first time train travel in india

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in india.

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The best way to see India is at ground level on the incredible Indian railway system, not from 35,000 feet.  Experience the bustle of Indian railway stations and a comfortable journey on an Indian express train with the tea seller's cry of Chai, chai, garam chai wafting down the aisle.  Forget media images of crowded local trains with people sitting on the roof.  In an AC Chair Car or AC1 or AC2 sleeper on an express, all seats & berths are reserved and it’s safe, civilised, inexpensive & comfortable.  Even journeys such as Mumbai to Delhi or Delhi to Jaisalmer can be covered time-effectively by overnight sleeper, centre to centre, saving a hotel bill too.  Book Indian train tickets online at 12go.asia

Useful country information

Train routes & maps.

India's passenger rail network is the third biggest in the world after Russia and China, with 63,000 km of rail routes and 6,800 stations.  In terms of passenger kilometres, it's the biggest in the world.  Indian Railways are the world's biggest employer, with over 1.5 million staff.

The trains in India go almost everywhere, and it's generally safe to assume that you can travel between any two Indian cities or major towns by train, the length and breadth of the country.

Most of India's rail network is broad gauge with rails 5' 6" apart, wider than standard gauge (4' 8½") used in Europe, allowing Indian trains to be wider than European trains.  Parts of the country such as Rajasthan used to be served by an extensive metre-gauge network, but most metre-gauge routes have now been converted to broad gauge.  A few hill railway such as Kalka-Simla and New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling use narrow gauge, either 2' or 2' 6".

For an Indian railways route map see surveyofindia.gov.in/files/Railway map_Eng_C.jpg (please let me know if this stops working).

Also try www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/india-railway-map.htm , or indiarailinfo.com/atlas .

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How to check train times & fares

It can be easiest to check train schedules & fares for the main tourist routes at agency website 12go.asia , this can also sell you a ticket, hassle-free.

For train times & fares for any journey in India use www.indianrail.gov.in .

This is one of the various official Indian Railways websites, an amazing site but a little bewildering, not helped by there being another official site, www.indianrailways.gov.in .  It's a good training course for your travels in India.

To check train times, look for Reserved Train Between Stations at the top of their home page.

To check fares, first find a train and note the train number, then click Fare enquiry at the top of their home page.

To check availability over various dates, first find a train and note the train number, then click Seat availability at the top of their home page.

Or download an app for your phone.  There are many apps to choose from, the official IRCTC apps seem unavailable outside India so try these 3rd-party apps for checking Indian train times on the go.  They're ad-heavy, but they work, I find Ixigo the best.

Indian Rail IRCTC for iPhone or Indian Rail IRCTC for Android .

Ixigo for iPhone or Ixigo for Android .

You can also buy the famous Trains at a Glance timetable booklet for 100 rupees at any station bookstall (it makes a great souvenir), or click here to download the pages you need for free .  This shows times in printed form for most major stations on all the main routes.

Tips for checking Indian train times

Which station in which city .

Kashmir originally had no rail connection, but a line to Srinagar and beyond has now been completed with more under construction.  The line heads through tough terrain, and features the highest railway bridge in the world.  Srinagar's station code is SINA (not to be confused with another smaller Srinagar in Rajasthan with station code SNAR).

Khajuraho (a much-visited temple complex) now has a station, station code KURJ.  There's a daily overnight train called the Kurukshetra-Khajuraho Express leaving New Delhi station at 18:20, picking up at Agra Cantonment around 21:35 and arriving in Khajuraho at 08:00 next morning.  It  returns from Khajuraho at 18:35 arriving New Delhi at 08:45.

Example train times

Example fares from delhi.

£1 = 105 Rupees, €1 = 90 Rupees, $1 = 82 Rupees.

Shatabdi Express = Premier daytime train, special fare payable, meals included.

Rajdhani Express = Premier overnight train, special fare payable, meals included.

Child fares on Indian trains since April 2016:   Children aged 0 to 4 inclusive travel free.  Children aged 5 to 11 inclusive travel at half fare if they do not take up a reserved seat or berth, but as from April 2016 they must pay the adult fare if they travel with their own reserved seat or berth.  I do not recommend that any child aged 5 to 11 travels without their own seat or berth in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair car or Sleeper Class, so this effectively means you must now pay the adult fare for children aged 5 and over.  Children aged 12 and over pay the adult fare in all cases.

Classes explained

Which class to choose.

Above, a typical long-distance express or mail train with older carriages (not a premier Rajdhani or Duronto express).  You can just make out 3 cars in the centre of the train with different windows.  These are the AC cars, perhaps one AC1, one AC2 & one AC3 car.  The rest of the train is Sleeper class.  Courtesy of Albert Höchst.

Types of train

Which train to choose.

Executive Chair (EC) class on a Vande Bharat Express.  These are India's most modern trains, capable of 160 km/h (100 mph) & used at up to 130 km/h (80 mph).  See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vande_Bharat_Express .  Photos courtesy of Nonstop Eurotrip , see video of Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Express .

AVL, CNF, RAC & Waitlist

You need a reservation to travel on Indian long-distance trains, you can't just turn up and hop on.  Reservations are fully computerised using the world's largest computer reservation system.  Trains get fully-booked weeks in advance, so buy tickets as far ahead as possible.

When do bookings open?

Bookings for most Indian long-distance trains currently open 120 days before departure.

It was 60 days until 2008, when it was experimentally extended to 90 days, then it was experimentally extended even further to 120 days in 2012, reduced again to 60 days in 2013 to make ticket 'scalping' by agencies harder, but restored to 120 days as from 1 April 2015. 

Some short-distance inter-city trains may open for bookings less than this, for example Delhi-Kalka & Kalka-Simla may open only 30 days or in some cases just 15 days ahead.

The remarkable Indian Railways system

Indian Railways have a unique system with 4 possible statuses for seats/berths/bookings:

AVL = Available , these are seats or berths that are unsold and available for booking.

CNF = Confirmed .  When you book an available seat or berth, your PNR status (Personal Name Record) becomes CNF, confirmed.  You're safely booked on the train with a specific seat or berth.

RAC = Reservation Against Cancellation .  When all the seats or berths on a train in a given class have been sold, a certain number of tickets in that class are sold as Reservation Against Cancellation, or RAC.

WL = Waitlist .  When all the RAC places have been sold, further prospective passengers can buy Waitlist (WL) tickets.

If you go to www.indianrail.gov.in & click Seat availability you can see how many seats remain available in each class on a given train.

For example, today is 26 January, let's say I want to go from Delhi to Kolkata on the best train, the overnight Howrah Rajdhani in AC 2-tier. Tomorrow's train is fully-booked in AC2 and shown as NOT AVAILABLE.  I can buy Waitlisted tickets for this train on 28 and 29 January.  I can buy RAC tickets on any day between 30 January & 5 February and if I buy those I can definitely board the train and travel with (in practice) maybe a 90% chance of ending up with a berth to myself.  The first day on which AC 2-tier is shown as AVL so I can buy a ticket and instantly get a confirmed berth is 6 February.  The Foreign Tourist quota would help me here, there are 7 or 8 FT quota places shown as AVL every day from 27 January onwards, but I'll explain that in the quotas section .

Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)

With an RAC ticket, you're allowed to board the train and travel.  Whatever happens, you know you're safely booked on that train.  So if you're offered an RAC ticket you should take it, even though you won't have a specific seat or berth number at this stage.

In the vast majority of cases, one of the confirmed passengers will cancel or unsold tickets will be left in one of the more obscure quotas on departure day and you'll be promoted from RAC to CNF with a confirmed seat or berth on the train.

Your name will then be shown against a specific seat or berth number on the reservation list pinned on the notice board at the boarding station on the day of travel when the train is charted , or you can check your PNR (Personal Name Record) status online .  A waitlisted passenger will be promoted from WL to RAC in your place.

In the unlikely event that nobody cancels, you'll be given a place to sit (but not a berth) in a carriage of the class you've booked.  For example, two RAC passengers might be given seats on a bunk that would normally be for one person.  In most cases, at least one of the confirmed passengers will fail to show up for the train and the on-board staff will allocate their berth to the passenger holding ticket RAC1.  The passenger holding ticket RAC2 will then be left with a berth to themselves, solving two RAC passengers' problems!  In the worst case scenario, if there were no no-shows the RAC passengers would have to sit up all night or take turns using the berth to snooze, but in practice this seldom happens.  Like I said, if an RAC place is available, you should take it.

A downside of buying RAC tickets as a couple, family or small group is that you might be split up, because you get the places freed up when people cancel or which are left when tickets remain unsold in special quotas.  But there's usually only one or two AC2 or AC3 cars on a given train, so in those classes you probably won't be far apart.

Incidentally, RAC tickets exist in AC2, AC3 & SL, but not in AC1, EC, CC or FC.  In AC1, EC, CC & FC, passengers are always CNF or WL.

Waitlist (WL)

With a WL ticket you cannot travel, unless you are promoted to RAC or CNF before departure.

Each WL ticket has two numbers at any given moment in time, for example WL10/WL3.

The first number is the ticket's original Waitlist number.  In this example, WL10 means you bought the Number 10 Waitlist ticket allocated to this train, 10th in the queue when the train opened for booking.  This number won't change, even if you are promoted to a confirmed place (CNF), your ticket will always be WL10 and shown as such on the reservation list.

The second number is your current position in the queue, this number will reduce as people cancel.  On websites & apps that show only one WL number rather than two, this is the number it shows.  In this example WL10/WL3 means that 7 people have already cancelled and you are now 3rd in line for promotion to RAC.  If 3 more people cancel, you'll be promoted to RAC and can travel.

If more people cancel you may even be promoted to CNF with a confirmed seat or berth.  With a low-numbered WL ticket you've a good chance of this happening.  For example, one traveller reports having Waitlisted places between WL1 and WL10 on numerous trips, and always successfully got promoted to CNF with a confirmed place on the train, usually in the 24 hours before departure as that's when all the movement takes place from tickets in unsold quotas being used to reduce the number of WL & RAC passengers.

Keep checking your PNR status online .  Even if you're only promoted to RAC, you can at least travel.  If the train is charted and you're still only Waitlisted, then you can't travel and your fare will automatically be refunded, less a minor clerkage fee.

How likely is a given WL ticket to be confirmed?

There are now several websites that claim to predict how likely it is that a given WL ticket will be confirmed and allow you on the train, based on historical data.  Try entering your PNR into trainman.in , or use it to see what the current availability of a given train is, and how likely it is that if you bought WL tickets they'd be confirmed by departure.

The Vikalp scheme (ATAS)

There's yet another process to help Waitlisted passengers.  When you buy a WL ticket, you may be asked if you want to opt in to the Vikalp scheme, also known as Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme or ATAS.  Vikalp is Hindi for option .

If you tick the Vikalp box, you're offered a selection of possible alternative trains and you can choose which of these you'd be willing to take if you can't get a berth on the train you've booked.  Then, if you are still Waitlisted (WL) when your original train is charted (so you can't travel on it), and if space is available in the same class on one of your chosen alternative trains, you'll be given a confirmed (CNF) berth on that instead.

An alternative train is one between the same or similar origin & destination leaving between 30 minutes & 72 hours after your original choice of train.  For example, a train leaving from Old Delhi or Delhi H.Nizamudin might be considered alternatives to a train from New Delhi.

If there are several of you on one PNR, either all of you will be given places on an alternative train or none of you will, so don't worry, you won't be split up.  However, once you opt in to Vikalp, you can't opt out again.  And if you are transferred to a CNF place on an alternative train and decide you don't want it, you can cancel but only in line with the terms & conditions of a CNF place, which means a partial refund less the CNF cancellation fees (as an unsuccessful Waitlisted passenger on your original train you'd normally have been refunded almost all of your money).

Charting is the process of drawing up the final passenger list for each carriage of a given train, allocating names to berths.  The list is posted on the reservations notice board at stations or you can check your PNR status online .

During this process, any unsold tickets in quotas such as handicapped, military or parliamentary are released, freeing up places so RAC passengers can be moved up to Confirmed (CNF) and WL passengers to RAC or CNF.  So if you have a WL ticket and haven't already been promoted to RAC or CNF as passengers cancel, this is when you discover whether or not you're on the train.

It's also at this point that specific berth numbers are allocated to AC1 sleeper passengers, which is why you can't choose between an AC1 2-berth coupé and an AC1 4-berth compartment when you book.

Charting for trains leaving their origin station between 12:00 & 23:00 takes place around 4 hours before departure from that station.

Charting for trains leaving their origin between 23:00 & 12:00 takes place 19:00-21:00 Monday-Saturday or 13:00-15:00 Sundays & holidays.

How to check your current status

You can confirm your current PNR (Personal Name Record) status as WL, RAC or CNF at www.indianrail.gov.in/pnr_Enq.html or using one of the apps suggested above , by entering the PNR number shown on your ticket.

Remember that things can change even on the day of departure, most movement happens shortly before departure, when the train is charted.

When you buy a ticket, it comes from a specific quota.  A quota is simply an allocation of tickets for a particular type of traveller such as  senior, handicapped, military or government, on each train in each class.  By default, tickets come from the General quota.

General (GN) quota

Remote location (rl) & pooled (pq) quotas, handicapped, senior & ladies quotas.

The Senior quota is only for Indian seniors so don't use this if you're not Indian.

The Ladies quota only exists in Sleeper class & AC3, it gets you berths in one small bay reserved for women, it's hardly worth bothering with.

The Lower Berth quota is for anyone with mobility issues who can't use the ladder to the upper berths, so absolutely needs a lower. 

When a train is charted and the final reservation list is compiled, any unsold seats or berths in these quotas will be freed up used to reduce the RAC/Waitlist, promoting RAC passengers to CNF and WL passengers to RAC and (once all RAC passengers are confirmed) CNF.

Foreign Tourist (FT) quota

Many important trains have a small Foreign Tourist (FT) quota of seats or berths available only to foreign tourists.  The purpose of the FT quota is to allow foreign tourists to book trains at short notice notice when the General quota is fully-booked.

It's not a foolproof way to travel around India without pre-booking:  There's an FT quota on only 200 trains a day out of some 9,000 trains, and the quota might be just 2 places, seldom more than 12, in one or two specific classes, typically AC1 & AC2 or CC.  So even using the FT quota, you may have to wait a day or so before there is a berth available to your chosen destination in your chosen class.

For example, today is 25 January, the earliest date for which AC2 tickets available from the General quota on the Delhi-Varanasi Swatantrtwa Express is 11 February. But if I look at the Foreign Tourist quota, although there are no tickets today, there are two tickets available in AC2 tomorrow, and on each of the following few days.

If you buy an FT quota ticket at a ticket office or tourist reservation centre, you must pay in US Dollars, pounds sterling, or rupees backed by an exchange certificate proving they've come from a bank or bureau de change in exchange for foreign currency.  Rupees backed by an ATM receipt and foreign bank card are usually sufficient.  You can now book tickets from the Foreign Tourist quota when booking online .

Let's be clear, as a foreign tourist, you don't have to book from the FT quota.  Anyone of any nationality can book from the General quota whenever it's available.  And FT tickets are a little more expensive than tickets from the General quota, too.

Indeed, if there are still seats available in the General quota when you book, you shouldn't use the FT quota .  Because later on when the train is fully-booked, some other overseas visitors may urgently need those precious few FT places, desperate to get a train back to Delhi for their flight home.  If you used up all the FT places weeks ahead when you didn't need to, those travellers may be stranded!

Tatkal (TQ & PT) quotas

To allow travel at short notice on trains that are often fully-booked weeks before departure, Indian Railways introduced a system called Tatkal (Hindi for immediate ).  A number of tickets on key trains are held back and released at 10:00 one day before departure (originally 72 hours before departure, reduced to 2 days back in 2009 and just 1 day in 2011).  They are sold with a Tatkal fee of 10% of the fare in 2nd class or 30% in all other classes.  There are in fact two Tatkal quotas, regular Tatkal (TQ quota) with fixed fares, and Premium Tatkal (PT quota) with variable fares that increase with demand.  Tatkal places can also be booked online .  If there are seats available in the Foreign Tourist quota then the Tatkal quota may be irrelevant for you, if not, the Tatkal system can be useful.

How to buy tickets online

Indian trains often get fully-booked weeks in advance as demand usually exceeds supply.  So if you have a fixed itinerary and limited time you should buy tickets in advance before you get to India.

I recommend ticketing agency 12go.asia as option 1 for good reason:  It's hassle-free, even though it only does the principle trains on the routes usually requested by visitors.  It only sells confirmed tickets, it doesn't sell RAC or WL places.  It happily accepts overseas credit cards.

However, for complete access to all routes, trains, ticket types & quotas including Waitlisted & RAC , you must face the challenge of registering with the official Indian Railways booking website irctc.co.in, which is option 2.  I provide detailed instructions below.  Be warned, the process may drive you nuts.  Some people give up, others manage it in the end, but once registered you can book anything.

Option 1, buy at 12go.asia

I recommend ticketing agency 12go.asia as the quickest & easiest way to buy tickets for the principal trains and routes used by tourists, it makes booking trains as easy as booking flights.

You can check prices & availability online, pay with an international credit card and get the same e-ticket you'd get if you booked directly with irctc.co.in, but without the frustration of having to create an account and register with irctc.co.in.

Booking opens 120 days ahead , although some short-distance inter-city trains have a shorter booking horizon.  You can't buy tickets before reservations open.  Indian trains get fully booked weeks ahead, so book as far ahead as you can to be sure of a place.

How it works

12go.asia 's system shows fares & availability in real time, taken from IRCTC's system.  You select your train & class and click to buy.  Tickets are then manually secured by 12go staff using IRCTC's business-to-business booking system.

You can choose to see prices & pay in Indian Rupees, USD, GBP, Euros & several other currencies.

Limitations

12go.asia sells tickets for all the major routes of interest to visitors, but not between every possible station.  For that you need irctc.co.in.

Option 2, buy at www.irctc.co.in

You can buy train tickets direct from Indian Railways at the IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in .

Registering to use www.irctc.co.in is a time-consuming and frustrating process, but once registered you'll have access to all routes, trains, classes & ticket types.

