Bodh Gaya to Delhi/Golden Triangle...advice please....

Jasond27

I am struggling to find any info on traveling in and out of Bodh Gaya...(My travel agent told me today that my flight home from Bhutan will make a stop there...and it just so happens Ive been meaning to get to India!)

I would be grateful for any sound advice on how to get from Bodh Gaya to Deli (train or plane...rough idea of TIME & price?), From there I plan to do the Golden Triangle.

Be Well~ JD

wonderwomanusa

Ricksha from Bodh Gaya to Gaya, then a train to Delhi -- those are pretty straightforward directions, I think.

cheeseholiday

There's no airport or train station in Bodh Gaya itself. The nearest is in Gaya (approx. 15 km away but easily accessible via auto or bus). From Gaya you can take an overnight train to Delhi that'll get you there mid-morning. However if you're heading that way to do the Golden Triangle tour then you can do it on the way and end your trip in Delhi instead:

Gaya to Bodhgaya
via autorickshaw. Day trip or overnight depending on when you land.

Gaya to Varanasi
3-4 hrs by train. Approx. Rs 400 on 2A. Multiple trains in early morning or evening.

Varanasi to Agra
Take an overnight train. Marudhar Express gets you there by 6-ish in the morning. Approx. Rs 1000 on 2A.

Agra to Jaipur
Approx 5 hrs by train. Again, Marudhar Express is convenient in the early morning (but will probably be late) and arrives around midday. Approx Rs 500 on 2A. Or take an evening train that arrives around midnight but pre-book accommodation if you do that. There are also plenty of buses or try to get a group together to hire a car/driver.

Jaipur to Delhi
Take the Shatabdi train in the evening. 5 hrs / Rs ~500. Or any of a half dozen other trains. Or take the comfortable Volvo bus from RSTDC bus stand for the same price but more convenient morning departure times. Again, hiring a car/driver hire is viable if you can get a another 2-3 people to pitch in.

You can also pick up a car in Agra for the full Agra-Jaipur-Delhi route but that'll be your most expensive option.

The alternative to the above if you want to go to Delhi first in a hurry is to take the train to Varanasi and fly from there. A one way flight will cost you about Rs 5000 and takes less than 2 hrs.

If you're coming during peak periods I'd recommend you pre-book trains or get an agent to do it for you once you arrive in Gaya/Bodh Gaya.

Hope this helps.
~ Vicky

Jasond27

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Jasond27

Im taking a group of students to Bhutan this summer w/ another colleague of mine.
Long story short...the group is headed home on June 28th, and the flight out of Bhutan makes a stop in Gaya (airport 15km form Bodh Gaya so ive been told), my colleague is willing to take the group back to the states so that I can spend sometime in India.

Unfortunately I need to make it back to the states by June 10th, so that leaves me with about 11 days to see India (I know its not nearly enough!) I also realize that July is monsoon season....

With that said I intend on checking out Bodh Gaya for a day or two and than make my way over to Delhi or Agra to start the Golden Triangle.

I have a few Questions and would be grateful for any and all feedback.

1- Is it even worth while to travel in India in July?

2- Can this be done in 11 days?

3- How far ahead in advance should i try to book;
~train tickets?
~hotel/hostel reservations?

Be Well~JD

jinjapaleskin

My question largely to cheeseholiday but any help appreciated.
We may be pushed for time when doing similar golden triangle trip in August.
How much for golden triangle car for the lot?
How much for car Jaipur to delhi?
Just like an indication in order to compare against trains.
Thanks

applebook

Hi,

question Nr.
1: it is always worth while... however, the weather might be a problem, but when you are there anyway you might have to cope with it.. the only alternative is to come back another time, isnt it?
2: it depends on the things you want to do. If you can sleep in the trains, why not do overnight journeys?
3: thats difficult to say: too far in advance would not be the the cheapest way... to close and all the cheap tickets are gone. Do you know any Indian who can book the tickets for you in advance? Hotel and hostel is not a problem at that time, since high season is not in the summer time.. I would suggest to find some interesting hostels and keep the address.. than decide on the day of arrival!