Gangakaveri Express

Dangerbeard · May 17th, 2009, 02:46

Hi India Mikers,

I'm going to India for the first time from August to mid September this year. I have already reserved tickets for the Gangakaveri Express train from Varanasi to Chennai. However a friend of mine who did a similar trip to mine planned told me India trains were never on time and their system was pretty weird (sometimes they leave early???) If my train is leaving around 8pm at what time do you reckon we should turn up at the train station?

This is the one train I cannot afford to miss as it is three days long and only runs twice a week.

I'm sorry, I'm aware this question sounds completely naive...

Thanks for your help!

steven_ber · May 17th, 2009, 04:40

Trains don't leave early in India.

And overall, considering the distances travelled, they're fairly reliable.

The Gangakaveri Express seems to have a fair bit of 'make-up' time added to it's Itinerary, so shouldn't necessarily be late arriving in Chennai.

The train has great timing, 2 nights on the train and a whole day, print out the full route and the long stoppages at some stations, this will be useful.

The Varanasi-Allahabad section is the most likely to cause delays, but see where you are in the morning, the time you depart Itarsi will be the best indicator of the likely time you'll arrive in Chennai, from Itarsi to Chennai is on the main Delhi-Chennai route.

Dangerbeard · May 17th, 2009, 15:38

Thanks alot, I'm just trying to get an idea of the few potentially sticky points on the itinary.

By the way, this website is great.

May 17th, 2009, 02:46	#1
Dangerbeard Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK/France Posts: 2	Gangakaveri Express Hi India Mikers, I'm going to India for the first time from August to mid September this year. I have already reserved tickets for the Gangakaveri Express train from Varanasi to Chennai. However a friend of mine who did a similar trip to mine planned told me India trains were never on time and their system was pretty weird (sometimes they leave early???) If my train is leaving around 8pm at what time do you reckon we should turn up at the train station? This is the one train I cannot afford to miss as it is three days long and only runs twice a week. I'm sorry, I'm aware this question sounds completely naive... Thanks for your help!

May 17th, 2009, 04:40	#2
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: South of England. Posts: 11,573	Trains don't leave early in India. And overall, considering the distances travelled, they're fairly reliable. The Gangakaveri Express seems to have a fair bit of 'make-up' time added to it's Itinerary, so shouldn't necessarily be late arriving in Chennai. The train has great timing, 2 nights on the train and a whole day, print out the full route and the long stoppages at some stations, this will be useful. The Varanasi-Allahabad section is the most likely to cause delays, but see where you are in the morning, the time you depart Itarsi will be the best indicator of the likely time you'll arrive in Chennai, from Itarsi to Chennai is on the main Delhi-Chennai route. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

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May 17th, 2009, 15:38	#3
Dangerbeard Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: UK/France Posts: 2	Thanks alot, I'm just trying to get an idea of the few potentially sticky points on the itinary. By the way, this website is great.