Info Reqd : 2AC Rajdhani

rhamidsultan · Aug 12th, 2009, 16:49

Hi,

I need to travel with family from Delhi to Coimbatore next month. I can take either Delhi-Chennai or Delhi-Bangalore Rajdhani.

I will be travelling in 2nd AC. Following are my queries

1. Whic Train is better Delhi-Chennai or Delhi-Bangalore. In terms of Cleanliness, facilities available etc?
2. Are the seats broader than 3 tier AC? Can my 4 year old son sleep along with me or do I need to book a seperate ticket for him( I cant book, as he is only 4 yrs old.. I can put the age as 5 and book).
3. Can we adjust the chillness of the compartment? Is it possible? can we have any privacy in 2AC?
4. Im sure Plugpoints are available.. anyway please confirm. Also is internet/wifi or any other facility available by any chance?
6. Are these new coaches or old coaches made by ICF? Somewhere I read Delhi-Kolkata/mumbai coaches are new and good..
7. What are the special facilities available in Rajdhani other than food.

Thanks in advance for your response.

kausiks · Aug 12th, 2009, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhamidsultan

1. Whic Train is better Delhi-Chennai or Delhi-Bangalore. In terms of Cleanliness, facilities available etc?

No major difference

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhamidsultan

2. Are the seats broader than 3 tier AC? Can my 4 year old son sleep along with me or do I need to book a seperate ticket for him( I cant book, as he is only 4 yrs old.. I can put the age as 5 and book).

He should be able to sleep with you. My daughter till the age of 6 used to share the same berth, while her berth would lie vacant

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhamidsultan

3. Can we adjust the chillness of the compartment? Is it possible? can we have any privacy in 2AC?

No, you cannot control the temperature. There are curtains segregating the coups. Not sure if that gives privacy or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhamidsultan

4. Im sure Plugpoints are available.. anyway please confirm. Also is internet/wifi or any other facility available by any chance?

Yes, you get plugpoints.
Internet / WiFi - well, the last time I traveled a couple of months back, it was not there.

gaurav1441 · Aug 12th, 2009, 17:11

The fare for Delhi Bangalore Rajdhani is Rs 2765. Unless you are ardent railway fan there are cheaper flights avialable for Sep at less than this price.

My first preference would be direct train to Coimbatore from Delhi Kerala Express

Secodly I would prefer. Delhi Trivandrum rajdhani and get down at Mangalore or Calicut (Kozhikode) and take the connecting train from Mangalore or Calicut.

rhamidsultan · Aug 12th, 2009, 17:31

Dear Kausik,

Thanks for the response. reg #2.

My kid also sleeps with me.. I have travelled by 3rd AC and Sleeper class.. But we never travelled for more than 6-7 hours..Just want to know will the seats in 2AC will be broader than 3AC?

Dear gaurav,

Thanks.. Yep.. Flight is an option.. Still Train is economical..I have 2 kids, for whom I dont need to get tickets in Train.. And also wanted to travel in Rajdhani.. I heard that is a nice train.. thats y.. Our return travel will be by flight only.

Also you have provided new options..will check those too..Howz the Delhi-Kearala Express? Clean and good? Let me check the route and timing..

gaurav1441 · Aug 12th, 2009, 17:53

The train was clean the last time had travelled but make sure you have enough things to keep you busy for 41 hrs.

Delhi Chennai is best suited just because of timings of trains you would start delhi at 4 pm and reach chennai at 8 PM (abt 28 hrs). There are enough overnight trains to Coimbatore from chennai (abt 8 hrs)

steven_ber · Aug 12th, 2009, 18:15

The Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum Rajdhani's share the same rakes, or at least they did before the Trivandrum Rajdhani changed to 3 times a week, I don't know if that would have affected the rake share agreement.

I was thinking of the Kerala express as well, it's fast (ish), reliable and quite a clean train, I've travelled in all 4 above mentioned trains and there is no real noticable difference, well, there is, in the case of the Rajdhanis, there's an (airtel) advert along the side of all the carriages, including the windows, and although you can still see out of the windows, there's a kind of honeycombe(sp) effect, it really spoils the fun in my opinion.

The food is great on the Rajdhani's (I didn't try the food on the Kerala Express), but again, there's a price to pay for this food, and I don't mean the extra cost of the train, the price you pay is.....every 2nd (or more) carriage exit door blocked for very large parts of the day, as well as being a safety concern, it's a real pain for people who like to sit by the open carriage door.

Kerala Express (41.25 hours) = Rs 2098

Chennai Rajdhani (28.1 hours) = Rs 2700 + Cheran Express (8 hours) = Rs 802

Total, 38.1 hours total (includes 2 hour stopover in Chennai if Rajdhani on time) travel time, Rs 3502

Bangalore Rajdhani (33.45 hours) = Rs 2765 +.....forget this option, you'd be in Bangalore all day, 06:35 arrival, 17.15 departure (not daily) then midnight arrival at Coimbatore, 52 hours total travel time.