Irctc.co.in has accepted overseas (non-Indian) credit cards since 2016, although it occasionally goes through periods when international cards don't seem to be accepted, just to keep everyone on their toes.  You must select the payment option which mentions International cards powered by PayU at the payment stage.

How to register for an IRCTC account

Go to www.irctc.co.in and click REGISTER top right.

Now enter the details to create an account.

Choose a username , some trial and error may be needed.

Enter your mobile phone number - your home country's international dialling code goes in the box marked ISD (this box says '91' until you have changed India to your own country in the box above).  The ISD for the UK is '44'.  Then enter your mobile phone number without any leading '0'.

Pin code means postcode .  Use 123456 as it won't accept UK-style postcodes.  Under Post Office , just enter your city & phone number again.

Payment problems paying the SMS verification fee

Just after I test-registered they imposed a fee for sending the OTP to a non-Indian mobile.  A few people have had credit card acceptance problems in paying this fee, but others find paying the fee works fine.  Again, I don't know why, but it could be problems with your own bank detecting and blocking a 'suspicious'  foreign transaction.  Give them a call!

How to buy tickets at www.irctc.co.in

When you click to see availability on a particular train, you will see places shown as AVL , RAC or WL , see the explanation of Reservation Against Cancellation & Waitlisting here .

AVL = Available , this means there are tickets available for confirmed seats or berths on that train. 

RAC = Reservation Against Cancellation , this means that the train is theoretically full, but Reservation Against Cancellation tickets are available for that train which allow you to board and be allocated a berth by the conductor.  So if you only see RAC tickets available, my advice is to go ahead and book, you'll still be able to travel on that train.

Tip:  Download the IRCTC app for your phone.   Download the IRCTC Rail Connect app for iPhone (if it's available in your region, it may not be) or IRCTC Rail Connect app for Android onto your phone.  You'll probably find you can't buy tickets with overseas credit cards using the app, but tickets bought online at the IRCTC website will show up in the app and can be shown to the conductor.  You can check train times, and see the current status of your booking if you are waitlisted or RAC.  Feedback appreciated .  I recommend some other apps that are available outside India in the travel tips section .

Option 3, Cleartrip.com, Makemytrip.com , Ixigo.com

How to buy tickets at the station.

The main stations in big cities and tourist centres such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi have an International Tourist Bureau where foreign travellers can book trains away from the crowds and queues at the normal booking office.  There is also a 24-hour rail booking office at Delhi International Airport.

For a list of stations with an International Tourist Bureau & opening times, see www.indianrail.gov.in , select Information then International Tourist .

New Delhi International Tourist Bureau ( temporarily closed )

U pdate 2024:   The New Delhi International Tourist Bureau remains temporarily closed due to the pandemic and low numbers of tourists.  A notice directs tourists to the international tourist counter at the Rail Reservation Centre 300m down the road, see the section below .

When open, the International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi railway station makes it easy for foreign visitors to buy tickets.  They could often sell you places out of the tourist quota, even when a train is fully-booked for Indian passengers.  Before the pandemic, it was normally open 06:00-23:00 every day, it's now temporarily closed.

How to find it

Enter New Delhi main station entrance on the Paharganj side (shown in the photo below left), veer slightly to the left and go up one flight of stairs to find yourself outside the International Tourist Bureau, as shown in the photo below right.  It's above platform 1.  If it doesn't look like the photo below, it isn't the real International tourist office.

New Delhi international tourist counter

Mumbai csmt, formerly bombay victoria terminus.

A station to rival London's St Pancras, Mumbai CSMT is an attraction in its own right.  Completed in 1887, its full title is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or (officially) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, station code CSMT .  Known as Bombay Victoria Terminus until 1996 and still known as 'VT' by many, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus .

Foreign Tourist Counter:   At Mumbai CSMT you can easily buy tickets from the foreign tourist quota at the Foreign Tourist counter, counter 4 downstairs in the Reservation Centre at CSMT.  It moved from counter 20 upstairs in 2018, please let me know if it changes again.

Tips for train travel in India

Checking your reservation.

The reservation system is very efficient and the days of finding your reserved berth already occupied by several passengers are long gone.  Your train, coach & berth number will be printed on your ticket - unless you're travelling in AC1 in which case the reservation list with your allocated berth numbers is only compiled a 2-4 hours before departure.

Reservation lists for each class in each long-distance train are posted on the notice board at each station about two hours before departure, showing the name, age and sex of each passenger reserved in each berth in each coach.  The age and sex help the ticket inspector identify that the right passenger is in the right berth.  A reservation list for each coach used to be pasted next to the entrance door on the train itself, but this is no longer done.

If you need to check your reservation, you can do so on your phone or laptop by entering your PNR (= booking reference) a PNR status-checking website such as www.railyatri.in/pnr-status or etrain.info/in , or using one of the Indian railways apps.

Download an app

I recommend downloading an app for your phone.  There are a bewildering number to choose from, some official, some 3rd party.  The official IRCTC apps seem unavailable outside India, so try these:

Indian Rail IRCTC for iPhone or Ixigo for iPhone .

Indian Rail IRCTC for Android or Ixigo for Android .

With these you can:

Check train schedules between any two stations.

Check a train's schedule at each of its calling points.  It also shows the train formation and carriage numbering to help you find your seat or berth.

Check your PNR status to see whether a Waitlisted ticket has become RAC or Confirmed.

Check real-time train running to see if your train is on time.

Check the platform for your train using the Live Station Info button, so you won't have to rely on the station departure displays to find your train.

Set a destination alarm to warn you a certain number of kilometres before your destination.

Luggage on Indian trains

Luggage is not a problem on Indian trains, you take your bags with you onto the train and place them on the overhead racks or underneath the lower berths.

The free luggage allowance is generous:  You can take to 70 Kg in AC1, 50 Kg in AC2, 40 Kg in AC3, AC Chair class or Sleeper class, 35 Kg in 2nd class seats.  Most western travellers are unlikely to exceed that, but if you really need to, you can pay an excess luggage fee and take up to 150 Kg in AC1 or 100 Kg in AC2.  However, the maximum is 40 Kg in AC3 or AC Chair class.

Theft of luggage is rare, but for peace of mind take along a bicycle lock or medium-sized padlock to secure your bags.  In the sleeping-cars, there are wire hoops hanging down underneath the seats to which you can padlock your luggage while you sleep.

Carriage numbers

The carriage numbers shown on tickets, on reservation lists and on the side of each coach consist of a letter and a number, for example H1, A1, A2, B1, B2, S1, S2, S3 and so on.  The letter shows the class of accommodation in that car.

A = air-con 2-tier (2A).

B = air-con 3-tier (3A).

AB = composite coach, half air-con 2-tier, half air-con 3-tier.

C = air-con chair car (CC).

D = non-air-con 2nd class reserved (@S).

E = executive chair class (EC).

G & J are used for AC 3-tier & Air-conditioned Chair class on Garib Rath trains.

H = air-conditioned 1st class (1A).

HA = composite coach, half AC1, half AC2.

S = sleeper class (SL).

There's typically just one air-con 1st class sleeper on a given train, so that's usually numbered H1.  If there were two air-con 2-tier cars on a train, those cars would be numbers A1 & A2.  So if you booked an AC2 ticket you'd expect to be given a car number 'A1' or 'A2', if you booked AC1 you'd expect to be in car H1 or HA1.

Food and drink on Indian trains

There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways, but on long distance trains an attendant will appear in your coach and ask you if you would like to order food.  He will note down your order (usually a choice of 'veg' or 'non-veg') on a bit of paper.  An hour or so later he will reappear with some rice and curry in small foil containers from the kitchen car.  It is not expensive - you can reckon on £2-£3 per meal.  Attendants also regularly pass down each car selling soft drinks, snacks, or excellent hot sweet Indian tea (garam chai) for a few rupees.  On the premier Rajdhani Express trains (linking Delhi with Mumbai, Kolkata, etc.) and the premier daytime Shatabdi Express trains (linking Delhi with Jaipur and Agra, etc.), food is included in the fare, served at your seat.

Pre-order your food from a restaurant of your choice.   Alternatively, there are now several Indian websites that allow you to pre-book food to be delivered to your seat on the train from various vendors along the way.  If you have a confirmed train booking you can go to railrestro.com , enter your PNR, select a vendor you like the sound of who is located at a station where your train calls at a suitable time, and select specific items from their menu to be delivered to you on board the train at that station - reports so far have been very positive, but feedback is always appreciated !

Cleanliness, toilets & crowding

The efficient reservation system means that you can safely forget any pictures you've seen of overcrowded Indian trains with people on the roof or hanging on the side.  These these photos show suburban or local trains, or unreserved 2nd class on long-distance ones.  On fast long-distance trains in AC1, AC2, AC3, or AC Chair Class, all passengers have an assigned seat or sleeping berth so there's no overcrowding.  Don't expect pristine western standards anywhere in India, but you'll find AC1, AC2, AC3 and AC Chair class clean by Indian standards, with both western-style and squat toilets usually in a reasonably sanitary condition, see the train interior photos below.  On the other hand, Sleeper Class gets much grubbier than the AC classes and unreserved passengers can sometimes enter the coaches making it crowded.  2nd class unreserved can be incredibly crowded.  Toilets in sleeper class or basic non-AC 2nd class seats can leave a lot to be desired.

Safety & security

Indian trains are safe to travel on, even for families or women travelling alone, and you are unlikely to have any problems.  As in any busy place anywhere, pickpockets operate at the major stations (for example Delhi and New Delhi), so take care.  Oh, and be prepared:  If anyone tells you that your train is cancelled, that the ticket office has closed or has moved to a travel agency across the road, or your pre-booked hotel has burnt down or been abducted by aliens, please politely ignore them, even if they look 'official', to avoid ending up in a travel agency paying for a car and driver at vast expense, or booking their 'alternative' hotel which of course will luckily have a room available.  These are all well-known scams (yawn...) to get travel agency business, usually obvious to any regular India hand, but first-timers have been known to fall for them.

Do Indian trains run on time?

Indian Railways are generally remarkably efficient, but Indian trains do run late, sometimes hours rather than minutes.  To get a feel for it, why not go to either www.trainenquiry.com or www.erail.in and see how late yesterday's Delhi-Jaisalmer Express arrived, or last Thursday's Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express?  At www.erail.in , select the origin and destination that interests you, and bring up the train list.  Now find the train that you want and click on it.  Now select a date and click the 'train running status' button.  It will show you a table of scheduled times and actual times at each station.  Data is only held for the last few days, not weeks or months ago.  At www.trainenquiry.com , you simply enter the train number or name, then select from a list of possible trains.

Alternatively, these examples from my own travels may give you a feel for the likely delay:  Delhi-Varanasi overnight express spot on time, Bombay-Howrah Mail 1½ hours late, Chennai-Mumbai Chennai Express 40 minutes late, Kolkata-Delhi Rajdhani Express spot on time (Rajdhani Expresses get priority and are pretty punctual), Delhi-Agra Shatabdi Express spot on time (Shatabdi Expresses also get priority and are pretty punctual), Jaisalmer-Delhi Express 2 hours late starting and 3 hours late arriving, Delhi-Kalka-Simla Himalayan Queen spot on time, Varanasi-Agra-Jaipur Marudhar Express 50 minutes late, Chennai-Delhi Grand Trunk Express 1½ hours late.

Recharging mobiles & cameras

There are shaver sockets in most AC1/2/3 sleeper cars and many Indian trains now have power outlets for mobiles and laptops.  However, I never travel without an Anker powerbank which can recharge your phone several times over if you're on the move and can't get to a power outlet.

Other Indian train tips

Bring your own toilet paper.  You'll normally find one western toilet and one squat toilet at one or both ends of the car.  In AC1, AC2, AC Chair Class and even AC3 the toilets are normally reasonably clean by Indian standards, and in full working order.  Sleeper Class and 2nd class toilets may be a different matter!

Make sure you research when to visit India carefully - in summer it can be unbearably hot, and you also want to avoid the monsoon rains.  And in January & February in Northern India that there can be major disruption to road, rail & air due to thick fog, so bear that in mind.

Finally, forewarned is forearmed

In India, if someone asks which hotel you're going to, then announces that this hotel has been flooded, burnt down, or abducted by aliens, they are of course trying to get commission from sending you to another hotel - that's often painfully obvious and it's almost funny!  Smile, ignore them, and persist in walking to your own hotel, which will of course be open as usual.  But similarly, especially at big stations such as New Delhi, if an official-looking person (they may even show you a badge) says your train has been cancelled, or says you can't board without a boarding pass (with an e-ticket you can get on the train, there's no such thing as a boarding pass), smile, ignore them, walk past, and persist until you see the actual departure indicators and get your train.  If necessary, go and see the station master!  Although this has never happened to me, there are occasional reports of travellers being conned into buying new tickets from a nearby travel agency, being sent to a nearby travel agency when they wanted the genuine New Delhi foreigners booking office, or being conned into hiring a private car and driver for hundreds of dollars when they already had trains booked, which of course weren't really cancelled.  So smile, ignore, persist, go and see the departure boards with your own eyes, find and get on your train, and have a giggle about it later!  If you encounter any of this, feedback (and a good laugh) is always appreciated!

The 11 classes on Indian trains

There are 11 classes of accommodation on Indian trains or at least, 11 different class codes in the system.  You can argue that 3E is a variation of 3A, EA a variation of EC and that 2S & GN are the same (both are 2nd class seats, one reserved, the other unreserved).  But that's still 8 classes!

Only a small selection of classes is available on any given train, a typical long-distance train might have one AC1 car, one or two AC2 cars, perhaps an AC3 car, then a long line of 6, 7 or 8 Sleeper class cars and maybe one GN or 2S car at the end.  But it varies, of course.

Here are the classes, in roughly descending order of cost, together with the usual 2 & 3-letter abbreviations.  A request:  If you get any clear interior photos of AC2, AC3 or Sleeper class which would better illustrate these classes, please get in touch !

Air-conditioned first class (AC1 or 1A)

Air-conditioned 2-tier (ac2 or 2a).

AC2 is relatively clean & comfortable, with room to spread out.  It's the class typically used by middle class Indian families and a good choice for most western visitors.   AC2 is found on almost all decent long-distance trains including the premier Rajdhani & Duronto expresses.

AC2 offers padded leatherette seats by day which convert to flat padded bunks at night.  AC2 coaches are open-plan with berths arranged in bays of four on one side of the aisle (two upper, two lower, transverse across the car width), and in bays of two on the other side of the aisle, arranged longitudinally along the coach side above and below the windows.  If you're tall, you should book a transverse berth.

Each bay is curtained off for privacy, and an attendant distributes pillows, clean sheets and blankets in the evening.  Update:  Curtains were removed  as a Covid-19 precaution and may still be absent.

Click for car plans & berth numbering in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class .

Air-conditioned 3-tier (AC3 or 3A)

AC3 has a similar layout to AC2, but instead of upper & lower berths it has 3 tiers of bunks - upper, middle and lower - arranged in bays of six on one side of the aisle, and longitudinal bays of two - upper and lower - along the wall on the other side of the aisle.  As in AC2, an attendant distributes pillows, sheets and blankets in the evening.  Berths convert to seats for daytime use.

With 3 people sitting on each bench seat during the day rather than just 2, it feels a lot more crowded than AC 2-tier, and at night there is less height-space between each bunk - the top bunks are significantly higher up near the ceiling.  AC3 may lack the privacy curtains and individual berth lights usually found in AC2.  As in AC2, you should avoid the longitudinal berths if you are tall.  Still, if you find AC2 fully-booked, most western travellers will find AC3 an acceptable fall-back.  See car plans & berth numbering in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class .  Photos courtesy of Rachel Poschi.

Air-conditioned 3-tier economy (3E)

Executive anubhuti chair car (ea), ac executive chair class (ec).

AC Executive Chair Class is only found on the high-quality Shatabdi Express , Vande Bharat Express & Tejas Express trains.  Seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width, basic pre-packaged food & drink is included in the fare, served at your seat.  It's also known as First AC Chair class.  Seat numbering plan for AC Chair cars .

AC Chair class (CC)

AC Chair class is a good choice for daytime journeys.  Comfortable & air-conditioned, they have seats arranged 2+3 across the car width.  AC Chair Class is found on the Shatabdi Expresses, Vande Bharat Express, the several Tejas Express trains and a number of other inter-city daytime trains, for example Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Kalka for Simla.   Seat numbering plan, AC Chair cars .

Sleeper Class (SL)

This is the way the bulk of the Indian population travels on long-distance trains, but it's also used by many more adventurous backpackers who are prepared to take the rough with the smooth.  The majority of cars on a typical long-distance mail or express train will be sleeper class.

Sleeper class consists of open-plan berths, arranged in bays of 6 bunks (upper, middle and lower) on one side of the aisle, and bays of 2 bunks (upper & lower) along the coach wall on the other side of the aisle.  Bunks fold away to form seating for daytime use.  It's the same basic layout as AC3, but without the air-con and without any privacy curtains.  Bedding is not provided, so bring a sleeping-bag.

Sleeper class is found on almost all long-distance trains except for the premier Rajdhani & Duronto services.  Sleeper class can be crowded (although in theory all berths must be reserved, so it can't get overcrowded), and it's fairly grubby and basic.  On the other hand, you get a better view of the countryside then in AC coaches, where the windows are sealed, tinted and sometimes dirty.  In summer, there are fans on the ceiling and a breeze from the windows.  In winter, wrap up warm at night and take a sleeping bag and fleece, as it can get cold.    Berth numbering system, AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class cars .

1st class (FC)

Traditional non-air-con 1st class has now almost disappeared, as Indian Railways have progressively phased it out in favour of AC 2-tier.  But for the record, ordinary first class consists of non-air-conditioned sleeper coaches with lockable 4-berth and 2-berth compartments, a similar layout to AC1 but without the AC.  Bedding is not provided, and it's much grubbier than AC1, AC2 or AC3 as it's not sealed against the dirt .

2nd class seats (2S = reserved or GN = unreserved)

Open plan cars with wooden or padded plastic seats, sometimes reserved and shown online as 2S, sometimes unreserved and shown online as either GN or II.  Not recommended for long distance overnight journeys (you'll see the huge scrum of Indians all trying to bag a seat in unreserved 2nd class), but quite acceptable for daytime journeys of up to a few hours if you're on a budget.

