Jodhpur to Mumbai by train

Rxrich

Hi...
I've made several train bookings with no problem but I have a question about traveling from Jodhpur to Mumbai on 6 November:
The 2 trains that leave all days of the week are :
The Ranakur Express lv 15:00 arr 1041 next day
Surya Nagri Express lv 18:45 arr 10:59 next day
My question is this:
When I check the route I see that these trains end up in Borivali or Bandra Terminus...I was looking to arrive at Central Station but I think Western Railway stops at these other places (I know they are in or near Mumbai). Where do I want to get off if I want to stay in Colaba? Also I note that the Ranakur is much faster.
Thanks for your help,
Richard

Rxrich

sorry...Surya is faster

steven_ber

There is a problem on the Indian Railways website regarding trains to/from Mumbai.

Indian Railways adds 'satalite' stations (sometimes) to create a more complete search of train options, this is because trains can use one of many stations in a city to depart or arrive.

In the case of Mumbai, too many stations have been added, Boravali (for example) is 30kms north of Mumbai Central station, when you do a search for trains to Mumbai, always click the full schedule of each train.

The Ranakur Express terminates at Bandra Terminus at 11:30
Surya Nagri Express terminates at Bandra Terminus at 11:45

Bandra is about 10kms north of Mumbai Central station, though even Mumbai Central station would still leave you with quite a journey to get to Colaba.

From Bandra Terminus you have 2 choices, get a taxi direct to Colaba, or go to Bandra suberban station (7-800 metres away) and get a suburban train to either Churchgate or CST station, then get a bus or taxi for the last (almost) 2kms to Colaba.

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Train information.

aadil

If you can get off at Borivali station then get into a fast train from Borivali to Churchgate. You will have to cross over to the right platform to get the train starting from Borivali and not the one coming from Virar as it will be crowded. Or else you will be better off taking the slow train that departs from Borivali (it will take a much longer time to reach Churchgate). If you take the fast train then it will take less time to travel from there to the city than by any of the other trains or taxi. Once you alight at Churchgate take a taxi from there to Colaba. Depending on where you want to go to Colaba it will be just about the minimum fare (Rs13) to where most of the hotels are situated near the Gateway of India to a lot more if you have to go somewhere further down south. If the train is terminating at Bandra Terminus then get a taxi from there to Colaba which will cost you about Rs175 if you are taken by the meter and without being taken for a ride around the whole city to hike up the fare. Do not bargain with the guy and not go by the meter. Tell him to take you from Tulsi Pipe Road, Deslile Road and then take the JJ Flyover to CST so that it is the shortest and fastest route to get to Colaba. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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steven_ber

A great idea Aadil, will a person need to buy a ticket for the train from Borivali? or will the train ticket from Jodhpur be OK?

The local from Borivali, will it have First Class? (I know, it's no better than 2nd class on the local trains, but it will be less crowded).

aadil

It is not necessary to buy a ticket if you need to get to Mumbai Central but I think it might be necessary if you are going to Churchgate as it is not on the main line track. THe reason being that if you want to come to Mumbai then the Mumbai Central station is the last one on the south of the city so that is the farthest you can get by the main line train so that is where you would be allowed to go till for free as long as you show the ticket till Bandra. The first class train ticket for the suburban train is not worth it considering the facilities you get!!! It is almost as full and sometimes even more than the general compartment as the space in the first class is very limited. It will cost about seven times the second class fare.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Rxrich

Thanks guys for this great information. Originally, I wasn't planning to stay in Mumbai at all because I wanted to go from Jodhpur to Goa by train and spend a few days in Goa and then on to Kerala where I would spend much more time.
But now I think that since I was going to stop at Mumbai anyway, I might as well get a taste of the city.I thought Colaba would be an interesting place to overnight and sleep in a real bed. That would give me the day I arrive and the next day in Mumbai if I catch the Konkan Kanya Ex at 23:00 the next night from Mumbai Central to Madgaon.
At least I have choices to think about now. I was looking for the fastest way and getting on the fast train from Borivali to Churchgate "will take less time...than any other trains or taxi"...so that's one choice (I've never been to India how do I know if it's the FAST train from Borivali to Churchgate?).
The other choice is to travel the extra 45 minutes to Bandra Terminus and take a taxi to Colaba (that choice is painless since there is no changing trains involved)
I hope that when I stay over in Colaba the hotel will keep my luggage until I'm ready to catch the overnight train.(I was thinking of staying at Hotel City Palace or the Ascot Hotel listed in Lonely Planet)
Thanks again for all this great information...it really helped.
Richard

steven_ber

When are you thinking of leaving Jodhpur? (what day of the week)

I'm sure I can come up with somewhere better than Mumbai (as a stopover on the way to Goa).

capt_mahajan

Specially as it is your first trip and arriving after a longish train journey , I would suggest avoid the local train and take a taxi.

Though Bombay Central would be closer, Bandra is not that far either. Hope you aren't arriving Mumbai in peak office rush (morning, considering the direction) timings. In any case the local trains are crazy during those times.

