Train advice needed from Mt Abu to Surat

visitabu · Sep 25th, 2009, 07:33

Hi

I am planning our first trip to India and will be travelling from Mount Abu to Surat on 8th January 2010.

I have thought about either using a taxi or train. There are 6 adults and 1 3year old child travelling + 7 suitcases + pushchair for child.

Could anyone please advise the best option to do this journey?

I have had a look on the indianrailway website and can see 2A and 3A trains available but they travel during the night. From what I have read 2A is the next best after 1st class. Would this be a suitable method to do this journey with a 3year old?

Also I have read children under 4 do not get a bed? But the pictures I have seen of 2A do not look big enough for a 3year old to share with mum or dad???

Or would it be better to use the taxi/van driver?

Ideally I would have liked to have a 1st class train but it appears there is not one from Mount Abu. I am also concerned that our large suitcases (3 weeks worth of cloths) would not fit in the berth.

Any advice or recommendation appreciated. Thanks.

edwardseco · Sep 25th, 2009, 15:33

I am sure you already realize that the train doesn't go up the mountain but has to be caught on the plain..

edwardseco · Sep 26th, 2009, 14:26

1class is now rare. You would probably need 2 taxis unless its one of those large jeep like things my inlaws always use for us and it would be jammed & uncomfortable (my inlaws order up 2 of those bad boys)!

Depends on the size of the mom but my baba fit between the wall and the mother. If a spare bunk had been available she wouldn't have kept the baba anywhere else.

My experience is more with 2nd so I will defer to the train buffs here..

steven_ber · Sep 27th, 2009, 11:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by visitabu

Hi

I am planning our first trip to India and will be travelling from Mount Abu to Surat on 8th January 2010.

I have thought about either using a taxi or train. There are 6 adults and 1 3year old child travelling + 7 suitcases + pushchair for child.

Could anyone please advise the best option to do this journey?

I have had a look on the indianrailway website and can see 2A and 3A trains available but they travel during the night. From what I have read 2A is the next best after 1st class. Would this be a suitable method to do this journey with a 3year old?

Also I have read children under 4 do not get a bed? But the pictures I have seen of 2A do not look big enough for a 3year old to share with mum or dad???

Or would it be better to use the taxi/van driver?

Ideally I would have liked to have a 1st class train but it appears there is not one from Mount Abu. I am also concerned that our large suitcases (3 weeks worth of cloths) would not fit in the berth.

Any advice or recommendation appreciated. Thanks.

Do you want a daytime train (10.06-19.00) or overnight (00.25-08.50, Mon, Thu & Su only, but careful with date when booking the train)(there's another overnight train, but you can't book between Abu and Surat).

There should be just about enough room for the cases under the berths, but it will be tight, but there'll be enough space on a berth for a mother and a 3 year old.

You need to seriously think about how much luggage you take on the trip, it's rare to find anyone who didn't pack too much, and a good rule to follow is....pack what you think you'll need, then unpack and only take half the things.

visitabu · Sep 27th, 2009, 19:02

Thanks for the replies.

I think the general consensus of the group is they would prefer to travel by van now. We may struggle with the luggage and a 3 year old.

We have made enquiries with a tour company in India and they can provide either a 'Toyota Innova - 7 seats' or 'Tempo Traveller - 9 seats'

I think we are likely to choose the tempo traveller as it has 3 seats in a row at the back to stretch out on the long journeys.

Thanks for your advice anyway.

Sep 25th, 2009, 07:33	#1
visitabu Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 2	Train advice needed from Mt Abu to Surat Hi I am planning our first trip to India and will be travelling from Mount Abu to Surat on 8th January 2010. I have thought about either using a taxi or train. There are 6 adults and 1 3year old child travelling + 7 suitcases + pushchair for child. Could anyone please advise the best option to do this journey? I have had a look on the indianrailway website and can see 2A and 3A trains available but they travel during the night. From what I have read 2A is the next best after 1st class. Would this be a suitable method to do this journey with a 3year old? Also I have read children under 4 do not get a bed? But the pictures I have seen of 2A do not look big enough for a 3year old to share with mum or dad??? Or would it be better to use the taxi/van driver? Ideally I would have liked to have a 1st class train but it appears there is not one from Mount Abu. I am also concerned that our large suitcases (3 weeks worth of cloths) would not fit in the berth. Any advice or recommendation appreciated. Thanks.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mumbai - Goa Train Advice Needed	snoopybing	Indian Railways	19	May 29th, 2008 23:33
Kumaun - train and itinerary advice needed	Captain_Neel	Uttarakhand	31	Feb 6th, 2008 03:22
Train Advice Needed	rolahcoaster	India Travel Itinerary Advice	1	Dec 4th, 2007 13:16
Advice on Train Travel Needed	Baba Neil	Indian Railways	4	Mar 8th, 2007 11:20
Northern India - train advice needed	Beena450	India Travel Itinerary Advice	3	Aug 22nd, 2005 17:41

Sep 25th, 2009, 15:33	#2
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	I am sure you already realize that the train doesn't go up the mountain but has to be caught on the plain..

Sep 26th, 2009, 14:26	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	1class is now rare. You would probably need 2 taxis unless its one of those large jeep like things my inlaws always use for us and it would be jammed & uncomfortable (my inlaws order up 2 of those bad boys)! Depends on the size of the mom but my baba fit between the wall and the mother. If a spare bunk had been available she wouldn't have kept the baba anywhere else. My experience is more with 2nd so I will defer to the train buffs here..

Sep 27th, 2009, 19:02	#5
visitabu Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies. I think the general consensus of the group is they would prefer to travel by van now. We may struggle with the luggage and a 3 year old. We have made enquiries with a tour company in India and they can provide either a 'Toyota Innova - 7 seats' or 'Tempo Traveller - 9 seats' I think we are likely to choose the tempo traveller as it has 3 seats in a row at the back to stretch out on the long journeys. Thanks for your advice anyway.