So, is the Chennai Rajdhani option (with a slightly risky connection time) worth 3/5ths more than the Kerala Express?

gaurav1441 · Aug 12th, 2009, 23:36

Super Cost Benefit Analysis Steve..!!

rhamidsultan · Aug 13th, 2009, 13:42

Dear Steve,

Thanks for the excellent information.. kerala Express seems to be a good option..

One more info.. Does 2AC has RAC? When I check the reservation status, for some days it is showing as RAC7.. I thought there is no RAC in 2AC..

vegan · Aug 13th, 2009, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

... in the case of the Rajdhanis, there's an (airtel) advert along the side of all the carriages, including the windows, and although you can still see out of the windows, there's a kind of honeycombe(sp) effect, it really spoils the fun in my opinion.

A few days ago I notice Delhi-Chennai Rajdhani at Delhi (NZM) and it looked oh so ugly!

I then boarded my Garib Rath to Patna and it costed me less than Rs 600 for 3 AC (plus Rs 25 for bedroll and Rs 35 for dinner) versus over Rs 1200 it would have costed in Rajdhani. (GR took 13 hours to reach Patna vs. 12 hours by Rajdhani)

Why do people travel by Rajdhani?

gaurav1441 · Aug 13th, 2009, 15:48

Yes 2AC does have an RAC and even W/L

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhamidsultan

Dear Steve,

Thanks for the excellent information.. kerala Express seems to be a good option..

One more info.. Does 2AC has RAC? When I check the reservation status, for some days it is showing as RAC7.. I thought there is no RAC in 2AC..

gaurav1441 · Aug 13th, 2009, 15:50

Garib Rath have been newly intoduced been in existence for only about 3-4 years. Rajdhani's have been running through decades now and were the only faster option over and above Express trains.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegan

A few days ago I notice Delhi-Chennai Rajdhani at Delhi (NZM) and it looked oh so ugly!

I then boarded my Garib Rath to Patna and it costed me less than Rs 600 for 3 AC (plus Rs 25 for bedroll and Rs 35 for dinner) versus over Rs 1200 it would have costed in Rajdhani. (GR took 13 hours to reach Patna vs. 12 hours by Rajdhani)

Why do people travel by Rajdhani?

arunganpath · Aug 13th, 2009, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegan

A few days ago I notice Delhi-Chennai Rajdhani at Delhi (NZM) and it looked oh so ugly!

I then boarded my Garib Rath to Patna and it costed me less than Rs 600 for 3 AC (plus Rs 25 for bedroll and Rs 35 for dinner) versus over Rs 1200 it would have costed in Rajdhani. (GR took 13 hours to reach Patna vs. 12 hours by Rajdhani)

Why do people travel by Rajdhani?

You would be lucky if you could get a ticket if not booked earlier in a Garib Rath.

steven_ber · Aug 15th, 2009, 01:10

2AC has RAC, seats 1 & 3 (both lower berths) are used for RAC passengers, so 2 & 4 (Upper Berths) may be worth avoiding.

To be sure of avoiding RAC passengers, book side upper or side lower (SU or SL) berths, the side berths in 2AC are good, unless you're very tall.

Gaura Mohana · Nov 5th, 2009, 18:11

is the bangalore rajdhani any good?

aruna64 · Nov 5th, 2009, 18:26

I flew from chennai to delhi by spice jet . booking my tkt 70 days in advance it costed me Rs 3120/ of course snacks to be purchased on board . The flying time was 3 hrs .

On my return i travlled by delhi-chennai rajdhani.I had booked the tkt 58 days in advance. the coach was old and food really pathetic. i also found the attenders and the catering crew rude and unapolegetic.The complaint book never came. I had paid approx 2700Rs per ticket and travelled 28 hrs. The experience was miserable

Aug 12th, 2009, 16:49	#1
rhamidsultan Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 3	Info Reqd : 2AC Rajdhani Hi, I need to travel with family from Delhi to Coimbatore next month. I can take either Delhi-Chennai or Delhi-Bangalore Rajdhani. I will be travelling in 2nd AC. Following are my queries 1. Whic Train is better Delhi-Chennai or Delhi-Bangalore. In terms of Cleanliness, facilities available etc? 2. Are the seats broader than 3 tier AC? Can my 4 year old son sleep along with me or do I need to book a seperate ticket for him( I cant book, as he is only 4 yrs old.. I can put the age as 5 and book). 3. Can we adjust the chillness of the compartment? Is it possible? can we have any privacy in 2AC? 4. Im sure Plugpoints are available.. anyway please confirm. Also is internet/wifi or any other facility available by any chance? 6. Are these new coaches or old coaches made by ICF? Somewhere I read Delhi-Kolkata/mumbai coaches are new and good.. 7. What are the special facilities available in Rajdhani other than food. Thanks in advance for your response.

