Advice on Train Travel Needed

Baba Neil · Mar 8th, 2007, 07:59

I will be a first time traveller to India in May and require some advice on transportation arrangements. I will be in India for a month and will be travelling in Northern India. While I am thinking about not making any arrangements, save hotel reservations for when I first arrive in Delhi as I would like to be flexible, I am concerned that the hassles of trying to book on the spot train reservations (I will be taking some sleepers)will far outweigh the benefits of being flexible. I will be travelling to Ajmer, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Bohdgaya and such. Any advice will great be appreciated. Peace and Love

capt_mahajan · Mar 8th, 2007, 08:03

Welcome to Indiamike.

May is peak season for most places, as schools are closed almost throughout India. Getting train tickets last minute will be a problem, and so will hotel bookings.

Specially since you are a first timer, I would advise making both these arrangements beforehand; most of the places you want to go to are on the tourist circuit.

sarav · Mar 8th, 2007, 09:11

hi

welcome to india. As was pointed out may is peak season you havve to book well in advance and try catch buses for short distance travels ( less than 100 kms ) . try to get a railway map of india and chalk out a detaied plan. There are non ac and ac coaches available in indian trains and generally the reservation are not taken for short distance...as the temperatures are abovve 40 C in the summer AC aould be preferreed...as i am an south indian i am unable to give more detail...sarav

sald · Mar 8th, 2007, 09:46

Second the earlier replies - May is peak season and it is better to plan ahead. Also, train reservations can now be made 90 days in advance and as we speak (or write

) the popular trains must be getting filled. I suggest you make a plan as far as you can and make reservations soon.

tasuray · Mar 8th, 2007, 10:20

Hi Baba,
Welcome to India. For hassle free travelling book the e-tickets from www.indianrail.gov.in (the official website for Indian Railways) well in advance i.e. 90 days excluding journey date.You can do this from your place so no problem.For booking one ID is required,use your passport no.which will be always with you.If you want to book after arriving India then you can also purchase Indrail Pass, which is a prepaid instrument for booking railway tickets.There are 'Foreign Tourist information Centre'of railways in all metropolis where you can book your tickets, if available.Agra, Jaipur and Ajmer can also be travelled by buses from Delhi as well as train.
Happy journey.

Mar 8th, 2007, 07:59	#1
Baba Neil Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 6	Advice on Train Travel Needed I will be a first time traveller to India in May and require some advice on transportation arrangements. I will be in India for a month and will be travelling in Northern India. While I am thinking about not making any arrangements, save hotel reservations for when I first arrive in Delhi as I would like to be flexible, I am concerned that the hassles of trying to book on the spot train reservations (I will be taking some sleepers)will far outweigh the benefits of being flexible. I will be travelling to Ajmer, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Bohdgaya and such. Any advice will great be appreciated. Peace and Love

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Mar 8th, 2007, 08:03	#2
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,113	Welcome to Indiamike. May is peak season for most places, as schools are closed almost throughout India. Getting train tickets last minute will be a problem, and so will hotel bookings. Specially since you are a first timer, I would advise making both these arrangements beforehand; most of the places you want to go to are on the tourist circuit.

Mar 8th, 2007, 09:11	#3
sarav Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 13	hi welcome to india. As was pointed out may is peak season you havve to book well in advance and try catch buses for short distance travels ( less than 100 kms ) . try to get a railway map of india and chalk out a detaied plan. There are non ac and ac coaches available in indian trains and generally the reservation are not taken for short distance...as the temperatures are abovve 40 C in the summer AC aould be preferreed...as i am an south indian i am unable to give more detail...sarav

Mar 8th, 2007, 09:46	#4
sald Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: India Posts: 123	Second the earlier replies - May is peak season and it is better to plan ahead. Also, train reservations can now be made 90 days in advance and as we speak (or write ) the popular trains must be getting filled. I suggest you make a plan as far as you can and make reservations soon.

Mar 8th, 2007, 10:20	#5
tasuray Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 310	Hi Baba, Welcome to India. For hassle free travelling book the e-tickets from www.indianrail.gov.in (the official website for Indian Railways) well in advance i.e. 90 days excluding journey date.You can do this from your place so no problem.For booking one ID is required,use your passport no.which will be always with you.If you want to book after arriving India then you can also purchase Indrail Pass, which is a prepaid instrument for booking railway tickets.There are 'Foreign Tourist information Centre'of railways in all metropolis where you can book your tickets, if available.Agra, Jaipur and Ajmer can also be travelled by buses from Delhi as well as train. Happy journey.

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