IndRail pass es:  Discontinued in 2017

Where to go in india.

First-time visitors often wonder where to start in such a vast country and they're sometimes told to tour only a small area, for example stick to Rajasthan or perhaps the beaches of Goa.  But I suggest a bolder approach.  Use the remarkable Indian train network to see a varied cross-section of India's highlights, picking one example from each type of place:  A big city, a colonial hill station, a princely city or two in Rajasthan, then Agra of course for the Taj Mahal, and also Varanasi, the classic Hindu holy city on the Ganges.  This way, you'll see some incredible highlights and complete contrasts, with overnight trains minimising both daytime travelling time and hotel bills.

A suggested itinerary

Here's what I personally consider the best itinerary around Northern India, taking in an amazing variety of classic Indian cities in as little as 2 weeks.  Highlight after highlight in a 2-week itinerary.  If you have longer to spare, add an extra day or two here and there and/or add one more Rajasthani city, Udaipur.

Delhi 1-3 days.  Contrast the bustling old city with Lutyens' gracious New Delhi.

Take the Swatantrta S Express leaving New Delhi at 21:15 arriving Varanasi Junction at 08:05 next morning. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

Varanasi 2-3 days.  Formerly called Benares, Varanasi is the must-see Hindu holy city on the Ganges.  Make sure you stay in a local Indian riverside hotel such as the Hotel Alka , with its terrace overlooking the Ganges.  Western chain hotels are usually located in the new town, well away from all the amazing riverside action.  The Hotel Alka is one of the better hotels in this top riverside location, and eating a Thai on the terrace as the Diwali fireworks went off overhead and Lilly pads with candles drifted down the Ganges was an unforgettable experience.

Take the Marudhar Express from Varanasi Junction around 18:25 arriving Agra Fort at 06:40 next morning. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.  No AC1.

Agra 2 days, remembering to visit the fantastic deserted royal city of Fatephur Sikhri 30km away by bus or car.  Agra may be the most touristy place in India, but the Taj is utterly beautiful and well worth the tourist tout hassle.  Agra fort and the ‘baby Taj’ are also worth a visit.

Take the Marudhar Express from Agra Fort around 06:45 arriving Jaipur at 11:50 the same day. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class (No AC1).

Jaipur 2-3 days.  The 'Pink City' is one of the most wonderful princely cities in Rajasthan, and indeed in India.

Take the daily Raniket Express leaving Jaipur at 10:10 arriving Jaisalmer at 22:30 the same day, with AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

Or the Shalimar Express on Tue, Wed, Fri & Sun leaving Jaipur 17:45 arriving Jaisalmer 05:30 next morning, with AC1, AC2, AC3 & sleeper class.

Jaisalmer 2-3 days.  This is Rajasthan’s ultimate fairytale city and one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of India, in the desert close to the Pakistan border.  For many years it had no airport so only those who made the effort got to experience it, although sadly it may now have flights using the military airbase nearby.

Take the Shalimar Express leaving Jaisalmer at 23:25 on Mon, Wed, Thus, Sat and arriving at Old Delhi at 16:50 next day. AC1, AC2, AC3, sleeper class.  Spend the night in Delhi.

Take the Kalka Shatabdi leaving New Delhi at 07:40 arriving Kalka at 11:40. AC Executive chair class and AC Chair class, meal included served at your seat. Change onto the waiting narrow-gauge Simla toy train leaving Kalka at 12:10 arriving Simla at 17:20 with (non-AC) 1st class, AC Chair class, 2nd class. The journey to Simla by narrow gauge Toy Train is an absolute delight.

Simla 2-3 days.  Cool relaxation and colonial mock-Tudor charm in this lovely Himalayan hill station from the days of the Raj.  The ideal final destination for your trip!  The upmarket colonial-style Clarkes Hotel is wonderful.

Take the toy train leaving Simla at 18:05 arriving Kalka at 22:40. Change onto the mainline Netaji Express leaving Kalka at 23:55 and arriving Old Delhi at 06:00. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

How to book this itinerary

Option 1 is to arrange it all yourself .  First sketch out your itinerary, perhaps using the technique explained here .  Then book each train journey at 12go.asia (hassle-free, although naturally they charge a reasonable agency mark-up) or get yourself registered with IRCTC and book as explained here .  Then book each of your hotels separately using Booking.com .  This is the budget option, if you don't mind the legwork and managing it yourself.

Option 2 is to have it all booked for you, hassle-free .  I've arranged for train specialists Railbookers to offer this exact itinerary as a package, with trains, hotels, transfers (and if you like, your flight to India) all sorted for you.  This costs more than sorting it all out yourself, but it saves a lot of effort (and possible frustration) and as it's then a package, if anything affects one part of the tour Railbookers will sort things out for you.  Their suggested tour can be customised to your own requirements, to spend more or less time in each place.  Railbookers is an ABTA member and holidays including flights are ATOL protected.

  UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk . 

  us call free 1-888-829-4775, see website .,   canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website .,   australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website . ,   new zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website ., alternative versions.

Alternatively, just pick on big city, one hill station, a couple of cities in Rajasthan, and a couple of places from the 'other' list below and create your own itinerary.  How about:  Kolkata - (overnight sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri then the famous Darjeeling Toy Train) - Darjeeling - Varanasi - (overnight sleeper train) - Agra - (daytime train) - Jaipur - (overnight sleeper train) - Kolkata?

The big cities

The royal cities of rajasthan, old colonial hill stations, other places to see, two personal favourites:  a ride to darjeeling.

A personal favourite is the ride to Darjeeling on the narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalaya Railway (DHR), and a night or two at the wonderful Windamere Hotel .  The DHR is now a UN World Heritage Site.

Travel from Kolkata's Sealdah station to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) on the broad gauge Darjeeling Mail, leaving Sealdah at 22:05 and arriving NJP at 08:15 next morning.  The Darjeeling Mail has AC1, AC2, AC3, sleeper class and 2nd class accommodation.  Then take the connecting DHR 'toy train' up to Darjeeling, leaving NJP at 10:00 daily, arriving Darjeeling at 17:30.  It's a long ride on a narrow gauge train, sometimes next to the hill road, sometimes through jungle, and sometimes through the streets.

You can check the current status of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at www.dhrs.org/page4.html - it has it's ups and downs, if you'll pardon the expression.

Once in Darjeeling, the place to stay is the Windamere Hotel .  Originally a boarding house for bachelor tea planters, it became a hotel in 1939.  Meals are served by white-gloved, turbanned waiters and eaten by candlelight to the sound of Cole Porter tunes on the piano.  Even if you can't afford it, make sure you come along for afternoon tea - probably the best cup of tea you will ever drink.

...and a ride to Simla.

A little bit more robust than the line to Darjeeling, the similar toy train up to Simla in the Himalayan foothills is the way to reach Simla, once India's summer capital.  Take a fast broad-gauge train from New Delhi to Kalka and change there onto the Toy Train up into the hills.  The train ride to Simla is one of Simla's highlights on its own.  If you get the chance, use the Shivalik Deluxe Express on the way back down from Simla (it connects with the overnight express to New Delhi going forward next day to Kolkata).  The Shivalik Deluxe has plush fabric-covered first class armchairs, and a meal is served at your seat, included in the price.  Although it gets dark as you descend, at stations without electricity the signalmen hand the single-line token to the driver whilst holding burning torches, the shimmering flames lighting up the side of the train.  It's wonderfully atmospheric.

Tours of India by train

The cheapest option is to arrange everything yourself, independently, but this takes time and effort.  If you want a customisable itinerary with all your train tickets, up-market hotels and transfers arranged for you, you can do this through train specialists Railbookers.  Their website has various example itineraries including a one-week Golden Triangle one visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, but have a look at the suggested itinerary above covering Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Simla as I think it's the best 2-week itinerary around northern India that you'll find, and I've arranged for Railbookers to offer it.  Railbookers takes good care of their clients and gets very good reviews.

Escorted tours in India by train

If you'd prefer to travel with a group of fellow travellers escorted by a professional tour guide, check are Great Rail Journeys ( www.greatrail.com , in the UK call 01904 527 120) and Rail Discoveries , www.raildiscoveries.com , 01904 730 727.  Both offer popular escorted tours covering India's 'Golden Triangle' of Delhi, Agra for the Taj Mahal and Jaipur in Rajasthan.  At the time of writing, Great rail Journeys also do an escorted tour covering Delhi, Amritsar for the Golden Temple, Agra for the Taj Mahal, Lucknow, Varanasi on the Ganges and Kathmandu in Nepal, with departures on various dates through the year.

Tourist cruise trains

There are now several luxury cruise trains catering for tourists and offering sightseeing itineraries around Indian cities.  All of these trains are in effect 5 star international hotels on wheels, allowing you to see India in great comfort.

The Palace on Wheels

See www.palacesonwheels.com and see the Palace on Wheels video .  This is India's first and most celebrated cruise train, voted as the world's 4th best luxury train by Condé Nast Traveller magazine.  All suites feature private shower & spotlessly clean toilet, TV & CD player, and the train's two elegant restaurant cars offer both Indian and international cuisine.

Prices range from $2,750 for a 7-night 8-day tour around key cities in Rajasthan such as Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Udaipur & Jodhpur with all meals, off-train tours and on-board accommodation included. 

You can book the Palace on Wheels through recommended train holiday specialist Railbookers who can also arrange flights, hotels and other Indian trains for you.

If you'd prefer to use the Palace on Wheels on an escorted tour with friendly group of travellers and a professional tour guide are available from Great Rail Journeys ( www.greatrail.com , in the UK call 01904 527 120).

Other luxury cruise trains

The Palace on Wheels is no longer the only cruise train in India, and it's not even the best.  Others have sprung up, though prices are sky-high.  Be warned that most of these companies quote a rate per night, not for the whole tour!

Maharaja's Express , see www.the-maharajas.com - See the Maharaja's Express video .  Runs various 3 or 7 night tours from Delhi back to Delhi or between Delhi & Mumbai, via places such as Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Khajuraho.  From $3,580 per person.  This train is run by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), originally as a joint venture with Cox & KIngs.  Gets very positive feedback, 'ten out of ten' from one correspondent.  You can now book the Maharaja's Express through train holiday specialist www.railbookers.co.uk .

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels , www.royalsrajasthanonwheels.com - See the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels video .  Offers 8-day (7-night) itineraries with weekly departures from Delhi back to Delhi, stopping at Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur, Khajuraho & Varanasi.  From around $4,130 per person for two people sharing, $5,775 single occupancy for the least expensive suites.  Has also had great feedback, and can also be booked through www.railbookers.co.uk .

Golden Chariot , www.goldenchariot.org - see the Golden Chariot video .  A luxury train offering weekly departures from Bangalore for a week-long tour to Goa & southern India.

Deccan Odyssey , www.deccan-odyssey-india.com - see the Deccan Odyssey video .  A luxury train offering weekly departures from Mumbai for a week-long tour to Goa, Pune, and the caves at Ajanta & Ellora.

Indian Maharaja , www.theindianmaharaja.co.in .  Offers 8-day 7-night 'land cruises' between Delhi & Mumbai in either direction on various dates between October & April, with stopovers & tours at Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ellora & Ajanta Caves, starting at around $4,095 per person for two people sharing or from $5,229 single occupancy.

These trains can also be arranged through Railbookers.  On their website, select 'Private trains'.

Inclusive luxury train escorted tours

If you'd like a deluxe train-based holiday to India, but would like to do this as part of an organised tour, Great Rail Journeys ( www.greatrail.com ) is a well-known company offering inclusive upmarket escorted tours to India, including the Palace on Wheels or a number of other special Indian 'cruise trains', five star hotels plus flights to/from the UK.  There are a number of different tours available, departing on a range of dates throughout the year.  Check the holiday details online, then call 01904 527120 to book or use their online booking form .  Seat61 gets some commission to help support the site if you book your holiday through this link and phone number.

International trains, buses & ferries

There are international trains to Pakistan & Bangladesh, and buses to Nepal.  Here's a quick summary:

Delhi - Amritsar - Lahore, Pakistan

Take a train from Delhi to Amritsar, there are lots to choose from.  See www.indianrail.gov.in for times & fares. 

Take a bus or taxi the 26km from Amritsar to the India/Pakistan frontier at Atari.  Walk through the border posts to Wagah on the Pakistani side.  You may want to hang around Wagah to see the spectacular ceremony at sunset when the border closes.  Indian and Pakistani guards try to outdo each other with their performances, watched by Indians and Pakistani crowds!

Take another bus or taxi the remaining 20km to Lahore.  Allow plenty of time for this deceptively short journey. 

There used to be a cross-border train, but tension in Kashmir means all India-Pakistan trains are suspended at the moment.

Delhi - Jodhpur - Karachi, Pakistan

A weekly international train called the Thar Express started in February 2006 from Jodhpur to Karachi via the border at Munabao.  But it's currently suspended.

Eastbound:   The Thar Express leaves Karachi every Friday at 23:00, arriving at 'Zero Point' on the Pakistan/India frontier at around 08:00 next morning.  After customs checks, the train goes forward to Munabao on the Indian side, arriving around 11:00.The Indian train departs Munabao at 19:00 after customs formalities, arriving Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi station) at 23:50 Saturday.

Westbound:   The Thar Express leaves Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi station, about 4km from the main station) every Saturday morning at 01:00 arriving Munabao at 07:00, leaving Munabao at around 14:30 on Saturdays, reaching Karachi at 02:15 on Sunday morning. 

The sleeper fare from Jodhpur to Munabao/zero point is about Rs170, and from Munabao/zero point to Karachi is about Rs230.  No more information is yet available, but feedback would be appreciated!  The train has one sleeping-car and several economy cars.

Update :  Tension in Kashmir means all India-Pakistan trains are suspended at the moment.

Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal

It's quite easy, cheap, and an adventure to do this journey overland.  You take an overnight train from New Delhi to Gorakpur, then a bus.  For details, see the Nepal page .

Kolkata to Dhaka, Bangladesh

A new direct train from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Dhaka started in April 2008, see the Bangladesh page .

India to Sri Lanka by ferry

After many years of being cut off from each other (with at least one short-lived attempt to start a ferry service in 2011), a new ferry service started in late 2023, linking Nagapattinam (mainland India) with Kankesanthurai (on Sri Lanka, near Jaffna).

The fast ferry Cheriyapani sails from Nagapattinam (India)  at 07:00 arriving Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) at 11:00.

She sails from Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) at 13:30 arriving Kankesanthurai (India) at 17:00.

Crossing time 3 hours for the 60 nautical miles.  Service will be suspended during the monsoon season in November-December.

Fare around 8,000 Indian rupees, luggage allowance 40 Kg.

Online booking will be available starting in January 2024, website not yet known.  Until then, call +91 978 987 9971 at least 24 hours in advance. You will be required to send a copy of your passport and visa details via WhatsApp to confirm the booking.

Be careful with e-visas when using this ferry, they will not initially be accepted at these entry points, but may be in future.

India to Burma (Myanmar)

The India/Burma border is closed to foreigners.  It is not possible to travel to Burma overland from India.  For train and river steamer service within Burma, see the Burma page .

India to China

The direct route from India into China is difficult and mountainous, there are no trains, you need some serious permits to be in that part of India, and most if not all border crossings are closed to foreigners.  If you wish to travel this way, do your research before attempting it! 

For most practical purposes, you are better off going from India to Kathmandu in Nepal ( see the Nepal page ), then taking an organised tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet ( see the Nepal page ), then a train to Beijing.  For train service within China, including Lhasa to Beijing, see the China page .

Europe to India overland

Europe to india via istanbul, iran, pakistan.

It's possible to travel from Europe to India overland by train and bus via Turkey, Iran & Pakistan, along what in the 1960s & 70s was the hippy train.  However, these days there are serious security problems affecting this route in Turkey, SE Iran & Pakistan.  If you are foolhardy enough to brave these, it takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks and you should consider it as an adventure or expedition rather than a routine way to travel there. 

Administratively, the main issue is getting an tourist visa for Iran - see the London to Iran page for agencies to contact to get one.  Finally, there are major security issues in southeast Iran to be aware of - see the official travel advice for Iran and Pakistan at the British Foreign Office website, www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .  If you are still interested, see the Europe to India overland page .  I'd suggest planning the trip out carefully before you start to book anything - this may help:  How to plan an itinerary & budget .

Europe to India via Moscow, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Beijing & Lhasa

A safer though somewhat round-about way is London to Moscow by Eurostar and onward trains to Moscow (2 nights, £300, daily departures), Moscow to Beijing via the Trans-Siberian Railway (6 or 7 nights, £500, two per week), Beijing to Lhasa by train (2 nights, £100, daily), then an organised tour by bus from Lhasa to Nepal (7 nights, maybe $400), then bus and train to Delhi .  Again, you may find this helpful:  How to plan an itinerary & budget .  Trains to Russia are suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions .

Hotels in India

Personal hotel recommendations, tripadvisor hotel reviews.

www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels.  It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.

Flights to India

Overland travel by train around India is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground!  But if you need a long-haul flight to reach India in the first place.

1)  Check flight prices at Opodo, www.opodo.com

2)  use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines.

3)  Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think!  See www.loungepass.com

For independent travel, the best guidebook to take is either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide .  I gave Sarah the Lonely Planet and Karen the Rough Guide and we road-tested both of them head-to-head across India.  The result was a tie, with similarly excellent levels of both practical travel information and historical and cultural background.  I personally prefer the Lonely Planet, but Karen preferred the Rough Guide.  Just make sure you take one of these two guides with you..!  If you buy anything at Amazon through these links, Seat61.com gets a small commission to help support the site.

Buy Lonely Planet India at Amazon.co.uk    Buy Rough Guide India at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Also for your reading list

Travel insurance & other tips, always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from Buy from Amazon.com .

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Complete tourist guide to Indian Trains you should read

Last Updated on August 26, 2022 by

Did you know that with more than 8,000 stations across the country and about 121,000 km of rail routes the Indian Rail Network is the fourth extensive rail system in the world? It’s not your fault if after opening the Indian Railways page for the first time, you had a terrible headache and preferred to opt for a bumpy car ride on one of the Indian dusty roads. This guide will help you to understand the Indian railways step by step! Let’s start!

