reliability/availability bus/train connections

Hello,

I will be travelling together with my girlfriend to india within a few weeks for a 2,5 week round trip. We arrive by plane in delhi on the 14th October and leave again on 2th of November.
We are both a little worried about the reliability/availability of the train and bus connections. We have to be in delhi again before our plane leaves and we want to visit several places during our trip (delhi-agra-jaipur-udaipur-jodhpur-jaisalmer-bikaner).
Can we be sure that we will be able to find a mode of transport to get ourselves to the next city or do we run the risk to get stuck in a city for a few days before finding an available train/bus connection ?
I don’t know if I’m exaggerating but I have some experience with travel in south east asia and while I was there I was always able to find a bus or train to get my to the next city if I booked a day in advance. Does the same apply for india or not ?
When I’m reading the guide books and forums about india I constantly read the phrases ‘be sure to book in advance’, ‘waiting lists’ and so on …

Does anyone have experience with this and can you help us out ?

Queenie and Tom

tom1979, Weather wise you are visiting North India at an ideal time for transport. The monsoon will be well past and you will not be troubled by winter fog that often disrupts train and plane travel. You will miss the Diwali festival which has more people travelling for family reunions. Your visit will also be well ahead of when many folk from cold northern countries come to India.

Foreign tourists have some preferences for train bookings. See the plentiful material on this site for how to benefit. Some tourists buy unreserved train tickets and try their luck in fearfully crowded carriages.

If you are really stuck for a connection you can maybe afford a car with driver. Lots of people use buses but I avoid them where I can so cannot speak from recent experience.

I think you will be OK and WELCOME TO INDIAMIKE.

Welcome to IndiaMike, tom 1979!

As unclelach said, weather wise you should have no problems with travel. However, if you are thinking of using trains, I would book them as soon as possible. Here is a thread that explains how to book trains from outside of India:

http://www.indiamike.com/india/india...broad-t165379/

If you prefer a car and driver, here is one that I used while I was in Delhi. They would be able to drive you to all your destinations. It will a lot more expensive to travel this way, though. If this interests you at all, here is their website:

http://www.namasteindiatours.com/

Like unclelach, I also avoid buses if possible and have no experience with them. But maybe someone with bus experience will come along to give you advice about them.

Be sure to arrive in Delhi for your departure at least a day early. Last year I was delayed a day in getting back to Delhi due to circumstances beyond my control. It wasn't a problem since I didn't miss my flight out. My itinerary had allowed for the extra day in Delhi for just such an emergency.