Kharagpur to Secunderabad on April 25th, 2008

Nattusbs · Mar 22nd, 2008, 10:55

Hi Friends

I am making a plan to visit India for 2 weeks - places are Kharagpur (for IIT) and Hyderabad/Secunderabad where my parents live.

Due to the mess with Hyderabad airport(s), I am planning on taking British Airways flight from LAX-LHR-CCU(Kolkata) return.

I will be arriving in Kolkata in the wee hours of April 20th morning, and take a train to KGP.

I am trying to book on the IRailways website the train from KGP to SC (Secunderabad) on April 25th. The choices are:

Train # 2514, Guwhati-SC exp, dep KGP at around 2:55 hrs, arrive SC next day at 4:20 hrs.

Train # 2703, Falaknuma Exp, dep KGP at around 9:10 hrs, arrive SC next day at 9:35 hrs.

Train # 8645, East Coast Exp, dep KGP at around 13:55 hrs, arrive SC next day at 18:00 hrs.

My questions:

1. Is it better to go with 2AC or 3AC, since a major part is day time travel, and I would think that with 2AC, one would have an extra person sitting during the day. If I went with 3AC and got upper berth, during the day, I could go up and nap!

2. Falaknuma shows RAC 6 in 2AC and WL 18 in 3AC - pretty bad.
East Coast Exp shows available 5 in 2AC and 73 in 3AC. Is this the best choice - the extra 4 hours of train journey compared to Falaknuma is not a bother for me.

3. Train 2514, Guwahti-SC express shows available 2 in 2AC and 1 in 3AC. Since this is coming from Guwahti, is there concern that the compartment could be dirty, or is there an extra boggey (carraige) attached at KGP? Anyone travelled this train?

Please reply ASAP since I want to book tonight or tomorrow.

I will have to find the return trains from SC to Howrah too for May 3rd - separate topic.

Cheers

Nattusbs

Nattusbs · Mar 22nd, 2008, 19:54

I was hoping that someone would respond.

Nattusbs

wonder wall · Mar 22nd, 2008, 22:56

I believe the Guwahati-SC train gets quite delayed. Don't remember too well now, but had batchmates who'd travel to Secunderabad on this from IIT.

I always prefer the upper berth thing in a 3AC while traveling alone. Makes the journey easier.

Are you an alumnus from Kgp?

edwardseco · Mar 23rd, 2008, 00:34

Was the Kolkatta flight cheap enough to go this way.?

Nattusbs · Mar 23rd, 2008, 02:47

Edwardseco

I think the airfare to Kolkata is good. The airline choices are:

Thai
Lufthansa
BA

No to Singapore since the layover there is the whole day - I don't want to waste time. Thai would be overnight in Bangkok - if the airline pays for hotel etc it is worth it.

fare is around $1500.

The key is convenience since I have to go to KGP and flying into Hyderabad (where my parents live and where I will spend a week) is not an option due to the mess. Delhi airport I gather is also miserable with construction.

Cheers

Nattusbs

edwardseco · Mar 23rd, 2008, 09:57

Sia normally picks up the tab for 1$! That is the secret to my stopovers there. That and knowing an Indian agent that arranges a second day for 35$. Last time it was at a 4*! Last trip though I went by MIA and they also went for a night. My sis in law just left out of HYD and didn't mention any problems besides Continental in the US..

Mar 22nd, 2008, 10:55	#1
Nattusbs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 356	Kharagpur to Secunderabad on April 25th, 2008 Hi Friends I am making a plan to visit India for 2 weeks - places are Kharagpur (for IIT) and Hyderabad/Secunderabad where my parents live. Due to the mess with Hyderabad airport(s), I am planning on taking British Airways flight from LAX-LHR-CCU(Kolkata) return. I will be arriving in Kolkata in the wee hours of April 20th morning, and take a train to KGP. I am trying to book on the IRailways website the train from KGP to SC (Secunderabad) on April 25th. The choices are: Train # 2514, Guwhati-SC exp, dep KGP at around 2:55 hrs, arrive SC next day at 4:20 hrs. Train # 2703, Falaknuma Exp, dep KGP at around 9:10 hrs, arrive SC next day at 9:35 hrs. Train # 8645, East Coast Exp, dep KGP at around 13:55 hrs, arrive SC next day at 18:00 hrs. My questions: 1. Is it better to go with 2AC or 3AC, since a major part is day time travel, and I would think that with 2AC, one would have an extra person sitting during the day. If I went with 3AC and got upper berth, during the day, I could go up and nap! 2. Falaknuma shows RAC 6 in 2AC and WL 18 in 3AC - pretty bad. East Coast Exp shows available 5 in 2AC and 73 in 3AC. Is this the best choice - the extra 4 hours of train journey compared to Falaknuma is not a bother for me. 3. Train 2514, Guwahti-SC express shows available 2 in 2AC and 1 in 3AC. Since this is coming from Guwahti, is there concern that the compartment could be dirty, or is there an extra boggey (carraige) attached at KGP? Anyone travelled this train? Please reply ASAP since I want to book tonight or tomorrow. I will have to find the return trains from SC to Howrah too for May 3rd - separate topic. Cheers Nattusbs

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Mar 22nd, 2008, 19:54	#2
Nattusbs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 356	I was hoping that someone would respond. Nattusbs

Mar 22nd, 2008, 22:56	#3
wonder wall Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 15	I believe the Guwahati-SC train gets quite delayed. Don't remember too well now, but had batchmates who'd travel to Secunderabad on this from IIT. I always prefer the upper berth thing in a 3AC while traveling alone. Makes the journey easier. Are you an alumnus from Kgp?

Mar 23rd, 2008, 00:34	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,924	Was the Kolkatta flight cheap enough to go this way.?

Mar 23rd, 2008, 02:47	#5
Nattusbs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 356	Edwardseco I think the airfare to Kolkata is good. The airline choices are: Thai Lufthansa BA No to Singapore since the layover there is the whole day - I don't want to waste time. Thai would be overnight in Bangkok - if the airline pays for hotel etc it is worth it. fare is around $1500. The key is convenience since I have to go to KGP and flying into Hyderabad (where my parents live and where I will spend a week) is not an option due to the mess. Delhi airport I gather is also miserable with construction. Cheers Nattusbs

Mar 23rd, 2008, 09:57	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,924	Sia normally picks up the tab for 1$! That is the secret to my stopovers there. That and knowing an Indian agent that arranges a second day for 35$. Last time it was at a 4*! Last trip though I went by MIA and they also went for a night. My sis in law just left out of HYD and didn't mention any problems besides Continental in the US..

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