Table of Contents

Indian railways step by step

Like everything in India, also the Railways website is messy, overwritten and with scammer bans behind the corner. Last year, I was exactly in your position and when I was planning my trip from New Delhi to Agra I had in front of me two choices: booking a ride with a private taxi costing no less than £60-80 for two people or learning how to book a, way much cheaper, train ticket from abroad. Once you get how the system works, it is not difficult, but it definitely try your patience.

Why I have to travel by train in India?

Lonely Planet states that ” Travelling on an Indian train is a reason to travel all by itself “. This cannot be truer because travelling by train in India can be considered an essential way of experiencing Indian culture. Millions of Indians travel by train every day. In fact, the railway system covers almost the whole country and despite chaotic, it is more reliable than what it appears from a distorted western perspective. There are two basic misconceptions about travel in India by train. The first is that all Indian looks like the one in the photo below…

I still have friends who are convinced I was actually travelling sat on the roof of an Indian train. They simply can’t believe that I never seen anything like this in India, even in the smallest place I visited. The second misconception is that trains in India are unsafe because of Indian people travelling with you.

Reasons why to travel by train in India

FALSE! Indian trains are generally safe, most of the people travelling with you are trying to go to work/reach their families, and their intention is not to harm tourists in any way. It’s true also that if you are travelling in the lower classes (especially at night), I would not recommend leaving your luggage alone (but I would not leave my luggage alone in any other train in the world). Keeping in mind this, there are definitively more advantages than disadvantages in travelling by train.

It’s safe, cheap and relaxing

Firstly, because it’s cheaper than going with a taxi. A first class ticket from Delhi to Agra will not cost you more than £20. A reliable pre-paid cab will cost you £60-80. There are other much cheaper cabs to hire locally, but their reliability is not granted and if you are a first time visitor, I would not recommend them. Secondly, it’s FASTER! A journey by car that would take 4/5 hours may take 2 travelling by train! This will reduce greatly your travelling time and allows you more hours to spend in sightseeing! Third, it’s way more relaxing than travelling by car. India is chaotic and the continuous horning of every single vehicle on the road it’s much more than a necessity for Indian people, it’s a cultural life-style. If for locals and well-travelled tourist, this is OK.

Most of people visiting for the first time India find it unbearable. Imagine travelling by car for 6/7 hours accompanied by that continuous horning! And believe me, this doesn’t stop even in the motorway. Train travelling can give you a little bit of a rest far from the overwhelming Indian chaos and you will be grateful for that after a long journey. Lastly, it’s SAFER! The Indian road safety report of 2018 states than more than ONE MILLION people were killed in car accidents last year.

To be honest, after having seen people driving in the wrong direction in the Indian motorway and seen my driver watching a TV series while driving me and Alessio from Mumbai to Pune, this is not a surprise. In my twenty days in India, I’ve been involved in one minor crash in Jaipur and it was totally fault of my driver. Don’t get me wrong, it’s ok to travel by taxi for short distances but if you have to move between distant cities, train travelling is the safest way. In the end, is better safe than sorry!

Train classes and type of trains

Train classes in India are much more complex than westerners train ones, which generally distinguish between first and economy class. In fact, there are 8 classes on Indian trains of which price is accorded to the quality of the service you will receive on board and the type of coach/seat you choose. When booking your class, this will appear with the two/three acronyms and numbers e.g. AC1/AC2 etc. To know the meaning of these acronyms, read below!

Train classes on Indian trains

• AC Executive chair class (EC) This type of class is not present on every train but you can find it on high speed trains like the Shatabdi Express. Executives and tourists commonly use this. For this reason, booking in advance is very recommended. Food served on board of the train is included in the price and you have the possibility to choose between meat and vegetarian dishes.
• AC Chair class (CC)  Similar to the AC EC, the AC CC class can be found in high-speed trains and has comfortable seats in a air conditioned coach. However, food is not included.
• FC First Class First Class no longer exists in Indian trains, replaced mostly by AC1 coaches. However, if you find the abbreviation FC this means that you will get a first class ticket in a non-air-conditioned coach.
• Sleeper Class (SL ) Sleeper Class can be found in trains covering long distances. There is no air conditioning but ventilation is granted by fans and windows open. Mattress are quite rough so it is suggested to bring a sleeper bag.
• Air-conditioned first class (AC1 or 1A) This is usually found in trains covering long distances and used by Indian businessmen. It is considered a comfortable class for travelling and seats are organised in 2 and 4 berths and sleeper section.
• Air-conditioned 2-tier (AC2 or 2A) This class is a cheaper version of the AC1. It is still considered a comfortable way of travelling and used mostly by families. You can use berths also as sleeper bunks for longer distances. These are provided with curtains for having a bit of privacy. Two tier indicates the number of bunks for each section of the row.
• Air-conditioned 3-tier (AC3 or 3A) Is more crowded than AC2 because each bay has 3 tiers (up, lower and middle). Curtains are not provided to grant you privacy but tickets are cheaper.
• 2nd class seats (2S)  Coaches are here divided in reserved and not reserved sections. These are generally more crowded than other classes is not recommended for longer journeys because seats are not padded and generally made of wood or plastic.

Type of Trains in India

Because there are more than 20 different types of trains in India but it’s likely you wont use 90% of those, listed below you will find only the ones you are more likely to book during your journey to across India.

• Tejas Express It has been introduced just two years ago and it’s the most similar to our western trains you will find in India. It’s a semi high speed full AC train featuring braille displays, LED TV for each passenger with phone sockets, WiFi and food services. Tickets are about 30% more expensive than the Shatabati fares and at the moment the train covers only the following routes: – Mumbai CST – Karmali Tejas Express – New Delhi – Chandigarh Tejas Express

An extention of the route in Chennai and Lucknow is planned for the upcoming years.

• Shatabdi Express is one of the most famous train lines in India and it is usually make a day round trip. Tourists use mostly this route (and this is the one I used as well). This is the Bhopal Shatabdi Express (train number 12001/12002) going from New Delhi to Agra in just two hours. The train is quite fast (the second faster in India) and the first class is comfy and safe. Not comparable to our first classes but I would say a good economy on our trains.
• Rajdhani Express are those trains that connect the Indian main capital to the minor state capitals (E.g. Mumbai-New Delhi). They are air conditioned and considered the most fast trains in India.
• Duronto Express are a category of non-stop long distance trains connecting India’s major state capitals. They are very fast and stop only for technical checks. A most known one is the 12239/12240 Jaipur Duronto Express.
• Suburban rail and Metro connect cites central business districts to their suburbs. You can find these in major cities like New Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai. They usually stop at every station, and have unreserved seating.
• Mountain railways if you are looking for more adventure and a breathtaking scenery, these trains are the most popular ones and considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the most popular ones there is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway r unning between between Siliguri and Darjeeling at the highest elevation of 2,300 mt.
• Luxury trains t here is a variety of luxury trains in India designed exclusively for tourists. These follow itineraries of 7/10 days and include accommodation, tours, food and sometimes even a on board spa! They are usually quite expensive and price ranges from US$ 4,550 to US$ 6,930 for two people. The most known ones are Palace on Wheels, the Deccan Odissey and the Maharajas’ Express . I haven’t personally tried any of these luxury trains but would love to experience them once!

Finding the right timetable for your trip

Giving the high number of trains, the timetable may look quite confusing. A good system to find your train timetable and your platform at the station is to remember the name, number and route of the train. Example, if you are going to Mumbai you have to look for the number 12952  route NEW DELHI – MUMBAI CENTRAL and type of train Rajdhani Express.  Online, you can check your timetable in these two different websites: Indian Rail, by searching your destination and date. This will show you different trains and times, to check yours you can search it by number or type of train. You will also have a preview of the classes that you can book on a later moment.

Maps of India provides a reliable train time table according to the type of train. If you click on the number of the train, this will show you all the stops the train will make with the expected time of arrival/departure till destination.

Where/when/how do I have to book my tickets?

Before proceeding to book your train tickets, let me explain you what different types of ticket you may find while booking. As for the train classes, also the ticket types are listed per acronyms.

Type of Tickets on Indian Trains

• CNF means “confirmed”  this means that you made it and your seat has been reserved!
• RAC means “reservation against cancellation”. This type of ticket activates when all the reservable seats on the train are fully booked. The system will put you automatically in a Waiting List (WL) and you can still travel with that train but if you don’t get any reservation, you have to search for an unreserved seat. If someone cancels his booking you might be promoted to CNF and get a seat on a specific coach. If the waiting list is very long and you are not accommodated a place your ticket will be refunded.
• Tatkal (CK) means “Immediate” these are generally last-minute tickets for emergency departures. These tickets can’t be cancelled or refunded.
• Tourist Quota Tickets some trains (generally the most popular routes) reserve some tickets to tourists. They are usually sold very fast and it is advisable to book them well in advance. I personally used the tourist quota tickets and booked my train ride about three months in advance.

When to book a ticket for a train trip in India

Now that you know how distinguish the type of tickets, it’s time to book! If you follow these steps one by one you can make it! First one-million-dollars problem. When do I have to book my train tickets? During high season (Nov-Mar) tickets on EC and AC1 sell fast. If you want to travel on a reserved seat on one of those coaches, my advice is to book as soon as you know your itinerary. Otherwise you may be disappointed. Generally, you can book tickets up to 120 days in advance.

Where to book train tickets in India

Where do I have to book my tickets?  Essentially, there are three ways to book your tickets. Via a travel agent (who will ask you for a commission), in person and online.

• In person. If you are on the go and want to buy a ticket directly at the station check www.indianrail.gov.in for a list of International Tourist Bureaux selling tickets to foreign visitors at the station. These are generally based in big cities like Agra, Delhi or Mumbai but there are possibly other offices around India. Be sure to get to the right office and don’t listen to anyone telling you it’s closed (they are scammers! we will talk about this below). At the counter they will ask for your Visa and Passport. Don’t forget to prepare them! Furthermore, you can only pay in cash! Some offices accept also foreign currencies like Sterling or Dollar but do research prior to bring other type of money.
• Online booking.  You can book your tickets via three different websites. These are Indian Railways , Clear Trip and Make my Trip . I have personally booked my tickets via the Indian Railways website because Make my Trip was asking me an indian telephone number to confirm my booking and at the time I did not have it! In any case, to use Make my Trip you have to register your details with the IRCT (indian railways), and it is much more straightforward to book the tickets with them!

How to book India train tickets online

If you follow the steps below, booking your online train ticket with IRCT (Indian Railways) will be very easy!

First Step – Registration

Go to the IRCT webpage. This will look like the picture below. Before booking your tickets, you will need to register your details on the “Register” page. Here you will be asked many questions to confirm your identity.

Be patient at this stage of registration. I had some troubles while registering my details and I had to fill the page at least three times but in the end, it did work! Once you completed your registration, you will receive an email with your login details like the one below. This will tell you to login and inform you that for international users there is a registration fee to pay that will confirm your email and mobile number.

Second step – Verify your number and email.

Login with your details via the email you received. The website will ask you now to verify your mobile phone and email. The verification of your mobile phone comes via the OTP (One time password) and the payment of a small fee ( Rs. 100 + GST. / £1,50 circa). You will receive the OTP via sms on the phone and have to insert a 6 digit number in the space suggested on the IRCT page.

Once you have done with the mobile phone and the fee payment, the website will ask you to verify your email with the same method. You will receive an OTP password in your email and you have to insert the six-digit number in the space provided.

Once you insert your OTP on the box you’re done! Congratulation, you are now fully registered on the Indian Railway system and able to book your tickets online! Eureka!

Third step – Book your tickets

Now that you have everything all set up, it’s time to book your journey! First, you have to login into your account. The system is a bit annoying because every time you login it asks you for a OTP or a screen temporary password. Don’t get mad if you can’t login the first time, it’s the system not you!

Once you have completed your login, you will see again the initial screen that needs to be filled with your travel request. Search for your destination and date (you can eventually choose your class if you already know it, otherwise you can choose it later). As example for you, I choose a hypothetical New Delhi-Agra trip (which I actually tried by the way!). Once you choose your destination, you will see the screen (pictured below) giving you the following main information: type of class and train you can choose to display on your selection (black box), type of train you can book (red box) and what class is available (yellow box), duration of the journey (blue circle) and type of travel with departure and arrival time (e.g. morning train 6.10-8.10 as shown on grey box).

If you want to check the price of your train, click the blue box on the right and you will see more details about the train selected. Don’t panic when you see what looks like a huge amount of rupees for a ticket. This price converted into your local currency is actually very cheap. For example, 1,000 Rs. are about £11/15$.

If you are happy with the price, class and train for your destination you can proceed to the booking by clicking the box “book now” on the available time and date. This will lead you to the main booking page consisting of three main steps. On the first one, you have to insert your (and all your companions) ID details and choose what type of dish you prefer (if this is included in your ticket). If you are not Indian, you must provide your passport number. On the right of your screen you will continue to see the main details of your train ride.

Once you have inserted all your details you will be directed to the second step, which is checking that everything you inserted is correct. At this stage of the booking, you can still amend your information if you made any mistake.

Fourth step – Payment

If you are happy with your selection and details, you can proceed to the last step, which is payment! On the payment page, you will find many options that might create confusion if you are a tourist because the payment page is not properly tourist-friendly. Indeed, the Indian Railways accept different methods of payment but the only one YOU can use as a tourist is the one under the category “international cards” this option is hidden under the voice MULTIPLE PAYMENT SERVICE . Ignore all the other options because in the end they accept only Indian debit/credit cards. So, click “multiple payment service” and then INTERNATIONAL CARDS (powered by Atom).

I haven’t tried the other five options in addition to International cards, so I can’t guarantee they work well. Once you will click the Int. card option you will be directed in the actual payment page where you have to insert your credit card details. You can choose to pay in rupees or in your own currency (this option depends on the card you are using) and the process is quick and simple!

Congratulation!!! You’ve made it!! You are officially booked on an Indian train journey! At this point, check your email because you should have received your e-ticket that should look more or less like mine below! Don’t forget to print it out and keep it with you during your journey!

Fifth step – At the station, boarding the train

It’s time to depart! Check carefully all the information about your train on the ticket especially about your place/berth/coach. If you are travelling on a long-distance train, your name will be printed out on a list placed out at the train station ticket office (2h before) and on the outside of the train before departure. Here you will find the confirmation of your name and coach (eg. Name- AC1 coach 2 seat/berth etc.).

Actually, I discovered that this system is in use also on short-distance trains. In fact, on the morning of our departure, I found Alessio name and mine on the door of our coach. You must take your ticket and passport with you. A few minutes after departure, an inspector will check that all the details on your passport correspond to his own list (similar to the one published outside the train). Now you can relax and enjoy your journey!

I have to say I was quite satisfied with our train experience in India. The train was clean and in good conditions. We booked on the Executive class, which more or less is like our second class but with a much nicer service! Immediately after boarding we were provided with two bottles of water of 1L each and just ten minutes after leaving we were already been served breakfast! This came in two parts. A first part with tea/coffee, biscuits, marmalade, milk, bread and even cereals! A second part (after about half an hour ride) with some traditional Indian dishes, juice and chapati! What a way to start the morning! Our trip was just a short 2h ride but I was very happy about it!

Issues and troubleshooting while booking.

Recently, the Indian Railways website was renovated with a much more friendly user facade. In fact, it is much simpler to use for a tourist compared to just one year ago. I personally did not have any problems while booking my tickets and verifying my details. However, there might be some issues due to their system that you can face at the time of booking. These are generally not receiving the OTP password to verify your number/email.

Problems are due to their system, so the only solution is continue to try until you get it (concerning your email, you may try to verify different emails and edit later your details from your account). Another error you might face is the “login error”. Despite typing the correct credentials, the system does not recognise them. Once again, persevere! It is their fault not yours, so after two-three attempts you should login successfully! If you have issue during your credit card transaction, this might be your bank that does not approve a foreign transaction. You can verify this by calling their call centre.

Bookings via Makemytrip and Cleartrip

Many users prefer to book their tickets throughout Makemytrip and Cleartrip. I personally preferred to book directly with Indian Railways as I don’t like much to proceed with third companies when I have a direct option. Furthermore, even if you want to book with these two companies you MUST register your ID details with Indian Railways anyway (Makemytrip will ask these before booking the tickets) so, to me there is no point in doing all the hard job and switch site when it comes to the easiest part! If you still want to book with these companies, you have first to register and verify an account with IRCT (see Step 1 below), second you have to create a second account with their company and only at the end you can proceed with the booking on their page.

Pro: both websites looks much more tourist-friendly and simple to use after the registration. You can book also other types of transportation, including taxis. Cons: first , you have to register with IRCT anyway so it is much more straightforward to book with them. Second, when I tried to use makemytrip last year it did not allow me to book without an Indian phone number, so after a couple of trials I gave up! Furthermore, it looks like they don’t accept foreign credit cards, although I couldn’t verify this personally and things change very quickly. Third, Cleartrip charges additional booking fees you will not find on IRCT. These are usually $0,50 in addition to the ticket price plus a 1.8% credit card fee.

Watch out! Scams at the train stations (and how to avoid them).

India is, unfortunately, famous also for the great number of scams you may encounter while on the road. Stations (especially big ones) are particularly sensitive to frauds and it would be really sad if your well-planned trip, possibly the trip you are dreaming for an entire life, ends up badly because of a scam. We almost got scammed at the New Delhi station and believe me, is not something I wish to anyone. There are various type of scammers at the station. However, the most popular is the fake police man/army man, which is the one I personally encountered.

Before my trip, I read so much about possible scammers, the way they acted and where to find them. I felt smart and well prepared, but reality is another thing. Especially if you travel at early morning/late night when you are not at the top of your faculties and a bit sleepy. This was my experience. Little parenthesis, Indians are obsessed with security. You’ll pass security checks in “airport style” everywhere, even to enter shops at the mall. Stations are, of course, no exception. Closed parenthesis.

The “your train is cancelled” scam

It was around 5.15 in the morning and our train to Agra was at six (it was still very dark outside). We reached the station well in time taking in consideration also that we did not know where to go or what to do precisely. After having spotted the security checks in one corner outside of the main gate, we knew we were on the right entrance.

