advance booking

helpme · Jun 21st, 2004, 01:02

I would like to take a train to Agra (from Delhi), spend the day and take the night train to Varanasi. Would I need to book this much in advance? can I book it in Delhi or in the morning in Agra? I will be there in mid July so I wouldn't expect it to be as crowded but I'm not sure. Thanks.
Also, does anyone know if there are flights from Kolkata to somewhere in Rajasthan in July? I have heard that they may not fly at that time of year. Thanks

cyberhippie · Jun 21st, 2004, 02:53

I would say to avoid disappointment it's probably better to book your train to Varanasi in Delhi before you go to Agra, this should ensure you get a reservation.
Can't help you with the flights a quick scan of the major domestic carriers suggests that there are no direct flights but I may be wrong about that, as Indian Airlines would'nt give me the info I was looking for!

Happy Traveling

steven_ber · Jun 21st, 2004, 04:51

If you already know the first part of your itinerary, you should book ahead over the Internet, beach's thread (link below) will tell you everything you need to know.

Booking Indian Rail tickets from abroad: A Beginner’s Guide.

I think the school holidays are still on in mid July (can anyone confirm this), if so, you will need to book as soon as possible, it is the busiest time for Indian Railways.

Best options.

Delhi - Agra.

Train 2002 departs daily from New Delhi at 06:00 and gets to Agra Cant at 07:55; this train is the Bhopal Shatabdi and is the fastest train in India.

Air con Executive Chair Car = Rs 770
Ordinary Air con Chair Car = Rs 390

Train 2618 departs daily from H. Nizamuddin (south Delhi) at 09:50 and gets to Agra Cant at 12:28.

2A = Rs 521
3A = Rs 331
SL = Rs 138

Agra - Varanasi.

Train 4864 departs Agra Cant at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi at 08:15. (Departs Agra on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun)

Train 4854 departs Agra Cant at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi at 09:30. (Departs Agra on Mon, Thu, Sat)

2A = Rs 1103 (train 4854 = Rs 1149)
3A = Rs 720 (train 4854 = Rs 749)
SL = Rs 276 (train 4854 = Rs 286)

All train fares are today's fares; the new timetable and fares begin on July 1st. (no major changes to trains and should not be a noticeable difference in fares).

Detailed information including photos of the above classes of accommodation

Knowing the Indian Train. (by Beach)

Calcutta - Rajasthan.

Flight CD 7269 departs Calcutta on Mondays and Fridays at 15:55 and goes direct to Jaipur, arriving at 18:20.

Flight CD 7267 departs Calcutta on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 15:45 and goes via Ahmedabad to Jaipur, arriving at 19:55.

Both options cost US$230 (single) and are operated by Alliance Air (a subsidiary of Indian Airlines).

Most Airlines are putting their prices up by 10 % to cover the increasing cost of fuel, Alliance Air have just announced that they have also increasing their fares, the prices I quote above are the prices before the increase.

SHIMLA · Jun 21st, 2004, 11:19

Quote:

Originally posted by helpme
I would like to take a train to Agra (from Delhi), spend the day and take the night train to Varanasi. Would I need to book this much in advance? can I book it in Delhi or in the morning in Agra? I will be there in mid July so I wouldn't expect it to be as crowded but I'm not sure. Thanks.
Also, does anyone know if there are flights from Kolkata to somewhere in Rajasthan in July? I have heard that they may not fly at that time of year. Thanks

In my opinion, there's no need to book in advance for a journey in mid-July; particularly by the Shatabdi Express. Am sure the Bhopal Shatabdi will be running half-empty in that period !

IA do operate a flight from Kolkata to Jaipur, every Mon., Tue., Thu. and Fri.

Bonita · Jun 21st, 2004, 23:26

Hello there..Well, i would agree and suggest advance bookings for these trains, especially if you want to go to Varanasi on the night train the same day, and probably would like a sleeper. Definately get the Agra-Varanai secrured beforehand. YOU can perhaps wing your tickets and organzie all this in Delhi, do not leave to AGRA(can go to foreign toursit qouta office/above New Delhi Station-if you are flexi with your days of travel)..Then they will help you out, (more or less), to see what days your connection can work..HOwever, DEPSITE THE HEAT ANDTHE IDEA that JULY is off-season, it will be busy, busy, so may have to look into a few diff. days.....It is HOlidays for INDIANS, schools out/JUne/JULY/ andt they Preplan, pre-book, and they Travel in numbers! in big numbers..So, can prebook via internet, or if ya do not want to fill in all the dots, can have a local reputable agent in Delhi or elsewhere secure all your tickets for you, including flights..Depending on how much legwork you want to do. let me know if ya have any other questions or concerns at, or want some reccos for local Operators to help get your tickets Dreamingofindia@aol.com Oh, about flights, well, there will always be a way to get from A to B, but most likely will be routed via another city, from Calcutta to Rajasthan, unless you get one/two of the direct flights..

