Trying to Delhi Dodge - Help needed

alfire · Jul 13th, 2008, 04:38

Hello there
I was wondering if you could help me out – I’ve got a couple of questions.

I’m arriving in Delhi at 2.45am on Sunday the 31st of August. I want to get to Mcleod Ganj as fast as possible as my girlfriend is on her medical elective there and having seen Delhi once I have no desire to see it again. Is there a decent bus service running in the day to Mcleod Ganj? I know that there are overnight buses but I cannot find anything for day buses or whether they run on a Sunday. Also any idea on price and any contact details for the companies please (or do you just turn up on spec?)

If not buses then is it possible to prebook a taxi to take me to my location or can you get one of the Government sanctioned ones?

Finally I have been to Calcutta before (where I was pretty badly scammed) I would like to minimise the hassle this time round by kipping down for a few hours in Delhi’s airport then catching a taxi to the bus. Is this a relatively good idea or not?

Looking forward to hearing from you

Alex

ashish0608 · Jul 14th, 2008, 10:37

Delhi - Dharamshala//http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...amsala-t14942/

The above thread may be of help.

Dharamshala is very nearly same as Mcleod Ganj and much better name to ask for directions when out of himachal.

devorenm · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:12

I would look into flying (in the interest of full disclosure I travelled to Dharmasala by road). The ride there is beautiful, but it is also long and slightly torturous particularly if you get motion sick (The Punjab is great but winding around the foothills in Himachal can be rough). If you book far enough in advance you can get a seat on the domestic flight, the cab into Mcelod should set you back no more than few hundread rupees. I have heard good things about the flight except that they have a tendency to be cancelled which would leave you with the possibility of being stuck in Delhi for a night which it seems your not crazy about. If your leery of India the flight would get you there the fastest and leave you with less of a chance of getting ill from roadside food etc. The bus ride would give you the chance to see more of India.

PS: Is your girlfriend at Delek Hospital?

devorenm · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:17

As far as sleeping/hanging in the airport in Delhi I would not count on it, the disembarking international terminal is under construction with few places to sit and it is going to be hella busy and loud at that time of the morning, not to mention you run the risk of theft etc (although the inside of the airport is not too bad, you just need to be careful once you get outside.

As for hiring a car to Mcleod you are looking at several hundread US dollars, probably more so with fuel prices as it is a 12 hour drive by car.

alfire · Jul 14th, 2008, 19:03

Thanks everyone

I've been in contact with a trekking company in Mcleod Ganj and they have offered to send a taxi for me at the price of 8000 rupees.Taxis to me seem like a fairly good idea as I would not have to kip down in the airport which thanks to you I know is pretty chaotic at the moment, also it would save me a day and time is precious.

I was wondering if is this good value for money, is it worth it and how safe/good are the taxis/the roads up to Mcleod Ganj?

It'd be grand to get your opinion on this too.

PS my girlfriend is actually working a bit lower in Himachel Pradesh and meeting me up there.Another of my friends is working in Dharma Msala - Is that where Delek hospital is?

Thanks once again

Alex

Thanks o

puchoo · Jul 14th, 2008, 19:21

I would consider 8000 a waste of money, period! For that amount you can actually fly there and possible back as well.

I would have gone straight from the airport to ISBT and caught a bus. You have 2 options..

1. Get a bus straight to Mcleod Ganj

2. Catch a bus to Ambala / Chandigarh and then switch to another bus going to Mcleod Ganj.

3. Bus to Amritsar and then switch again.

The frequency of service between Delhi and Ambala / Chandigarh is almost like a local connection and you wont have to wait too long to get one.

OR

You can take a train to Chandigarh , there is a Himalayan Queen which leaves at 550 AM and gets to Chandigrah at 1030 and then catch a taxi or a bus again from there.

There are enough options, just do some research and figure it out.

safari vala · Jul 18th, 2008, 09:49

delhi is amazing. what is your problem with delhi?

puchoo · Jul 18th, 2008, 12:31

Who are you referring to , and to which post?

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari vala

delhi is amazing. what is your problem with delhi?

johnt68 · Jul 19th, 2008, 02:42

You can also take the train to Pathankot and then get a bus - this would be alot cheaper. Good luck.