We approached the security line. When it was our turn to pass the metal detector and scan the baggage, the guy looking like a police officer (who was sitting next to the bag scanner) with an evident badge attached on his jacket, asked for our tickets and passports.

It doesn’t sound too strange to me as he looked like part of the security team and he was wearing a uniform with a badge. However, I had anyway a red flag alert on in my mind and I gave him just the train tickets (of which I had a copy) trying to take time to “find” the passports. He did not wait too much time after receiving the tickets to state that our train was cancelled that morning and we couldn’t get inside the station because of this reason. Here was the moment I immediately knew he was a scammer!

He did not want to return us our tickets so we started discussing very loudly in front of the security line and I threatened him to call the police in that exact moment. I still don’t remember how, but I was able to take my tickets off his hands and he was still persistently continuing to say that our train was not departing that morning saying “go inside and you’ll see”. We genuinely sent him to hell and continued to the security without problem. Of course, our train was there as expected.

Things that surprised me a lot about this event were: first, the actual security people were watching the scene and did nothing despite knowing exactly what was happening. Second, people (including other French tourists who departed with us from the same hotel) did nothing despite hearing what was happening and possibly (if true) involving them as well. Thanks guys, so nice from you.

How we got out of the scam

Third, no actual police officers were around in or outside the station at that time! So, be extremely careful and take your guard high ALL THE TIME. Never give someone (despite officially looking) your passport or tickets. I had a copy of the tickets for this reason. Don’t trust anyone stating your train is burned, delayed, cancelled or anything else (same thing about hotels! Don’t trust anyone saying your hotel is closed etc.). Moreover, save the police number and your embassy number (just for the very bad cases). We got misled by the guy’s uniform and his position in the security line! In the end, we were lucky. However, I was also sure that our train wasn’t cancelled because I checked on the website before going! Trains are cancelled only in case of technical faults or bad weather conditions (e.g. flooding or heavy fog).

Other types of scams

What happened to us is not the only fraud you might face at the station. Watch out also for the fake ticket office and officer (inside the station) and for taxi drivers bringing you purposely to wrong stations/ fake ticket offices in order to force you going by car (with them or some of their friends) to your destination. If you travel at early morning, I warmly recommend making your hotel arranging a taxi for you and don’t go venturing with the first cab you find! Uber is generally safe in India but if you have trouble booking with them because of the network/ data etc. trust your hotel.

Conclusions

And that’s a wrap! If you have read till here and finished this Indian railways guide step by step, first, THANK YOU! Second, it means that you are very determined in getting these train tickets!! So don’t give up and you’ll manage that! I’ll try to keep this page as updated as possible. If there is any big change, you will find it here! For the moment all the info are updated to 24/01/19.

Cheers! Laura

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India Train Travel Tips – 14 Essential Things I Wish I Knew!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: March 30, 2022

Categories INDIA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

I’m gonna be honest. India Train travel is pretty rough.

From the hair pulling never-ending ticket booking process, finding your carriage car, dealing with the dirty stations, and even worse, the toilets which have god knows what in; you’re in for a wild ride.

But it’s not all bad. The carriages are relatively clean, people are always friendly and up for a chat and it’s a new adventure every day!

It’s the place where no one uses headphones for calls and music, crowds of people are sitting on the floor, people hang out the doors and the sweet sound of ‘chai, chai ,chaiiii’ is like music to your ears as the chai walla makes his way through the train.

You’ll truly be travelling like a local if you pick India train travel over planes.

There really isn’t anything more beautiful than the infamous train journeys here and arguably it’s a bucket list item in itself.

These are the 14 things I wish I knew before about India train travel!

Spoiler alert: It’s NOTHING like the Wes Anderson movie The Darjeeling Limited *sigh*  :P

All the things I wish I knew before travelling by train in India

1. you must book india train travel online.

Before I got to India I thought that you could just wing train travel. You see the typical scenes of people on the rooftops and you think it’s going to be easy!

But no, due to the crazy amount of population and, if you can believe it, rules on safety you have to have a designated seat and ticket to board.

India train travel isn’t the same as the UK where you can just turn up on the day and buy a ticket.

Although it is possible to buy on the day if you want a designated seat and carriage class you will need to book in advance.

The good news is if you already know your travel plans you can book tickets up to 6 months in advance. Even before you land in India.

Booking tickets for trains via their IRCTC train website is a ball ache. I swear I was literally pulling my hair out by the end of it.

They seem to shut down their site for 20 during the day at random times, international cards hardly ever work and it’s difficult to navigate.

It’s so not worth skipping paying a commission!

2. Using Cleartrip for India train travel

That’s why I use Cleartrip now. I’m not sponsored at all, I just love their site.

I can see the train, know how much and if there is a waitlist, and how many are on it. What’s more, I can book a ticket for the day!

They also give a guaranteed refund if your waitlisted ticket is unsuccessful.

They only charge a 10% commission so it’s nothing to stop the stress.

You’ll then need to print your tickets for inspection before you board the train and always keep your passport handy. But showing it on your phone is fine too.

3. You’re not guaranteed a seat with your party

It’s good to note that you’re allocated a seat randomly. There’s no guarantee you will get the seat you want or your party will be sat together.

Knowing this I usually request the ‘Side – Lower’ options so I have my own privacy!

4. Be careful buying day tickets

If you book a ticket on the day at the station you’ll be given an allocated day ticket.

It’s dirt cheap around 75 rupees and if you can handle the people massage it comes with.

In the busy economy carriages, you can save some serious pennies! Avoid rush hours. Trust me.

5. Be aware of the waitlist

Because of the ever-growing population in India, travelling on trains can get crowded.

Therefore, to crowd control, they have a waitlist system. It doesn’t mean you won’t get a seat, but it’s not guaranteed either.

On Cleartrip and on the IRCTC website they will tell you how many are on the waitlist already.

This should give you an idea of how successful you will be.

There’s an awesome free app called ‘Trainman’ on the App Store which not only allows you to track Indian trains in real-time. But, it also gives you an indication of what percentage of success you have if being successful on the waitlist with your booking reference (you will have to buy your ticket to do this).

I’ve not been unsuccessful yet for a waitlisted ticket, but it is possible.

Cheaper carriages will always sell out fastest so book a 1 or 2 AC carriage for a better chance of success.

6. Book an AC carriage

AC is pretty much my life in India. I cannot survive without air con, even in winter. I just get far too hot and I hate feeling dirty from sweating all the time!

Indian summer is particularly gruesome with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees.

So, unless you’d like it to be tropical, I would book an Air-conditioned or AC carriage for India train travel.

These usually come in the options of 1, 2 or 3 AC. 1 being first class.

7. Know the differences of 1, 2, and 3 AC

Personally, for short journeys, I find there isn’t much difference between 1, 2, or 3 AC.

It’s the same quality of beds and air conditioning. Plus, if you’re on during the day everyone usually sits on the bottom seats anyway.

If you’re travelling overnight I would recommend 1 AC , the quality of food and bedding is just better and you (fingers crossed) may have more chance of sleeping!

You get nice curtains for privacy, a private fan in the compartment, and a charging point.

2 tier is also fine and has two beds on either side of the compartment like bunk beds.

Curtains are present here but no private fan. There is a shared charging point.

This has 3 tier beds meaning 3 beds on either side of the compartment.

Best to get a top bed if you want to sleep during the day as the middle and bottom beds won’t be available until everyone wants to go to sleep.

No curtains are here so no privacy either. And more people means way more luggage everywhere.

My favourite is ‘side lower’ as there is just a single bunk on the top and below. So you can chill out behind the curtain and just look at the world outside!

The bedding you get is pretty tired and worn out and the best not to look at the colour of the pillow underneath the cover!

You should get new ones but I’m not sure if they change them in between stops for new passengers. So bring your own travel pillow and a blanket I say.

The Shatabdi express trains are the best for day trips. They’re more expensive but you receive air conditioning, 2 meals of decent food, and a comfy seat.

Booking chair car or executive class, there’s little difference. So if you needed to save a few rupees just book a chair car.

8. Keep track of your train via train man

This app is awesome. It’s completely free via the App Store. It allows you to keep track of Indian trains in real-time.

Just put in your train number on the app and it will tell you where the train is.

This is particularly helpful with delays so you can see how long you have left.

9. Know where your carriage is going to pull up on the station before you get on the train

I can’t tell you the number of times I have been on the wrong part of the station.

I get on the train and had to drag myself and my stuff through endless hot, sweaty, carriages with people everywhere. Ew.

It’s not pretty and if you can avoid it, it’s so much better.

The carriage numbers are noted along with the station, but it’s not always obvious.

When I’ve asked station wardens and locals about which part of the station my carriage will arrive in, people don’t always know which I took comfort in that I wasn’t the only one.

There was this time that I thought I was in the right place, but When the train arrived my carriage flew past me and I had to run.

I lost my step, tripped, dropped my luggage, and a can of coke flew and dropped all over me. I then had to pick myself up and run into the first carriage as it was leaving the station. haha! oops!

Don’t end up like me, make sure you get to the right place. Well, I guess that  bit was like the Darjeeling Limited ;)

10. Come prepared with food and distractions

When I’ve been wandering around the train carriages, I’ve seen the ‘kitchen’ on board. It’s really dirty!

Plus, if you’re not used to the food and eat from the train menu you may find yourself needing the toilet… a lot!

So, unless you want to risk it, I would suggest bringing your own food or buying some snacks before you board the train.

You can always find Coca-Cola, cold bottled water, crisps, cookies etc. At the station at cheap prices.

You’re given water for long journeys free with your ticket (I think it’s a litre every 12 hours). But, there are people who wander through selling water on the train selling cold drinks, snacks, and chai for cheap.

The Shatabdi express trains have a ‘meals on wheels’ company order which is delivered from a kitchen outside of the train.

Fingers crossed I’ve never gotten sick from this food as it’s all packaged well and looks clean.

If you’re really feeling peckish and have an Indian phone, you could order some food at the station.

I saw this one Dominos guy at Alwar station who was waiting to deliver a pizza to a hungry passenger! Awesome idea.

11. Prepare for the toilets on Indian trains

This one really speaks for itself. Depending on what carriage class you’re sitting in, you may or may not get a western-style toilet.

This will mean you’ll have to get your balancing act on pretty quickly.

Although the trains are pretty sturdy on the tracks, they’re pretty bumpy so you’ll have to make sure you can hold onto something.

I’d also recommend being prepared with tissues and/or baby wipes. If there is a loo roll it’s in limited supply.

I’ve now just started carrying a toilet roll around with me on journeys.

In Asia, many stores sell a single toilet roll that you can pack. Saves a lot of hassle! I’m just not ready for the bum gun or bucket just yet!

12. Set an alarm

There are limited calls at stations and even if they are present they aren’t always clear.

I’d set an alarm on your phone around 30 minutes before you’re due to arrive, that way if you fall asleep you won’t miss your stop!

In those sleeper carriages, it’s all too tempting to have a nap and you could end up in the middle of nowhere!

13. Keep your valuables safe

Although I’ve been pretty lucky on trains in India with my valuables, it’s important to keep them safe.

Luggage locks, lock wires, and keeping your valuable items near you can really help to make you feel more secure.

Personally, I have luggage locks on both my rucksacks and I put a rain cover over my big one.

That way I can hear if someone is going to try and get inside. If I’m sleeping, I always keep my daysack on my front so I know where it is.

14. Finally, enjoy travelling around India by train!

The most important travel tip of all, enjoy your Indian train travel journey!

It really is an adventure in itself and will provide some of the most awesome memories of your time travelling around India.

Heading to India? Read more of my articles!

How to spend one day in Delhi

The ultimate Rajasthan itinerary

A first timers guide to Jaipur

A complete guide for Manali

Why you need to visit Shimla

Exploring Leh Ladakh

One week Kerala Itinerary

A complete guide for Varanasi

North East India bucket list

Things to do in Dharamshala

Top tips for the Taj Mahal

My complete guide for Rishikesh

Things to do in Hampi

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Thursday 8th of February 2024

Hey Sophie!

I love your blog about traveling in India. Most helpful one I found in the Internet 🙏😉 Do you think it's safe enough to travel as a girl alone by train or bus especially during the night? Greets

Sophie Pearce

Tuesday 13th of February 2024

Hi Annie, i've travelled on lots of buses and trains at night alone and it is generally safe. But, always be alert and streetwise. Make sure to lock up your bags and make sure to try to join up with another woman. They often have solo seats in India so try to grab one of these. I'm not saying that bad thing can't happen but I've always felt safe in India :) Sophie x

Thursday 26th of May 2022

In case you miss your carriage, you can get in any then change the carriage at next station/stop.

Hi Joe, very good point! Thanks, Sophie x

Thursday 19th of August 2021

Train travel in India can be an overwhelming experience. It takes meticulous planning ahead of time. We were uniquely blessed to be easily able to travel the complex and far flung vast expanses of perhaps the third largest railroad system in the world. Arguably the most used railway system as well. Without going into detail I can tell you confidently, that it was absolutely splendid! In contrast to that luxury, we also traveled on all four gauges (narrow, meter, broad and standard gauges) of the vast Indian Railways on every known classification. On some stretches the four gauges ran within and concurrently. I don’t know of any other place on the planet where that is so common over long stretches, lol!

The sound of the tracks and bewitching alpine horns as well as the archaic whistle on some old hobbies is etched in my mind. Some of the best quality REM deep sleep I’ve ever experienced was in those wonderful trips. The scenery was exquisite. Whether it was rumbling through megalopolis urban centers or the tranquil expanses of the country side (a veritable diaspora of green farmland, to the dense and foreboding jungles to the serene expanses of the many ocean beaches, the landscape was haunting. Aside from all these we also enjoyed being unhooked from the train next to a private cove with a pond or lake to camp out at. Stuff of dreams that would easily be the envy of many. Uncommon and common experiences to cherish forever.

I have to say I’m compelled to agree, it’s an !incredible !India!

Sunday 29th of August 2021

Thanks Kabir, I agree that Indian train travel is exhilirating and an underrated way to see the country! Thanks for your fabulous description :) Sophie x

Roshan Kumar

Wednesday 2nd of September 2020

Hii, your blog is very nice and informative. People will really find this very helpful. They will come to know about the best travel tips for train journey.

Thursday 3rd of September 2020

Hi Roshan, thank you for reading and your kind words! I hope it helps travellers in India! Sophie x

Friday 18th of October 2019

Well written Sophie and much needed wisdom for my upcoming train journey to Guwahati. I haven’t been on an Indian train in decades so your advice is really appreciated..

Saturday 19th of October 2019

Hi Ian, thanks for your feedback! Guwahati is such an incredible city and I’m sure you’ll have a blast. Booking trains in India can be quite easy :) have an awesome time in North East. Sophie x

TRAIN TRAVEL IN INDIA – EVERYTHING TRAVELLERS NEED TO KNOW.

Train travel in India has got to be one of the best experiences of journeying the subcontinent. Nothing quite beats sitting by a window, fresh chai in hand, enjoying the scenes of life that pass by. But, the Indian railways system is renowned for being overly complex and sometimes  complicated – so we’re here to help set you up with everything you need to know to enjoy travelling by train in India to the full! 

This post contains compensated  affiliate links, please find out more in our disclosure . Thank you for supporting Soul Travel!

How to Master Indian Train Travel for Foreign Visitors

I tend to subscribe to the belief that you haven’t been to India (let alone experienced India), until you’ve taken a long ride on Indian Railways. The view of this beautiful country is best from a bunk in an overnight train sleeper coach, watching the landscapes roll by and chatting to new-found friends.

There are few better feelings on a journey around India than sitting at a window seat, masala chai in hand, simply watching the varied landscapes of India change, merge and blend before your eyes, or standing near a train doorway early in the morning after an overnight journey feeling the cool fresh breeze on your face.

Travelling by train in India is safe, efficient, comfortable (depending on which class you pick – read below!) and our number one way to get around India. Head over here for some of our must-not-miss favourite train journeys in India !

The third largest employer in the world, mover of 25 million passengers ever day, and owner of the longest railway platform in the word (amongst other trivia), travelling by Indian Railways is an experience not to be missed during your trip to India. 

Train travel in India is many things: But being ‘turn-up-and-go’ is definitely not one of them, and especially not for foreigners travelling in India (although fortunately this is changing – more below). 

Good things come to those who persevere, however and I truly believe that you won’t regret the time and effort put into planning your Indian train journeys. Many Indians depend on train travel to get around the country and the railways are still referred to as India’s lifeline. Given that a population of 1.2 billion people depend on them to get around, you can begin understand why the ticketing system is a little complex. 

Over my trips to India and living here over the last seven years I’ve learnt a lot about how to travel by Indian railways – by trial as much as by error – so much so that locals seem to come up to me on station platforms and ask me for directions! I’m happy to share all my tips with you in this post, along with how train travel in India has changed post Covid-19 .

Planning Train Travel in India 

The first step towards planning your trip to India is working out an approximate itinerary .

This doesn’t mean you have to book all your hotels etc, but do have an idea of which places you want to go to and how long you will have in each place. This will help you pin down which dates you need your Indian Railways tickets for so that you can start to look into specific trains.

You may then need to re-orgnise your itinerary based on availability of trains, or which places are well connected to each other by rail (for example – Jaipur and Udaipur are well connected by train, but there’s no train from Udaipur to Jodhpur (or vice versa). 

The most important point is that you want to book your trains as early as possible – they open up for sale 120 days in advance and ideally you want to be booking your train tickets for your Indian rail journeys 3-4 months out if you can,  especially  if there are holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Diwali etc occurring around that time. 

Not all trains run every day. Some express trains run only certain days of the week. When researching trains you might find information like the below: 

Here you can see some of the many trains that run from Varanasi to Delhi, which days of the week they run on (letters are for days of the week), how long they take and which classes they have. If you want to research train options between cities, a google search will bring up plenty of sites with this info such as indiarailinfo.com. 

Types of Train in India

There are many different types of train in India – even for long distances and know upfront that  not all trains are equal.  Some trains move at twice the speed of others, calling at 20% of the stations. Depending on which train you choose, a journey between two places can take five hours or ten hours – so be careful with which train you book! 

