Varanasi - Rajasthan train trip worth taking?

nikkita

Hey, I'm torn between flying Varanasi-Delhi and then taking a train into Rajasthan OR taking a train the whole way from Varanasi. The thing is that I've found a flight for 1300 rupees incl! So now I wonder whether the train might still be worth taking just for the view and experience? Cheers!

steven_ber

If you're going to Mt. Abu or Jaisalmer it may not be best to take the train all the way.

Okay, sarcasm over, please give more details so that we may help you.

Have you been to Agra?
Do you intend to go to Agra?
When?
Are you interested in Bharatpur?
Where are you trying to get to from Varanasi?
Where else are you going to?

It may seem like a lot of questions (and I could have easily added 5 more), but people here can offer great advice if they are just given the info.

The simple answer to your question is....

Maybe, it depends.

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Train information.

Darmabum

I can only add, during your trip are you taking any (other) long distance trains? I'm one of those people who think the Taj Mahal is Essential India . . . but right after that I'd add a loooooooong distance train journey, that is quintessential.

Last year while staying in Varanasi for six months, a family passing through town had one of their members forget their passport (money and plane ticket). They only found out about it when on the train (they called from the train) that night for Delhi; they were flying out of Delhi to Mumbai and then home the following day. We found the items later that night, and I was on the train for Delhi @ midnight. Got the stuff to them in time for their flight. Good deed aside, I really relished the idea of a train trip to Delhi, and back, in one day.

I've had very few memorable flights . . . but those long train rides are indelible!

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woodlouse

train beats plane!

jennyandernie

We have just come back from touring India by train. One thing you should be aware of is that there is massive gauge conversion in progress; especially in the North. Whilst trains in Madhya Pradesh were running on time there were severe delays on the trains in Uttar Praesh.

Jenny and Ernie

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palerider

sorry, haven' flown in India, i figure it's the same as a plane anywhere, stuffed in a seat with shitty food, and no fresh air.
But, my train trip from Bombay to Bangalore was one of the highlights of my life.
I always say that India is one of the few places on earth where it's often more fun getting there than actually arriving.
It was overnight, and I'd just survived the Bombay bombings. The guy looking after the carriage slept on a fold out bed near the door. He saw that i was awake, so we both sat on his bed with the door open, and watched India pass by. People are really at home with a train, so they go about their business as if it's not there.
He produced food and chai and I had some chocolate. We had a ball. We just sat there watching for hours.
He was just really comfortable with a total stranger.
I don't think I stopped grinning for the whole trip.
TAKE THE TRAIN....PLEASE.

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nikkita

Thanks guys, didn't expect such a response so quickly and apparently despite my minimalist approach

Well, this is the thing: I've been to India twice before (South India only) and I am usually in slow mode - stayed forever in Hampi, Gokarna, The West Ghat...and I've taken some 9-10 hrs train trips, but haven't done the long Konkan Railway trip for example. Absolutely agree that train rides in India are pure magic (some of my favourite photos and memories arise from the few).

The thing this time is that I only have app. 14-16 days (which to me seems awfully short), flying in / out Delhi, and would love to spend time in Varanasi plus see some Rajasthan, at least Pushkar / Jaipur area. So I thought that taking a plane for a change might save me some time, but wanted to double-check whether this particular route is too stunning to be left out... Probably wouldn't take an overnight train cause I don't see that much added value there comparing to the little time I have...

Taj Mahal / Agra is on the list, but certainly not a priority.

Hopefully was more clear this time Thanks so much, you guys are great!

nikkita

oh, and Steven, I might be interested in Bharatpur, but must admit I don't know the place - where would that be and what is that you like about it? (sorry if that sounds silly, but I've never been thinking North India before and I've just decided today, out of the blue, that I'm taking at least these two weeks off to return to the country I fell in love in two years ago...)

n.

steven_ber

I'd guess you're talking about the cost value.

I beleive the true value of an overnight train on a short Itinerary it the time saved.

You have to sleep, either a hotel or a train but you still have lost all those hours you're sleeping, when you then consider the time it takes to get to the airport, check-in, then eventually board the plane, the overall saved time when flying is minimal when compared to an overnight train.

Train 2562 departs New Delhi daily at 20:40 and gets to Varanasi Jn at 08:45.

So you'd leave your hotel in Paharganj just before 8pm, and you'd get to your hotel in Varanasi by 9:30 in the morning.

OK, you'd be losing a few evening hours in Delhi, but lets assume there is a plane that gets to Varanasi airport by 8 in the morning, (to get you to the hotel by 9:30), the plane would have to depart Delhi airport by 7am, you'd have to be at the airport before 6, so leave your Delhi hotel by 5, you'd still lose the evening hours.

steven_ber

I've not been to Bharatpur, but other members say it's a very relaxing place, the reason I mention Bharatpur is that it is a very useful place to make train connections.

From Varanasi you can get an overnight train to Agra or Bharatpur (same train), from Bharatpur you can get an overnight train to Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Bikaner.

You can get the same overnight train from Agra to Jodhpur or Bikaner, and it's only 60kms from Agra to Bharatpur for the overnight train to Udaipur.

Also remember that Fathepur Sikri is halfway between Agra and Bharatpur.

nikkita

Thanks Steve, this was really helpful. I am fully persuaded, re-thought my plans and time available and will indeed take the train from Delhi to Varanasi. Just another short question - as I fly into Delhi at 5 pm, would I have enough time to catch the 8.45 train? That would be the most practical, as I could simply go directly from the airport (will spend a few days in Delhi at the end of the trip anyway)...I read on IM that the train station is conveniently close to the airport?

Cheers, n.

steven_ber

I'd say that you could allow for your flight being up to an hour late and still get to the station on time, though If any Delhi members think differently I'd be happy to be corrected.

The airport isn't convenient for New Delhi station, and looking at the time you'd be traveling I'd say you should allow 90 minutes to get to the station from getting in a cab at the airport, just to be safe.

mikewill

Bharatpur might be one of the great places in the world (absolutely no exaggeration) to see birds. You could well spot a couple of hundred species at the right time.

Unfortunately there are BIG problems with lack of water in the National Park. Have a look at Alan D's sticky in the wildlife forum.

It's a pretty pleasant town for a day or so too.

I love the overnight train journeys too - it's always good to wake up somewhere new and I find I sleep pretty well with the train rocking me gently.

Haven't done a really long trip for some years, but was contemplating the Assam to Gujarat trip when we did a section of it last year. I thought it would be an interesting thing to do the whole run then retrace the steps, getting off at places that had seemed worthwhile on the way!

steven_ber

Off topic alert.......

When I was in Lumding (Assam) I was chatting to the man in charge of an inspection carriage, this is a special carriage with accommodation, kitchen, toilet, shower and a lot of stuff needed for the 2 or 3 staff that travel in this inspection carriage (I don't know what it inspects, track I'd imagine).

This carriage was going to be taken to Guwahati and attached to the Guwahati - Jodhpur/Bikaner express, I was invited to join the staff for the whole journey, to Jodhpur and back, it would have taken nearly 5 days, I said no, hold on, I actually said yes and had to return a few days later for the journey, but decided against it.

It could have been interesting, but I had to get to Upper Assam to get some photos for someone.

I've no regrets though, I'm sure I can talk my way into this kind of trip again.

nikkita

yeah, it's always easy to get yourself lured of the "planned" track, which most of the time turns out to be the best experience of your yourney. You seem to be in India a lot, Steven?

I will certainly look more into the less known places that you've both mentioned, now, pick one or two apart from Varanasi, but not too many - I prefer slow-travel and I know I'll be back to India again and again...

cheers, n.