Train from Hampi (Hospet) to Varinasi.... which is the best (fastest) route?

Hi,

I would like to travel from Hampi (Hospet station) to Varanasi by train. I have tried to figure out the best way to do this but as there seem to be no direct trains (which is fine its always fun changing trains) the websites Ive used cant tell me where is the best place to change trains.

I would like to spend as little time as I can enroute and would like to ideally arrive before noon in Varanasi.

There are 2 of us travelling (no dates yet as it will be in early June and we are very flexiable as to the day of the week)in Sleeper class.

Any advice on where to start looking and transit stations would be great.

Thanks

That's one hell of a journey, maybe 40+ hours, and in June, and in Sleeper Class, good luck.

Chances are, there's no better option than getting a bus from Hospet to Raichur or Adoni then a train to Kalyan (just outside Mumbai).

Adoni-Kalyan trains

Then a train from Kalyan to Varanasi or Mughal Sarai.

Kalyan-Varanasi trains

You could also look for alterative routes from Hospet via Hyderabad or Vijayawada, but check the days of the week that these trains run as most aren't daily. (and the arrival time at Vijayawada is dreadful although it's a safe city, but the heat in June will be unforgettable as the city is surrounded by granite hills)

Hospet-Hyderabad-Warangal-Varanasi may also be worth looking into as the Hospet-Hyderabad train is well timed, then Warangal isn't too far from Hyderabad, and all the trains from the south of India heading to Varanasi go via Vijayawada and Warangal.

Sahulla- See if this works for you...

Route: Hospet to Guntakal to Itarsi to Varanasi (2 train changes... which is the minimum if u want to travel fast)

Option-1:
a) Hospet (HPT) - Guntakal(GTL) (116km)
Train#6591, dep-1950 hrs, Arr-2225 hrs
(you can also take Train#6533(only Fri), but it comes from Jodhpur and i wouldn't risk it)

b) Guntakal(GTL) - Itarsi(ET) (1294km)
(You have a 2.5 hour changeover at Guntakal)
Train#2627 (Karnataka Exp), Dep-0055 hrs, Arr-2150 hrs

c) Itarsi(ET) - Varanasi(BSB) (737km)
(You have a 2.5 hour changeover at Itarsi)
Train#1061, Dep-0015 hrs, Arr-1415 hrs

Total time= 42.5 hours (including 5hrs changeover time)

Trains 2627 and 1061 run on the same route from Manmad to Itarsi, so you can change at any of the common stops. But i would suggest changing at Itarsi because Itarsi is a big junction for catching all trains going to Varanasi.

At Itarsi, if you find Train#5017 or Train#2945 late by more than an hour, you can catch it and reach Varanasi by 1235/1040 hrs respectively. You wouldn't want to reserve it though Just check it at Itarsi and talk to the TTE when the late train arrives. I've done this once with Train#2945 and i could get a seat based on my other reservation.

---------------------
Suggestion-2: Same as above, but different trains
Hospet-Guntakal-Itarsi-Varanasi

a) Hospet-Guntakal
Train#8048, Dep-1450 hrs, Arr-1705 hrs (Runs Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat)... i'm sure you can get a bus for this part of the journey also

b) Guntakal-Itarsi (Goes via Hyderabad/Warangal route), Runs only on Thu/Sat
Train#2975, Dep-1930 hrs, Arr-1605 hrs

c) Itarsi-Varanasi
Train#2165, Dep-1725 hrs, Arr-0705 hrs (short changeover, Runs only on Mon/Thu/Fri... so u can use it only on Fri)
Train#2945, Dep-2050 hrs, Arr-1040 hrs

Total Time= 40 hrs 15 mins

You can plan in more detail on indianrail.gov.in
Use the "Trains between stations" link and use the station codes i've given...

It'll be one fun journey for sure...
I would take Option-2 if you are ok with the risk of missing the connection in Itarsi (and catching the next one)

Thank you so much for your detailled replies.
I thought this trip might be challenging, I did a 88hr (inc changeovers) trip from Manali to Kathmandu a few years back and whilst at the time it was pretty hard going, now I look back on it in a strangly fond way.
I have been checking both of your suggestions on my map of India, and Im a little concerned about stopping in Itarsi as according to the NHS Malaria Map http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/desti...ps/india.htmit appears to be in the 'Variable Risk' zone.
At the moment Im leaning towards Kalyan.

Thank you again for your advice.

Sahulla- You'll be stopping at Itarsi for only 1or2 hours. Just keep moving and u'll be fine. Rest is upto your comfort level. In Option-1, you can also change trains at Manmad (much earlier) if u r concerned. They have very good bananas at Manmad

Make sure you carry a good mosquito repellant (ones with Deet)... it works very well for me on my India sojourns

hERE IS ONE MORE OPTION FOR YOU:
Train # 7416 HARIPRIYA EXP leaves Hospet HPT at 22.00 to reach the pilgrim town of Tirupati TPTY at 08.45 in the morning.
Take this train on a Saturday night ONLY.
On Sunday afternoon, you will begin a marathon 40 hour journey to Varanasi. Train # 6359 ERS PATNA EXP departs TPTY at 12.40 to reach BSB at dawn 04.40 after 40.00 hours.
Have a good trip.

Indizen- why do u want to kill the poor soul on a 55 hr journey

Sahulla- Maybe you should add something to your iterinary between Hospet and Varanasi... go to Mumbai or Goa or Hyderabad for a few days... You can also take my option-1 and get down at Jalgaon and visit the Ajanta/Ellora caves... You might as well sightsee if you are travelling so long...

Just an option!
You sleep on one train, then wait for Varanasi on the other!
When will the railways realize that Hampi is popular with people!?!

Itarsi is a big junction town, I've only been once, but it seemed like a nice place, and the station staff are really friendly.

Thank you again for all the options

Bond007 - We will have been through Goa and Mumbai already (starting in Mumbai then heading south down the west coast and north inland from Pondicherry - Mysore - Hampi) but I'd not though of the Ellora caves... thanks.

Indizen- While Id be happy to try a 55hr trip I dont think my boyfriend would be that keen its his first time in India or travelling for more than 2 wks for that matter.