Do you need train information?

Hi Natrah

I can’t understand the ticket price you have been quoted, and would advise you to look elsewhere.

Normally I would advise you to book online, but I've just spotted something unusual that you can take advantage of.

The weak Dollar....

The full fare between Delhi and Varanasi (including surcharges) is Rs1272 = £15.32

The following train completes the journey between Delhi and Mughal Sarai (about 12 km from Varanasi) in just under 12 hours, this would allow you to use a half-day Indrail Pass , cost £14.30

Train 2392 departs New Delhi at 20:00 and gets to Mughal Sarai at 07:25.

Indrail passes are sold in the UK by S D Enterprises. who are based in Wembley, north London.

Give the above train details to S D Enterprises, tell them you want 2A, they will then book the train and give you the ticket, no extra charges. (though do confirm the exchange rate being offered between £ & $)

Any journey of just less than 12 hours may offer the same savings, I have no time to list any at the moment, however, Mumbai - Goa is another route where savings could be made.

I don't know if Indrail pass charges will be going up at the start of Indian Railways financial year (01st. July), so buy your ticket before then.

A half-day Indrail pass is downgraded by one class if used on a Rajdhani or Shatabdi express.

Hi Steven_Ber

I am replying to a message that you kindly replied to back in June regarding train prices from Delhi to Varanasi. I had been quoted £30 one way.

For ease I have copied it in below (prices are approximate due to exchange rate):

The full fare between Delhi and Varanasi (including surcharges) is Rs1272 = £15.32

The following train completes the journey between Delhi and Mughal Sarai (about 12 km from Varanasi) in just under 12 hours, this would allow you to use a half-day cost £14.30

Train 2392 departs New Delhi at 20:00 and gets to Mughal Sarai at 07:25.

Give the above train details to S D Enterprises, tell them you want 2A, they will then book the train and give you the ticket, no extra charges. (though do confirm the exchange rate being offered between £ & $)

Any journey of just less than 12 hours may offer the same savings, I have no time to list any at the moment, however, Mumbai - Goa is another route where savings could be made.

I don't know if Indrail pass charges will be going up at the start of Indian Railways financial year (01st. July), so buy your ticket before then.

A half-day Indrail pass is downgraded by one class if used on a Rajdhani or Shatabdi express.[/FONT]

I now need to book up these tickets but just wanted to confirm what 2A class is? Is that what they call AC 2 tier sleeper?

Also, how far a drive is Mughal Sarai from central Varanasi?

Many thanks
Natrah

2A is the same as AC 2, both are Air-conditioned 2 -tier.

Detailed information including photos of the above classes of accommodation

Mughal Sarai is about 12 km from the centre of Varanasi.

are I>M> indian anoraks ?

Oh Guru-ji.... (or anyone else who wishes to answer)

What's the easiest way to get from Ajmer/Pushkar to Bikaner? (Any bus info would also be great). I've found a way to go via Jaipur but I'm hoping there's an easier way? I'm too easily confused by the train stations

From Ajmer to Phulera by the Jaipur link Express and from Phulera to Bikaner by the Intercity Express. Total journey time including changeover at Phulera is almost 9 hours.

guerik,
I cross-checked on the IR website and it shows the Jaipur link Express having a different timing!!! In that case, you'll have to take the 9770 Meenakshi Express from Ajmer(10=55) to Phulera(12=45) and then the 2468 Intercity Express from Phulera(16=30) to Bikaner(22=15). This increases your total time to over 11 hours!!

Hi Steven,

Heading to India In early November. Is the above itenerary feasible?

Thanks in advance

Elm

Spanner,
No train journey in India takes three weeks ! The longest, from Jammu Tawi in the North to Kaniyakumari in the South, takes 73.5 hours !

The mountain railways will provide a lot of good scenery and you can consider the following routes:
1. New Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling in the East
2. Lumding - Silchar in the Far East
3. Kalka - Shimla in the North
4. Pathankot - Jogindernagar in the North
5. Mettupalayam - Udhagamandalam in the South
6. Neral - Matheran in the West

Apart from the above hill journeys, the Mumbai-Pune and the Mumbai-Nashik journeys are enjoyable too, particularly during August / September.

Another interesting route is the Mumbai-Goa Konkan Railway route.

Elm


Delhi - Rishikesh - Delhi

Train 2017 departs (daily) New Delhi station at 06:55 and gets to Haridwar (22 km from Rishikesh) at 11:22. (EC, CC.)

Train 2055 departs New Delhi station at 15:30 and gets to Haridwar at 19:25. (CC, II) (not on Sundays)

Train 4041 departs (old) Delhi station Daily at 22:15 and gets to Haridwar at 05:35. (1A, 2A, FC, SL, II)
----------------------------

Train 2056 departs Haridwar at 06:23 and gets to New Delhi at 11:15 (CC, II) (not Sundays)

Train 2018 departs Haridwar daily at 18:10 and gets to New Delhi at 22:45 (EC, CC.)

Train 4042 departs Haridwar Daily at 23:00 and gets to (Old) Delhi at 07:00 (1A, 2A, FC, SL, II)
-------------------------------


Delhi - Corbett National Park - Delhi

Train 5013A departs Delhi (old Delhi) station at 22:45 and gets to Ramnagar (25? km from Corbett) at 04:50. (2A, SL).

Train 5014A departs Ramnagar station at 21:10 and gets to Delhi at 04:45. (2A, SL).

(if your awake, train 5014A stops at Moradabad from 22:50 till 00:25 to wait to be linked up to another train.)
--------------------------------


Rishikesh - Corbert National Park - Rishikesh

There is no train option for this route, maybe a bus to Haridwar, then a bus to Corbett if there is one.

I myself would try to find a taxi driver who speaks English, try to get a good fare (others will have to advise on what would be a good fare), then agree with the driver to stop off a couple of times at nice looking places, it could end up being a great journey.

Thanks a mil Steven for all that info! What do all those abbreviations mean? Excuse the ignorance. I think that they might be classes but not sure.

As there will be three of us, the car option might be good. Anyone out there could give me an idea of what it should cost???

All the best

Elm

Check the thread Train Information for an explanation of all the abbreviations and more info.

Study hard, Elm... I suspect Steven's going to be testing us on this later

I was just thinking...

I arrive in Delhi mid-september, around midnight. I'll stay the next day in Delhi and on the second morning I'll head for Shimla. When should I book the train: In advance over the internet, in the airport when I arrive (hopefully getting picked up by my hotel) or on my first day in Delhi, the day before I want to travel to Shimla...I want to make sure there are seats left on the train!

Also I've read about special cabins for women, how does this work? Theres probably som thread on it somewhere, but I couldn't find it...

thanks/ciona

ciona,

You may book on your first day in Delhi. As September is off-season for Himachal Pradesh, do not worry too much about getting seats.

many long-distance mails and expresses do have cabins for ladies, but these are in the sleeper class and for over-night journeys. You won't require them on the day journey to Kalka.