Jul 13th, 2008, 04:38	#1
alfire Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Plymouth UK Posts: 2	Trying to Delhi Dodge - Help needed Hello there I was wondering if you could help me out – I’ve got a couple of questions. I’m arriving in Delhi at 2.45am on Sunday the 31st of August. I want to get to Mcleod Ganj as fast as possible as my girlfriend is on her medical elective there and having seen Delhi once I have no desire to see it again. Is there a decent bus service running in the day to Mcleod Ganj? I know that there are overnight buses but I cannot find anything for day buses or whether they run on a Sunday. Also any idea on price and any contact details for the companies please (or do you just turn up on spec?) If not buses then is it possible to prebook a taxi to take me to my location or can you get one of the Government sanctioned ones? Finally I have been to Calcutta before (where I was pretty badly scammed) I would like to minimise the hassle this time round by kipping down for a few hours in Delhi’s airport then catching a taxi to the bus. Is this a relatively good idea or not? Looking forward to hearing from you Alex

Jul 14th, 2008, 19:03	#5
alfire Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Plymouth UK Posts: 2	Thanks Thanks everyone I've been in contact with a trekking company in Mcleod Ganj and they have offered to send a taxi for me at the price of 8000 rupees.Taxis to me seem like a fairly good idea as I would not have to kip down in the airport which thanks to you I know is pretty chaotic at the moment, also it would save me a day and time is precious. I was wondering if is this good value for money, is it worth it and how safe/good are the taxis/the roads up to Mcleod Ganj? It'd be grand to get your opinion on this too. PS my girlfriend is actually working a bit lower in Himachel Pradesh and meeting me up there.Another of my friends is working in Dharma Msala - Is that where Delek hospital is? Thanks once again Alex Thanks o

Jul 14th, 2008, 19:21	#6
puchoo Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 3,729	I would consider 8000 a waste of money, period! For that amount you can actually fly there and possible back as well. I would have gone straight from the airport to ISBT and caught a bus. You have 2 options.. 1. Get a bus straight to Mcleod Ganj 2. Catch a bus to Ambala / Chandigarh and then switch to another bus going to Mcleod Ganj. 3. Bus to Amritsar and then switch again. The frequency of service between Delhi and Ambala / Chandigarh is almost like a local connection and you wont have to wait too long to get one. OR You can take a train to Chandigarh , there is a Himalayan Queen which leaves at 550 AM and gets to Chandigrah at 1030 and then catch a taxi or a bus again from there. There are enough options, just do some research and figure it out. __________________ Cheers! Sidharth Indiamike Mod team............the new kid on the block! puchoo.wordpress.com

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Jul 14th, 2008, 10:37	#2
ashish0608 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 353	Delhi - Dharamshala//http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...amsala-t14942/ The above thread may be of help. Dharamshala is very nearly same as Mcleod Ganj and much better name to ask for directions when out of himachal.

Jul 14th, 2008, 11:12	#3
devorenm Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH USA Posts: 10	I would look into flying (in the interest of full disclosure I travelled to Dharmasala by road). The ride there is beautiful, but it is also long and slightly torturous particularly if you get motion sick (The Punjab is great but winding around the foothills in Himachal can be rough). If you book far enough in advance you can get a seat on the domestic flight, the cab into Mcelod should set you back no more than few hundread rupees. I have heard good things about the flight except that they have a tendency to be cancelled which would leave you with the possibility of being stuck in Delhi for a night which it seems your not crazy about. If your leery of India the flight would get you there the fastest and leave you with less of a chance of getting ill from roadside food etc. The bus ride would give you the chance to see more of India. PS: Is your girlfriend at Delek Hospital?

Jul 14th, 2008, 11:17	#4
devorenm Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH USA Posts: 10	As far as sleeping/hanging in the airport in Delhi I would not count on it, the disembarking international terminal is under construction with few places to sit and it is going to be hella busy and loud at that time of the morning, not to mention you run the risk of theft etc (although the inside of the airport is not too bad, you just need to be careful once you get outside. As for hiring a car to Mcleod you are looking at several hundread US dollars, probably more so with fuel prices as it is a 12 hour drive by car.

Jul 18th, 2008, 09:49	#7
safari vala Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 235	delhi is amazing. what is your problem with delhi?

Jul 19th, 2008, 02:42	#9
johnt68 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: UK Posts: 2	You can also take the train to Pathankot and then get a bus - this would be alot cheaper. Good luck.

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