Suggestions?

Manon & Michel

Hello everyone,

This forum is so helpfull! I am planning a trip in june for two weeks. Initially my plan was to go from delhi-jaipur-udaipur(city of lakes)-varanasi-kolkotta-darjeeling. It seems though that there is no train connection between udaipur and varanasi???

So instead i'm thinking of visiting delhi-jaipur-agra-lucknow-varanasi-kolkotta-darjeeling now. What do you think about this route? Am i missing out, for not visiting udaipur?

All suggestions are welcome!
This website of the indian railways is so frustrating, embrace patience and learn!

zoltan

Given the number of locations you're intending to visit, I'd say you're doing way too much.

Udaipur is certainly a relaxed and interesting location but you're not doing yourself a disadvantage in not visiting there.

In your revised itinerary, I'd consider dropping Jaipur (I didn't think much of it). I haven't been to Lucknow, so I can't give any comments on that area.

Where are you flying out from - Kolkata ? I ask this, as it would make sense, given your journey is from Delhi => Darjeeling.

Cheers
Zoltan

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steven_ber

Please read the 'How to get....' thread below to find out what info you need to supply to get the most helpful replies, for example, where are you landing in India and where are you departing?

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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

Manon & Michel

Hey Zoltan!

Thank you for your quick reply! I think you are right, i was thinking of dropping Jaipur also. If you think my schedule is to tight i will drop lucknow also. I'm already staying in india for two months now, and the heat is getting worse and worse! I don't want to rush this two weeks which are ment as a holiday (at the end of my 4 months stay)!

Will the route Delhi-Agra-Varanasi-Kolkotta-Darjeeling suit my time period of two weeks? We are planning to travel mostly by train (at night). I understood that 100 km from Darjeeling is an airport that flies direct on Delhi (end of our trip).

Best wishes!
Manon

zoltan

I replied elsewhere (not realising that this thread also existed), about not having been to Lucknow, so I've got no idea what it's near.

But, one thought I have is that you may want to fly out of Kolkata if you can change your flight booking.

And your revised itinerary would be adequate for a relaxed 2-week journey.

When I did the route, I spent 2 days in Agra (and hated it intensely, because of the swarms of touts); 4 days in Varanasi (and would have spent more time there if I could), 5 days in Darjeeling (got stuck there at xmas & couldn't get a ticket out - but still loved the place).

Not sure about the a/port flying direct from Darjeeling => Delhi but if there is one, and if you can't fly out of Kolkata, go for it.

Cheers
Zoltan

Manon & Michel

Hey Zoltan,

Your advice has been a great help! I am sure we will meet up again, because i have loadz of questions Whenever i rest my head they just seem to pop up...

I think i will be spending the next few days trying to book my train tickets on this marvelous indian railways site

Best wishes!

zoltan

More than happy to share knowledge of previous journeys - if I can assist others to enjoy their time in India and avoid some of the pitfalls that I've encountered, then I feel good.

As for booking the tickets, one of the things I found is sometimes (and oft times), the system will go down for unknown reasons.

If you can do it early in the morning, before the rush on the system, you may have more success. I'm guessing (and Steve may know more on this than I, that the system starts up around 0600hrs daily.

It also seems to operate only during certain (Indian) times. I think it stops around 2000hrs so factor this in when trying to make bookings.

When you book the "toy-train" to Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri, make sure you book a reserved seat in a 1st class carriage - they are limited and numbered seats - worth the extra.

Cheers
Zoltan

steven_ber

Booking through Internet is allowed from 5 AM to 11.30 PM (IST)
23:30 - 18:00 GMT

The first and last 2 hours are the best times to try to book.

So nearly got to try this train, I'd planned to go to Guwahati, and booked a train from Delhi, but on the train I decided I would get off at NJP and go to Darjeeling, however, I shared a bottle of Johny Walker and a bottle of Tequila with a couple of Indian Soldiers in our First Class (non AC) cabin and slept through NJP.

wonderwomanusa

Two weeks isn't much time; I'm afraid you'll have to skip Lucknow, though it's one of my favorite cities, and not out of your way if you're heading to Varanasi.