Aug 12th, 2009, 18:15	#6
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,565	The Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum Rajdhani's share the same rakes, or at least they did before the Trivandrum Rajdhani changed to 3 times a week, I don't know if that would have affected the rake share agreement. I was thinking of the Kerala express as well, it's fast (ish), reliable and quite a clean train, I've travelled in all 4 above mentioned trains and there is no real noticable difference, well, there is, in the case of the Rajdhanis, there's an (airtel) advert along the side of all the carriages, including the windows, and although you can still see out of the windows, there's a kind of honeycombe(sp) effect, it really spoils the fun in my opinion. The food is great on the Rajdhani's (I didn't try the food on the Kerala Express), but again, there's a price to pay for this food, and I don't mean the extra cost of the train, the price you pay is.....every 2nd (or more) carriage exit door blocked for very large parts of the day, as well as being a safety concern, it's a real pain for people who like to sit by the open carriage door. Kerala Express (41.25 hours) = Rs 2098 Chennai Rajdhani (28.1 hours) = Rs 2700 + Cheran Express (8 hours) = Rs 802 Total, 38.1 hours total (includes 2 hour stopover in Chennai if Rajdhani on time) travel time, Rs 3502 Bangalore Rajdhani (33.45 hours) = Rs 2765 +.....forget this option, you'd be in Bangalore all day, 06:35 arrival, 17.15 departure (not daily) then midnight arrival at Coimbatore, 52 hours total travel time. So, is the Chennai Rajdhani option (with a slightly risky connection time) worth 3/5ths more than the Kerala Express? __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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Aug 12th, 2009, 17:11	#3
gaurav1441 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 729	The fare for Delhi Bangalore Rajdhani is Rs 2765. Unless you are ardent railway fan there are cheaper flights avialable for Sep at less than this price. My first preference would be direct train to Coimbatore from Delhi Kerala Express Secodly I would prefer. Delhi Trivandrum rajdhani and get down at Mangalore or Calicut (Kozhikode) and take the connecting train from Mangalore or Calicut.

Aug 12th, 2009, 17:31	#4
rhamidsultan Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 3	Dear Kausik, Thanks for the response. reg #2. My kid also sleeps with me.. I have travelled by 3rd AC and Sleeper class.. But we never travelled for more than 6-7 hours..Just want to know will the seats in 2AC will be broader than 3AC? Dear gaurav, Thanks.. Yep.. Flight is an option.. Still Train is economical..I have 2 kids, for whom I dont need to get tickets in Train.. And also wanted to travel in Rajdhani.. I heard that is a nice train.. thats y.. Our return travel will be by flight only. Also you have provided new options..will check those too..Howz the Delhi-Kearala Express? Clean and good? Let me check the route and timing..

Aug 12th, 2009, 17:53	#5
gaurav1441 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 729	The train was clean the last time had travelled but make sure you have enough things to keep you busy for 41 hrs. Delhi Chennai is best suited just because of timings of trains you would start delhi at 4 pm and reach chennai at 8 PM (abt 28 hrs). There are enough overnight trains to Coimbatore from chennai (abt 8 hrs)

Aug 12th, 2009, 23:36	#7
gaurav1441 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 729	Super Cost Benefit Analysis Steve..!!

Aug 13th, 2009, 13:42	#8
rhamidsultan Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 3	Dear Steve, Thanks for the excellent information.. kerala Express seems to be a good option.. One more info.. Does 2AC has RAC? When I check the reservation status, for some days it is showing as RAC7.. I thought there is no RAC in 2AC..

Aug 15th, 2009, 01:10	#13
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,565	2AC has RAC, seats 1 & 3 (both lower berths) are used for RAC passengers, so 2 & 4 (Upper Berths) may be worth avoiding. To be sure of avoiding RAC passengers, book side upper or side lower (SU or SL) berths, the side berths in 2AC are good, unless you're very tall.

Nov 5th, 2009, 18:11	#14
Gaura Mohana Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mathura Posts: 30	is the bangalore rajdhani any good?

Nov 5th, 2009, 18:26	#15
aruna64 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: chennai Posts: 24	I flew from chennai to delhi by spice jet . booking my tkt 70 days in advance it costed me Rs 3120/ of course snacks to be purchased on board . The flying time was 3 hrs . On my return i travlled by delhi-chennai rajdhani.I had booked the tkt 58 days in advance. the coach was old and food really pathetic. i also found the attenders and the catering crew rude and unapolegetic.The complaint book never came. I had paid approx 2700Rs per ticket and travelled 28 hrs. The experience was miserable