Which of these trips is most scenic?

Blitzen · Feb 13th, 2009, 08:17

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out which train trips are scenic enough to do as day trips, and which should be overnighters. Firstly, I'm curious about the Hospet Jn to Hyderabad trip. Is the journey scenic enough to do as a day trip, rather than spend an extra day in either Hampi or Hyderabad?

Secondly, I've read that the Mumbai to Goa trip is very scenic and is definitely worth doing as a day trip. Can anyone confirm this for me?

And finally, a related but slightly different issue:
We're unsure whether to fly or train Hyderabad - Kolkata. By this stage of the trip time won't be so tight, so we can afford to spend 25+ hours on a train. My question is, is the scenery worth it?

Looking forward to hearing your opinions, and thanks in advance for any advice.

Indizen · Feb 13th, 2009, 08:25

Mumbai to Goa is a scenic trip on the Konkan railway. Train 2051 Jan Shatabdi Express leaves CST Mumbai at 5:10 to reach Madgaon at 14:10. A 9 hour journey.

capt_mahajan · Feb 13th, 2009, 09:28

Hospet to Hyderabad is not particularly scenic. If I had an extra day here, I would spend it in Hampi.

Mumbai Goa is much better, specially in the monsoons.

Hyderabad Kolkata I dunno, but I believe the Vizag/Kolkata train ride may well be more scenic. Maybe others can tell.

nayan · Feb 13th, 2009, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Hospet to Hyderabad is not particularly scenic. If I had an extra day here, I would spend it in Hampi.

agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Mumbai Goa is much better, specially in the monsoons.

agree again. there is no comparison. the mumbai to goa route wins hands down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Hyderabad Kolkata I dunno, but I believe the Vizag/Kolkata train ride may well be more scenic. Maybe others can tell.

Its not what you would call scenic. you go by the chilka lake(though you cannot see it properly).... otherwise its just fields and rivers etc... normal indian countryside.

Hal · Feb 13th, 2009, 10:53

Another vote against Hospet-Hyderabad. Take the overnight train and you'll see enough of AP in the morning before reaching Hyderabad.

Blitzen · Feb 13th, 2009, 11:50

Thank you very much, all of you!
Sounds like our best bet will be to:
Day trip Mumbai - Goa
Overnight Hospet - Hyderabad.
I suspect we'll have to wait and see what our finances are like before we decide whether to fly or train from Hyderabad to Kolkata

Thanks again!

steven_ber · Feb 13th, 2009, 13:20

Make sure you have a minimum 3 days in Hampi.

Blitzen · Feb 13th, 2009, 14:54

Thanks, Steven. I'd read minimum 2 days but given the size of the ruins at Hampi even I thought that sounded a little optimistic!

Hal · Feb 14th, 2009, 21:39

The best thing I did in Hampi was to rent a scooter and tour the countryside on the north side of the river.

Blitzen · Feb 15th, 2009, 07:01

That sounds fantastic! What time of year was it, and how much traffic was around? I grew up riding farm bikes but definitely don't feel experienced enough to brave Indian traffic...

Hal · Feb 15th, 2009, 09:01

This was in November. Not much traffic at all, even on the main road. I never felt unsafe.

I stayed on the north side of the river at Mowgli Guesthouse and they rented me a scooter for Rs 100 a day.From there you could head out into the banana and rice fields quite easily. There was a huge reservoir and canals, lots of little villages and those bizarre rocks everywhere.

Blitzen · Feb 18th, 2009, 13:59

Great to know. Thanks, Steven1

Feb 13th, 2009, 08:17	#1
Blitzen Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Here, for now Posts: 20	Which of these trips is most scenic? Hi all, I'm trying to figure out which train trips are scenic enough to do as day trips, and which should be overnighters. Firstly, I'm curious about the Hospet Jn to Hyderabad trip. Is the journey scenic enough to do as a day trip, rather than spend an extra day in either Hampi or Hyderabad? Secondly, I've read that the Mumbai to Goa trip is very scenic and is definitely worth doing as a day trip. Can anyone confirm this for me? And finally, a related but slightly different issue: We're unsure whether to fly or train Hyderabad - Kolkata. By this stage of the trip time won't be so tight, so we can afford to spend 25+ hours on a train. My question is, is the scenery worth it? Looking forward to hearing your opinions, and thanks in advance for any advice.

Feb 13th, 2009, 09:28	#3
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,600	Hospet to Hyderabad is not particularly scenic. If I had an extra day here, I would spend it in Hampi. Mumbai Goa is much better, specially in the monsoons. Hyderabad Kolkata I dunno, but I believe the Vizag/Kolkata train ride may well be more scenic. Maybe others can tell. __________________ . Outside the machine

Feb 13th, 2009, 13:20	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,555	Make sure you have a minimum 3 days in Hampi. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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Feb 13th, 2009, 08:25	#2
Indizen Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 2,507	Mumbai to Goa is a scenic trip on the Konkan railway. Train 2051 Jan Shatabdi Express leaves CST Mumbai at 5:10 to reach Madgaon at 14:10. A 9 hour journey.

Feb 13th, 2009, 10:53	#5
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	Another vote against Hospet-Hyderabad. Take the overnight train and you'll see enough of AP in the morning before reaching Hyderabad.

Feb 13th, 2009, 11:50	#6
Blitzen Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Here, for now Posts: 20	Thank you very much, all of you! Sounds like our best bet will be to: Day trip Mumbai - Goa Overnight Hospet - Hyderabad. I suspect we'll have to wait and see what our finances are like before we decide whether to fly or train from Hyderabad to Kolkata Thanks again!

Feb 13th, 2009, 14:54	#8
Blitzen Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Here, for now Posts: 20	Thanks, Steven. I'd read minimum 2 days but given the size of the ruins at Hampi even I thought that sounded a little optimistic!

Feb 14th, 2009, 21:39	#9
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	The best thing I did in Hampi was to rent a scooter and tour the countryside on the north side of the river.

Feb 15th, 2009, 07:01	#10
Blitzen Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Here, for now Posts: 20	That sounds fantastic! What time of year was it, and how much traffic was around? I grew up riding farm bikes but definitely don't feel experienced enough to brave Indian traffic...

Feb 15th, 2009, 09:01	#11
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	This was in November. Not much traffic at all, even on the main road. I never felt unsafe. I stayed on the north side of the river at Mowgli Guesthouse and they rented me a scooter for Rs 100 a day.From there you could head out into the banana and rice fields quite easily. There was a huge reservoir and canals, lots of little villages and those bizarre rocks everywhere.

Feb 18th, 2009, 13:59	#12
Blitzen Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Here, for now Posts: 20	Great to know. Thanks, Steven1