Here are some of the main types of trains that you may come across during your travels in India: 

Overnight Trains:

• Rajdhani Express – The RollsRoyce of Indian express trains (ok, well maybe more like a Volkswagen). These are the fastest and most reliable intercity express trains that run between Delhi and state capitals. They’re a great way to get from Delhi – Mumbai or Delhi – Kolkata (or vice versa) quickly and comfortably. The Rajdhani’s always have priority on the tracks and meals are included on these trains. Rajdhanis are fully air conditioned, but don’t expect red carpets or chandeliers; the interiors are similar to any other air conditioned Indian Railways train. These are also the most expensive trains.  Recommended.
• Garib Rath  – Distinguishable by its olive green and mustard yellow outside livery, the Garib Rath is an all economy Air Conditioned express train, designed to be an affordable option for those who could not afford air conditioned train travel. Runs 1-2 times per week and there are several routes including south from Mumbai to Kerala (which we travelled on and found very comfortable).  Recommended.
• Duronto Express – Duronto means non-stop in Bengali, and these trains were introduced in 2009 as India’s first step towards high speed rail services. They were introduced to be point-to point services with no stops in between (although now some do stop it seems). Generally a great option for long distance travel.  Recommended.
• SuperFast Express  – Possibly the type of train you’ll find yourself on most for inter-city / town travel, sometimes all AC ( referred to as AC SuperFast), or sometimes a mix of Sleeper + AC Classes (SuperFast). These trains are relatively fast and a good way to travel. Recommended.
• Express – A step down from SuperFast Expresses (and indeed the Express name may be aspirational only) these trains tend to stop at more stations and take longer. Generally these are fine too, and may be your only option for less common routes, but are prone to more delays than the above categories of trains.
• Mail Trains / Passenger – the slowest trains, stopping at yet more stations, taking more time, and prone to more delays. Only recommended if this type of train is your only option. 

Daytime Trains:

• Tejas Express – A (relatively) new addition to train travel on selected routes in India, the Tejas Express trains are India’s latest high-speed train travel offering. These trains are new, modern, and are fully air conditioned with automatic closing doors and tv’s in the back of seats in Executive AC class. A novelty for travelling by train in India, but not recommended for those who relish the chance to sit by an open window or door. Given the high ticket price, these trains often have seats left when others are fully booked.
• Shatabdi Express  – These are daytime express trains with seating only (all the above trains have sleeper berths) and cover popular shorter routes like Delhi to Agra, Amritsar and Jaipur. These are good trains which usually run on time and we highly recommend them. All AC.  Recommended.
• Jan Shatabdi –  Like the Shatabdi trains above but with the addition of non-AC chair car class. Slightly slower and cheaper than Shatabdis.  Recommended.
• Local Trains –  These come in a range of forms to the local suburban trains of Mumbai and Kolkata, to state local trains which run between towns and usually offer “General” unreserved seating only. They are usually very busy in cities. Avoid these unless you really want to take the “scenic” route! 

If you want to travel as quickly as possible, research the fastest train for your route. In general the SuperFast trains sell out quickest, I’ve never had any problems getting a Rajdhani ticket, but the cost is about 30% higher than a SuperFast for the same route. 

Some trains are also famous for being late. I used not to believe this, until someone warned me about a particular train and it was 11 hours (yes you read that right) late. So I am now a member of the official India train geek society and check the average punctuality score for trains before booking them – Railyatri.in (another useful site for checking train routes and status) has an “on time score”!

How to Book Indian Railways Train Tickets

There are many ways to book your Indian train tickets. Here are some of the best options: 

Booking Indian Train Tickets From Overseas

This has always been much harder (and at times impossible) than booking Indian train tickets inside India. The issues include not having an Indian phone number, foreign credit cards not being accepted, and no access to the foreign tourist quota. Fortunately – times are a changing, and it’s now easier than it’s every been to nab your Indian train tickets before you even set foot in the motherland! 

Option #1 – The stress-free way with Raj from Train Ticket Please

I used to enjoy booking my own train tickets with my IRCTC account, but on my return to India in October 2021 after Covid, I found that I could no longer use my UK bank cards to pay for my tickets. Most other foreign travellers have reported the same issue, with foreign (non-Indian) bank cards from most countries being rejected.

Enter my saviour and agent, Raj, from Train Ticket Please, who now books all of my tickets, along with arranging ground transportation, domestic flights, drivers and guides. Raj books trains all over India for a small service cost, meaning you don’t have to spend out hours – or days – trying to work out how to register, create an account and book your own tickets on the Indian Railways website, and it’s just done for you!

If you’re short on time and want the least hassle, I recommend booking via him. Contact via Whatsapp: +91 89621 29008 or Email: [email protected] mentioning ‘SOUL TRAVEL’.

Option #2 – Do it yourself with 12Go.Asia

12Go.Asia is one of the leading platforms for booking transport in Asia, and is one of the only international websites to offer Indian train bookings  without having to register for an IRCTC account first.  Which makes it the easiest and quickest option for booking trains in India, and ideal for if you only want to take a couple of journeys / are only in India for a couple of weeks. They don’t have every single journey online yet, but they do have most of the ones you’d want to take as a visitor to India, between the main towns and cities. 

Search and Book Indian trains on 12go here!

How I suggest using 12Go.Asia for booking trains:  

• Conduct a general search on railyatri.in or indiarailinfo.com to check the trains running between your destinations
• Note the train number, station that they leave from and station they arrive at. Most cities have multiple stations and you need to enter the specific departure and arrival station to get the right train results. 
• While booking you can request your preference of upper or lower berth and normally there will be different classes available – see our notes below for recommendations on what to book. 
• Enter your details and pay by international credit card. Bookings are on a request basis so they are not confirmed until you receive the confirmation from 12go.Asia. There’s an option to let them know if you are flexible to travel a day before / after.  Search train journeys in India now ! 

Search & Book Popular Train Journeys in India on 12go

Jaisalmer –> Jodhpur

Jaipur –> Ajmer (Pushkar)

Delhi –> Jodhpur

Agra –> Jaipur

Delhi –> Agra

Mumbai –> Goa (Madgaon)

Goa –> Cochin (Ernakulam)

Delhi –> Varanasi

Delhi –> Haridwar (for Rishikesh)

Option #3 – Sign up for an IRCTC Account & (try to) Book Directly

This option is high risk if you don’t have access to an Indian bank card/credit card – you may go through all the steps to book tickets only to find that your payment cannot be accepted. If in doubt, use one of the previous 2 options.

As of 2022, sadly Cleartrip is no longer offering train bookings via your IRCTC account (which used to be my workaround).

This is the traditional way of booking train tickets and used to be possible, but is now unlikely to work with foreign cards, unless you get lucky. It’s a high investment of time with limited chance of success, so I urge you to use other options especially if it’s just for a couple of journeys. But, if you’re really determined and have Indian friends who are happy to let you use their payment cards, proceed as follows:

Step 1: Sign up for an IRCTC Account. 

The first step is to sign up for an IRCTC account . IRCTC stands for Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Cooperation and is the Government body that oversees all railways in India. As of November 2017 you can now get an IRCTC account with a foreign mobile number (include your country code when signing up). Unfortunately, the “OTP” (One Time Passcode) which is sent via SMS/Text and which you need to validate your account doesn’t always arrive to international numbers. If that happens, your best bet is to try to book with 12go.asia or email Raj at [email protected] as above quoting “Soul Travel”.

With your foreigner account you will also be able to book tickets from the  Foreigner Tourist Quota (more on what that is below) but note that that the quota is only available for 1AC and 2AC classes. Make a note of your ID and password somewhere safe as you’ll need it for whenever you make a booking! 

As a non-Indian national (using a foreign phone number to register) you will need to pay an activation fee of 100 Rupees after activation, on your first login to your account  before you’ll be able to make any bookings. 

There is now a maximum number of train bookings (single journeys) you can make per month per IRCTC id which is six . For additional bookings over six per month per person/ID you’ll need to use an agent or buy at the station. 

Step 2. Booking Tickets with an IRCTC Account on IRCTC website 

Once you have a validated IRCTC Account, you can log in, choose your train, class of travel and preferred bunk (upper / middle / lower – note that you’re not guaranteed to get it), etc.

Login, search for trains between your chosen destinations and preferred class of travel (we recommend searching for train options as above first so you can enter the exact start and end station).

Availability on trains opens up 120 days prior to departure. Many trains get booked up weeks if not months in advance, so this is where having an account well in advance helps. If your train is still available, simply book a confirmed ticket, note your booking number (called a PNR) and away you go! If not, read on…

Step 3. Things to know when booking tickets yourself on IRCTC

When searching for trains you might see statuses like “RAC” “Waitlist” and “Available”. Here’s what they mean: 

Available –  Pretty self explanatory –  you can book a ticket with a confirmed seat. Lucky you! 

RAC  – Reserved against Cancellation. Indian Railways know that not everyone will show up for their train, so they do what they can to make sure the train runs full and “overbook” using RAC tickets (similar to what airlines do really).

With an RAC ticket you CAN board the train  but you are not guaranteed a seat/berth number at the time of booking and may have to share a berth if everyone shows up for the train. Usually, as ticket quotas are released one day prior / up to four hours before the departure of the train, you will be allocated a berth. I have seen some cases where trains were full and some RAC passengers had to sit for long journeys sharing berths, but this is unusual and RAC passengers normally get berths fine.

You should board the class of travel that you paid for – ie if you booked an RAC ticket at the AC3 fare, you should board an AC3 coach. We advise booking RAC for the most popular class such as AC3 tier as there is normally much more of this on a train than say first class. You can see how many people are on RAC tickets already by the number given – eg RAC 23 means there are 23 people on RAC tickets already in front of you. Obviously, the lower the number the better your chances.

WL or Waitlist – That means your train is officially closed to guaranteed bookings. Once the general quota sells out for a train and all RAC tickets have been booked, the train moves on to Waitlist status. You can book a Waitlist ticket but that means you are not confirmed a place on the train and you cannot (officially…) board a train with a Waitlist ticket. 

See more on what we suggest you do if you are issued a Waitlist ticket below! 

Pin this for Later! 

Option #3 – Use a Local Travel Agent

I recommend Raj at Train Ticket Please ([email protected], quote “Soul Travel”), however you can also use other agents you find along your travels – such as through your accommodation, guide or through travel agents in tourist destinations. They will charge a small fee for booking tickets.

TIP: If going with travel agent shops in tourist destinations, check the price and availability of trains yourself on IRCTC first to know availability and pricing. It’s normal to pay a small fee (around 100rs) for booking, but be aware of agents trying to increase ticket prices, or trying to tell you to book first class tickets when there are lower classes available, if you don’t want them.

Travel agents have been known to claim that certain trains are full, or only have First Class tickets left in order to increase their revenue – which is why I recommend using Raj at Train Ticket Please (email above), 12go.asia, or another agent you know/trust.

Option #4 – Buy Your Ticket at a Railway Station in India

Once you are in India, you can turn up at any Railway Station in India and book trains in person (payment is by cash only).

Most Railway stations have someone who speaks English (at a smaller station, ask for the station manager) – and larger Railway stations have ticket windows that are dedicated to train bookings for foreigners. There is also a foreigner quota that is available only in person (or now on IRCTC too but only for certain classes and if you have registered with a foreign mobile number). Try and go to the station to book your tickets at the earliest chance possible, as the trains sell out. Beware anyone trying to point you away from the ticket office and towards their own travel agency (New Delhi is infamous for this!).

Logistics of Train Travel in India

You’ve booked your tickets, congrats! You’re half way there 😉

Now here’s how you go about making sure you get on your train.

To get to the right place on the right train you are going to need: Your train number, compartment number and berth number.

Example: 13015 (Train), B3 (Coach / “Bogie”), 23 (Berth).

How to Find your Platform 

Indian Railways stations vary hugely across the country – some have really great, clear signage and others hardly any. If you’re getting on your train at the start of the route, you should have some time, but if you’re getting on at an intermediate station, you need to make sure you are in the right place as trains are very long and at worst only stop for 2 minutes . 

Make a note of your Train Number (5 digits eg 13015)  as some stations will show trains by numbers rather than destinations. If there is no board with train departures (normally to be found in the main station entrance, waiting room, or on the Footbridge), you can ask the station manager or other railway official. Porters (who wear red shirts) are often a great source of information too – it can be worth paying them to carry your bags and get you to the right place. 

How to Find your Coach on the Train

Once you’ve found your platform, you need to find where to stand on your platform. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT as Indian trains are very long and you need to be in the right place. Normally you will see numbers along the platform on signs such as “10”, “11” etc. These do not correspond to the coach number but are indicators of where the different coaches will stop. Eg B2 may stop at 10, B3 may stop at 11 etc. In northern India I found that there are often electronic indicators along the platform (with red lights) indicating which coach will stop where. However in Southern India I didn’t see these, and there were only signs with (1, 2, 3 etc on). So you then need to work out which number your coach will stop by:

• There are usually announcements in the local language, Hindi, and in ENGLISH so listen out for those. 
• Ask a station official
• Use an app/the internet to check the train composition – google your train number + train composition (or use indiarailinfo.com – where the below screenshot is from) you should get something like the below which shows which number your coach stops by. Most of India’s railway stations now have free, super fast wifi courtesy of Google… 
• As a last resort, stand in the middle of the platform (not either end) and get ready to run as the train comes in! Each coach has a sign in the middle near the top with the coach number on it (eg A1, B2), plus you can easily see which coach are AC vs non AC by the sealed vs unsealed windows. 

How to Find out your Seat + Coach

If you booked a confirmed ticket, you will find your seat plus coach on the ticket. It will give you your coach (called “bogie” in Indian English) number (eg A1, B2, S1) and your seat / berth number (eg 56). 

Note that reservations charts are not finalised until 4 hours before the train departs from its starting point. 

If you are issued a waitlist ticket that then confirms, you can check your seat and coach number in two ways. The easiest way is to use an App (I use one called “Confirmtkt”) where you enter your “PNR” (your ticket number) and it will return you your ticket status, coach and seat/berth number.

You can also send a text message from your mobile phone to 139 with just your PNR (ticket number) on it, and you’ll get an auto reply which looks something like this. Again, this can change up to 4 hours prior to departure, when charting is done, so the best time to do this is within 4 hours of departure of your train. You should get a reply that looks something like this, telling you your coach and berth/seat number.

Classes of Travel on Indian Trains

Train travel in India is famous for having a total of 9 different classes of travel. Worry not though, you won’t have a choice of all 9 on any given train. The choices are essentially First Class / 1AC, 2AC (Two-Tier AC), 3AC (Three-Tier AC), and Sleeper (Non AC). Classes like 2nd (non AC chair cars) or General Class are not recommended for long journeys and are very basic. On Shatabdi express trains there are also Chair Cars (CC – Air Conditioned) and Executive Chair Cars (EC – First Class Air Conditioned).

The main difference between the Air Conditioned Sleeper Classes (from what I’ve experienced – trains can be different) are as follows:

First (1AC) gets you a locking compartment with 2 or 4 of you. It’s not possible to choose the 2 or 4, it’s down to pot luck on the day. Slightly thicker pillows are included but apart from the locking compartment door the rest is the same as 2 or 3AC – in that toilets and washbasins are at the end of of each coach. First is not particularly fancy and costs double the price of 2AC. I was not a fan of my one and only experience in first, mainly as I ended up in a compartment of snorers ( you can read about that one here ).  

On some special Radjhani Express trains, meals are included. It can however be a good option if waiting lists on all other classes are very long and you need to get somewhere. It’s also the class that Indian Ministers and important persons tend to travel. So if you fancy some networking…

2AC  / Two Tier AC (Recommended).  The layout is open plan within the coach and comes with bays of 2 bunks opposite 2 bunks, and a further 2 sideways against the side of the coach. The main advantage of 2AC is that the upper bunk is less high (as the bunks are only 2 high vs the 3 high in 3AC) and there are curtains around each bay of bunks (not individual bunks unless you get the side bunks) to provide some privacy. Bedding (sheet, blanket and pillow) is provided. Toilets are at the end of each coach.

Tip – In 2AC my favourite bunk is side upper. You have a curtain giving you perfect privacy! 

3AC  / Three Tier AC (Recommended).  Same open plan layout as 2AC but with 3 bunks facing 3 (so the top one is a bit of a climb), and there are no curtains. This is the class I travelled in for 90% of my train journeys and I found it to be comfortable. (Solo) women should try and get the top bunk . Bedding is included and it’s pretty clean. In all Air Conditioned classes the windows are of course sealed against the dirt which keeps them warmer in winter / cooler in summer and cleaner.

Tip – In 3AC I always go for the top bunk as for women that is the best option. However it can get pretty chilly as you’re right next to the fan! I recommend bringing an extra scarf or hoodie to help keep you cosy. It’s also quite high up so not recommended if you don’t feel comfortable doing a few acrobatics to get up/down. Unlike in 2AC I don’t recommend the side bunks for single women as everyone gets to have a good look at you as they walk up/down the train.

3 Tier Economy AC / 3E (NOT Recommended). As of 2022, a new sub-type of 3 tier AC has started being introduced, known as 3-Tier AC Economy, 3 Economy, or 3E. This is intended to allow more people to travel in AC classes at a lower price point, however is very cramped and not recommended as it’s more cramped than 3 tier AC (already a lot of people) and more cramped than non AC sleeper (see below. 3E class basically fits in an extra set of berths in each coach compared to   the other classes.

Sleeper (Non AC Sleeper) is basically the same layout of 3AC, but a third of the price, and a lot dirtier. Windows are open so the coaches get hot in summer and cold in winter. Bedding is not provided so bring your own. Everyone warned me about not going in Sleeper class as a foreigner (especially as a solo female). I don’t take sleeper for overnight journeys, however I have taken it for daytime journeys, for which it can be fine and is certainly much better for photography as the windows can be opened. Sleeper can be very hot/cold depending on season. If it’s your first time in India then I recommend starting off in the AC Classes and not sleeper.

Another reason to stay out of (non-AC) sleeper class is that it is subsidised by the Indian government to keep costs low for those who struggle to pay for sleeper class and long-distance railway travel. Sleeper class is hugely in demand and oversubscribed, so for these reasons too I suggest visitors should purchase higher classes of travel, leaving more room in sleeper for those who need it.

