Flight or Train? Suggestions

saikyo · Jan 14th, 2004, 12:36

Hey guys, total India Newbie here. (well, I have been to little India in Singapore.. but some how I don't think that counts).

I will need to move from Bombay to New Dehli in mid-Feb. Do you think I should train that? or use a plane? If so, I guess I should be getting on reservations -now- right?

One more transportation question, I will need to move from New Dehli to Cochin. I think that is a flight as well.

Lastly, I will need to move from Kerala somewhere... back to Dehli (or maybe Bombay) I guess I could just use a return flight on the same one I come in on.

I almost feel guilty for not having a train in here -once- though-. I heard from Bombay to Dehli by train is like 17 hours or something crazy. Is that mad?

Thanks for any advice :-)

picklepak · Jan 14th, 2004, 13:53

No trip to India would be complete without a train ride! Which route(s) you take will largely depend on how much time (and money) you have. Mumbai to Delhi on a high speed train is the quickest of the ones you mentioned. Others can be much longer, particularly because they're not high-speed trains.

I took a train from Cochin to Mumbai once and it took something like 38 hours and 50 stops along the way (maybe 50 is an exaggeration), simply exhausting and I'll never do that long a trip again... after 38 hours heading straight north and I was still technically in south India... sheesh. Delhi to Cochin (or anywhere else in Kerala) by train on a short trip to India? Fhagghettaboudit!!!

SHIMLA · Jan 14th, 2004, 17:00

Experience Indian rail travel in air-conditioned comfort on the Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, which covers the 1385 km. distance in 17 hours. Far too slow by Japanese standards, I know, but give it a go !

As February is an easy month for travel in India, you may book your ticket a week in advance, no need to do it now.

saikyo · Jan 14th, 2004, 19:40

Quote:

Originally posted by SHIMLA
Experience Indian rail travel in air-conditioned comfort on the Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, which covers the 1385 km. distance in 17 hours. Far too slow by Japanese standards, I know, but give it a go !

As February is an easy month for travel in India, you may book your ticket a week in advance, no need to do it now.

Will do :-) Thanks for the tip! If I get unlazy I'll try to book it sometime soon, but, if I don't get around to it, I'll take your word for it and just grab it a week in advance. Thanks!

saikyo · Jan 14th, 2004, 20:21

Hey guys, my friend is telling me to get the 2nd class sleeper, because if I take the A/C class there are only tourists and it is boring...

What do you think about this?

mdchachi · Jan 15th, 2004, 00:21

Quote:

Originally posted by picklepak
I took a train from Cochin to Mumbai once and it took something like 38 hours and 50 stops along the way (maybe 50 is an exaggeration), simply exhausting and I'll never do that long a trip again...

How long ago was this? Supposedly the express trains will get you from Kochi (Ernakulum) to Mumbai in about 24 hours. I was just looking into this route but it looks like we will be going elsewhere instead.

picklepak · Jan 15th, 2004, 00:28

Mdchachi, that was about two years ago. Mebbe I booked myself on the mail route or sumthin.

SHIMLA · Jan 15th, 2004, 07:50

Saikyo ( # 5),

The Rajdhani Express is a fully airconditioned train, there is no sleeper class accomodation.

If you are keen on travelling by 2nd class sleeper, then your best option is the 2903 Down Golden Temple Mail, but this train takes 21 and a half hours !

SHIMLA · Jan 15th, 2004, 07:52

And yes, I forgot to add, if you want sleeper class accomodation, then you may have to book a couple of weeks in advance, even for February.

saikyo · Jan 15th, 2004, 21:00

Okay guys, I'm getting there! One more (last?) question.

I am free to go catch a train at 6:30pm on a Friday, in Mumbai.

I need to tell a tour guide the time that I will be in New Dehli for a pick up on the Saturday.

I heard that delays and things can happen often, so... what do you think a safe time to arrange this New Dehli Pick Up is?

I checked www.indianrail.gov.in, and I see the Golden Temple Mail.

Hrm. 21 hours... I would rather get on this Rajdhani Exp A/C rich tourist style.

Question, the classes, there are 1A 2A FC 3A CC... which one of these is the A/C one I want?

It seems to arrive at 13:50 in Dehli, so I guess a 3:00pm pickup request is a safe bet!

mdchachi · Jan 15th, 2004, 21:38

Check out this thread for description of trains:
Train information

Make sure to check out the link in there that has a description & pictures of the different berths.

saikyo · Jan 15th, 2004, 22:52

Whoa. That is hardcore.

Thanks man! "Comprehensive" doesn't even begin to describe that PILE of information~

saikyo · Jan 16th, 2004, 12:04

Hey guys, the destination of the train is HNIZAMUDDIN, I guess that is neyond Dehli or something? I am talking about the Rajdhani Express btw

maree · Jan 16th, 2004, 12:17

Nizamuddin is in Delhi and is fairly central. And the Radhjani Express is definitely not just tourists... in fact, you probably won't see another tourist on your carriage at all! 3AC is quite OK.

SHIMLA · Jan 16th, 2004, 12:58

Saikyo,

You are targetting the wrong Rajdhani !

The one you want is either the 2951 down Mumbai Rajdhani or the 2953 down August Kranti Rajdhani. Both start from MUMBAI CENTRAL station and the former terminates at New Delhi at 09=55 and the latter at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 10=55.

