Is prebooking trains essential?

AliLondon · Dec 13th, 2006, 20:19

Hi, I'm doing a two month backpack around some of the southern states, starting in Mumbai, on the 15th january. I intend to use mainly trains to get around. After spending the first three nights in Mumbai, my next stop is Aurangabad, for a day or two.
What I'm wondering is if it is advisable to prebook my train journey to Aurangabad, and my other train tickets for that matter. I don't really want to do this as I'd like to stay flexible, but I'm concerned that I'll have to stay in certain places for longer than I'd like if trains are booked up already.
Is it likely I'll be able to book a ticket, say, the day before i intend to take the train?

Sorry I've rambled slightly.

Ali

gautam · Dec 13th, 2006, 20:22

Advance booking is always a good idea

If u want to be flexi Keep checking the indian railways website for train-seat availability

AliLondon · Dec 13th, 2006, 20:29

Thanks, will do!

mt.kailash · Dec 13th, 2006, 21:15

Prebooking is more or less essential for long distance and/or overnight train travel.Failure to book could end up with you travelling second class unreserved which is OK for 2 or 3 hours but not longer.
Prebooking your initial journry for example would enable you to travel overnight to Aurangabad (1005 Latur Exp)thus saving you the price of one night in a hotel in superexpensive Mumbai and enabling you to maximise your time in India.

SANJAY_DEL · Dec 13th, 2006, 21:33

Plan your entire trip in such a manner that you get to your major destinations on night trains. This would cover, say 500 km distance, from A to B. These dates you can decide now and book e-tickets online.
For shorter journeys of 6 hours or so you can travel in the mornings and seats can be found comparitively easily so you need not book now.

steven_ber · Dec 13th, 2006, 21:53

It depends on what you already know.

How long will you be in Mumbai?

The Latur Express runs only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but it's very well timed for an overnight journey, so, do you fit it into your plan?

If not, the bus or a daytime train is an option, you have a choice.

How long do you think you'll be in the next place?

What are the options of getting from 'B' to 'C'?

And so on.

Is there any place you have to be on a particular day?

I tend to book ahead, mainly because I hate traveling by bus and can rarely afford to fly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANJAY_DEL

For shorter journeys of 6 hours or so you can travel in the mornings and seats can be found comparitively easily so you need not book now.

Often, our short journey is part of someone else's long journey.

ranjan154 · Dec 13th, 2006, 22:03

The booking of train tickets are very essential and utmost important, as you might not get seat availability even one month in advance. Moreover, travelling in Indian trains without prebooking can be really difficult.

AliLondon · Dec 13th, 2006, 22:14

Thank you guys! Was kind of in the mind set of just booking my first train in person once i get to mumbai but now I think I'll book my first two/three trips now, online, to ensure I get a place.

Cheers again,
ali

Chandra · Dec 14th, 2006, 00:27

I agree somewhat with these people only because you have a relatively short stay in India. Usually booking 2-3 days in advance is enough to get you where you want on sleeper class (which i warmly recommend!), and the air con and 1st classes are usually even easier to get tickets for. Watch out for festivals and holidays, though.

Nick-H · Dec 14th, 2006, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chandra

and the air con and 1st classes are usually even easier to get tickets for. Watch out for festivals and holidays, though.

Disagree quite a bit with that!

So many of us spend so much time anxiously waitlists counting down! Right up to the last day, sometimes

Indian trains tend to be very busy.

There are always holidays and festivals!

steven_ber · Dec 14th, 2006, 00:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chandra

I agree somewhat with these people only because you have a relatively short stay in India. Usually booking 2-3 days in advance is enough to get you where you want on sleeper class (which i warmly recommend!), and the air con and 1st classes are usually even easier to get tickets for. Watch out for festivals and holidays, though.

I think that was the case a couple of years ago, but last year got worse and this year is amazingly busy.

I've had to find some inventive connections and use the odd, little known trick (don't ask) to get berths for myself and friends.

Chandra · Dec 14th, 2006, 00:47

*Laughing* Well, can't say I haven't been on a waiting list, but I've usually been lucky. And, really, if there's not a train then there's a bus and if there isn't there's a train for a different place that is either close to the place you wanted to go or just as nice and interesting. If you can afford to lose a day or two I'd prefer that to a strict schedual made weeks ahead. I mean, if it's your first time in India you can't know what places you'll like and how long you'll want to stay at a specific place. (But I would plan a train ride or maybe two in advance if I had only two months.)