Jun 21st, 2004, 01:02	#1
helpme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: EDMONTON Posts: 6	advance booking I would like to take a train to Agra (from Delhi), spend the day and take the night train to Varanasi. Would I need to book this much in advance? can I book it in Delhi or in the morning in Agra? I will be there in mid July so I wouldn't expect it to be as crowded but I'm not sure. Thanks. Also, does anyone know if there are flights from Kolkata to somewhere in Rajasthan in July? I have heard that they may not fly at that time of year. Thanks

Jun 21st, 2004, 02:53	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Book Ahead!!!!! I would say to avoid disappointment it's probably better to book your train to Varanasi in Delhi before you go to Agra, this should ensure you get a reservation. Can't help you with the flights a quick scan of the major domestic carriers suggests that there are no direct flights but I may be wrong about that, as Indian Airlines would'nt give me the info I was looking for! Happy Traveling

Jun 21st, 2004, 04:51	#3
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,784	If you already know the first part of your itinerary, you should book ahead over the Internet, beach's thread (link below) will tell you everything you need to know. Booking Indian Rail tickets from abroad: A Beginner’s Guide. I think the school holidays are still on in mid July (can anyone confirm this), if so, you will need to book as soon as possible, it is the busiest time for Indian Railways. Best options. Delhi - Agra. Train 2002 departs daily from New Delhi at 06:00 and gets to Agra Cant at 07:55; this train is the Bhopal Shatabdi and is the fastest train in India. Air con Executive Chair Car = Rs 770 Ordinary Air con Chair Car = Rs 390 Train 2618 departs daily from H. Nizamuddin (south Delhi) at 09:50 and gets to Agra Cant at 12:28. 2A = Rs 521 3A = Rs 331 SL = Rs 138 Agra - Varanasi. Train 4864 departs Agra Cant at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi at 08:15. (Departs Agra on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun) Train 4854 departs Agra Cant at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi at 09:30. (Departs Agra on Mon, Thu, Sat) 2A = Rs 1103 (train 4854 = Rs 1149) 3A = Rs 720 (train 4854 = Rs 749) SL = Rs 276 (train 4854 = Rs 286) All train fares are today's fares; the new timetable and fares begin on July 1st. (no major changes to trains and should not be a noticeable difference in fares). Detailed information including photos of the above classes of accommodation Knowing the Indian Train. (by Beach) Calcutta - Rajasthan. Flight CD 7269 departs Calcutta on Mondays and Fridays at 15:55 and goes direct to Jaipur, arriving at 18:20. Flight CD 7267 departs Calcutta on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 15:45 and goes via Ahmedabad to Jaipur, arriving at 19:55. Both options cost US$230 (single) and are operated by Alliance Air (a subsidiary of Indian Airlines). Most Airlines are putting their prices up by 10 % to cover the increasing cost of fuel, Alliance Air have just announced that they have also increasing their fares, the prices I quote above are the prices before the increase. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained. Last edited by steven_ber : Jun 21st, 2004 at 06:25.

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Jun 21st, 2004, 23:26	#5
Bonita Dreaming Of India Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NEW DELHI..NEW YORK..Wherever i am.. Posts: 110	Hello there..Well, i would agree and suggest advance bookings for these trains, especially if you want to go to Varanasi on the night train the same day, and probably would like a sleeper. Definately get the Agra-Varanai secrured beforehand. YOU can perhaps wing your tickets and organzie all this in Delhi, do not leave to AGRA(can go to foreign toursit qouta office/above New Delhi Station-if you are flexi with your days of travel)..Then they will help you out, (more or less), to see what days your connection can work..HOwever, DEPSITE THE HEAT ANDTHE IDEA that JULY is off-season, it will be busy, busy, so may have to look into a few diff. days.....It is HOlidays for INDIANS, schools out/JUne/JULY/ andt they Preplan, pre-book, and they Travel in numbers! in big numbers..So, can prebook via internet, or if ya do not want to fill in all the dots, can have a local reputable agent in Delhi or elsewhere secure all your tickets for you, including flights..Depending on how much legwork you want to do. let me know if ya have any other questions or concerns at, or want some reccos for local Operators to help get your tickets Dreamingofindia@aol.com Oh, about flights, well, there will always be a way to get from A to B, but most likely will be routed via another city, from Calcutta to Rajasthan, unless you get one/two of the direct flights..

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