Varanasi OR Jaipur?? Please help me choose!!

muna

Hello,

Well first of all its is great to have found this forum, I am going to India tomorrow with my girlfriend and found a lot of good information in here that helped me plan my trip.

Now I got one dilemma in my head that you might be able to help…

I will be arriving in Agra on the 22 to see the Taj, sleeping in Agra and on the 23rd going to Fatehpur Sikri and continuing the jorney towards the evening.

On the 26th I have a flight to Goa. So that leaves me 3 days to go somewhere else. The most logic thing would be to go to Jaipur, and complete the golden triangle, but I though Varanasi (although a bit longer distance) might be a better choice?

So, as I haven’t been to either Jaipur or Varanasi, I ask for your advice…What would you choose if you had 3 days and the option to visit either of this places? What would I loose/gain by making each choice?

Please help me decide, any comments are very appreciated.

Thank you

Joao

steven_ber

Flight from Delhi to Goa? What time is the flight?

Are you happy with overnight train journeys?

(the above questions are to see if Varanasi can be ruled out)

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Train information.

muna

Hi Steve, yes, flight from Delhi to Goa.
I still need to book the flight on Friday, I don’t have credit card so I have to book it when in India, but from what I’ve been investigating it should be around 3-5pm on the 26th.
Im ok with overnight trains 
Also, maybe is possible to see the Taj and Fatehpur Sikri both on the same day and move on on the 22nd at nigh? Is this too tiring? I plan to go to Agra on the morning of 22nd, arriving Agra at 8am.

steven_ber

The only chance you have of getting from Agra to Varanasi is the following train, all the others are fully booked.

Train 4006 departs Tundla daily at 20:54 and gets to Varanasi at 06:20

Tundla is 23kms from Agra and well connected.

This train has availability for the 23rd in Sleeper Class (not air con) and has availability in 3-tier air con, but only via the foreign tourist quota. (you can book the FTQ tickets in Delhi)

steven_ber

Check on the following website, I'm sure there is a Jaipur-Goa flight, and I think it's daily.

http://www.ixigo.com/html/home.ixi

steven_ber

It's exactly the same for the 22nd, Sleeper class available, and 3-tier air con available via the foreign tourist quota.

It would be a very busy day if you tried to fit in Agra, Fathepur Sikri and then get to Tundla for 20:30, it can be done, but very rushed.

You'd be best to hire a taxi for the day (from Agra), the driver would also look after your luggage.

muna

Ok Steve thanks a lot for your support!
No we’ll do it in 22-23 Agra then, I don’t want to do things in such a rush.
So, it is doable to go to Varanasi on the transport side of things, but regarding the experience itself, any suggestions about what to choose, Varanasi or Jaipur? Since I haven’t been to either, I’m finding so hard to make a decision! =)

steven_ber

Varanasi to Delhi

Train 2559 departs Varanasi daily at 19:15 and gets to New Delhi at 07:25

Availability for the 25th....

Sleeper Class available

3-tier air con available via the foreign tourist quota

2 & 3-tier air con available via the Tatkal (last minute) quota, so can be booked online, though there is an additional (couple of £) Tatkal charge.

steven_ber

I've not been to Varanasi (can't wait to go).

I liked Jaipur, but not for the first couple of days, it can be hard for a tourist with all the hassle from touts (but you'll get plenty of practice dealing with touts in Agra).

I'll leave others to help you decide, to me, 36 hours in Varanasi is probibly not worth the effort, even though you'd be saving on hotel costs by using 2 overnight trains.

But you'd be losing daytime hours by traveling Agra-Jaipur then Jaipur-Delhi, so both options have their problems, though you could hire a taxi on the morning of the 23rd, go to Fathepur Sikri, then take the taxi to Jaipur, this would save you time, but remember that you have to also pay for the return journey.

muna

Ok, thank a lot for your support Steve, can’t wait to go!
Yes, I also though the same way, to travel all that time just to be in Varanasi for a couple of days, on the other hand I’ve read so many posts/experiences of people who fell in love with that place that I started to consider if it would be worth the trip.
Others who have experienced both places, if you can give some advice/opinion into it that would be really appreciated =)

Steve, I can also travel overnight Jaipur-Delhi on the Train 2462 departs Jaipur daily at 00:45 and gets to (Old) Delhi at 06:30. (1A, 2A, 3A, SL.) on the 26th right (night of 25)?

steven_ber

Yes, times have changed slightly, 2462 Jaipur 00:50 (old)Delhi 06:20

1A + 2A have availability for 26th, and 2A + 3A have availability via FTQ

or

9105 Jaipur 23:05 (old)Delhi 05:30 has availability (FTQ) in Sleeper Class for 25th

New-South-Welshman

Jaipur would be alot easier for you because it isn't out of the way. I think to really "get" Varanasi you'll need more than a couple of days. I was happy with 3 nights in Jaipur, saw everything I wanted to and flew to that great city they call Mumbai.

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Liesel

Go to Jaipur for history, beautiful architecture, shopping and cultural experiences. Go to Varanasi to see everyday India in your face, rituals and religion. Both are not to be missed... For a first time visitor, I would recommend going to Jaipur as it is a smoother introduction to the Indian experience. Varanasi can be quite a shock to the system - to view cremations, funeral processions and death rituals are not for the faint hearted.

muna

Hey! Thanks a lot for the advices, keep them coming!

muna

Steve, from this website, can I book with a credit card from a family member? And do they do e-tickets or I need to pick the ticket somewhere?