Tourist quota! Tourist quota!

C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Disagree quite a bit with that!

So many of us spend so much time anxiously waitlists counting down! Right up to the last day, sometimes

Indian trains tend to be very busy.

There are always holidays and festivals!

Chandra · Dec 14th, 2006, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

I think that was the case a couple of years ago, but last year got worse and this year is amazingly busy.

I've had to find some inventive connections and use the odd, little known trick (don't ask) to get berths for myself and friends.

Maybe you're right. I've been to India for five months this year, and it might have been a bit more difficult than before. I thought it was bad luck.

But still, no major problems.

julesa · Dec 14th, 2006, 07:41

i pre-booked my entire upcoming 6 week trip by train (with a few flights as well).

India Railways has a generous refund policy with only about a 100 rupees fee. if i change my plans, i just plan to get a refund.

if anyone knows about difficulties with getting this refund, let me know

Chandra · Dec 14th, 2006, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by julesa

if anyone knows about difficulties with getting this refund, let me know

My experiences with the refund system are all good. (But there's always the risk you have to wait in line for several hours.)

Dec 13th, 2006, 20:19	#1
AliLondon Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 19	Is prebooking trains essential? Hi, I'm doing a two month backpack around some of the southern states, starting in Mumbai, on the 15th january. I intend to use mainly trains to get around. After spending the first three nights in Mumbai, my next stop is Aurangabad, for a day or two. What I'm wondering is if it is advisable to prebook my train journey to Aurangabad, and my other train tickets for that matter. I don't really want to do this as I'd like to stay flexible, but I'm concerned that I'll have to stay in certain places for longer than I'd like if trains are booked up already. Is it likely I'll be able to book a ticket, say, the day before i intend to take the train? Sorry I've rambled slightly. Ali

Dec 13th, 2006, 20:22	#2
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 708	Advance booking is always a good idea If u want to be flexi Keep checking the indian railways website for train-seat availability __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

Dec 13th, 2006, 22:03	#7
ranjan154 Amateur Photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Noida (India) Posts: 853	The booking of train tickets are very essential and utmost important, as you might not get seat availability even one month in advance. Moreover, travelling in Indian trains without prebooking can be really difficult. __________________ Rakesh Ranjan -------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/travinfoindia/

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Dec 13th, 2006, 20:29	#3
AliLondon Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 19	Thanks, will do!

Dec 13th, 2006, 21:15	#4
mt.kailash Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: hurn Posts: 99	Prebooking is more or less essential for long distance and/or overnight train travel.Failure to book could end up with you travelling second class unreserved which is OK for 2 or 3 hours but not longer. Prebooking your initial journry for example would enable you to travel overnight to Aurangabad (1005 Latur Exp)thus saving you the price of one night in a hotel in superexpensive Mumbai and enabling you to maximise your time in India.

Dec 13th, 2006, 21:33	#5
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Plan your entire trip in such a manner that you get to your major destinations on night trains. This would cover, say 500 km distance, from A to B. These dates you can decide now and book e-tickets online. For shorter journeys of 6 hours or so you can travel in the mornings and seats can be found comparitively easily so you need not book now.

Dec 13th, 2006, 22:14	#8
AliLondon Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 19	Thank you guys! Was kind of in the mind set of just booking my first train in person once i get to mumbai but now I think I'll book my first two/three trips now, online, to ensure I get a place. Cheers again, ali

Dec 14th, 2006, 00:27	#9
Chandra Compulsive India traveller Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oslo/Trondheim, Norway Posts: 195	I agree somewhat with these people only because you have a relatively short stay in India. Usually booking 2-3 days in advance is enough to get you where you want on sleeper class (which i warmly recommend!), and the air con and 1st classes are usually even easier to get tickets for. Watch out for festivals and holidays, though.

Dec 14th, 2006, 07:41	#14
julesa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: melbourne australia Posts: 297	i pre-booked my entire upcoming 6 week trip by train (with a few flights as well). India Railways has a generous refund policy with only about a 100 rupees fee. if i change my plans, i just plan to get a refund. if anyone knows about difficulties with getting this refund, let me know

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