Pros/Cons train routes to Gaya from West

Edor · Oct 26th, 2007, 12:55

Planning on going from Varanassi to Gaya and then the short ride onto BodhGaya at end of January. I just read that there are also trains from Mughal Sarai 17km from Varanassi as well.
Options I am considering and ?s I have and any comments you have on my thinking:
1) Varanassi --> Gaya #3152 01:45 - 06:30
Pros Optimized trip by sleeping while moving. Probably cheaper overall as one less night in hotel.
Cons Very late night departure tends to disrupt sleep pattern and eats into energy the next day. Miss seeing the land out the window between the two places. Bihar trains have some reputation for theft and night train is probably more vulnerable.

2)Mugahl Sarai --> Gaya #2818 Jarkhand Express 07:05 - 10:00{yes I am traveling on a Tuesday} or #Purshottam Express 10:55 - 13:45 One or the other of these has some appeal.
Pros Since will have been on an early morning wake up schedule anyway for Varanassi, even the 07:05 seems better than the late night train. Get to see scenery on way. Potential for more interaction during train ride (most of my other train rides will be night/sleeper trains).
ConsAdditional time and expense of getting to Mughal Sarai

A)Is scenery from train something worth seeing for this route?
B)Any guess as to cost and how long it would take to get from Varanassi (near Ghats) to train station in Mughal Sarai?
C) How likely is that the train I might be taking from there will actually arrive on time? (Especially for 07:05 train would prefer not to get up extra early only to wait around for train to arrive.)
D) Is there anything to see in vicinity of Mughal Sarai or any place to stay overnight out there?

Thanks for your advice.

Edward

steven_ber · Oct 26th, 2007, 13:14

Quote:

Bihar trains have some reputation for theft and night train is probably more vulnerable.

The same is the case in UP, though both are exagerated.

Are you planning on visiting Nalanda/Rajgir?

Are you happy to use Sleeper Class (not air con) for a perfectly timed 10 hour monday night overnight train from Varanasi?

steven_ber · Oct 26th, 2007, 13:47

No time to wait for a reply, and I may be offline for a while, so....

Train 5110 departs Varanasi (M, W, F. only) at 20:40 and gets to Nalanda at 05:33, then Rajgir at 06:00

Sleeper Class only = Rs 184

------------

There is a daily train with 1A, 2A, 3A & SL. but it's poorly timed.

Train 2392 departs Varanasi daily at 02:50 (arrives in station at 02:35), and gets to Nalanda at 09:38 and Rajgir at 10:10

Edor · Oct 26th, 2007, 13:52

Thanks Steven, my answers are interspersed below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

The same is the case in UP, though both are exagerated.
Good, I will just take normal precautions to be mindful.

Are you planning on visiting Nalanda/Rajgir?
Yes, possibly Nalanda however time may not permit this.

Are you happy to use Sleeper Class (not air con) for a perfectly timed 10 hour monday night overnight train from Varanasi? Yes, I'd be interested in this, I definitely missed in with my meager knowledge of the rails. But surprised that even a mail train (or whatever would take 10 hours).

Thanks for any further information. Edward

P.S. I just realize I posted this in the wrong forum (been too focused on Rajasthan!)

Oct 26th, 2007, 12:55	#1
Edor Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oregon, U.S.A. Posts: 94	Pros/Cons train routes to Gaya from West Planning on going from Varanassi to Gaya and then the short ride onto BodhGaya at end of January. I just read that there are also trains from Mughal Sarai 17km from Varanassi as well. Options I am considering and ?s I have and any comments you have on my thinking: 1) Varanassi --> Gaya #3152 01:45 - 06:30 Pros Optimized trip by sleeping while moving. Probably cheaper overall as one less night in hotel. Cons Very late night departure tends to disrupt sleep pattern and eats into energy the next day. Miss seeing the land out the window between the two places. Bihar trains have some reputation for theft and night train is probably more vulnerable. 2)Mugahl Sarai --> Gaya #2818 Jarkhand Express 07:05 - 10:00{yes I am traveling on a Tuesday} or #Purshottam Express 10:55 - 13:45 One or the other of these has some appeal. Pros Since will have been on an early morning wake up schedule anyway for Varanassi, even the 07:05 seems better than the late night train. Get to see scenery on way. Potential for more interaction during train ride (most of my other train rides will be night/sleeper trains). ConsAdditional time and expense of getting to Mughal Sarai A)Is scenery from train something worth seeing for this route? B)Any guess as to cost and how long it would take to get from Varanassi (near Ghats) to train station in Mughal Sarai? C) How likely is that the train I might be taking from there will actually arrive on time? (Especially for 07:05 train would prefer not to get up extra early only to wait around for train to arrive.) D) Is there anything to see in vicinity of Mughal Sarai or any place to stay overnight out there? Thanks for your advice. Edward

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Oct 26th, 2007, 13:47	#3
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,646	No time to wait for a reply, and I may be offline for a while, so.... Train 5110 departs Varanasi (M, W, F. only) at 20:40 and gets to Nalanda at 05:33, then Rajgir at 06:00 Sleeper Class only = Rs 184 ------------ There is a daily train with 1A, 2A, 3A & SL. but it's poorly timed. Train 2392 departs Varanasi daily at 02:50 (arrives in station at 02:35), and gets to Nalanda at 09:38 and Rajgir at 10:10

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