Do you need train information?

Thanks Aloke and Dave!

Yes, the Jodhpur-Jaipur train was that 6.10am one, but even the 9:45 would be good if we can make it.

the dates are Wed Feb 13 - Jodhpur--Jaipur

Then Fri Feb 15 Jaipur--Agra(still up in the air)

And Saturday Feb 16 Agra--Delhi.

My mind is at such an overload of information right now, so please forgive my moronic and perhaps repetitive question - it is possible for a tourist to buy a regular, non-FTQ ticket at the station? They will offer a General Quota if it is available?

New Auntie

It is perfectly possible for a tourist to buy a General Quota ticket at the station if they are available. However many trains get fully booked before departure day so the chances of getting a ticket on a walk up basis are poor.

For February 13th the Jodhpur - Jaipur 9.45 train 14866 (this train has different numbers on different days.) has plenty of availability. However the sooner that you buy your tickets the more certainty you will have

Are you booking a hotel in advance? It is quite likely that they can arrange tickets for you at a fee.

Not sure if you're aware of this but the Taj is closed for maintenance on Fridays. If you want to visit it, you'll have to do so on Sat Feb 16. There is a new, fast morning train on the route (Jaipur 07.05, Agra 10.35) which is still very easy to get tickets in. You could instead (if possible) take this train on Saturday and then take a late evening train to Delhi if possible (see below)

The better trains from Agra to Delhi are at 6.55 pm (arriving 10 pm) and 8.35 pm (arriving 10.45 pm). But these will hardly fit into your 'before dark arrival' plan.

Definitely. Nearly all counters at a reservation office sell general quota tickets. Certain special counters sell tickets under the FTQ.

Thanks so much guys!

Aloke, the 7am train from Jaipur is definitely something to think about. would it be cutting it too close, though, to do Jaipur-Agra-Delhi in one day? (in case of train delays etc?)

I didn't realize that the Shatabdi trains run so late in the day. We wanted to spend Fri. night in Agra and see the Taj at Sunrise on Saturday morning, before the Saturday crowds come in, then leave early for Delhi. We wanted to get to Delhi before dark just to be able to find our b&b more easily as the place seems hard for the taxi drivers to find even in daylight. but if we have to take the later train then we'll work it out.


We are booked in nice guesthouses in Jodhpur and Jaipur - correspondence has been a bit challenging so I didn't even think to ask about the trains.. But I guess it can't hurt to enquire..

Your plan should avoid more tourists, yes. But getting an afternoon train will not be easy. There is always the option of a Volvo bus or taxi to Delhi.

Regarding correspondence, I know how that can be trying. I was at Palolem in Goa a few months ago, at a shack, when the owner suddenly came to me in consternation (possibly because I was Indian) and said he had some 'email problem' and some guest had called requesting a reply to an email - it was a bit incoherent. When I finally opened the hotel's inbox, I found it cluttered with unread emails from as far back as 18 months prior. If you need immediate answers it's always better (though more expensive) to phone.

From the UK it is pretty easy to find deals that allow calls to India for around 1.5p per minute (about 2 US cents) I got a prepaid deal for £5 when I started booking our latest trip in September and I still have 200 minutes + left on it. Try a google search for Cheap calls US to India.

I've booked tickets for all my long overnight train trips. However I'm wondering if I can just show up on the day and get tickets for my short day-time trips.. Jaisalmer - Jodhpur and Hubli - Hospet for example.

i found lebara as the best option - 1p/min for any calls to india. of course why it charges 10p/min for local UK calls is something i could never figure out

Hello
Due to travel from Cochin to Madurai on 27th January 2013 (next week)
Can you advise me of most straight forward route, preferably by train? Or, next best alternative?

Many thanks
Maryrose

There is a direct train from Ernakulam (Cochin) to Madurai. However at such a short notice getting confirmed tickets on that will be a problem.

There are buses from Erankulam (Cochin) to Madurai, private as well as state transport operated.

many thanks for the info. just hope there might be something via train tourist quota -if not it's a bus

maryrose

There is no Foreign Tourist Quota for that train. There is still availability in General Quota for 2S class but for an overnight 12 hours plus trip that could be pretty miserable.

@maryrose, tatkal could be another option which is available.

i want to go to gangtok in sikkim, can you please tell me what trains to take as i am finding it very difficult...i stay in mumbai

Take a train from Kurla to New Jalpaiguri (Siliguri), then a bus to Gangtok.

Kurla-New Jalpaiguri trains.