Do you need train information?

samuelcooper · May 17th, 2009, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

I was sure there was a daytime train with the old First Class (non air con), but I can't find it.

There's a direct train on a Wednesday, Train 2898, Chennai Egmore 09.25 Pondi 13.35 (2A, 3A, SL. wed only)

There's also one or two unreserved passenger trains from Chennai to Pondi, though I've no idea how busy these trains will be.

If you book a Chennai-Viluparam train, then get a passenger train from Vilupuram to Pondi, and just buy a 2nd class ticket at Vilupuram station.

Vilupuram-Pondi trains.

.

Thanks so much! You must really know these trains! I've spent a good but of the day educating myself on how to do this. I made the reservation for the Wednesday train. Just happens to be the day I needed it. It was an adventure figuring out how to pay for it but I got it done. Maybe I'll be able to book a future leg all by myself.

samuelcooper · May 17th, 2009, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaurav1441

Puducherry is a three hour journey by road State Buses along ECR. It is not the best route to try servives of Indian Railways.

Thanks. The train does take longer but I'm just determined to get the hang of it - how to book, board, and travel by train. Of course, I also want to figure out the bus! What is ECR? And do you know anything about privately owned buses? Part of my journey will be to visit Trichy where I have friends and they have told me the private buses are preferable to the state buses. Guess I need to check out threads on buses!

machadinha · May 17th, 2009, 12:08

ECR = East Coast Road, a major and supposedly scenic highway here (Chennai-Cuddalore, according to Wikipedia).

Yes, you have state and private buses; state buses may or may not come in a variety of "deluxe" options; private buses always will, again, in a variety thereof.

They'll usually be served by their own bus stations (known as bus stands), certainly in bigger cities; so a public and private one. Major cities may have several of either; while private buses again may leave from a number of stands, sometimes not so clearly defined. Private companies are normally gotten a hold of through any number of travel agents; or by enquiring at the appropriate bus stand, of course.

It stands to reason that a state deluxe bus will cost more than a regular one; and so again will a private deluxe bus cost more by definition, increasing with the degree of "luxury" offered. The cost of the better private buses (or even very deluxe state ones I think, and come to think of it) will be on a par with 3A-2A train travel; whereas regular state buses probably still provide the cheapest transport available in India.

Assuming you have some guidebook at your disposal, they should explain the various bus options quite well in their general transport chapters; I know Lonely Planet does a fair job of it (it explains train travel quite well for that matter, with very little of the basics missing that you might find here).

samuelcooper · May 18th, 2009, 05:23

Thanks for the sites!

machadinha · May 18th, 2009, 13:04

Hm? Those are just in my signature, they weren't specifically related to your question. In the "travel links" one though you'll find a link to this thread on buses: Online bus ticket reservation sites ; note my common caution there that far from all bus companies or possibilities will be online so far.

vsp27759 · May 18th, 2009, 14:54

Dear Samuel,

##Please look at this:
--------------
2898 BBS PDY EXPRESS 18/05/2009 BHUBANESWAR TUE
1 BBS BHUBANESWAR 1 Source 11:45 0 1
14 MS CHENNAI EGMORE 1 09:05 09:25 1213 2
15 CGL CHENGALPATTU 1 10:23 10:25 1269 2
16 VM VILLUPARAM JN 1 12:35 12:40 1372 2
17 PDY PUDUCHERRY 1 13:35 Destination 1409 2
.............
##The above train departs from Egmore at 9.25 hrs. on every Wednesday and arrives in Pondy at 13.35 hrs. You can make reservations ONLY by this train which runs once in a week.
==========
##Now, please look at this:
---
2898 BBS PDY EXPRESS 20-05-2009 CHENNAI EGMORE PUDUCHERRY GENERAL
S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A Class -3A
1 20- 5-2009 WL 3/WL 3 WL 9/WL 8
2 27- 5-2009 WL 8/WL 8 WL 15/WL 11
3 3- 6-2009 WL 4/WL 4 WL 10/WL 5
4 10- 6-2009 AVAILABLE- 0002 WL 1/WL 1
5 17- 6-2009 AVAILABLE- 0002 AVAILABLE- 0001
6 24- 6-2009 WL 1/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0002
.........................

mousourik · May 18th, 2009, 18:38

There is only one direct way available to go Lansdowne from Kolkata - to board the sleeper class coach of 3009 Doon express that goes to Kotdwar (KTW). Now, Doon is a very bad / slow train, and travelling in it in the sleeper class for two consecutive nights is really something.

