Arrival at Mughal Sarai station in Varansai

Hi there

Was just wondering how far Mughal Sarai station was from the centre of Varanasi (in minutes, when driving). I am staying at the Shiva Ganges guesthouse (there are probably a few called this no?) and will be arriving by train. After overnight train travel, I just want to prepare myself for a long a bumpy ride? or be surprised by a short journey!

Many thanks if you can help
Natrah

From Varanasi Cantonment station, it took about 15 (very bumpy) mins in an autorickshaw - or tuk tuk as they call them in Varanasi - and once you get to the old city, you have to walk as the rickshaws can't enter the narrow lanes. My driver didn't know the Shiva Ganges, and first tried a similarly-named place, which, incidentally was a complete dump. The hotel is easier to find from the Ganges waterfront with its imposing crimson colour, but you won't be approaching it from that side. Actually, given it's the monsoon, it's probably out of the question, I imagine.

Is there some reason you're getting off at Mughal Sarai? I assume this is a different station?

All I can say is that the 17 hour train trip from Agra left me feeling so ill I had to go and lie down for several hours before I could even go through the process of checking in.

Its cheaper to travel to Mughal Sarai than the other more central station in Varanasi. The prices quoted for info were (one way)

Delhi to Varanasi
AC class is GBP 58.
AC 2 Tier is GBP 28.

If you take it to Mughalsarai and use a half day indiarail pass:
AC class is GBP 35.
AC 2 Tier is GBP 18.

The guesthouse will pick us up from whichever station but as I thought, after travelling overnight, it sounds like a bit of a nightmare. This is my first visit to India, how did you find Varanasi?

Well, if you havent already purchase the Indiarail pass, I'd say don't. It works out much cheaper and no less convenient to book once you're there, or by using the online booking facility at http://www.indianrail.gov.in . Many hotels have a travel desk, or reception will send a boy out to buy your tickets, anyway.

I really liked Varanasi. I felt very relaxed there. It's nice to take in the view along the ghats or from the rooftop of the Shiva Ganges View (watch out for monkeys tho, they might take something if you leave it on the table or whatever).

I did get flamed in the hotels section for saying that I thought this hotel could provide better value for money, but I do stand by that. If the next door hotel can provide backup power for a quarter of the price, why shouldn't they as well? And yes, Im well aware that Varanasi has supply problems that mean that the power is off for five or more hours during the day.

But having said that, the hotel is nice. And the old city doesn't have that crazed intensity you might feel in other places (esp. Delhi). Varanasi was one place I actually felt I would be happy to live. The atmosphere is just wonderful. My tip: take a small torch so you can see your way down the alleys back to the hotel after dark. A pocket one will do.

I remember reading that review of Shiva Ganges, come to think of it. And remember reading about the monkey's. Thanks for that though, I will remember the torch!

The thing is, I'm trying to book everything up before I go as I am on a 3 week break. I have looked at the indian train website and get very confused by it all. There is an agent who I can book them through, for no extra cost (well, none worth worrying about), so thought it would be easier to do it that way. I thought travelling by train was much cheaper though, I am surprised at how much it costs. Saying that, there are really cheap seats, from what others have said, but I would like a bit of comfort. Do the prices look about right to you? What class did you travel in?

From the India Rail website, Delhi-Varanasi on 2AC is Rs.1290 or so (depending on the train) -- about £15. First Class is Rs.2431 - about £29.

I don't know what first AC is like but there's not a great difference between second and third AC except in second you get a privacy curtain and have more headroom in your bunk. As far as I know anyway. I decided on that advice to go third and save even money. If you go third AC and get a side berth there's only two bunks vertically anyway, but of course you don't always get what you request.

I don't think you can realistically plan more than your first few days in India, because it's just not that easy, something you'll realise when you get there. Travelling takes longer, you'll like somewhere more than you thought... so relax and go with the flow. I've only been twice before, but I won't be booking any more than my first few nights in my first hotel this time. Last time I booked all my train tickets online, but ended up cancelling the Varanasi-Kolkata leg because I realised three weeks simply wasn't log enough to include it. Got a refund tho, aren't they cool?

Apparently there isn't much of a difference between first AC and 2AC except that they are separate cabins of two or four and maybe some carpet on the floor.

I see where you are coming from with the planning part, I just feel the need to cram everything in as it may be my one and only chance to visit India! I will keep it in mind though. This is the only train journey I am booking as I want to move on from delhi a couple of days after arrival (arrive in India on 16 October).

I have just looked at the train website (from your link in your message above) and got a totally different price. And why are there two different prices for New Delhi - Varanasi (sorry forgot to mention I would be leaving from Delhi) and then Varanasi New Delhi?

I cant wait to hit India and be even more confused. The India rail system seems to work so well though, but why do so many of us struggle to understand it!

Thanks for your time
Natrah