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Tales From The Road: Getting Around in India - Trains, Buses, Flights

Guest post by Dominik von Werdt

One of the essential parts of traveling is, naturally, getting from one place to another. Transport in India is very cheap, though not always very easy.

The three most popular ways to travel longer distances are trains, buses and flights.

In most cases, and where there are services, trains come in handy. The hardest part can be getting a ticket, what with all the classes (someone once calculated there are up to thirteen different classes on Indian trains) and the general mayhem at reservation offices.

I’ve found that sleeper class is convenient enough – during the day, you have a seat, and at night the seats are converted to beds. Try to get an upper bed whenever possible, since they can also be used to sleep comfortably during the day, and at night you have the most privacy.

To avoid awfully long queues at train station reservation offices, first check if there is a credit card or a tourist counter (there is rarely a queue). If nothing helps, there are always travel agencies that will be happy to get you a ticket – for a service charge, of course.

During peak season or Indian holidays, trains on popular routes are likely to be fully booked for days in advance, even in the more expensive air-conditioned classes. If that’s the case, you’ll probably have to switch to buses.

Buses can be even cheaper than trains, even though prices for the most luxurious ones (“Volvo class”) can compete with AC class fares on trains.

On routes with bad streets, though, buses can get very bumpy. Most buses require a reservation, and an “enquiry booth” will help you find the right bus in the chaos a bus station can be.

The most expensive option to get from A to B is flying. The cheapest carrier in India to date is Air Deccan, which covers most major routes. In my opinion, flying isn’t really backpacking, but it can be convenient in order to avoid backtracking or forty-hour train rides.

I personally like train rides the most – not only are they not as bumpy as bus rides, they also allow you to get in contact with locals. Plus, hanging out of an open train door while the train is riding is great fun!

Ed’s Note: This post is not a stand-alone, it’s the fifth in an ongoing series, written from the road. Keep your eyes peeled for the next update on Dominik’s adventures in India.

Related entries:
‘Tales From The Road: Mumbai Madness’ (Backpackers.com)
‘Tales From The Road: Planning A Trip To India’ (Backpackers.com)

Useful related resources for backpackers:
Lonely Planet Transport Guide – a travellers’ guide to transport into and around India
IndiaMike – online community for India travelers, and your resource for researching and discussing travel in India with others just like you
Hostels in India – find and book cheap hostels at special discounted online rates.
Cheap travel insurance for backpackers – get a free insurance quote and make sure you’re covered.

(Photos by Mark Karstad and Mike Snell)

Posted in Destinations, From The Road, General Travel, Travel Tips & Planning