Train wait list

I have not had much luck trying to reserve online and thus decided to deal with purchasing train tickets upon my arrival in India.

Well, it turns out the train I want to take is sold out and there is now a wait list. Is there anyway I might be able to purchase ticket on the foreign quota? Or any other way I can get a ticket if seats are waitlisted?

Alternate mode of transportation is the bus and the bus is a more direct route. I am travelling from Ernakalum to Mysore. I have heard that night travel should be avoided.

Night bus travel...is it safe?

Any input?

Thanks so much.

Ernakulam to Mysore the options will be limited especially today being the long weekend start. If you get the bus, then you can go for it. But be careful with the terrain as the roads may be a little winding ones. And the bus service is a government one if I am not mistaken. Safety is not a major concern as south India is generally safe for night journey in bus.

There are a lot of private luxury buses ( volvo included) that you can take to Bangalore from where you can head to Mysore by bus or train (less than 2 hours). That is only if you find the govt bus to Mysore from ernakulam not too comfortable. I remember a thread on this matter before, maybe you can check the Kerala forum under the minor destinations forum.

Not too sure on the foreigners quota in trains as I am not one. You may have the option of Tatkal where you can reserve the ticket the day before the journey with a Rs 50 premiuem at the railway counter. This is applicable only if there is a tatkal coach in the train. You can check with the railways enquiry on that or check the onlines site.