'Thar Express' - Karachi to Jodhpur

Hi, this is from the Man in Seat 61:

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

I just opened another thread on this piece to listen and hear updates from those who have used this Thar Express link to travel.