'Thar Express' - Karachi to Jodhpur

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 17th, 2009, 02:06

Hi, this is from the Man in Seat 61:

Quote:

A new weekly international train called the Thar Express started on 17 February 2006, leaving Karachi every Friday at 23:00 and arriving at the Pakistan/India frontier at Zero Point at around 08:00 next morning, going forward after customs checks to Munabao on the Indian side arriving around 11:00. After customs checks the train leaves Munabao at 15:00, arriving Jodphur at 21:30 Saturday. In the westbound direction, the train leaves Jodhpur at 23:30 on Fridays, arriving Munabao at 08:00 next morning, leaving Munabao again at around 14:30 on Saturdays, reaching Karachi around midnight Saturday night. No more information is currently available, but feedback would be appreciated..! The train will have one sleeping-car and several economy cars. Sleeper fare about Rs230 from Karachi to zero point, and Rs170 from zero point/Munabao to Jodhpur..

http://http://www.seat61.com/Pakistan.htm#International

I am very interested in taking this train from Karachi at the start of December. There is virtually no up to date information online about the route.

Specifically, I need to know if foreign tourists are allowed to buy tickets for the train in Karachi or elsewhere, and if the border crossing itself is open to foreign tourists who wish to travel on to Rajasthan?

If anyone could somehow obtain this info for me, it would be very much appreciated.

mridula · Oct 18th, 2009, 21:34

I think there used to be a train from Pakistan but no idea if it still tuns.

capt_mahajan · Oct 19th, 2009, 00:12

I did some research but nothing came up, except that it was running till last year for sure, though I could find nothing on buying tickets.

A phone call to Pakistan railways may be required, if nothing is known.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/..._10027060.html

Indizen · Oct 19th, 2009, 00:48

I believe foreign citizens are not allowed on this train. It is only meant for Indian and Pakistani nationals traveling to Pak/India.

cityMONK · Oct 19th, 2009, 00:59

When ever i cross delhi cantt road , there is One war trophy dispalyed for road users,it is front portion of small rail engine.Below is written "last train from Sindh Pakistan". It is there from last 15 years on doors of rajputna rifles.

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 22nd, 2009, 16:08

OK thanks Captain for the effort! It doesn't look very promising, I may ring Pak railways, but I can always just go to Lahore and Wagah instead.

brishti · Oct 23rd, 2009, 16:07

a railway-buff tells me - neither the Thar Express nor the Samjhota Express are listed presently.
hence, difficult to say whether either/or are operating at the moment, SMT

:brishti

machadinha · Oct 23rd, 2009, 17:51

Can't help, Shiver; did some searching around, but not progressing much beyond what others report to not have found.

Hope trip's going well; say, you're old & wise enough to find out about the situation on the ground, but from the news here (in NL), it would seem counter-attacks reported to be in retaliation against the war effort up north (in Pakistan) are stepping up quite a bit. Targeting some cities previously said to have been left pretty much alone, too. And reported to have been quite effective in taking out some bigwigs no matter how well-guarded, btw.

You know how that works with the news from afar, but, well, mind your step a bit, right. Take care

Shiver me Timbers · Oct 24th, 2009, 17:57

Yeah I'm keeping up with events, and forming alternative plans. I'm gonna wait until I'm in Iran, and hopefully meet some other travelers coming the opposite direction who will be able to give the most up to date advice. But am definaitely considering flying Dubai to Delhi and forgetting about Pakistan this time.

Indizen · Oct 29th, 2009, 11:53

A news report in The Times of India, Jaipur today indicates that the Thar Express had resumed operations six months back. The next run is scheduled for November 6th. However many Indians are cancelling their travel plans following the advisory issued by the Home ministry against travel to Pakistan at this juncture.

Oct 18th, 2009, 21:34	#2
mridula Sair Kar Duniya Ki Galib , Jindagani Fir Kahan ... Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 2,587	I think there used to be a train from Pakistan but no idea if it still tuns. __________________ Mridula Travel Tales from India

Oct 19th, 2009, 00:12	#3
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,601	I did some research but nothing came up, except that it was running till last year for sure, though I could find nothing on buying tickets. A phone call to Pakistan railways may be required, if nothing is known. http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/..._10027060.html __________________ . Outside the machine

Oct 23rd, 2009, 17:51	#8
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,368	Can't help, Shiver; did some searching around, but not progressing much beyond what others report to not have found. Hope trip's going well; say, you're old & wise enough to find out about the situation on the ground, but from the news here (in NL), it would seem counter-attacks reported to be in retaliation against the war effort up north (in Pakistan) are stepping up quite a bit. Targeting some cities previously said to have been left pretty much alone, too. And reported to have been quite effective in taking out some bigwigs no matter how well-guarded, btw. You know how that works with the news from afar, but, well, mind your step a bit, right. Take care __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Oct 19th, 2009, 00:48	#4
Indizen Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 2,507	I believe foreign citizens are not allowed on this train. It is only meant for Indian and Pakistani nationals traveling to Pak/India.

Oct 19th, 2009, 00:59	#5
cityMONK Humble Disciple of Supreme Join Date: May 2009 Location: delhi Posts: 800	When ever i cross delhi cantt road , there is One war trophy dispalyed for road users,it is front portion of small rail engine.Below is written "last train from Sindh Pakistan". It is there from last 15 years on doors of rajputna rifles.

Oct 22nd, 2009, 16:08	#6
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	OK thanks Captain for the effort! It doesn't look very promising, I may ring Pak railways, but I can always just go to Lahore and Wagah instead.

Oct 23rd, 2009, 16:07	#7
brishti disMember Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: india Posts: 3,687	a railway-buff tells me - neither the Thar Express nor the Samjhota Express are listed presently. hence, difficult to say whether either/or are operating at the moment, SMT :brishti

Oct 24th, 2009, 17:57	#9
Shiver me Timbers Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Asia Posts: 1,874	Yeah I'm keeping up with events, and forming alternative plans. I'm gonna wait until I'm in Iran, and hopefully meet some other travelers coming the opposite direction who will be able to give the most up to date advice. But am definaitely considering flying Dubai to Delhi and forgetting about Pakistan this time.

Oct 29th, 2009, 11:53	#10
Indizen Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 2,507	A news report in The Times of India, Jaipur today indicates that the Thar Express had resumed operations six months back. The next run is scheduled for November 6th. However many Indians are cancelling their travel plans following the advisory issued by the Home ministry against travel to Pakistan at this juncture.