Safety of travel between Gaya and Bodhgaya

lkowallah

Hello,

My family and I will be taking a train to Gaya with the intent of visiting Bodhgaya for one day. The inbound train arrives Gaya at 6am; the outbound train departs at 3am the same night/morning.
I have heard so much everywhere about the dangers of traveling that part of the country and this is the best schedule I could get.

Some questions:
1. What is the safest type of transport from Gaya station to Bodhgaya and back?
2. I plan to return to Gaya in daylight hours. Is Gaya station/RR a safe place to wait for a late-night train? Is it better to find a nearby hotel to put up for the few hours wait?
3. Can I hire a guide in Gaya to have a local escort for the trip to and fro Bodhgaya? Is that necessarily safer than going it alone?

Needless to say, we are first-time travelers to Bihar. Any other tips from experienced yatris would be highly appreciated!
cheers

delhiwala

You may hire a taxi from the Railway Station, it will cost you Rs. 250-300. There are Govt. run buses as well as Shared 3 wheelers also.

Yes ! Return in daylight only. Gaya Station has retiring rooms, you can book them when you reach there at 6 AM. Or you may hire a room in nearby hotels. but all hotels in the vicinity of Rly. Station are smallish... good ones are little far. It's better to get a retiring room at Gaya Station itself.

You'll find many locals eager to be your guide, I'll say avoid them...

Act confident, keep your fancy stuff like handy cams or cameras / valet/purse etc under your constant watch. don't accept food items from unknown people and just take normal precaution....

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Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

pantelis

just be carefull and do not worry at all.Take a rickshaw from Gaya to Bodhgaya or arrange a pick up with your hotel.I took the train from Mughal Sarai,outside Varanasi,and reached Gaya late noon.I think it's the best way to reach Bodhgaya anyway

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LonelyWoolf

hello, I also travel to Bodhgaya, inbound from Rajgir by bus and outbound to Varanasi via Gaya by train and I definitly plan all ways to/from Gaya during daylight...I'm travelling alone, so why risk something, I guess
Have a nice stay in BG
Wolf

lkowallah

Thanks all. After much consideration, and talking to some folks at my work who are from Gaya area, i decided not to risk taking a night train that late. Changed plans - got a hotel in Bodhgaya, spend the night and take a day train the next afternoon.

Lwoolf, best on your trip and peace to all!

LonelyWoolf

@Ikowallah
thank you, same to you!
just did a email reservation with http://www.hoteltathagatbodhgaya.net/start.html
in Bodhgaya, good value for a few nights.

lkowallah

Ah! We will be at Taj Darbar, booked it through makemytrip. Let's see how it turns out.

If anyone has tips on how to make best use of a day and a half in/around Bodhgaya, would let love to hear it!

-shanti

LonelyWoolf

here some ideas:
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/...ld/bodgaya.htm

.....also a visit to the Mahakala (Dungeshwari-)caves, NE from Bodhgaya!

lkowallah

Great site, thanks LonelyWoolf!
blessings...lw

Ryan7611

I arrived in Gaya alone at about 11pm. I would not describe the station as much dangerous as disturbing. it seems like the entire homeless population of Gaya sleeps on the platform. i felt like i was walking through a refugee camp in West Africa. I walked through and out of the station quickly. no one bothered me and im not even sure if i was really noticed to be honest. when i walked out of the station, i had one or two people offer me an auto-rickshaw, but no real hassles. i scurried straight across the street to Ajatsatru Hotel and got ripped off for 500Rs in one of the smelliest hotels ive stayed in India. I slept fully clothed with the lights on and at 7am i threw my key on the desk and hopped an auto.

bottom line: Do your best to get to Gaya during the day. if you get there at night, there are 2 or 3 hotels right across the street from the station that you can get to easily and safely but will not be pleasant. dont attempt to get to bodhgaya at dark alone

pantelis

for a single room???

Thanks a lot

LonelyWoolf

Hi, non A/C, Sgl. room costs 1500rs.