clueless about travel in India

Percy · Sep 18th, 2007, 14:12

Hi Max,

(With coffee in one hand and Tim Tam biscuit on the other...)

Don't be put off by...well, yes, travelling in India is different, but not difficult.

It does test one's patience to get from Point A to Point B. What it appears to be a simple excusion could very well become a lengthy process. Countries like Japan and HK have one of the best public transport systems on this planet and I dare say, even Aust. can't compare so...

Specific issues you rasied:
Travelling alone for a woman on a train (over night or not) does not necessary spell danger. Like you mentioned, getting a broading experience, IMO in India is a must. May I suggest www.seat61.com - have a look this comprehensive train travelling experience website (scroll down on the left hand side till you see India) which will give you a good insight + pics on what Indian train travelling is like.

"...travel conveniently by train..." yes train travel is India is convenient - umm...it's all relative to a certain extend. It's slower and getting to the train station is another journey on its own but this should not deter you. If you are used to the structured chaos that Japan has to offer, apply that to India, minus the structured bit - hehe...At least it gives you an idea on what's like.

"...wouldn't be a very practical way to travel..." If you short on time and can afford to fly, then by all means do so. Domestic plane tickets are not that expensive. Travelling first class on a train sometimes is more expensive than getting a plane ticket for the same distance!

I personally never had any problem buying train tickets during my stay in India (north and south) between Oct - Jan last/this year, abeit 1 day/3 days/1 week in advance. By the sounds of things you and your friend seem to have a fixed schedule so why not book ahead in Janpan/Taiwan to save you the trouble and anxiety of getting tickets in India? With most of the travelling arrangements sorted before you land, you will enjoy India much more, esp. if your stay is a short one.

If you are looking for lagoon/food etc, I'd suggest Kerala and do one of those famous backwaters cruise - worth your trouble to get to Kerala.

Hope this helps!

nayan · Sep 18th, 2007, 14:37

If you are apprehensive of the entire train booking process (not complicated once you have some basic knowledge)tou can do the entire thing by flights/taxi.

One nice travel option for you can be -
1. get a flight to delhi, get a cab to jaipur(you can prebook a tour with a tour operator - it will cost you more but it will save you the hassle), stay and some sighseeing in jaipur for 3-4 days , then get back to delhi. At these point your friend takes a fight to trivandrum and you fly back. you will get a colourful glimpse of Indian life and culture though not beaches or lagoons etc... food is good anywhere :-)

whiterabbit · Sep 18th, 2007, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

That's very kind of you... but we don't have one.

Nadreg owns the site, founded by Mike (Hey... I guess you can find the history on the site), as a personal thing, with a small income from the google ads you see.

We don't accept donations but you can buy a tee-shirt!

I did take it literally when you said 'clueless' --- hope you don't think the responses were rude!

No problem! You guys are awesome. You could add a donate button; people might use it.

BTW, I have travelled in China. I lived in Beijing for half a year, so I know how unJapan-like some places can be. Just trying to get a better feeling for what to expect there in India. You guys have all been very helpful.

wonderwomanusa · Sep 19th, 2007, 06:23

I think travelling by train is a great idea, and you can book from home, as others have said, or go to the station the day after you arrive in (say) Chennai and book your journey a few days ahead of time. There are foreign tourist quotas from most large stations, and those work in your favor.

It's too bad you can't stay and tour around while your friend takes her class and then go back with her; it would be a great experience for both.

I have travelled alone in India for almost 40 years, and I think that so long as you and your friend choose air-conditioned class (2- or 3-tier), you will be safe and happy. See other threads about train travel, train food, etc.

jenk · Sep 19th, 2007, 09:06

It looks to me that you could book your trip in two pieces - the price quotes seem to be coming up better if you book a round trip from - is it Taiwan- to say Chennai (seem to be good deals on Malaysia Airlines) and then separately on to you ultimate destination. In India, I dont thing there is much benefit to round trip airline fares, so you could fly one way to Thiruvananthapuram and take another kind of transportation back that would enable you to tour.

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Sep 18th, 2007, 14:12	#16
Percy Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Home bound Posts: 30	Hi Max, (With coffee in one hand and Tim Tam biscuit on the other...) Don't be put off by...well, yes, travelling in India is different, but not difficult. It does test one's patience to get from Point A to Point B. What it appears to be a simple excusion could very well become a lengthy process. Countries like Japan and HK have one of the best public transport systems on this planet and I dare say, even Aust. can't compare so... Specific issues you rasied: Travelling alone for a woman on a train (over night or not) does not necessary spell danger. Like you mentioned, getting a broading experience, IMO in India is a must. May I suggest www.seat61.com - have a look this comprehensive train travelling experience website (scroll down on the left hand side till you see India) which will give you a good insight + pics on what Indian train travelling is like. "...travel conveniently by train..." yes train travel is India is convenient - umm...it's all relative to a certain extend. It's slower and getting to the train station is another journey on its own but this should not deter you. If you are used to the structured chaos that Japan has to offer, apply that to India, minus the structured bit - hehe...At least it gives you an idea on what's like. "...wouldn't be a very practical way to travel..." If you short on time and can afford to fly, then by all means do so. Domestic plane tickets are not that expensive. Travelling first class on a train sometimes is more expensive than getting a plane ticket for the same distance! I personally never had any problem buying train tickets during my stay in India (north and south) between Oct - Jan last/this year, abeit 1 day/3 days/1 week in advance. By the sounds of things you and your friend seem to have a fixed schedule so why not book ahead in Janpan/Taiwan to save you the trouble and anxiety of getting tickets in India? With most of the travelling arrangements sorted before you land, you will enjoy India much more, esp. if your stay is a short one. If you are looking for lagoon/food etc, I'd suggest Kerala and do one of those famous backwaters cruise - worth your trouble to get to Kerala. Hope this helps!

Sep 18th, 2007, 14:37	#17
nayan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 648	If you are apprehensive of the entire train booking process (not complicated once you have some basic knowledge)tou can do the entire thing by flights/taxi. One nice travel option for you can be - 1. get a flight to delhi, get a cab to jaipur(you can prebook a tour with a tour operator - it will cost you more but it will save you the hassle), stay and some sighseeing in jaipur for 3-4 days , then get back to delhi. At these point your friend takes a fight to trivandrum and you fly back. you will get a colourful glimpse of Indian life and culture though not beaches or lagoons etc... food is good anywhere :-)

Sep 19th, 2007, 06:23	#19
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,203	I think travelling by train is a great idea, and you can book from home, as others have said, or go to the station the day after you arrive in (say) Chennai and book your journey a few days ahead of time. There are foreign tourist quotas from most large stations, and those work in your favor. It's too bad you can't stay and tour around while your friend takes her class and then go back with her; it would be a great experience for both. I have travelled alone in India for almost 40 years, and I think that so long as you and your friend choose air-conditioned class (2- or 3-tier), you will be safe and happy. See other threads about train travel, train food, etc.

Sep 19th, 2007, 09:06	#20
jenk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn NY Posts: 106	It looks to me that you could book your trip in two pieces - the price quotes seem to be coming up better if you book a round trip from - is it Taiwan- to say Chennai (seem to be good deals on Malaysia Airlines) and then separately on to you ultimate destination. In India, I dont thing there is much benefit to round trip airline fares, so you could fly one way to Thiruvananthapuram and take another kind of transportation back that would enable you to tour.

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