Booking Train Tix Abroad/Types of Berths

I am a new member named Greg in New York City spending most of my waking hours experimenting with the Indian Rail website, practicing how I will start booking tickets online exactly 60 days before my first train journey in India, three days after I arrive in Delhi in January. I have learned from various postings that I should try to get an "upper berth" in the SL class but when I choose to select that berth there is also an option for "upper side berth" -- could someone tell me which of these positions is next to a window?

Also, I think I have found an address of someone in India who will receive my tickets that I book online and then I will pick them up when I get there. Can someone tell me how I should fill out the address in the website, for example, in the Indian mail system are you supposed to address something to the desired person's name CARE OF (c/o) the person who actually lives or works at the address that you're sending something to but the recipient of the stuff in the mail doesn't actually live or work there? In this "courier system" does someone actually have to be there to sign for the tickets and if so, do I need to fax them a letter authorizing that they can in fact receive my tickets?

I am so excited about my first trip to India ...... and I'm AMAZED at how complicated everything seems; it puts Latin America to shame !!!

Greg

1. A side upper berth corresponds to a window seat, an upper berth does not.

2. You have to fill in the name and address of someone who will receive the tickets on your behalf. It can also be the hotel you have booked, in which case the address can be "C/o Manager, Hotel...". Its better you first receive confirmation from the concerned person that he/she will receive the tickets on your behalf and hand them over to you on arrival.

3. Be sure you know the PIN (Postal Index Number) code of the delivery address.

An upper side berth will be better as ther are only two seats when you are not sleeping and more comfortable to sit.
Once you have registered with Indian Railway site and got a password, you will have to plan your journey and when buying tickets you will have to give address in detail with area pin code. The person who is collecting the tickets should be informed of transaction ID, and should have your authorisation either by letter or by email.

I am 6 feet 1 inch tall and I understand that the Side Berths are only 5 feet 5 inches. Does anybody have experience being as tall as I am whether these berths are still acceptable? Is there anywhere to dangle your feet or does it feel like a box that is 7 inches too small for you to sleep in? I am frustrated because I really want to avoid air conditioning and sit/sleep next to a window. Do I need to go for the Lower Berth (not Lower Side Berth) because of my heighth or is it not that big a deal and somebody my size can still be comfortable in the Side Berths?

Thanks very much for your information !!

Greg in New York

Can you sleep at home on a couch that is shorter than you?

I ask because I regularly sleep on the couch with my legs bent, so find a side berth in Sleeper Class easy to sleep on.

Lots of people in side berths on Sleeper Class have their feet hanging of (the side of) the end of their berths, I tried this once and found it too uncomfortable.

I'm about 6 feet tall.

go for the lower bearths 2 AC they have the window seats and a small table, its a real pain climbing the other seat Im not sure on the name is in the isle way 2 seats that fold together to make a bed seen couples use them but I dont think I would like them for a lengthy trip, I always tick to 1AC for trips up to 8hrs then 2AC sleeper for overnighters

I am also 6 feet + and I find the side berths in SL to be extremly uncomfortable and I would never book them if I had any other choice.

Thank you for the replies -- my biggest priority is to avoid air conditioning; when it's hot outside I like feeling hot and when it's cold I like feeling cold. If my second priority is to be relatively near some "fresh" air and the side berths are too short, am I correct in deciding the best thing for me for an overnight SL trip is the "lower" berth which is by the window and long enough but probably a bit trafficky and cramped feeling.....

Personally I prefer taking the upper bunk as you can go to bed when you feel like it even have a nap during the day if you so wish!!
You're also away form the hub bub below!!
Getting the window seat during the day can be negotiated with the person holding that seat, especially as a trade, when he/she wants to use your top bunk for a bit of sleep!
No guarantee of this but I've always found my fellow passenger to quite amenable in this area!!

Anyway that's my two cents worth!

I preferred the upper berth in SL class to be able to get away from general noise and also to be able to sleep whenever I wanted. I found I often shared the lower berth with several other people, and once found myself in the middle of a 9 player card game. It was a great relief to be able to climb "upstairs" to quietly read.

If you don't have someone to send your tickets to, or you don;t know the hotel you may be staying at, then you can always get the IRCTC to hold your tickets, and then you can pick them up 24 hours a day, near the NDLS station.

Worked a treat on my recent visit...in and out in 10 minutes with all tickets ready and waiting.

Hi, Dave. This is Greg in New York, I got very excited to see your message that the IRCTC would hold my tickets, that would be ideal. But when I booked my first example ticket, I saw a red message at the bottom that said "there is no option to pick up tickets" -- am I misinterpreting that message or do you think that is something brand new that they HAVE to send out tickets to somebody? I have arranged some travel agent that the American Embassy referred me to to receive my tickets but I would MUCH rather just go to the train station and pick them up..... do you have any info on this? I've experimented with many hypothetical tickets and I see that red message on every transaction so far, that you can't pick up tickets....

Hi Greg ,

Have a gander at the post http://www.indiamike.com/india/showt...647#post137647, in which I posted some info before I left.

I can confirm that the arrangements as listed stand, and tickets are easily collected.

Hope this helps,