Is it possible to book the ticket in SL from HWH but board it at Lucknow (LKO)? Then the journey upto LKO can be made in other train / class.

Another option can be to book the ticket in the same train in other class upto LKO and then book onward journey from LKO to KTW in SL. But the train reaches LKO next day, so on the opening day when the booking starts, can this onward journey be booked ? Or it has to be booked next day ? In the latter case, chances of getting ticket in the only SL coach will be less.

Any suggestion, please ?

samuelcooper · May 18th, 2009, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Hm? Those are just in my signature, they weren't specifically related to your question. In the "travel links" one though you'll find a link to this thread on buses: Online bus ticket reservation sites ; note my common caution there that far from all bus companies or possibilities will be online so far.

Thanks for the links anyway! I'm interested in getting all the info I can, travel and otherwise. So, this message board is great.

Helena3 · May 24th, 2009, 04:56

I'm trying to get to Nawalgarh or Jhunjhunu from Jaipur.

I can see the 9711 or the 4737 will take me from Jaipur to Sikar JN (in Shekhawati) but how do I get from there to Nawalgarh or Jhunjhunu??

They both seem to be on a train line from Sikar but I just can't find the train!

Do you think I could just get a taxi from Sikar at not too high a cost?

steven_ber · May 25th, 2009, 01:30

A lot of sections in Shekhawati are closed for gauge conversion, but I'm not 100% sure what ones.

If you cant find a train, it's likely that section is closed.

I've no idea about taxi costs, but they should be available, or just get a bus.

Helena3 · May 25th, 2009, 02:09

Steven ... I probably can't find a train because I'm just venturing there for the first time & I'm not au fe with finding my way around the Indian trains website. I just have to keep putting in Sikar and then all the different station names in Shekhawati in the hope that a train goes somewhere from there.

I've read it is better to take the bus.I'll just ask for advice when I get there!!!
Thanks anyway.

steven_ber · May 25th, 2009, 03:35

The following map may help.

http://samit.org/irmap/03.jpg

It's from the following larger clickable map.

http://samit.org/irmap/

When you look at stations along the route, you can then use www.erail.in to search for trains.

Helena3 · May 25th, 2009, 14:38

Steven thanks very much for that. That map will be amazingly helpul for the whole of my trip!

Do you know what the dirrerence is between the blue, green and yellow lines?

Thanks again!

machadinha · May 25th, 2009, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helena3

Do you know what the dirrerence is between the blue, green and yellow lines?

The map comes with a legend, here: http://samit.org/irmap/legend.jpg .

Note those pictures (so the map sections as well) I have to click upon opening to further enlarge them.

While you're at it, see also the Indian Railways map at http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/maps/all_india.htm . Note it dates to 2001, and Samit's is a lot more detailed.

Helena3 · May 25th, 2009, 18:40

Thanks for that. You're much better at this than me!

May 17th, 2009, 12:08	#768
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,368	ECR = East Coast Road, a major and supposedly scenic highway here (Chennai-Cuddalore, according to Wikipedia). Yes, you have state and private buses; state buses may or may not come in a variety of "deluxe" options; private buses always will, again, in a variety thereof. They'll usually be served by their own bus stations (known as bus stands), certainly in bigger cities; so a public and private one. Major cities may have several of either; while private buses again may leave from a number of stands, sometimes not so clearly defined. Private companies are normally gotten a hold of through any number of travel agents; or by enquiring at the appropriate bus stand, of course. It stands to reason that a state deluxe bus will cost more than a regular one; and so again will a private deluxe bus cost more by definition, increasing with the degree of "luxury" offered. The cost of the better private buses (or even very deluxe state ones I think, and come to think of it) will be on a par with 3A-2A train travel; whereas regular state buses probably still provide the cheapest transport available in India. Assuming you have some guidebook at your disposal, they should explain the various bus options quite well in their general transport chapters; I know Lonely Planet does a fair job of it (it explains train travel quite well for that matter, with very little of the basics missing that you might find here). __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links Last edited by machadinha : May 18th, 2009 at 16:22.