I suggest you travel by 2951 Down, by 2AC (AC 2-tier Sleeper).
Just inform your pick-up the train you will be travelling by and he will do the needful. Let your pick-up worry about the train being on time or otherwise !!

Jan 14th, 2004, 12:36	#1
saikyo Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Usually Japan Posts: 92	Flight or Train? Suggestions Hey guys, total India Newbie here. (well, I have been to little India in Singapore.. but some how I don't think that counts). I will need to move from Bombay to New Dehli in mid-Feb. Do you think I should train that? or use a plane? If so, I guess I should be getting on reservations -now- right? One more transportation question, I will need to move from New Dehli to Cochin. I think that is a flight as well. Lastly, I will need to move from Kerala somewhere... back to Dehli (or maybe Bombay) I guess I could just use a return flight on the same one I come in on. I almost feel guilty for not having a train in here -once- though-. I heard from Bombay to Dehli by train is like 17 hours or something crazy. Is that mad? Thanks for any advice :-) __________________ http://www.japannewbie.com

Jan 14th, 2004, 17:00	#3
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	2951 Down Experience Indian rail travel in air-conditioned comfort on the Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, which covers the 1385 km. distance in 17 hours. Far too slow by Japanese standards, I know, but give it a go ! As February is an easy month for travel in India, you may book your ticket a week in advance, no need to do it now. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Jan 16th, 2004, 12:58	#15
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	Rajdhani Express from Mumbai Saikyo, You are targetting the wrong Rajdhani ! The one you want is either the 2951 down Mumbai Rajdhani or the 2953 down August Kranti Rajdhani. Both start from MUMBAI CENTRAL station and the former terminates at New Delhi at 09=55 and the latter at Hazrat Nizamuddin at 10=55. I suggest you travel by 2951 Down, by 2AC (AC 2-tier Sleeper). Just inform your pick-up the train you will be travelling by and he will do the needful. Let your pick-up worry about the train being on time or otherwise !!

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Jan 14th, 2004, 13:53	#2
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	No trip to India would be complete without a train ride! Which route(s) you take will largely depend on how much time (and money) you have. Mumbai to Delhi on a high speed train is the quickest of the ones you mentioned. Others can be much longer, particularly because they're not high-speed trains. I took a train from Cochin to Mumbai once and it took something like 38 hours and 50 stops along the way (maybe 50 is an exaggeration), simply exhausting and I'll never do that long a trip again... after 38 hours heading straight north and I was still technically in south India... sheesh. Delhi to Cochin (or anywhere else in Kerala) by train on a short trip to India? Fhagghettaboudit!!!

Jan 14th, 2004, 20:21	#5
saikyo Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Usually Japan Posts: 92	Hey guys, my friend is telling me to get the 2nd class sleeper, because if I take the A/C class there are only tourists and it is boring... What do you think about this?

Jan 15th, 2004, 00:28	#7
picklepak Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 274	Mdchachi, that was about two years ago. Mebbe I booked myself on the mail route or sumthin.

Jan 15th, 2004, 07:50	#8
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	Saikyo ( # 5), The Rajdhani Express is a fully airconditioned train, there is no sleeper class accomodation. If you are keen on travelling by 2nd class sleeper, then your best option is the 2903 Down Golden Temple Mail, but this train takes 21 and a half hours !

Jan 15th, 2004, 07:52	#9
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,126	And yes, I forgot to add, if you want sleeper class accomodation, then you may have to book a couple of weeks in advance, even for February.

Jan 15th, 2004, 21:00	#10
saikyo Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Usually Japan Posts: 92	Okay guys, I'm getting there! One more (last?) question. I am free to go catch a train at 6:30pm on a Friday, in Mumbai. I need to tell a tour guide the time that I will be in New Dehli for a pick up on the Saturday. I heard that delays and things can happen often, so... what do you think a safe time to arrange this New Dehli Pick Up is? I checked www.indianrail.gov.in, and I see the Golden Temple Mail. Hrm. 21 hours... I would rather get on this Rajdhani Exp A/C rich tourist style. Question, the classes, there are 1A 2A FC 3A CC... which one of these is the A/C one I want? It seems to arrive at 13:50 in Dehli, so I guess a 3:00pm pickup request is a safe bet!

Jan 15th, 2004, 21:38	#11
mdchachi newbie-wallah Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MI - USA Posts: 150	Check out this thread for description of trains: Train information Make sure to check out the link in there that has a description & pictures of the different berths.

Jan 15th, 2004, 22:52	#12
saikyo Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Usually Japan Posts: 92	Whoa. That is hardcore. Thanks man! "Comprehensive" doesn't even begin to describe that PILE of information~

Jan 16th, 2004, 12:04	#13
saikyo Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Usually Japan Posts: 92	Hey guys, the destination of the train is HNIZAMUDDIN, I guess that is neyond Dehli or something? I am talking about the Rajdhani Express btw

Jan 16th, 2004, 12:17	#14
maree Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Zealander in Bangkok Posts: 850	Nizamuddin is in Delhi and is fairly central. And the Radhjani Express is definitely not just tourists... in fact, you probably won't see another tourist on your carriage at all! 3AC is quite OK.