To Goa-goa Xpress Or Mangla Xpress

hi all :-)

what do you reckon is a better way to get to goa from delhi? on the goa express or the mangla express? the latter apparently is slightly faster.Would travelling by reserved sleeper class be uncomfortable on a long journey as this? A friend from the UK who would be travelling with me ( in January) is apprehensive about it, though she would prefer the views one gets from the sleeper class as opposed to third/second A/C...she isnt too sure of the safety aspect. Any suggestions people?

cheers

Train 2432 (Rajdhani, all air con) Nizamuddin 11:00, Madgaon 12:25 (runs Tuesdays & Sundays and takes 25.5 hours)
Train 2450 Nizamuddin 07:25, Madgaon 13:15 (runs Saturdays and takes 30 hours)
Train 2618 Nizamuddin 09:50, Madgaon 20:10 (runs daily and takes 34.3 hours)
Train 2780 Nizamuddin 15:00, Madgaon 06:03 (runs daily and takes 39 hours)

Steven has mentioned two trains that are faster and if they suit your travel plans, are a faster way to reach Goa.
The 2432 TRIVNDRM RAJDHANI H NIZAMUDDIN is an AC train only and as a premium express is more expensive than normal trains and only has AC accomodation no normal sleeper.

The 2450 GOA SMPRK K EXP is fast as well but only travels on Saturdays, this train has a choice of both AC accomodation and normal non AC sleeper!

The 2618 MNGLA LKSDP EXP H NIZAMUDDIN is only slightly slower thab the 2450 and runs everyday and has a non AC accomodation as well as some of the best food on any India train!!

Here are the prices of the various trains Delhi-Margao

Rajdhani Exp 1AC 5430Rp 2AC 2915Rp 3AC 1985Rp

Samparik Exp 1AC 4301Rp 2AC 2252Rp 3AC 1383RP Sleeper 531RP

Mangla-ladahksweep exp 2Ac 2288Rp 3AC 1461RP Sleeper 539Rp

The Goa express should be your last choice as it takes a bum numbing 40 hours to reach Goa.

As to which class, well train travel is in general pretty safe, once you have your bags locked up. AC has the added comfort that no one is allowed to enter the carriage without a ticket, something not enforced so strictly in normal sleeper class!!
Be aware, crowded second class, is a rather dusty/dirty option for long journeys like this but in January, AC won't be an issue, as it will be cool enough when the train is moving and night times will be even a bit chilly on the faster stages!!
I did this journey in normal sleeper some years back and lived to tell the tale I was a bit grimey though!!

Anyway I hope that helps you make a decision!

I edited my above post to make more sense, though cyberhippie has explained it all well.

I suggest 3-tier air con as your friend is a little apprehensive, even though I prefer Sleeper Class I find it a little tough on really long journeys.

Train 2450 would be the perfect choice, but may not suit your timetable, so train 2618 becomes a good option.

If you book 3-tier air con on either 2450 or 2618 you can walk down to Sleeper Class during the day and take a seat (if available) or sit by the open doorway and watch India go by, you will always have the option of escaping back to your air con berths.

thanks a ton steven and cyberhippie :-)

I am Indian and have travelled sleeper class on several occasions as a student. Admittedly it has been a long time since I last did it,my friend is British and this will be only her second time in India and definitely the first time in sleeper class on the trains so I was keen on an opinion from someone from the 'west' ( pardon the cliche!)who has walked the talk!! I agree sleeper can be a bit intimidating for someone not used to it, However she is also keen to 'see' the real India and that can be a trifle hard in 2ac/3ac...so she suggested sleeper class,I just hope she survives it ;-)

Mangla has the best non ac food on any train in india? that alone makes it worth trying!

A toss up between Mangla and goa sampark, what would be better? days of travel are pretty flexible so saturday is not an issue at all. I did look up options on irctc website and it didnt throw up sampark express ( probably cuz the date i was looking wasn't a sat). Rajhdhani is out cuz it doesnt have a regular sleeper class.

Funnily enough, I though goa express was about the only option to reach goa ( other than the rajdhani), so thanks for the bum numbing warning!!I guess now the choice will be between goa sampark / mangla express. We plan to head to palolem so even from that point i suppose it makes more sense to head to margao as opposed to vasco?

cheers

My Trip Would Be In End May, 2009 To Early June, 2009.

I Am Confused About The Trains A Little.

Can You Please Let Me Know The Following;

Train 2432 Nizamuddin 11:00, Madgaon 12:25 (Runs Tuesdays & Sundays And Takes 25.5 Hours)How Much Is The Ticket For 3AC Now.

Train 2450 Nizamuddin 07:25, Madgaon 13:15 (Runs Saturdays & Takes 30 Hours)How Much Is The Ticket For 3AC + N/AC Sleeper Now.

I have seen more than once the situtation where men have crowded from unreserved class to sleeper class and been EXTREMELY interested in european female travellers. This may not be too tiresome for some, but being stared at in a leering way from close range all day long can be difficult for the recipient of the attention.

May or may not happen though.

Please Some One Give Me The Information...

Dear maverick,

A toss up between Mangla and goa sampark, what would be better? days of travel are pretty flexible so saturday is not an issue at all.

##If you can start on Saturdays, then 2450 would be the best, because this is an end-to-end train whereas Mangala is NOT!!!

Train 2432 - 3AC = Rs 2035 (Meals included)

Train 2450 - 3AC = Rs 1433, Sleeper Class = Rs 529

Try http://erail.in for all the info

hi everybody,

anyone knows if any of the trains had been spoken above suggests a motorbike loading ?

and what is the price ?

thanks in advance

Here are a few related links:

Anyone know about cargo costs on Indian trains?

bike on train - kochi to mumbai?

thanks a lot aarosh!

very helpfull links...