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- Getting Around - |
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Top Destinations in India: |
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The best way to get around in India is the train. Recently Indian
Railways have introduced a system of making online reservations at
www.irctc.co.in. You need to register a login and your tickets are
delivered almost anywhere within India--within 2/3 days - for a small
price. Theres also the option of the INDRAIL pass though the specifications
of this need to be looked into.Another alternate way of making reervations
is in person. But booking a train can be a bit of a hassle. Most trains are
booked 15 days before they leave, but fortunately there is the famous
quota, more specifically the tourist and emergency quotas. The bigger
tourist centres like Mumbai, have a special counter where you can buy the
tourist quota tickets, they are sold the day before the train leaves. Be
there early because tickets to places like Goa are sold very quickly. At
smaller stations you can make use of the emergency quota. Buy a waiting
list ticket and go to Station Manager and ask for a emergency ticket.
Should do the job (most of the time).
When you are at the booking office before buying the ticket you should fill
in a booking form, for this you need the train number and the train name.
To get this information buy the very handy trains at a glance, a must have
for the train traveller in India.
Once the fun and novelty of this process wares off, there is an easier way
to get tickets. Most guesthouses and hotels will send someone to the
station to buy tickets for you. There is usually a service charge- anywhere
from rs10- rs100 (at the posher places) and always, of course, endless cups
of tea - "chai" in the local parlance). The time saved can allow another
half day of sightseeing or errands.
Theres various categories of seating in indian trains. Top of the list is
First class AC sleeper. This is the acme of luxurious train travel in India
with full service and a choice of berths. You can either have a compartment
shared among 4 people or a nice cosy coupe for 2 people only. The fares on
the FIrst AC sleeper are very expensive-Check in advance. Next on the list
is 2nd AC sleeper.this is a common option on most long distance trains. It
has comfortable lengthy seats/backrests, which collapse into beds at night.
Next is the 3rd AC sleeper. This is the most common option in the AC
category and the seats in this really run out quickly. All these 3
categories of coaches are air conditioned--which you might really need
during your travels during the long hot indian summer. The entry to such
coaches is usually strictly regulated and you have an attender on call.
Next in line is the sleeper class coach. These are also reserved but they
are not air conditioned and safety is a dicey issue during travel in
certain northern indian regions. However to see the real india you have to
travel by this category. Bottom of the heap is the unreserved
class.Anything goes here and its not out of whack to see people packed like
sardines in these coaches. Travel in these at your own risk!
Train travel is one of the most pleasing and fun experiences you will have
in India. Your fellow passengers are very curious about travellers, and
will likely engage you in long (and sometimes fascinating) conversations
about politics, education, travel, family and career. Seeing the vast
countryside roll by while relaxing in a nice air conditioned pullman beats
any other long distance travel option hands down.
If you must, and sometimes you must, another way to get around is by bus.
There all kinds of buses, the normal, luxe, deluxe, ultra deluxe and
sleeper bus are some of them. The buses in India are a bit chaotic.
The easiest are the private buses the go from one tourist place to another,
for instance from Goa to Hampi.
The state owned buses go between all major cities. The moment some of these
arrive at the bus station (the ones without seat reservation) they are
attacked by the people waiting at station. People will throw in their bags
through the window to get a place, because once your bag is on a seat it is
yours. Less quick people will get a standing place (even on night buses),
and normal people like most tourist will have to wait.. So my advice if you
travel by bus get a reserved seat.
Buses are not a pleasant mode of transportation, between the constant
honking of the bus and other vehicles on the road and the potholes that
will make your head bump against the ceiling, you will have to shove your
knees in your nostrils. But sometimes there is just no other way.
For those of us that have a little more money there is always the airplane.
You can book tickets at the more reliable travelagents, but make sure they
copy your personal details correctly on the application form of the ticket
else you will have nasty complications at the airport. There are regular
flights between all big cities in India. |
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