kinds of different types of transportation going everywhere, all the time. Some of them illegal - like minivans with 20 people crammed into them, some quite legal: state buses, private buses, etc.

Traveling during the day is better than traveling at night, though. During the day, you can at least tell where you are, sort of, and during a long trip you might have some extended stops when you can get down and get water, food, etc. The state buses are cheap, crowded, and uncomfortable, but reliable and relatively fast (sometimes), especially on short hops between towns. Longer trips and their reliability and speed drops. Private buses can be great, too, but booking them is often a confusing process.

Also, you do not want to arrive in a place like Agra during the night. I did, and found the doors locked and the streets full of angry wild dogs.

kobe20 · Jan 24th, 2009, 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by indiaprof

Kobe20,

The answers to your questions are 1) Yes, and 2) Everything. I think you'll find that the bus situation in India is a lot like it is in the Philippines - there are all kinds of different types of transportation going everywhere, all the time. Some of them illegal - like minivans with 20 people crammed into them, some quite legal: state buses, private buses, etc.

Traveling during the day is better than traveling at night, though. During the day, you can at least tell where you are, sort of, and during a long trip you might have some extended stops when you can get down and get water, food, etc. The state buses are cheap, crowded, and uncomfortable, but reliable and relatively fast (sometimes), especially on short hops between towns. Longer trips and their reliability and speed drops. Private buses can be great, too, but booking them is often a confusing process.

Also, you do not want to arrive in a place like Agra during the night. I did, and found the doors locked and the streets full of angry wild dogs.

thanks for the reply..well the only reason to travel at night is to save for a hotel night if possible and to maximize time =)

coz were arriving at Jaipur Monday Feb 23 2 PM india time then proceed to Agra then New Delhi afterwards..

Last Stop is New Delhi coz our flight back to Bangalore will be on Friday Feb 27 5PM thus we are trying to maximize the time ala Amazing Race...

any suggestions?

indiaprof · Jan 24th, 2009, 09:39

Kobe,

I think from Jaipur to Agra I would get a private bus. I can't advise you further, though. I don't know the details. May be check one of the Agra threads? Look under Uttar Pradesh, perhaps - the name of the state.

AirScape · Feb 23rd, 2009, 19:40

Hi guys,

I'm planning a trip to India in April and will take a train from Mumbai to Jodhpur. From Jodhpur-Pushkar-Jaipur, I can't seem to find any buses doing these routes. Anyone has any idea on how I should go about doing this?

Or should I get to India and check it over there? Thanks!

hellogoodbye · Feb 23rd, 2009, 19:58

I booked all of my bus tickets as I went along. There are many buses departing at all times of the day. Your guesthouse should be able to point you in the direction of a good travel agent or the bus depot directly.

lsn · Mar 5th, 2009, 00:14

Hi AirSpace,

Check eroad.in for the list of routes operated by buses and erail.in for the trains.

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Jan 24th, 2009, 08:51	#33
kobe20 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manila,Philippines Posts: 7	Hi I do have a question : 1. Are the buses like 24 hours operating?Are there buses that travel at night? 2.What will be the type of Bus that can go from Jaipur to Agra? 3.What will be the type of Bus that can go from Agra to New Delhi?

Jan 24th, 2009, 09:04	#34
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	Kobe20, The answers to your questions are 1) Yes, and 2) Everything. I think you'll find that the bus situation in India is a lot like it is in the Philippines - there are all kinds of different types of transportation going everywhere, all the time. Some of them illegal - like minivans with 20 people crammed into them, some quite legal: state buses, private buses, etc. Traveling during the day is better than traveling at night, though. During the day, you can at least tell where you are, sort of, and during a long trip you might have some extended stops when you can get down and get water, food, etc. The state buses are cheap, crowded, and uncomfortable, but reliable and relatively fast (sometimes), especially on short hops between towns. Longer trips and their reliability and speed drops. Private buses can be great, too, but booking them is often a confusing process. Also, you do not want to arrive in a place like Agra during the night. I did, and found the doors locked and the streets full of angry wild dogs.

Jan 24th, 2009, 09:39	#36
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	Kobe, I think from Jaipur to Agra I would get a private bus. I can't advise you further, though. I don't know the details. May be check one of the Agra threads? Look under Uttar Pradesh, perhaps - the name of the state.

Feb 23rd, 2009, 19:40	#37
AirScape Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 1	Hi guys, I'm planning a trip to India in April and will take a train from Mumbai to Jodhpur. From Jodhpur-Pushkar-Jaipur, I can't seem to find any buses doing these routes. Anyone has any idea on how I should go about doing this? Or should I get to India and check it over there? Thanks!

Feb 23rd, 2009, 19:58	#38
hellogoodbye Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 148	I booked all of my bus tickets as I went along. There are many buses departing at all times of the day. Your guesthouse should be able to point you in the direction of a good travel agent or the bus depot directly.

Mar 5th, 2009, 00:14	#39
lsn Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 3	Hi AirSpace, Check eroad.in for the list of routes operated by buses and erail.in for the trains.