2nd Class & General Class  – AVOID these unless you are going for a short hop without your luggage and really want to travel backpacker style. These are coaches with wooden benches for sitting which can be fine in winter for a short journey – I’ve travelled in Goa & Kerala in 2nd Class (which is divided between reserved and un-reserved) for 1-2 hour journeys but definitely wouldn’t attempt it in summer or for longer.

General class is unreserved and can be truly appalling, especially in poorer states of India such as Uttar Pradesh. Anyone who does not have a confirmed reservation has to get in here – do NOT attempt this . (I’ve been in General class once for a 1 hour trip and those travelling in General class do not need tourists joining them, it’s crowded enough!)

What to do When your Train is Full (and all the others)

Worry not. Not just yet anyway. There are some options that do not involve flying or taking the bus to help you get a train ticket when your train (and all others) appear to be full.

Buy A Tatkal Ticket

Tatkal is the name of the service which is a quota of emergency travel tickets that is released at 10am the day before departure of the train for AC Classes (11am for non AC Classes). Make sure you get there ahead of time as there will be a queue! You (or your travel agent or other trusted envoy) need to be at the station before that time to get a spot in the line and fill out a form. You can then likely get a ticket for your desired train, albeit at an extra 30% of the normal price as a “Tatkal Premium”.

It used to be the case that Tatkal tickets could only be booked in person at the station but I have now done this several times via Cleartrip. It’s been really helpful and I’ve managed to get a number of train tickets this way, even though they ended up being a bit more expensive. 

Book a Waitlist Ticket

During my travels in India I’ve had several waitlist tickets, with most of them getting confirmed a few hours before the train left. Once a train is ‘full’ – i.e. standard non Tatkal tickets sold out – then the waitlist will open up and you can book a Waitlist ticket (see above). Then you have Waitlist spots 1 up to a few hundred depending on the popularity of the train. I’ve been on Waitlist 6 and had my spot confirmed, and even up to Waitlist 20. Last year I noticed that waitlists are getting longer and longer as it seems more tickets are being held back to Tatkal to help improve IRCTC’s revenue management…

Often, spots aren’t released until the day of travel (as how many waitlist spots will be confirmed is dependent not only on cancellations but how many tickets are sold in Tatkal (see above). So this can add some uncertainty to your journey.  If you need to travel on that day, it’s better to pay the extra for a confirmed Tatkal ticket.

At the latest, you will find out 4 hours before departure if your seats have been confirmed as this is when the reservation charts are finalised. 

Getting on a Train with a Waitlist Ticket

If you have an RAC ticket you can board the train. If you have a Waitlist Ticket that isn’t confirmed, you’re not allowed to…. But last year we were in that situation and needed to get to Goa on time!

When our tickets from Kerala to Goa were not confirmed we pondered what to do. Tatkal for the next day had already closed, so we decided our best chance was to try and get on the train anyway and negotiate once on board (we bought a “General” ticket from the ticket office before boarding)

We had booked 2AC tickets so we boarded the train at the 2AC compartment. Seeing as it was nighttime and we didn’t know which berths were unoccupied, we stood in the vestibule for a good hour before the TC (Ticket Checker – the one wearing a suit with a big pile of papers on a clipboard) appeared. Ravi then showed him our general tickets and told him of our plight (drawing on me as a clueless foreigner) and eventually we were given two nice berths in 2AC for the remainder of the journey. Seeing as our ticket had been refunded, we paid the TC in cash. Our TC was extremely kind and honest and took less than what we had spent on the original ticket, but normally you can expect to pay a little extra for this kind of “service” (we suggest you negotiate). 

So would I recommend this approach? Not necessarily. If I would have been travelling alone and without an Indian I would have felt pretty uncomfortable standing in the corridor with my luggage for so long, attracting a few looks. You may also encounter unscrupulous Ticket Checkers who will demand a big payment as technically speaking, you are boarding the train without a valid ticket for that class. However, if you really need to be somewhere and don’t mind chancing it, this could be your best bet! Also, you’re not depriving anyone of their seat this way, you’ll only be given a berth if one is empty (so there is a small chance you might have to stand!). 

Get Creative with your “From” Station!

On queueing up to buy a Tatkal ticket from Bikaner to Haridwar, a friendly local stepped in to enquire where I wanted to go. Suspecting “come to my travel agency” stories, I told him anyway and he suggested that I didn’t need to pay extra for a Tatkal ticket, but I could instead buy a ticket from a place called Luni in Rajasthan but “getting on at Bikaner”.

Luni was a small station in the middle of nowhere that not many people travelled from, before Bikaner on the line. But because there are quotas from each station that a train calls at, there were still standard price tickets for sale to my destination as opposed to paying several hundred rupees extra for Tatkal. The ticket office sold this to me without questioning and the ticket inspector on the train seemed quite happy. You can only buy tickets with a different “getting on point” in person.

Safety Tips for Travel on Indian Railways

One of the questions we are asked most often by travellers visiting India is if travelling by train is safe. The straightforward answer: YES! 

The longer answer: Yes train travel in India is generally very safe and most travellers have good experiences. Indian Railways generally has a good safety record and there are always police / guards on each train should you ever need help. The Railways Minister is also incredibly reactive on twitter! They can be reached at @RailMinIndia

There are a couple of things to be aware of to help make your journey even safer: 

• The main scams around rail travel are around ticketing. Famously, several travel agents pretend to be the “official foreign tourist ticket office” at New Delhi Railway station (ignore them), and touts have been known to single out tourists on platforms, ask for their train # or ticket and then tell them that their train has been cancelled, their ticket is not valid. Sometimes the scams are elaborate but they all revolve around trying to get you to buy a new ticket through them. Just ignore people who approach you at stations – the official ticket checkers will be walking through the trains once you are on and you’ll see all passengers showing their ticket. 
• Train travel in India is safe for solo women, but we recommend you get the top bunk whenever you can for some additional privacy and make sure you are well covered while sleeping – no shorts, vest tops and you can forget the idea of changing into your silk pyjamas… 
• Doors are often open during train journeys – this makes for great photo opportunities but please be careful. Trains go fast and often pass next to poles on the track so do not lean out far or while the train is travelling at speed – hold on at all times if you do stand in the doorway. 
• I’ve read a lot of advice saying to bring a padlock and chain for your luggage, but have personally never used this. I always make sure to keep my small day pack on my top bunk with me (i use it as a pillow, but have also had to leave it unattended on my top bunk when needing the washroom) and keep my main bag with clothes etc down under the seat. I use a cross body purse which never leaves my person with passport, phone and money in. If your bag is full of valuables or you are feeling especially worried about your belongings then by all means bring a padlock and chain. If travelling non-ac sleeper, I’d probably use a chain as sleeper gets more crowded. 

Dispelling Myths about India Train Travel 

Travelling by train in India gets a lot of attention and interest, unsurprisingly! But there are a few myths out there that we’d like to dispel 🙂 

• Not all Indian Trains are late. It’s true that trains can and do run late, but for us that has been the exception rather than the rule. In general if you book the better trains and follow our advice, you’d be unlucky to experience several late trains. 
• People don’t sit on the roof of trains in India. This used to be the case, but back in the 80s and 90s. Indian trains actually travel pretty fast – you’ll see that it would be pretty much impossible to stay on top! 
• Not everybody is out to get you on Indian trains. Many articles warn against leaving your luggage unlocked, keeping your eyes out, not moving without your hand sanitiser, not touching the food, etc etc. Fine, there have been cases where people have had things stolen or got sick, but the overwhelming majority of experiences on Indian trains are good! 

Got an additional myth we should add to this list? Let us know your India train stories in the comments below!

What to Pack for Train Travel in India

I recommend a few essentials that will help make your train trips in India more comfortable! 

• Headphones. Sometimes you just want to retreat to yourself – you don’t need fancy headphones, your regular ones will do fine! 
• An Eyemask – People are often switching lights on and off, so one of these will help you sleep, although personally when I travel alone in the train I don’t use one as I want to be able to see what’s going on if I need to quickly. 
• Hand Sanitiser – Toilets don’t always have soap so this is a must
• A Sleeping Sheet /  Sleeping Bag Liner – If you’re in AC Classes on Sleeper Trains, sheets, a pillow and a blanket are provided. The sheets are usually very clean (they are boil washed after each trip), but if you like to have something of your own that feels familiar to sleep in, we recommend bringing one along. 
• A Power Pack – power points are few and far between on the overnight trains, with most passengers vying to charge their phones! Bring a power pack and make sure it’s charged before your journey (so your phone doesn’t die before your alarm for your stop! 😉 )
• A secure cross-body bag  (purse) to keep your valuables (passport, phone, money) on you at all times.
• A good book! Phone and internet coverage can be spotty, and after a while you may run out of things to talk about. Train journeys are a great time to catch up on reading. 

More India Train Travel Tips! 

Food on Indian Trains – You can eat some amazing food on Indian trains! Food vendors generally get on and off trains with local specialities according to the region you are travelling through, but are remarkably unpredictable as to when they’ll appear, so it’s best to bring some of your own snacks, too. Multiple chai wallahs can walk down the coach in quick succession, only to vanish again for another few hours. Some trains also have pantry cars and food is sold by catering staff walking up and down the train.

The best chai and food is usually sold by vendors getting on the train at stations. Expect samosas in northern India, vada pav in Maharashtra, idli in south India, and wherever you go, there’s always plenty of staple ‘train biryani’.

Many foreigners are reluctant to eat train-food – with different advice being given out about whether it’s a sensible decision to eat or not. Personally I’ve eaten it many many times and had no stomach issues, but if you’ve just arrived in India or have a sensitive tum, you can give it a miss. I recommend you take provisions with you in case there’s not food around when you’re hungry 🙂 

You can even order food to your seat now, too using various services – pick a restaurant you like at an upcoming station and tuck in! 

Make sure you Wake Up for your Stop! 

Don’t expect anyone to come and wake you up for your stop – set an alarm and keep it where you can hear it – as the railway staff don’t wake people up, and you need to be at the door waiting for your stop if it’s a station where the train only stops for a couple of minutes.

The Indian (Squat) Toilets are Usually Cleaner…

In most coaches there’s a choice between “western” and Indian toilets. I usually always go for the Indian squat variety as they tend to be cleaner! The Western style ones tend to have dirty footprints on the seat (go figure). Toilet paper is not provided so if you’re not happy with water, bring tissues (these go straight on to the track unfortunately so use water if you can). I recommend bringing hand sanitiser or liquid soap too as the soap often seems to run out or was never there to begin with…

Stay up to date with the status of your ticket (and train). 

Train punctuality is getting better – the days of trains being 10 hours late (such as I’ve experienced a few years back) are mostly gone. More common is for trains to get an hour or two late, often in winter due to fog in north India, or during monsoon when there’s heavy rains. You can check the ‘running status’ of your train on this website. If a train says it’s about an hour late, it’s best still to go to the station on time, as trains often make up late time in the middle of their route.

Plan the rest of your Journey

Due to the long distances, trains often arrive or leave in the middle of the night or the early hours of the morning. Whenever this happens I recommend having pre-arranged transportation / a pickup waiting for you to/from your hotel – we definitely don’t recommend taking a rickshaw in the middle of the night to solo travellers. You can give your train number to anyone picking you up to keep on track if your train is delayed 🙂 . 

Chat with your  neighbours!

My favourite place for making new friends in India… is on long train journeys! There’s not much to do and locals are often curious about foreigners travelling – many love to speak English with foreigners and you’ll learn so much about travel habits and culture in English through engaging in friendly conversation.

Remember it’s about the Journey, not the Destination. 

One thing’s for sure if you travel by train in India – you’ll go back home with stories to tell. Train travel can be hot, crowded, delayed, but it can also be the most wonderful way to experience this beautiful country, meet its people and experience all of India’s perfect contradictions. So relax, go with the flow and watch scenes of India unfold!

India Train Travel FAQ’s

Can i book train tickets as a foreigner outside of india how.

Yes! There are a couple of options. You can either register for an IRCTC account with a foreign mobile number and buy tickets directly there, or the much easier option is to book tickets directly here online . 12go offer the most popular routes in India and accept foreign credit cards with no need to create an Indian Railways account. See our “How to book tickets” section above in the guide for full details.

What’s the Best Class to Travel on Indian Trains?

Should i eat the food on indian trains.

Many travellers (including us) eat food on Indian trains and have absolutely no problems, while others have got sick or upset stomachs. If you’ve just arrived in India and haven’t got used to the food yet, we recommend taking it easy and bringing food from your hotel / a restaurant for the journey. Otherwise, tuck in!

Is it true that Indian Railways are Always Late?

On my first trip to India, someone told me that the lateness of trains is measured not in hours but quarter, half or full day late! There’s no denying that some trains do get (very) delayed in India, but i’ve found this to be the exception not the rule. Many trains run on time, especially the higher-tier express trains. Fog can cause delays in northern India during winter months, whereas monsoon rains in southern India can cause delays and cancellations too. Just ensure you have some extra food for your journey and leave plenty of buffer time in your planning.

Is Train Travel in India safe for (solo) Women?

Have you travelled in India by train? Got extra tips to share from your experiences? Let us know in the comments below!

Planning (solo) female travel by train in India? Read my safe train travel tips for women here!

Read More about Travel in India on Soul Travel: 

First Time India: How to Prepare and What to Expect

Agra Travel Guide – Experiencing Agra Beyond the Taj

What to Wear in India  

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A History of Indian Railways

A look at the beginning of the railways in india; the first stations, construction marvels and the technological innovations.

By National Rail Museum

An old picture of one of the first locomotives in India, journeying across the Thane creek. Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

Railway Networks

The history of Indian Railways dates back to over 160 years ago. On 16th April 1853, the first passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane, a distance of 34 km. It was operated by three locomotives, named Sahib, Sultan and Sindh, and had thirteen carriages. The photo to the right, while capturing a scene from the early days of railways in India, features a train pulled by a single locomotive, and is widely - but incorrectly - believed to be that first service.

A view of a train passing through the Western Ghat ranges Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

Just a couple of years after that first train, the engineers of the Indian Railway took up the colossal task of building a track over Bhore Ghat. Built at an elevation of 2000 feet, to connect Bombay with Poona, with tunnels and reverse viaducts, the track was finally constructed over a period of nine years and at great human cost.

Native Workmen leaving Workshops after work - the Jamalpur Railway Workshops in 1897 by Subrata Nath National Rail Museum

1862: The Jamalpur Workshop

The first Railway Workshop was established at Jamalpur, near Munger, Bihar, in 1862. It gradually became one of the major industrial unit of India, with iron and steel foundries, rolling mills and more.

The Delhi junction, established in 1864. National Rail Museum

In 1864, the north got its first station - the Delhi Junction. The oldest one of the city, it was a major station and junction and remains so till date. It was first established near Chandni Chowk in 1864 when trains from Howrah/Calcutta started operating up to Delhi. The current building was made operational in 1903.

Lucknow's Charbagh Station Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

The next important station in the north was Lucknow. It was the headquarters of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway (O&RR) whose first line from Lucknow to Kanpur was built in April 1867. Now known as Lucknow Charbagh Station, it is part of Northern Railway.

In 1880, The Darjeeling Steam Tramway (later the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) started its first section between Siliguri and Kurseong. The line was extended to Darjeeling in 1881. The Line operated on Narrow Gauge, and was accorded World Heritage Status in 1999, the first Railway in Asia to get such a standing.

Kalka Shimla Railway (KSR) joins Kalka, the foothill town near Chandigarh to Shimla at an elevation of 2276 metres. This Narrow Gauge Railway (2 feet 6 inches) of 96.54 km (59.99 mi) length opened for traffic on 9 November 1903. It was accorded World Heritage Status in 2008.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is among the first, and still outstanding, examples of a Hill Passenger Railway. Opened in 1899, it was extended upto Ooty in 1903. It was a bold and ingenious engineering initiative to establish a rail link across a mountainous terrain of great beauty. The “engineering marvel” still stands, a testimony to the skills of Railway Engineering. It was accorded World Heritage Status in 2005.

Fairy Queen Heritage train Fairy Queen chugging away, on one it's journeys from Rewari to New Delhi. Rewari Steam Loco Centre

Advances in locomotive design

Shown here is one of the oldest working steam engines, not only in India but the world. Manufactured in 1855, EIR-22, better known as Fairy Queen is one of the earliest designs of steam locomotives - a simple, two cylinder, broad gauge, British design. 

It was built in England and was brought to India for use by the East Indian Railway (EIR) to haul light mail trains in West Bengal. It is powered by two cylinders and has an output of just 130 horsepower with a maximum speed of 40 km/hr.

The F-734: First Locomotive Made in India National Rail Museum

After four decades of importing ready-made British locomotive parts for assembly, in 1895 the first steam locomotive was manufactured completely in India at the Ajmer Workshop. The locomotive, F-734, became part of the Rajputana Malwa Railways and served both passenger and goods trains along Central India.

This lightweight design, which remained in service for 63 years, was the beginning of locomotive manufacturing in the country.

AWE 22907, named Virat Rewari Steam Loco Centre

Now better known as Virat, locomotive number AWE 22907 is a broad gauge steam locomotive, built in 1943 by Baldwin Locomotive Workshop, Philadelphia, USA. It was brought to India for use by the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. AWE Stands for American War Design. This brand of locomotives entered the industry at the beginning of the world war, when British manufacturers were engaged in the war. This new design with a light bar frame and lighter wheels was faster, more efficient and easier to maintain and soon replaced it's bulkier predecessors. The locomotive is now maintained in working state at Rewari Steam Centre, near Delhi.

The three position block instrument National Rail Museum

Railway technology

The railways became popular at an unprecedented speed. The frequency and the quantity of trains was increasing as more and more people become dependent on it's services. At the same time, there was a need to enhance the safety of the passengers and the number of trains on the track increased. Many instruments were thus developed for better management of railway sections. One of them was the three position block instrument, seen on the right. 

Neale's token instrument Rewari Steam Loco Centre

Shown here is a Neale's Ball token instrument, which is used this day to manage trains especially for single line track. A token is a physical object which a train driver is required to have or see before entering onto a particular section of single track.

