Itinerary Advice: Train vs. Car vs. Plane

Shakti1923

We (husband and in-laws who have never been to India) are planning to go to visit India in January 2005 for 2 weeks.

We have decided that we would like to go to the
following cities: (What are your thoughts on these
cities? Is this enough time in each city?)
Agra (1 day)
Delhi (2-3 days)
Jaipur (2 days)
Udaipur (1 day)
Jodhpur (1 day)
Jaisalmer (1 day)
Varanasi (1-2 days)
+ travel time

Any suggestions on tour groups or ways to travel would
be very helpful as well.

We are having trouble figuring out whether we want to
take a train to most of these places, hire a private
car, or take air flights? Which one is faster?
(including time to airport etc) What are the pros and cons of each way of transportation? Are the trains safe to
take? Specifically, are the night trains safe to take?

Specifically, is it safe and easy to take the train
from Jaipur to Jodhpur or would you recommend the the
plane? (The problem with the place, would be that we
would have to go to Jaipur to Delhi to Jodphur, vs.
going direct)

Roughly how far is it in Delhi (if you are staying in Connaught Place) to travel to the airport?

Is Varanasi worth going to see? (Some have told us it
is difficult to get around)

For the planes, is there much difference between
Indian Air vs. Jet Air?

Is it worth staying in Agra for a night and seeing the sun rise?



Thanks for your help!

Jorge Reverter

Probably the best idea is to travel by train, have a look at the threads about it here in IM. traveling by night train is absolutely safe. Sleeper2 AC is the best option.
Delhi airport is about 40/60 minutes of the city depending the hour of the day.

Jaisalmer and Udaipur need probably 2 days instead of Jaipur. In my opinion make a round trip starting in Delhi, then by train to Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra, then Sleeper train to Varanasi, and return by sleeper train to Delhi. Delhi needs no more than 2 days in a so short journey.

Jet airways is probably the best aircraft company in India, but I never had problems with Indian Airlines/Air India. In my opinion you can make the whole journey by train, travelling by night.

SHIMLA

You are trying to cram a lot in just two weeks. I suggest you cut out Jodhpur and Jaisalmer; and cover Delhi(3 days), Agra+Fatehpur Sikri(2 days), Varanasi(3 days), Jaipur(3 days) and Udaipur(2 days); before returning to Delhi.

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

seventies'hippy

I agree with SHIMLA, Too much for 2 weeks, as from reading your post you & your in-laws aren't shall we say youngsters, you'll want to chill out some etc etc,,,,,,,,,
Travelling in India even without a tight schedule is exhausting in it'self.
Take it slower, enjoy where you're at today,without having to wonder to quickly about where you're going to be tomorrow.
Afterall If you fall in love with the place you can always come back,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Happy Travelling

__________________
.
.
.

My Photo Gallery