Help with trains vs. flights for crazy itinerary!

globetrotter5

Okay- My beau and I have done some research and planning, and I think he is a bit more ambitious than I am. But I'm ready for an adventure. What I am trying to explain to him is that flying between a couple of our destinations might be better time wise as well as cheaper. Here is a third or fourth version of our itinerary:

Arrive Dec 21 pm Delhi- stay 2 days- train to Agra
Agra, one day, then Bus?/Train to Jaipur
Jaipur- 2 days then to Udaipur via Bus/Chetak Exp?
Udaipur- 1-2 days, then off to Mumbai via train?
Mumbai 1-day then Konkan Express to Goa
Goa/south of Goa 3-4 days then train (cont Konkan Exp?) to Kochi
Kochi/Cochin 1 day then Maduri (i think this looks like a bus/train excursion)
Maduri, 1 day, then to Pondicherry 1 day (or day trip?)
Pondicherry/Villupuram to Chennai
Chennai 2-3 days, then fly out of Chennai (Jan 7 for me, Jan 10 for beau)

Any pearls of wisdom about train/bus/flight would be very much appreciated. We are still somewhat flexible, and the only true rules are our arrival and departure destinations.

Thanks much in advance!
jennifer

vsp27759

Dear Globetrotters,
It could be like this:
Delhi-Agra...............by Train
Agra-Jaipur..............by Train
Jaipur-Udaipur..........by Bus/Cab (****because there are no direct trains)
Udaipur-Ahmedabad By MG Train & Ahedabad-Mumbai...............by BG Train
Mumbai-Goa............by Train
Goa-Cochin.............by Train
Cochin-Madurai........by Bus (because there are no direct trains)
Madurai-Pondy.........by Taxi
Pondy-Madras..........by Road
Chennai-New Delhi.............by 2433 Rajadhani Express:-
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2433 RAJDHANI EXP 26/09/2005 CHENNAI CENTRAL FRI SUN


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 MAS CHENNAI CENTRAL 1 Source 06:20 0 1
2 BZA VIJAYAWADA JN 1 12:15 12:25 431 1
3 WL WARANGAL 1 15:00 15:02 639 1
4 NGP NAGPUR 1 21:40 21:50 1095 1
5 BPL BHOPAL JN 1 03:10 03:20 1483 2
6 JHS JHANSI JN 1 06:40 06:50 1774 2
7 GWL GWALIOR 1 07:56 07:57 1872 2
8 AGC AGRA CANTT 1 09:10 09:11 1990 2
9 TKD TUGLAKABAD 1 11:09 11:10 2177 2 Train doesn't halt at this station, presently
10 NZM H NIZAMUDDIN 1 11:30 00:00 2177 2
--------------
(OR)
--------------
.....by 2621 Tamailnadu Express:-
---
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2621 TAMIL NADU EXP 26/09/2005 CHENNAI CENTRAL MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 MAS CHENNAI CENTRAL 1 Source 22:00 0 1
2 BZA VIJAYAWADA JN 1 04:20 04:30 431 2
3 WL WARANGAL 1 07:01 07:06 640 2
4 BPQ BALHARSHAH 1 11:05 11:15 884 2
5 NGP NAGPUR 1 14:25 14:35 1096 2
6 BPL BHOPAL JN 1 21:05 21:10 1484 2
7 JHS JHANSI JN 1 01:10 01:22 1775 3
8 GWL GWALIOR 1 02:35 02:38 1872 3
9 AGC AGRA CANTT 1 04:17 04:20 1993 3
10 NZM H NIZAMUDDIN 1 07:02 07:04 2179 3
11 NDLS NEW DELHI 1 07:30 00:00 2186 3
========================
You can choose either Rajadhani OR Tamilnadu Express. If both these Trains does not fit into your Travel Plan, then only you can think of 'flying' out of Chennai to New Delhi.
===========
When you are already ""flying"" into India which last for longer durations, perhaps, you may consider travelling by beautiful trains, unless they do not fit into your travel plan.
============
V.Srinivasa Prasad
26.9.2005/11.45 hrs.

globetrotter5

Thank you vsp! One more question- what is the difference between BG and MG trains. Its broad gauge and metre gauge, right?
Thanks much for you help- we appreciate it!
Jennifer

steven_ber

Hi jennifer and welcome to Indiamike.

A few bits of train information.

Agra to Jaipur.

Jaipur to Udaipur.
(A broad gauge line (via Kota) now connects Jaipur to Udaipur via a well timed overnight train)

Udaipur to Ahmedabad.

Train 9943 departs Udaipur daily at 19:45 and gets to Ahmedabad at 04:25.

2-tier air con = Rs 621
First Class (not air con) = Rs 451 (I would recommend this class, but I think this train no longer has it)
Sleeper class (not air con) = Rs 154


Why are you going to Mumbai?

There is a direct train from Ahmedabad to Goa.

Ahmedabad to Goa.

Mumbai to Goa.

There is a well timed overnight train from Quilon or Varkala to Madurai, if you are going a little further south than Cochin.

__________________
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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

globetrotter5

Thanks Steven for your input. It is much appreciated. We are flexible with our destinations. I thought I might go to Mumbai to see it, no other reason than that. Effortless train travel is more in my line of interest at this point!
Thanks again-
Jennifer

vsp27759

Dear Jennifer,
I am sorry for the error ( and thanks Steven, for the correction)
----
The following is the schedule of 2965 Jaipur-Udaipur Express which runs daily.
You Queried For Train No Train Name Date Runs From Source Runs On
2965 JP UDZ SUP EXP 27/09/2005 JAIPUR MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN


SNo Stn Code Stn Name Route No. Arrival Time Dep. Time Distance Day Remark
1 JP JAIPUR 1 Source 21:30 0 1
2 SWM SAWAI MADHOPUR 1 23:30 23:45 132 1
3 KOTA KOTA JN 1 01:05 01:25 240 2
4 CNA CHANDERIYA 1 04:25 04:30 403 2
5 UDZ UDAIPUR CITY 1 07:00 00:00 525 2
============================== ===========
In Broad Gauge Sleeper Coach there will be 72 Berths but in Metre Gauge Sleeper Coach there will be 48 Berths (***MG Coach has got Six Entrances, whereas BG Coach has got 4 Entrances, but facing the Platform, it will be 3 Doors & 2 Doors respectively)