EATS bus vs prepaid taxi

How to go from the airport to the Paharganj is always talked about on these forums.

From reading a lot of the posts it sounds like the prepaid taxi is what most veteran travelers recommend for 1st timers to India.

But I'm wondering what everyone thinks of the EATS bus? It's much cheaper (50-75rs) than the prepaid taxis(400+rs), and it sounds less scary than the cabbies who drive like maniacs.

EATS bus is a fine and relaxing option. It is definitely cheaper if one person is traveling, close if two are traveling - particularly during the day hours. Not for those in a big hurry, but I have enjoyed it more than the cab ride. The thing to remember is that it will drop you near the train station. I do not now whether it is the right or the wrong side vis-a-vis Pahar Ganj. We took it to go to the train station, and it was perfect.

PS: The cabs are less than Rs. 400, if I recall right. But, I would recommend the EATS bus, particularly if you are so inclined.

I've taken the city bus a couple of times, really absolutely no problem. (If it's still running; it seems to be.) I did so at the suggestion of people who had been before. Cost a couple of Rupees at the time, maybe ten or so, probably a little more today. You may have to pay a little extra for your luggage.

I'm not sure why people are so hung-up on pre-paid cabs or hotel pick-ups and so on. Anyway, go with what you're comfortable with.

The EATS bus I found OK too, yes. Somewhat overpriced to my taste, LOL. And it seems to be something of a matter of luck where they drop you exactly; same for the city bus btw. Was always on the right side of Paharganj btw, could be a little walk though if they don't drop you right in front of the station. (New Delhi Railway Station has a major back exit too, called Ajmeri Gate I think, this is probably what Kmalik is referring to. This can be very confusing if you end up here as a newbie, it's where the pre-paid/policed taxi stand is btw, I think. Come to think of it, this is where the city bus stops too, I think. You basically want to cross the station to the other side, preferably by the fly-over if it's still there. Main Bazaar starts right opposite from the front exit and runs away from there, across the main road, you can't miss it if you're at the right side. So if you can't see it, you're at the wrong side For the EATS bus, Connaught Place is the real stop I think (about a 20-30 mins. walk to Paharganj, [seemingly] considerably more when not knowing your way and carrying a pack no doubt, so better grab a rickshaw or taxi if you end up here). But with any luck they'll be willing to drop you closer to it. If you then don't know your way you'll be inundated by touts btw. If you do know your way, it's very easy to shrug them off.

For a sense of direction around the station, try this (if this is still correct): http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/tou...reau_idx-1.htm

Taking the EATS bus is a good option; it depends on how exhausted you are when you get off the plane, as you might not want to wait around for the bus.

I've only taken the bus to CP, where it is quite convenient to the hotel where I stay; I don't know how it works for Paharganj.

Just out of interest (and keeping my future options in mind): You still stay at Ringo's, WWU?

I was dropping a girl off there once but it was full or something, I don't quite remember. Was just wondering if you think it's good still. Something of an institution, right, although I wonder how much of that lingers on today.

I think CP isn't really my scene anyway, but as said, just keeping my options open. Think I'll give Old Delhi a try next time just for the heck of it really. Or quite possibly just stumble into Main Bazaar again, I mean it's just easy to know one's way right, and returning there was something of a homecoming really. Horribly tacky tho' it may be (and it is).

Mach, I stayed at Ringo's last time I was in India (5 years -- how time flies!), and expect to do so when I'm there later this year. I'll update my review after I've been there.

Hokay, looking forward to your reports. You're doing quite the trip I gathered on another thread? Good for you

Two considerations:
1) the EATS bus doesn't run 24/7. I believe it's something like 7am until late in the evening (guessing 9pm-ish).

2) for a first-timer, I'd recommend go for the pre-paid (for the sake of rp400 (US$10), you get a lot less hassle and you're dropped at (or very close to), your hotel door.

By all means, on the return journey to the airport, take the EATS bus, because you will be a little wiser than your initial entry into Mother India.

Cheers
Zoltan

According to this site, http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/delhi.html, the bus runs every hour of the day and night.

Can anyone say for sure?

As far as I know, the EATS bus operates according to flight times in and out of IGIA. For what it's work, Lonely Planet agrees with that.

I'm with Zoltan. Take a prepaid cab. The touts will eat you alive as a first timer the second you step off the bus looking dazed and confused and you probably won't want the hassle after a very long and tiring flight. It wouldn't hurt to book your room for the first night as well; many of the PaharGanj hotels will offer airport pickup for the same 400rps...this way you'll be assured of getting to the right place and won't have to deal with a driver who wants to take you to places where he'll get a commission (which you will ultimately pay for). FWIW, I was treated very well by the people at Star Palace and while it wasn't anyplace special, I wound up staying there several more times as I passed through Delhi.

EATS bus is better option than prepaid taxi of course....abhi

I walked past everyone holding the sign cards, out the airport, right up to this green bus. I said Pahar janga, I got the all confirming head bob thing. I get on, there is alread two guys on the bus, holding hand of course.
About five minutes later this policeman guy comes up and starts twisting one of the guys arms that where already on the bus. Then everyone starts laughing.
So the fare was 30 Rs, goes the long way, past the domestic airport, then about 45 minutes, hour later the bus stops, the assistant say train station. So I walked about ten minutes to the train station.
It looked like Paharagan was closed or something, every imagable tout and his little brother were out. So I start fighting with them. Cycle rickshaws have at this point joined in on the potential feast.
The touts are showing business cards from these five star hotels telling me this is the hotel they want to talk me to. Just a little more walking to my hotel, okay now the dogs start in on me, at which point the touts feel the need to protect me from the dogs.
Ah my hotel is now in sight, I know the price so I proceesed up the step to the hotel leaving behind the Delhi night. And of course the morning time brought people vomiting up mucus. Ah so good to be back...

i am arriving in delhi airport at 19:40 hrs. will there be any EATS buses going to greater kailash from airport?

Is prepaid auto-rickshaw available at Delhi airport to Paharganj? How much?