Indrail Pass Questions

nick

Hi

We, a couple, are planning our first trip to India. We want to buy an Indrail Pass for 90 days before arrival (we know it’s not a big deal financially). We only want to make reservations for some trains at the start of our trip and than reserve as we go.

We really like this very informative site! Steven_ber & beach & cyberhippie, you seem to know everything about Indian Railways, we are impressed!!! We still have some questions:

1) With the Indrail Pass AND a reservation (done in Europe), will we automatically appear on the Final Reservation Chart of our first journey at the departing station and on the train (...or do we have to queue for reconfirmation)?

2) Do we need a printed ticket in addition to the Indrail Pass for every train (...or does the Pass alone authorize us to use a train)?

3) If so, where (in Delhi) is it easier to pick up a ticket and/or make a reservation: ITR (1st floor, New Delhi Train Station) or IRCA (Counter No. 150, New Delhi Reservation Office, Chelmsford Road)

4) If no ticket is needed, can we just make a reservation on www.irctc.co.in (confirmed status), print the Electronic Reservation Slip, hop on the train and avoid all queues??? (...but this seems much too easy ;-)

5) As we understand, one pays a reservation charge in addition to the ticket fare. The Indrail Pass covers the fare AND the charge, right? Having the Pass, how can we avoid being charged for the E-reservation (one has to transmit the Credit Card data)?

6) There is a Reservation Form on www.indianrail.gov.in/resr_form.html. We could print an amount of these forms and take them with us, but we only can print them on A4-format (continental paper format). Would such a form still be accepted by Indian Railways?

7) What is the best guide for India? LP, Footprint, Rough Guide...

Thank you

TimMakins

1) With the Indrail Pass AND a reservation (done in Europe), will we automatically appear on the Final Reservation Chart of our first journey at the departing station and on the train (...or do we have to queue for reconfirmation)?

Yes, though you have to reconfirm at the International Tourist Bureau when you first get to India, when you will receive your reservation slips.

2) Do we need a printed ticket in addition to the Indrail Pass for every train (...or does the Pass alone authorize us to use a train)?

No, but if you have reservations, which are recommended for overnight and long distance, you will need the reservation slips. Reservations are free with a pass: make plenty, and discard the ones you do not need. Yes, you are authorised for every train - just hop on board and hope for a seat. Rajdhanis DO require pre-reservation, though.


3) If so, where (in Delhi) is it easier to pick up a ticket and/or make a reservation: ITR (1st floor, New Delhi Train Station) or IRCA (Counter No. 150, New Delhi Reservation Office, Chelmsford Road)

The first - the Interantional Tourist Bureau.


4) If no ticket is needed, can we just make a reservation on www.irctc.co.in (confirmed status), print the Electronic Reservation Slip, hop on the train and avoid all queues??? (...but this seems much too easy ;-)

Probably - I haven't tried but can't see why not. Ask someone at Delhi ITB.


5) As we understand, one pays a reservation charge in addition to the ticket fare. The Indrail Pass covers the fare AND the charge, right? Having the Pass, how can we avoid being charged for the E-reservation (one has to transmit the Credit Card data)?

Yes, reservations are free for Indrail pass holders. Sorry, haven't done the E-res yet so can't answer either.

6) There is a Reservation Form on www.indianrail.gov.in/resr_form.html. We could print an amount of these forms and take them with us, but we only can print them on A4-format (continental paper format). Would such a form still be accepted by Indian Railways?

I would think the railways would prefer their own forms. When you get to Delhi, grab a handful.

7) What is the best guide for India? LP, Footprint, Rough Guide...

None of those, though they are useful. The best guidebook for India is the Footprint India Handbook - I used to research for them, so know through hard experience.

Tim in Ireland

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