May 24th, 2009, 04:56	#774
Helena3 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 48	I'm trying to get to Nawalgarh or Jhunjhunu from Jaipur. I can see the 9711 or the 4737 will take me from Jaipur to Sikar JN (in Shekhawati) but how do I get from there to Nawalgarh or Jhunjhunu?? They both seem to be on a train line from Sikar but I just can't find the train! Do you think I could just get a taxi from Sikar at not too high a cost? Last edited by Helena3 : May 25th, 2009 at 02:10.

May 25th, 2009, 01:30	#775
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,565	A lot of sections in Shekhawati are closed for gauge conversion, but I'm not 100% sure what ones. If you cant find a train, it's likely that section is closed. I've no idea about taxi costs, but they should be available, or just get a bus. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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May 18th, 2009, 05:23	#769
samuelcooper Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Moncks Corner, SC USA Posts: 34	Thanks for the sites!

May 18th, 2009, 13:04	#770
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,368	Hm? Those are just in my signature, they weren't specifically related to your question. In the "travel links" one though you'll find a link to this thread on buses: Online bus ticket reservation sites ; note my common caution there that far from all bus companies or possibilities will be online so far.

May 18th, 2009, 14:54	#771
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 2,724	Dear Samuel, ##Please look at this: -------------- 2898 BBS PDY EXPRESS 18/05/2009 BHUBANESWAR TUE 1 BBS BHUBANESWAR 1 Source 11:45 0 1 14 MS CHENNAI EGMORE 1 09:05 09:25 1213 2 15 CGL CHENGALPATTU 1 10:23 10:25 1269 2 16 VM VILLUPARAM JN 1 12:35 12:40 1372 2 17 PDY PUDUCHERRY 1 13:35 Destination 1409 2 ............. ##The above train departs from Egmore at 9.25 hrs. on every Wednesday and arrives in Pondy at 13.35 hrs. You can make reservations ONLY by this train which runs once in a week. ========== ##Now, please look at this: --- 2898 BBS PDY EXPRESS 20-05-2009 CHENNAI EGMORE PUDUCHERRY GENERAL S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A Class -3A 1 20- 5-2009 WL 3/WL 3 WL 9/WL 8 2 27- 5-2009 WL 8/WL 8 WL 15/WL 11 3 3- 6-2009 WL 4/WL 4 WL 10/WL 5 4 10- 6-2009 AVAILABLE- 0002 WL 1/WL 1 5 17- 6-2009 AVAILABLE- 0002 AVAILABLE- 0001 6 24- 6-2009 WL 1/WL 1 AVAILABLE- 0002 .........................

May 18th, 2009, 18:38	#772
mousourik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: KOLKATA, INDIA Posts: 1,515	There is only one direct way available to go Lansdowne from Kolkata - to board the sleeper class coach of 3009 Doon express that goes to Kotdwar (KTW). Now, Doon is a very bad / slow train, and travelling in it in the sleeper class for two consecutive nights is really something. Is it possible to book the ticket in SL from HWH but board it at Lucknow (LKO)? Then the journey upto LKO can be made in other train / class. Another option can be to book the ticket in the same train in other class upto LKO and then book onward journey from LKO to KTW in SL. But the train reaches LKO next day, so on the opening day when the booking starts, can this onward journey be booked ? Or it has to be booked next day ? In the latter case, chances of getting ticket in the only SL coach will be less. Any suggestion, please ?

May 25th, 2009, 02:09	#776
Helena3 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 48	Steven ... I probably can't find a train because I'm just venturing there for the first time & I'm not au fe with finding my way around the Indian trains website. I just have to keep putting in Sikar and then all the different station names in Shekhawati in the hope that a train goes somewhere from there. I've read it is better to take the bus.I'll just ask for advice when I get there!!! Thanks anyway.

May 25th, 2009, 03:35	#777
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,565	The following map may help. http://samit.org/irmap/03.jpg It's from the following larger clickable map. http://samit.org/irmap/ When you look at stations along the route, you can then use www.erail.in to search for trains.

May 25th, 2009, 14:38	#778
Helena3 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 48	Steven thanks very much for that. That map will be amazingly helpul for the whole of my trip! Do you know what the dirrerence is between the blue, green and yellow lines? Thanks again!

May 25th, 2009, 18:40	#780
Helena3 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 48	Thanks for that. You're much better at this than me!