Advice for a train: delhi-kanpur

Hello everybody,

I was hoping you could give me some advice on the different types of trains available. I've been to the Indian rail website and found the train times etc between Delhi and Kanpur, but I don't know the difference between the types of trains.
i'm not backpacking; I'll have a lot of luggage as I'm going to be working out in Kanpur so I'd prefer to travel in comfort with as less hassle as possible!
I've travelled many a tight budget train in India and know that I'm not ready for that this time!!! So any advice or helpful hints would be very useful.
Thanks in advance.

btw: I arrive in delhi early wednesday morning, so perhaps a night train is best or a late afternoon one???
Looking forward to hearing from you

Victoria

See this thread, for basic train information, especially 1AC and 2AC class.
Knowing the Indian Train

In Spet 2005 I travelled Delhi-Kanpur. Rajdhani A/C chair car was very comfortable.

Plenty of room for luggage.

Nattusbs

Do you mean Shatabdi?

I know one Rajdhani has Chair Class (New Delhi 16:45, Kanpur 21:37, train 2314), but Rajdhani's don't normally allow short distance bookings.

Also, I doubt if there will be "plenty of room" for "a lot of luggage" in the chair car class at all!

I just did a search for AC Chair car class between NDLS and Kanpur.
Only 3 trains are listed and Rajdhani is not included:

2004 LKO SWRAN SHTBD NEW DELHI 06:15 KANPUR CENTRAL 11:20
2354 RJPB GARIB RATH H NIZAMUDDIN 16:50 KANPUR CENTRAL 22:02
2420 GOMTI EXPRESS NEW DELHI 14:20 KANPUR CENTRAL 21:05

True, they seem to have taken the CC seats away, I never understood why it had Chair Class in the first place as it goes all the way to Calcutta.

It's best to avoid the Garib Rath (train 2354), these are a series of trains with coaches made for only these trains, the coaches have been re-designed to accommodate more passengers, so I'd imagine luggage space is a little more limited.

A pity, these trains are considerably cheaper, Rs 356 instead of Rs 553 for the Delhi - Kanpur journey.

Maybe a little cramped, as you suggest, Steve, but should be great value for money.
Initially introduced only on a couple of routes to Bihar, soon these new rakes will be available on other routes across the country.
A/C comfort for the masses this coming summer!

Hopefully, but more likely just an extra few trains to have a waitlisted ticket for.

Dear Sanjay, Steven and Nattusbs,
Thank you all for replying to my request. I had checked out the thread given, and found it useful but it's great to have feedback from those who know the route too!!
So, from your collective comments either the
2004 LKO SWRAN SHTBD NEW DELHI 06:15 KANPUR CENTRAL 11:20
or the
2420 GOMTI EXPRESS NEW DELHI 14:20 KANPUR CENTRAL 21:05

would be best? (forgetting the garib train)
thanks again
Victoria

How much luggage will you be carrying?
The Chair Car class is like an airline or luxury bus, with space for luggage in the overhead bins.
Whereas sleeper class, AC class have much more luggage space.
Consider this before you decide.

Hello Sanjay,

i'm not actually taking that much luggage so I think the chair car will be fine. I've been given extra help sorting my tickets out so I'm all ready now!!!!
Thank you all for your information. It's great to know there are so many helful people around!
Victoria

Great! Have a nice journey into India!

Swarn Shatabdi or Gomti Express will be the best bet.

Hello,

Sorry for being late... perhaps I did not check the thread in time..

No second thoughts... Shatabdi is _The_best_ option for this time.. No wasting of time. Of course the only thing to check is that Shatabdi departs around 06:15 in morning.

Gomti... No , never depend on that.. that train is more often late than not. Sometimes late by several hours. So for a traveller who can reach Del railway station before 6 in morning, Shatabdi is a pleasure...

Rajdhani is for travelling during evening from Del-> Kanpur or Howrah (Kolkata) / Patna, etc.

Unfortunately, this reply may not be useful for the original poster due to delay, but perhaps may help some others..

For day journey in afternoon / overnight journey, there are several others.. but the best one is Shatabdi (for may reasons, like almost being in time always)