Mumbai to Jaisalmer?

india_nov08

Hi fellow travellers...

I'm new to IndiaMike and will be eternally grateful for all that I've learnt here to prepare me for my trip in Oct-Nov 08!

However, I cannot seem to find a train route that will get me from Mumbai to Jaisalmer.

The tentative itinerary is as follows:

Mumbai - Jaisalmer - Jaipur - Pushkar (for the Camel Fair) - Delhi - Agra - Varanasi - Bodghaya - Kathmandu...all in about 6 weeks.

Any ideas/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Mickey S

There are two trains daily from Mumbai to Jodhpur:

Train 2480 (SURYANAGARI EXPRESS) departs 13:30 and arrives at 06:30 next day.

Train 4708 (RANAKPUR EXPRESS) departs 15:00 and arrives at 09:45 next day.

From Jodhpur to Jaisalmer there are two express trains, at 06:20 and 23:25, and a local train (1JPJ, unreserved 2nd class only, not bookable) that leaves at about 9:30 (I've taken that train and it is a very interesting journey). A day in Jodhpur is worthwhile, to see the fort.

Direct trains from Jaisalmer to Jaipur go through Jodhpur, but to avoid retracing your steps (and if your time allows) you can take a train from Jaisalmer to Bikaner and then from there to Jaipur. The rat temple at Deshnok is not far from Bikaner.

machadinha

Alernatively, it was recently affirmed by a member from Jaisalmer that there are night buses between Jaisalmer and Ahmedabad. So you could get to A'bad (spelled Ahmadabad on some rails sites) from Mumbai, then continue by bus.

Rest of the itinerary, 6 weeks would allow you plenty of time for it I think, so looks good.

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

zoltan

The last time that I took the Mumbai => Jaisalmer train, I found out that there was no pantry car, therefore, no food.

I would recommend that you get a lunch (dinner) box made up at a restaurant in Mumbai before you are due to leave and have that on the train for dinner. It's a long journey without food.

Have you booked a room for Pushkar ? I've read many reports over many years of people who rock up and hope to find a room during the festival. Most have no luck and those who do find hotels with one or more rooms available find the prices have sky-rocketed for the time of the festival.

Cheers
Zoltan

__________________
India (and other) photos click here

machadinha

The Mumbai-Jaisalmer train, Zoltan? Which route do you mean precisely, over Jodhpur?

singsub

i recommend that you break journey at ahmedabad and check out a hill station called mt abu, befor taking a train/bus from ahmedabad to jaisalmer.

zoltan

That is correct - I am sure that the train went Mumbai => Jodhpur => Jaisalmer (but this was ~3 years ago).

I've just had a look at the Indian railways site and can't find the train :-(

I remember that it left from Bandra station.

Cheers
Zoltan

singsub

mumbai to jaisalmer sounds like a 30 hour journey. not sure i the OP or anyone would enjoy that long a duration on an indian train.

Mickey S

Mumbai to Jodhpur is a 17-18 hour journey, overnight.

Jodhpur-Jaisalmer is about 6 hours, through fascinating desert scenery.

I'd say it was a journey that anyone would enjoy. And it would certainly be safer and more comfortable than a bus or car.

singsub

i didnt know it was only 17 hours to jodhpur.

the jodhpur-jaisalmer leg i know of, tho i didnt do it by train, it was still great, the "desert scenery".

Mickey S

I was a little surprised too, but it's only 935km. A little over 3 hours on a French TGV.