Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Varanasi- How to get from place to place?

nikikali

I would greatly appreciate some help in figuring out how to travel from place to place within India. It seems I can only take the train to and from Agra. Also Khajuraho seems to be best reached via air, but flights in only seem to come from either Delhi or Varanasi (of the locations I will be visiting). Every way I look at it seems like I have to take a train from Delhi to Agra then back again. Then fly from Delhi to Jaipur and back to Delhi, then fly to Khajuraho then on to Varanasi.

I am traveling June 1-15 and plan to spend the first few days in Delhi getting acclimated. Any suggestions on how I can (ideally) move counter clockwise through the places I plan to visit using express trains (with A/C) and flights would be so helpful. Or other ways to travel that don't involve continually returning to Delhi (until I need to leave at the end of my stay).

Although I want to make a train trip part of my experience, I also want to use the least amount of time possible traveling. Also any suggestions on how to book these flights and (especially) train tickets would be so appreciated.

I have also seen people speak of hiring cars and drivers as ways to travel, but it seems so "decadent" and outside of my budget.

edwardseco

Compared to flying I am not sure. But, if you can get 2 more people to share the ride it actually works out well. Tried this last trip and it was a great convenience..

zoltan

Here's a suggestion (a route that I actually took)...

Delhi => Agra => Jhansi => Orchha (a nice stopover, and you could easily give Jaipur a miss) => Khajuraho (fly to) => Varanasi => Delhi.

When I was in Khaj. I just went to the airport & purchased a ticket to Vns. at the counter. No fuss, no problem.

Cheers
Zoltan

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Davehelen

We are doing our whole journey by train, We have mostly booked overnight sleeper trains so we son't waste any time travelling from place to place. I think it woud be easier if you do the following:

Delhi
Overnight train to Varanasi
Flight or train (Train Number 1108)to Khajuraho (nearest station is Mahoba 63km away)
Train from Mahoba (Train number 2189) to Agra
Overnight train to Jaipur
Delhi

We are doing a simular route but missing out Khajuraho and adding in Lucknow inbetween Delhi and Varanasi

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nikikali

Thank you all. Any suggestions on the best way to book flights or trains? I would like to do so before I get to India or is it a safe bet I can make those arrangements there?

drsdg

Hi Davehelen -
My husband and I will be doing a similar route to you, we are also both late 20s / early 30s and heading to Delhi in early June (and are also saying to hell with worrying about the heat ). I was wondering if you could tell me how you booked your transportation within India. Is there a guide or service you recommend?
Thanks so much!

Davehelen

Drsdg - We have booked all our trains on the web, most of them are overnight trains so we don't waste time travelling. We have booked the sleeper class which is one of the cheapest but there are 1st class a/c coaches. If you have a look on www.erail.in it gives you time tables with prices etc, then click the button to the right and book on-line, you need to register but it doesn't take long.

Are plan is as below:
Monday 9th June - Delhi
Tuesday 10th June - Delhi
Wednesday 11th June - Delhi
Thursday 12th June - Lucknow
Friday 13th June - Lucknow
Saturday 14th June - Varanasi
Sunday 15th June - Varanasi
Monday 16th June - Varanasi
Tuesday 17th June - Agra
Wednesday 18th June - Agra
Thursday 19th June - Jaipur
Friday 20th June - Jaipur
Saturday 21st June - Jaipur
Sunday 22nd June - Delhi
Monday 23rd June Flight Home

We get to Varanasi one day late for a festival, but I think this lasts for about 10 days so it may be worth booking a hotel there as approx 8-10 thousand people descend on varanasi (thats according to the websites anyway - don't quote me). We have booked in the Ganpati Guest House.

Let me know if you have any plans, we could meet for a chai. I have a thread running called 40 + who cares ! Anyone wanna meet up if your as crazy as us ? it seems we are going to have a little get together on the 11th June in Delhi if you about.

steven_ber

Can you depart Delhi on the 10th and get back to Delhi a day earlier? (moving everything forward by a day)

I was in Varanasi for a festival and it was absolutely magical, something not to be missed, easily the most colourful, mystical, musical event I've witnessed in 6 visits, I'm guessing all the main festivities will be on the first day (or the last).

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Train information.

drsdg

Thanks so much for the info. We are in the process of working out our itinerary right now so I will keep you posted! Not sure if we will go with sleeper or AC, we may try a little of both. We are probably going to be in Delhi just a little earlier than you all - I think we'll fly in on the 5th or 6th, but perhaps we can catch up in another destination! Cheers.

Just saw stephen's post about the Varanasi festival- I think we will try to be there for the first day. Maybe we can meet up there.

Sorry, yet another question - did you book your hotels online as well, or go through some kind of agent? How have you found the places you chose? Thanks again.

Davehelen

I think the fetival will be cool, I can't wait.

I have booked some hotels on the web, got most the recomendations on IM - Hotels secion. Then I just sent an email and asked them to hold a room for me. Nothing to pay till you get there and if it isn't your cup of tea then you can go somewhere else.

Steve - All trains are booked so we can't get there earlier ! We may leave lucknow a bit early if we can get a cheap train.

traveller.1

Guys everywhere Ib read about how hot it is in summer. Well my question is more specific. I am from Phoenix in Arizona so I know heat. I am going to be in India in the middle of June and want to see the Taj in Agra. What are the tempratures in actual numbers at that time. Hot is subjective but 120F is real, so any one any idea?

machadinha

For some general weather overviews and sites, data included, try this whole thread: India climate chart

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traveller.1

You guys are marvellous. Yes I would call it hot. ver hot. Thanks so much

steven_ber

Train 4236, Lucknow 22:20, Varanasi 05.40

Thursday 12th June....Availability in SL, FC & 3A.


Train 0414, Lucknow 08.05, Varanasi 12.30

Friday 13th June....availability in SL & 3A.

Both of the above are on the general quota, they were also the first 2 trains (and only trains) I checked, there were about 25 trains for the thursday and about 23 for the friday (though few with good timings), so I'm wondering if you're making a mistake when putting in the station names.

wonderwomanusa

It's not the heat, it's the humidity. When I was in Delhi one June (many years ago), it was 112-117, and the humidity was more than 95% -- all the time. Kind of like Miami in August but much hotter.