Btw, the 'fast' trains will be announced and displayed as such, including platform numbers.

pontesnm

There are a variety of options depending on how adventurous you feel!
1) Alight at Bandra and take taxi - easiest
2) Alight at Bandra and take harbor line to CST. Trains were only every half hour at non peak times but started from Bandra and ended at CST and relatively uncrowded (you could get seating at non rush hours and CST station is relatively close to Colaba and a world heritage site). Harbor line trains now start from Andheri and may be much more crowded - my info is not recent although I travelled Bandra CST for two years.

3) Alight at Borivili and take a local that starts from there and take the journey to Churchgate. You should get a seat and travel to Churchgate. Eventually there will only be standing room; people may even be hanging out of the train as there are no doors to close!

These all depend upon how much luggage you have. If all you have is a backpack and do not mind walking with your own luggage then 2 and 3 are options. Travel by Mumbai locals is one of those things that you may do once just for memories. Whatever you do do not stand near the door! I should add that option 2 is the safest, especially if you can find a convenient train that starts at Bandra -either harbor line or Western railways. If the train is too crowded and you change you mind just throw away the ticket or give it away they are so cheap.

Local trains do not have coolies

Rxrich

Thanks for these suggestions...looking for easiest and taxi from Bandra seems to be the way to go.
Unfortunately, on 7 November there is no availability in ANY class on the Konkan railway leaving Mumbai to Goa at 23:00...it would have been a nice overnight...was disappointed in not being able to do that.
The only other choice with availability on 7 November is the Mondavi Exp which leaves Mumbai early AM and arrives Madgaon at 18:45...not what I wanted...would just give me the day I arrive in Mumbai to look around.
I may do that but if Steve can find a better option leaving Jodhpur on 6 November to Goa and bypassing Mumbai I would strongly consider it.
I would like to avoid an overnight bus from Mumbai to Goa....but would do it as last resort if nothing else works out. I don't know the schedules for overnight buses leaving 7 November night but it would have to be a comfortable sleeping bus at any price that would get me to Goa anytime in the morning.
I see I have to modify my plans.
My first choice now would be not to overnight at Mumbai and go directly from Jodhpur on 6 November to Goa with an overnight along the way as Steve mentioned.
If the above is not possible I would stay overnight in Mumbai and take the Mondavi train leaving at 6:55 (might have to arrange a place to stay in Goa in advance)...arriving Maggaon 18:45 (space available)
Thanks again for all your help sometimes feasability becomes a major factor when planning where you want to go.
Best,
Richard

steven_ber

My idea didn't work, the only train from Gujarat to Goa is booked in all classes.

Consider the following...

The Jan Shatabdi (train 2051) departs Dadar (Mumbai) at 05:30 and gets to Thivim (for north Goan beaches) at 13:02, and Madgaon at 13:55

You could get this train on the morning of the 8th and arrive only a few hours after the overnight train would have arrived.

8-11-2007

Air con chair class (CC) = WL 14/WL 7 (Rs 675)

Bookable (padded) 2nd class seat (2S) = AVAILABLE- 0562 (Rs 197)

Book CC by I-ticket and have it sent to a hotel, any hotel, even one in Delhi if you already have one booked, that waitlist number should come down before November and you will get a confirmed seat.

You could book a 2S seat as an emergency (via E-ticket) and just get a refund when the CC waitlist comes down.

Rxrich

Hi Steve...thanks for your suggestions...leaving for work now but want to drop another thought...My goal is to travel overnight on the night of 7 November and arrive Goa in AM...giving me a little more time to look around in Mumbai.
I notice that there is only a WL of 1 in fist class on the Konkan leaving on 7 Nov at 23:00...I don't mind taking first class to be on this train...it's the best one for my purposes...since it's WL-1...do you think I have a good chance of getting on?
I can send the ticket to a bed and breakfast in Delhi...so...I assume I have to pay for the ticket and if the space becomes available they will let me know by email????
If I cant avoid Mumbai and can't get on the Konkan...then will take the 6:55 Mondavi on the 7th to Madgaon.
Other choice a sleeper overnight bus...remember...I'm 77 and need some comfort so price is not a factor...how do I find out when they leave at night from Mumbai getting me to Goa in AM..or late AM...thanks..apologize for all these questions but you can see how running into stumbling blocks forces you to look for workarounds or change of plans
thanks again
Richard

York_Katni

Richard,
Going by your program , I was wondering of the possibility for you to consider if it is possible to keep defer Bombay after you've seen Goa and Kerala as there are no confirmed reservations available on the 7th of November ? There is a direct train to Goa called the Bikaner-Trivandrum Express from Johdpur to Madgaon and Kerala. Otherwise you may want to try for a tatkal berth 5 days before your journey begins by the Konkan Kanya. It should go through.
Any time around 11.00ish should be less crowded in the local train.

pontesnm

Sorry I did not check your public profile. Given that you have only 1 month and a lot to see I would suggest that you fly. The train journey to Madgaon from Jodhpur is about 30-36 hours depending upon connections. Just something to think about. Since I presume you will depart from Mumbai anyway you can visit at the end.