Knowing the Indian Train

kuass

Hi,
is it possible to take a little bit bigger luggage (like a disassembled
mountain bike in a big bike bag) with You in AC Chair Car????
Or do one have to use the break van?

malvin

thanks beach,very informative!
jeroen,do they accept euros for the FT reservations now?that is a good news.
malvin

Jeroen

>do they accept euros for the FT reservations now?that is a good news.

Malvin: yes, they did in Delhi and Mumbai. As I explained above, in Delhi I could also have paid in rupees, in Mumbai they like foreign cash until a day before departure for some strange reason.

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beach

Yes, if it is not toooo big.

There is no special luggage place inside a chair car except the overhead rack. This is more or less of the size of the one inside the planes. Ask for the last seat, if possible in the chair car when booking yur seat. Behind this seat there is ample space to keep a folded bicycle. But you’ll lose the flexibility of the recliner chair as this space is meant for accommodating the chair in reclined position. People who sit there will not agree to pack the backside of the chair. You can request someone sitting at that chair to exchange it for you.People generally comply with this request (unless they too are traveling with a mountain bike)

eater

Hello Beach:
Just excellent info.... one question two actually

If I book 1st Ac, I can always go sleeper or 2 ac (to mingle with the friendly non-foreign travellers), right?

Two....What is the Circular Booking? I understand from my visit to the rail site is that if the itenerary is a circular one , not going to the same place twice....then such a booking can be made once arrived in India and can work out the same price or less compared to booking from overseas as foreigner?

Thank you.........

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steven_ber

Sorry beach, I can answer this quickly.

During the day you can walk through the train, but not at night.

Check out the following thread for info about circular journey tickets.

Train fares.

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


Train information.


RAC & Waitlists explained.

beach

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 09
NEW DELHI:

Beginning Thursday, train travellers in India will be able to book their tickets online from their mobile phones.

With mobile phones rapidly edging out the old-fashioned landlines, the facility will be handy for millions of railway passengers in the country. Internet bookings of railway tickets, started two years ago, total 5,000 to 6,000 a day — just 1% of the 500,000-600,000 tickets boo-ked daily across the country.

This is set to rise exponentially as the facility is extended to mobile phones.

But there’s one hiccup — your mobile phone has to be internet-enabled and you have to register with www.irctc.co.in in order to make online bookings. Link for the full story

beach

Press Trust of India
New Delhi, September 1


The Railways will start broadband Internet connectivity on running trains from October this year.

India Railways subsidiary RailTel Corporation will take up the job of furnishing connectivity and has conducted technical trials successfully on running train between Tughlakabad and Faridabad stations in April.

Full story

Shiver me Timbers

Beach, you have explained more than any guide book (I've read them ALL) does, for a first-timer to India like myself (going in January), this is invaluble knowledge - fair play to you!

fromusawithluv

Hi Beach.

What an excellent post and thread. I am new to this forum. It's been almost (14) years since I travelled by trains in India, and what a flashback after reading your posts!! I still remember the vendors coming to the windows with "Idli, vadai, idli, vadai..." I can't wait to go to India again.

ravenraye

Thanks Beach for all that great train info. I have had a few experiences, but having all your info before I set off on my fourth sojourn end November will be a great help before I book anything. And it sure sounds like a great idea booking online !!

sky888

Nice information. That's being kind of you..

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yogivivek

what wil be the best class to travel if u like to make some pictures or use your videocamera or having a good look at the bypassing scenery

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beach

Any thing Non-AC (Second class sleeper, chair car, non AC First class(if available in the train!),)

I would say the best class is the 'DOOR Class!!'. That is you keep the door open and sit on the floor.

WARNING!!!!
Never leave you foot on the lower steps. These steps are way below the platform level when is passes through the non-stop stations. Keep the foot on the first step.

The staff may come and ask you to get in. Sometimes they are strict sometimes not.


WARNING!!!!

The doors are heavy. When the train apply break, this will bang close! Pushing you out of the train, if you are not holding on the hand rail.




I've traveled on the train steps. I’ll never forget one of it. Not exactly because I fancy it. It was a mid night train and I was to board from a very small station with a small stop over. When I reached the station the train was already at the platform! I screamed running towards the train. As it was mid night and I aimed at the wrong coach. Every door was closed. I just stepped at a closed door thinking that I can open it. I was hanging on the step trying to open the door and the train started moving. To my horror it was locked from inside! The train was already out of the station with me hanging on the steps. I screamed and banged on the door for help to someone from inside open the door. It was 2’o clock night and no one could hear my scream.

It was a rainy season. The eucalyptus trees on the sides of the tracks get wet and bow down in rainy season. These wet tree braches were trashing me all the way. At one moment I thought I would fall down and that’s the end of it all. But some will power made me hang on. After half an hour’s ordeal the train came to the next stop. I was wondering what if the next stop was a few hours away. That’s the worst nightmare in my life. Otherwise there would’ve been no 'beach' at IM

See the photo!!! Here I traveled as a king
...oops like a driver driver

skell

What a harrowing experience! Thank goodness the next stop wasn't too far. We really would have missed you!!!