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Search to see the train statues 
Research your routes
How to pick a train and understand the schedule
Using the Trains at
a Glance you can look up any station and connect it with your
destination and come up with a number of different trains going the
route. You can compare each train, things to check:
1)
Departure time. Keep in mind your guest houses check out time, usually
12:00am. If you train leaves later ask the manager if he'll give you a
'half day' change, this is usually until 6:00pm. I like departures in
morning so i arrive before dark. But you can pick you own preference.
2)
Time the journey takes. Some trains vary largely in overall speed not
to mention comfort. Express and special trains are the fastest. I
always check them first:
The RAJDHANI EXPRESS
- India's superfast, fully air conditioned, deluxe trains give you the
unique opportunity of experiencing Indian Railways at its best.
Afternoon snacks and tea are offered after the trains begin their
journey. Indian and continental cuisine, soft music and the train's
rhythmic movements provides a comfortable journey. The trains link New
Delhi (the capital or Rajdhani) to India's major cities.
Superfast, Intercity trains known as the SHATABDI EXPRESS
link major cities and offer facilities for quick and comfortable
travel. While you relax, the Shatabdi hospitality treats you to
meals and snacks. Before you are through, your destination has arrived.
also Jan Shatabdi Trains
3) Arrival time.
Avoid arriving in the middle of the night. Not to worry though your
rickshaw driver can help you wake the night manager.
4) Day of departure
or arrival. Some trains only run certain days of the week. Keep in mind
the day of departure may not be the same day it arrives to your
station. The train leaves Delhi on Monday's, but leaves arrives in Kota
Tuesday's.
To book in advance or not?
Usually, if you are only traveling during the day you won't need to book in advance as you would for sleepers. Sleeper class you will need to book in advance to be assigned a berth. These are usually over 12 hours. Some sleeper trains become booked full weeks in advance. They are the major trains leave to other major station. These are the most important for you book in advance. Keep in mind that a flight on air deccan might be cheaper these days than AC class!
For example if you where in Kota which is between Delhi and Mumbai. And you wanted to catch a sleeper to Mumbai. Well in this case many people will be getting off in Kota anyways, leaving many empty berths. So there is very good chance you could just show up at the station and by a general ticket from the counter for Mumbai, this is with out sleeper. They don't sell the sleeper after the train has left the original station. At any rate you could have easily book this during the day from the computerized station, problem is that small stations aren't computerized.
TIP: Agents can get you ticket for 50-150Rs. service fee
Which class to book?
| Class |
PRO
|
CON
|
REC? |
| 2/3rd |
dirt cheap
|
dirt |
no |
2nd Sleeper
|
Interesting cultural experiences, cheap
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Noisy, Less security, dirty, smog from train, hot. mosquitos
|
yes highly
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1st Sleeper
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Cheaper than AC, quiet, privacy you can lock the door of the berth |
expensive |
Yes, you don't see them too often anymore |
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3-AC,
2-AC,
1-AC
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AC, clean and almost no smog, cool, more security, cool at night, less mosquitos
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Expensive, close to the price of flying! Crowded |
yes |
Rajdhani Express
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Very nice train and service, fast! doesnt stop at many stations |
uber expensive
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Why not?
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| Shatabi |
Fast, chair cars only used for shorter day journeys AC or non AC. Can booked last minute |
none |
yes, highly |
Often you can just jump on, but don't do it with out a platform ticket! Really this is serious offense boarding a train in India without any ticket. So, yes at the very least you need a platform ticket, which means you are allow to be on the platform at all. The next thing is to have a regular ticket from A-B, that station to your destination. But the regular ticket is not a sleeper class. Actually you can travel during the day all over India and then just get off around 7:00pm before they break open the sleepers.
There is still a fee(fine) for not having a ticket. The thing to do (and i have done this many many times) is you meet the train and look for the TC (man in black) find this guy and ask him for a sleeper and he will say yes or no, usually yes and tell you go on C4 carriage and wait. Then after some time he will find you and issue a ticket and receipt, this will probably end up a little more than booking advance but who cares?
What you need is a copy of Trains at a Glance, there all sort of different way to get from A-V in India if you don't mind stopping over night can be interesting and very flexible, is how i like to travel.
I should mention the easiest way is get a ticket is through an agent. They usually charge between 50-150 Rs to get the ticket. But this can be a bargain compared to taking a taxi to the station and waiting around for an hour.
Surviving the journey: a good thing to do is make friends with a group of people in your berth or carriage. They will make they journey go by with conversations and also act watch dogs over your luggage.
I hate sleeping on trains!
Me too! I never sleep well on a trains then i feel tired for a day or two (trainlag) but you can avoid it.
Sleeper class is booked up solid. But only at night! These means during the day you can pay the premium fare of sleeper class just to sit there. The beds are not made up until 7:00pm when you will have to stand (or get down.) You can check the map and plan to stay in a small town along the way. They should be another train coming tomorrow and you probably find a interesting town somewhere.
Having said that sleeping on the train in India is not that bad, and should not be missed.
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