Delhi to Bodh Gaya and back

Alohaguy

My wife and I will be in Delhi around the second week of March 2008. We land in Delhi. After a trip to Dharamshala, coming back to Delhi. we are planning a 4 to 5 days' trip to Bodh Gaya and back.
1. What are the train options?
2. Is Mahabodhi express any better or worse than say Rajdhani express bound for Kolkata? I have read stories of people getting mugged and killed in Mahabodhi express. Is safety an issue?
3. Does Rajdhani express stop at Gaya Junction?
4. Are there any other fast trains available?
5. Are there flights to Gaya from Delhi?
We are both senior citizens, would like it to be a comfortable trip. Budget is not a real issue. Haven't travelled in Indian trains since 1970s when I left India. Wife is Japanese. Any advice will really be appreciated.

pantelis

Once i took a flight to Patna & then with a bus to Bodhgaya{ i do not suggest it since Patna is a terrible and scary place }.Another time i made the whole trip with train from Delhi to Gaya and then a rickshaw to Bodhgaya [ i can not do this anymore since it takes around 15 hours & makes me exhausted!!!}, also i do not remember the name of the trains i used but believe me they are almost all the same.

I`ll do this trip on January with the following option : Get a flight with Spicejet from Delhi to Varanasi and then a bus { it takes 5 hours} to reach Gaya, this seems to me the most comfortable

Take care

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uttam

There are three Rajdhanis which stops at Gaya. These are Howrah Rajdhani, Kolkata Rajdhani and Bhubneswar Rajdhani. Rajdhanis are definately better than Mahabodhi Express. Other trains which are better than mahabodhi express are Puroshottam Express & Poorva express. There are other trains too but not as good as Rajdhani,Puroshottam and Poorva. Rajdhani is best among the lot. Gaya has an International Airport which used to have weekly flights from few South-east asian countries. Road Journey from Patna or Varanashi is not a very good idea. Reach Gaya by train and take a cab to Bodh-Gaya which is about 14-15 kilometeres from the railway station.

Stick to only packaged food while travelling, avoid visiting places after dusk. Little bit of reserved & watchful stance and you,ll be fine.

Alohaguy

Thanks for your reply Uttam. We will take Rajdhani and then cab to Gaya. Thanks also for tips about food. We lived in India during younger days and got immune to water borne bacteria etc. Not any more. Reserved and watchfull stance always helps. Thanks!

pantelis

functions ONLY for est-asian countries

Lugubert

Night train Delhi-Gaya. Hated it, especially the "food" provided. Had a pre-booked taxi for a hotel in Bodh Gaya. Worked well, once he was found in the wee hours. I'm told that you should be careful in the Gaya area, especially at night.

pence

[QUOTE I'm told that you should be careful in the Gaya area, especially at night.[/quote]

Yes,you have to be very careful at night time. It is not recommended to travel after dark,not even in the taxi. If you get to Gaya in the evening stay there overnight and travel in the morning.
Some useful info - How to get there - Bodhgaya India, Root Institute
I am sure you know it is worth it.
Can't wait to get back.
Enjoy!

setuniket

I have been to bodh gaya...actually my uncle stays in a nearby town.....
My suggestion stick to Rajdhani....i confirmed all rajdhani's in that route halt in gaya junction.....i have travelled to gaya in purshottam express slow and boring(and a BIG no to mahabodhi..)....return journey to delhi was in rajdhani...i found it a lot better and quicker ..obviously.....
Outside the railway station there is a taxi stand and a three wheeler(autos) stand.....dont know the fare....we were in our bike......
regarding travelling by road from patna or varanasi i suggest plz dont do that......its seriously very tiring and rather more boring...my home town is patna and i know the condition of roads in the state....especially the driving sense....

btw give priority to howrah rajdhani.... its far better than the other two...

Alohaguy

Thanks for your help folks!
Need one more advice: We need info about Hotels in Bodh Gaya. We don't want to stay in 4 or 5 star hotels but want a decent place to sleep in without worrying about noise and safety.

atala

The fare for a taxi Gaya to Bodhgaya is maximum Rs 300. No use in taking 3-wheeler. They charge about the same amount.

atala

Since you are going in March, when Bodhgaya is not busy anymore, you can stay at a nice vihara (monastery) guest house. I stayed in the Bhutan vihara guest house recently, which is nice and quiet, next to the Japanese vihara. Cost is Rs 250 for a double. Well maintained and clean, in the middle of a park surrounding temple and houses.

Alohaguy

Thanks Atala for the suggestion. We will do exactly that. Love this site