Weighing machine Rewari Steam Loco Centre

A luggage weighing machine used on the railway stations of the past. Manufactured by W.&T. Avery of Birmingham and could weigh upto 250 kilograms.

Pamban bridge Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

Railway Infrastructure

Pamban Bridge is the railway bridge which connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. Opened on 24 February 1914, it was India's first sea bridge. The rail bridge is, for the most part, a conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, but has a double-leaf bascule section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through.

Steel pylons at the iconic Chenab Bridge Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

One of the latest challenges undertaken by the Indian Railways is the building of the steel arch bridge over the Chenab in Jammu.

A view of the National Rail Museum in 1978 National Rail Museum

National Rail Museum, 1977

National Rail Museum, the first rail museum in India, was established in 1977 at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The Indian Railways now have 33 Museums, Heritage Parks and Galleries spread all across the country.

A beautiful evening at National Rail Museum. The outdoor exhibits are lit up after sunset to give a mesmerizing look of the museum.

The Miniature India Gallery at National Rail Museum. A must-visit experience, this feature is on the top floor of the Indoor Gallery. It depicts modern India through working rail models.

The National Rail Museum in New Delhi has one of the most comprehensive collections on the history of Indian Railways. From century-old locomotives, to models and informative panels and games, it's perfect for anyone looking to become acquainted India's railway history.

Train Operation in Pirpanjal Tunnel during winter Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways

In the last 160 years of its existence, the Railways in India has grown and expanded by leaps and bounds, yet there are still unchartered territories to cover. Slowly but steadily the railways is connecting every part of India, which with the constant innovations in technology is much easier to do today than it was before. Though the newer generation is more used to its air travel and automobiles, it is imperative that the railways continue to grow; because even with all the other options available, the experience of an Indian train ride will remain unparalleled and continue to enthrall people for generations to come.

India's first indigenously-built locomotive

National rail museum, azad, angadh & akbar, rewari steam loco centre, railway bridges: the engineering that connected india, heritage directorate, indian railways, india's largest and smallest locomotives, the fairy queen, the people behind the fourth-largest railway network, the patiala royals' one track wonder, connecting and transforming india: railways' impact on society, without coal or flame: the fireless locomotive, pathbreakers: women in the indian railways.

A Complete Guide to Traveling India by Train (for Solo Travelers)

Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by Christine Kaaloa

Train travel in India… traveling India, I take trains a lot. In this post, I share essential tips for traveling India by train, how to travel India safely as a female solo traveler and how to book Indian train travel on your own.

Firstly, let me say– I love traveling India by train!!!  But it’s  not for everyone.

When I did my video on Indian Trains with India Railways, I shared three train rides,   spanning 32 hours of both, day and overnight train schedules, traveling AC3 and CC class. In reality I’ve taken more rides than that and find trains in India can be convenient, comfortable (and uncomfortable) and ultimately, part of the adventure of traveling India.

Table of Contents: A Complete Guide to Traveling India by Train (for Solo Travelers)

• 1 A complete guide for traveling India by train
• 2.0.1 2S Second Class Seating
• 2.0.2  Sleeper Class
• 2.0.3 Third Class (AC-3 class)
• 2.0.4 Chair Car class (CC A/C class)
• 2.0.5 First and second class (AC-1  & AC-2)
• 4.1 Best trains for travelers 
• 4.2 Is taking an Overnight Train in India safe?
• 4.3 India train travel tips, safety and etiquette
• 4.4 Dealing with Crowds at Train Stations
• 4.5 Misconceptions about Indian Trains
• 4.6 Should you Buy Indian Train Food?
• 4.7 Toilets on Indian Trains
• 4.8 Train Etiquette on Indian Trains
• 4.9 Where do you store you luggage on Indian trains
• 5.1 Book train tickets online with India Railways
• 6.1 Book your India Train tickets through an Indian Travel Agent
• 6.2 Buying your tickets at the train station
• 7.0.1 Tatkal Tickets
• 7.0.2 Foreign Tourist Quota
• 7.0.3 Reserved Against Cancellation |RAC
• 7.0.4 Wait List | WL
• 8.1.1 What do you think of Indian train travel? Will it be your next adventure? 
• 9 Train travel in India : Book your train tickets in advance
• 10 Best travel insurance for India

A complete guide for traveling India by train

Types of indian train classes.

A Look inside an Indian Train

Indian Train Travel  Essentials

Booking Train Tickets in India

What if your train is sold out?

2s second class seating.

 These are the cheapest seats offered by India Railways as it is a sitting class. For travelers, this means you are as local as local can be and are on a strict budget. Seats are cushioned and three seats per row. There are no sleeping facilities.

 Sleeper Class

Every time I take a sleeper train , I never regret it. Passengers are simple and no fuss. Cab is either open air and fan vs an AC (so I’m never cold). There’s no bedding, however the berths have cushioned padding. Three berths per side and 6 berths per cabin. By morning, a lot of passengers have already gotten off.    This is a preferred choice for a lot of budget backpackers. It’s not as bad as people think.  Fare: The cheapest and simplest of the sleeper classes, usually around 100 to 600 rupees.

Tip:  The top berth is the best. This is because you can go to sleep as early or wake up as late as you want and you won’t be bothered by others. You can actually just hang out on your perch with on your laptop and surf the internet (given you got an Indian SIM and turned your mobile into a WiFi hotspot ).  Avoid booking the bottom berth seat. This is the sitting berth and your sleep depends upon other your fellow passengers’ sleeping habits.

Third Class (AC-3 class)

AC-3 class is a step above a Sleeper class, except that there’s air conditioning and they give you sheets and blankets for your birth. Fare: I paid around 750- 800 for my seat and up for a seat.  Tip: Same tips apply as with the Sleeper. Fare: Almost double that of a Sleeper class.

Chair Car class (CC A/C class)

CC A/C Chair Car is feels like an air-conditioned seater for business class. During the day, you’ll see Indian men with laptops working or making business calls.  Three seats per row and two rows facing each other over a long table.  Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains (fast speed and air conditioned) are slightly more expensive, but rides come with a simple meal, a drink and a complimentary paper.

First and second class (AC-1  & AC-2)

I’ve never gotten to first or second class frankly. But first class is like paying the cost of airfare. But you’ll get your own lockable cabin of either 2-4 berths depending upon whether you’re a couple or family. The cabin comes with its own wash basin. Second class is a little less expensive and has curtains and lamps per berth privacy.

Read How India books Cheap Tickets.

Inside an Indian Train: 3 different tourist classes (Video)

I take you inside traveling three different Indian train classes !

Essential Tips for Taking Trains in India

Best trains for travelers .

Best trains:   Anything from 1st class to 3AC (ceiling fan and open air), Rajasthani and Shatabdi are fast speed trains with air conditioning and some classes include meals.  They’re a little pricier due to the comfort.   Favorite train for backpackers are t he Sleeper class trains. They’re not as posh, but many backpackers like that they are cheap and decent accommodations. You are sitting with locals but comfortably.  I appreciate the open air, which keeps the air from getting stagnant.

Is taking an Overnight Train in India safe?

 At some point you may find yourself booking overnight trains to make the most efficient use of your time. Overnight trains can run at irregular hours, leaving or arriving at either late at night or early in the morning.  Depending upon the class you may arrive late to your berth to find someone sleeping in it (you need to wake them up and ask them to move. Traveling Indians know when they are wrong– they figure they’ll just keep your berth warm for you until you are ready to use it ).

If you’re booking an overnight train, avoid the bottom berth if you want to go to bed early or sleep until late. This is the seat/berth that everyone sits on and your sleeping times will be determined by other passengers who either want to stay up late or wake up early.  However, usually by around 10am, the overnight train has few passengers as many have gotten off on stops in the morning.

I have never encountered issues with overnight Indian trains.

India train travel tips, safety and etiquette

• Dress conservatively if you don’t want to be leered at. Keep in mind, as a foreign traveler you will stand out. Indians from metropolitan cities are used to seeing foreigners, but small town villagers are more likely to stare.

• Mind your luggage and be polite. Indians are friendly. It is easy to strike up a conversation. If you are a woman striking up a conversation with a man, be a little guarded. Many are friendly but some may take your friendliness as a come-on and a signal of your availability. By all means, do not give your phone number out to them. I did this once thinking of friendship and I got calls every day! Sometimes more than once.

• Some travelers advise taking a backpack chain to fasten your luggage to the berth or window. A lot of passengers get on and off at stops and it’s easy for luggage to get lifted in the shuffle.

Read Indian Sleeper Class and Train Etiquette

Dealing with Crowds at Train Stations

An initial culture shock when I first traveled India were the crowds and you notice them more in the train stations as they wait for trains. It can feel overwhelming– like a homeless shelter with anywhere from urban to village folks with bags, luggage and families waiting or camping out on the station floors. This is acceptable in India.

It is still best to buy your ticket in advance so you don’t have to stand in crowded lines.  The train also has resting rooms with bathroom facilities on the tracks and they tend to be sex segregated to protect women. Some bathrooms have an attendant who will collect money so make sure to have a bit of pocket change.

If I have time, I like to pick up a cold drink and some snacks for the train. Once you get on the train, your food options are limited.

Misconceptions about Indian Trains

There’s a popular misconception that Indian trains are smelly, especially during the summer heats and packed crowds. Personally, the only smelly part of a train I’ve found are the toilets and that is because they lack water for rinsing or flushing. I generally avoid them if I can.  Otherwise, I find the smells normal to a country with spices in foods and in the air. I typically travel in 3AC or Sleeper trains where there’s an open air window you cannot close and powerful overhead fans which keep the air circulating naturally. The 2AC trains are air conditioned so it tends to keep everyone chilled to frozen (just joking although the temperature change can make it feel so).

Should you Buy Indian Train Food?

Packed meals on trains are less than glamorous and don’t expect it to be as tasty, as street food or a restaurant. These cars generally have a chai guy going around and someone who sells chaat or a snack, but it’s still always best to take your own snacks and water.  Your options are very limited on the train.  It is always best to bring your own food on the trains. Options are limited and train food .

Toilets on Indian Trains

If you haven’t used a squat toilet yet, be prepared: All Indian trains have a squat toilet with a hole emptying onto the train tracks (in fact, you can see the tracks moving below, as you pee). Some classes might have a western toilet, but there is never any running water or toilet paper. Any tissues used are disposed of outside or straight onto train tracks through the facility.

Tip: Always pack biodegradable baby wipes, toilet paper and your hand sanitizer.  For women who are still learning to squat, I recommend buying a female urinary device. You can learn more about my first experience here .

Train Etiquette on Indian Trains

How to know when it’s time to sleep or wake? Here’s some tips on train etiquette for India train travel .

Where do you store you luggage on Indian trains

Luggage is stored under the seats. Keep in mind if you are in a cabin with a full family, there may be much luggage under the seats and occasionally on some of the top berths. I try to travel as light as possible so this is not an issue. Some travelers recommend chains to secure their luggage to keep it from being stolen or accidentally taken. I’ve not had a problem so far, but I always travel with my luggage in eye shot or next to me. I keep my valuables in a daypack which I keep with me always (I make it my pillow when I sleep). But especially for overnight travel, when folks leave they take luggage with them and the train makes several local stops along the way.

 How to Book Train Tickets for your trip to India

There are many ways to get around India , and Indian Railways is a popular way for long distance travel for Indians. Alternately, the other ways to cover long distance travel in India is via airplane and government or VIP long distance bus .

Book train tickets online with India Railways

As of May 2016, the Indian Railways (aka IRCTC ) allowed foreigners to book train tickets in advance online. However, that doesn’t mean it works. There’s always been a bit of a snag in the past as foreign credit cards are not accepted by IRCTC and you need an Indian phone number !

In the past, the workaround was to open an account on the IRTC website and then open an account on Cleartrip.com and then attempt to merge the two together, booking through Cleartrip . Both sites are frequently used by Indians to book travel; they show you the bus, airplane and train schedules.  Read more here on my India Travel Tips .

I’ll show you an easier way: Boom!

Book your train tickets in advance from abroad

Book your india train tickets through an indian travel agent.

Booking train travel is easiest when you’re  in India, in-person and you’re booking through a local tourist agent . Often the commission fees you’re paying feels so small and less than an online credit card fee. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to understand India Railways system, its codes or what timetables will work best, a travel agent is a no-brainer. They’re especially good at telling you your options if trains are booked or full.  I use Indian travel agents to book my onward travel most of the time.

Buying your tickets at the train station

You can book train tickets through the train station or an international railway handler (like I did at Fairely Place in Kolkata ). They both are a united agency for India Railways and they’ll help you book your tickets in person, as well as handle things like Wait List, RAC and Foreign Tourist Quota tickets. It’s advised to start out early to beat the queue.

Tatkal, Wait List , Reserved Against Cancellation and Foreign Tourist Quotas are three options if you find your train is booked.

Tatkal Tickets

Tatkal tickets are withheld tickets that get released at 10 am one day before departure. 10 to 500 rupees are added to each ticket price. Tip: Usually travel agents can help you book these.

Foreign Tourist Quota

Like tatkal tickets, India Railways reserves a small quota of tickets for foreign travelers, so if trains are booked and you need to be somewhere, you might try using the foreign tourist quota.

More info>> How to Get a Foreign Tourist Quota ticket

Reserved Against Cancellation |RAC

Reserved Against Cancellation  (RAC) tickets are tickets India Railways puts aside in the case a passenger cancels at the last minute.  On the day of departure, you’ll need to go to the train station and watch the reservation list. Even if there is no cancellation, you might still be able to get on the train, albeit standing class.

Wait List | WL

Wait List  (WL) means you’re waiting for a seat and if there is no cancellation you’ll be refunded.

Sample Train Itineraries and timetables

Most first time travelers to India plan their itinerary thinking they can jump around India in a day via the train system. I always recommend giving your transit route a day and a half of a cushion. India is large and the routes can take longer than you think. Not to mention, occasionally train schedules can be delayed and it’s possible a train could break down.  These are all things to factor into India travel.

Below are train routes I traveled (in my video below ) and the travel time it takes to get around in a large country such as India:

+ AC-3  Kolkata to NJP (enroute to Darjeeling) | 11 hours overnight| 3rd class sleeper train | Uttar Banga Express : Sealdah to New Jalgaipuri Junction + AC-3  Kolkata to Varanasi  | 13.5 hours overnight | 3rd class sleeper train| Vibhuti Express: Howrah to Varanasi Station . (Delhi to Varanasi will similarly be an overnight train as well). + CC   Delhi to Ajmer (enroute to Pushar)  | 7 hours day time  | business class train|Ajmer Shatabdi: New Delhi (NDRLS) to Ajmer Station

Traveling India  Series ( Video playlist): Tips & City Guides for Solo Travelers

Check my “How I Travel India” playlist.  I’ve already covered the inside of Indian trains, how to get a tourist quota, how to get your Sim card.  These are all filmed as I travel through India alone, so you can see the degree of difficulty or not.   I love India but I am certainly not invulnerable to trip difficulties or culture shock.

Trip planning for India ? Start here.

Planning your first trip to India? Start here . What to Pack for India Backpacking? Check here .  Read about how to Get an Indian SIM , do you need a female urinary device? ,  getting an Indian Tourist Visa for U.S. Citizens

Learn the India trip essentials from India scams, dress etiquette, itineraries , accommodations , food insights , how to take the bus, dealing with sexual harassment and indian trains , and staying at ashrams .

What do you think of Indian train travel? Will it be your next adventure? 

Related posts on india:.

First Time Trip Planning for India

Traveling by Indian bus: is it safe for solo travelers? Travel Must Haves for India How to Travel Solo in India Packing tips for India

Train travel in India : Book your train tickets in advance

Best travel insurance for india.

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The Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in India.

This post contains affiliate links. If you book something through these links I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about my disclosure and affiliate policy   here .

Train travel in India – feared, fabled, the holy grail, and a rite of passage. You cannot travel to India and not take a train. Well, you can, in fact, I have done it more than once but I actually still believe it is part of the experience and makes for a well-rounded India journey. 

My experience with train travel in India was limited to one very luxurious trip with the Maharajas Express until recently. Unfortunately, this experience did not fall in the ‘very affordable’ category and is definitely not part of the everyday traveler’s journey or budget. 

During my most recent trip, I wanted to conquer the art of train travel in India. Apparently, even the ticketing process would be arduous and to be honest, Lion was still fresh on my mind and those trains did not look comfortable. But there was something in me craving an adventure and also telling myself that it surely couldn’t be that hard. Turns out it really wasn’t and I spent 2 weeks zigzagging my way through Rajasthan by train. 

What did I learn and how does train travel in India work? All the answers in this post. 

The ins & outs of train travel in India

Table of contents:

• Why travel by train in India?  

How to book a ticket for a train in India?

Seat reservations & how do i find my seat, how long to book your indian train ticket in advance , classes of the indian railway.

• General safety & Tips for women traveling by train

Can I buy food on the train? 

Why travel by train in india .

First of all, it is hard to avoid traveling by train in India. Trains are the transport mode no. 1 and the Indian Railway network is the third biggest in the world. Train travel in India ranges from dirt cheap to very affordable. That said, with a tourist budget you can probably also afford a personal driver for a few days but still, it won’t be as cheap as taking the train. 

I also think trains are more comfortable especially when you are covering a long distance overnight. And unlike German trains, Indian trains run a lot more on time than you would think. 

Ultimately I think train travel in India is part of the culture and thus should be part of your experience when coming to India. If only to master the art of peeing on a moving train or sharing a meal with a local family you just met. 

First things first: you will need a train ticket in India before you board. If you don’t mind winging it you can get it at the station but – and I cannot stress this enough – Indian train tickets sell out fast and far in advance. So chances are you won’t get one at the station on short notice. There are also plenty of little travel agencies all around where you can get your ticket from. 

Personally, I prefer buying it online because I like to plan and suss out all the options and best trains, and compare prices… you get my drift. Even if you are not as much of a planner as I am, getting your tickets online is ideal because you can already sort out your travel arrangements when you are not even in India yet. 

As a foreigner you currently have 2 options to buy your train ticket online: via 12go or on the website of the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.). I tried both and they each have their advantages and disadvantages, I will walk you through the process.

Booking a train ticket with IRCTC

The website of the IRCTC is a little bit infamous as it can be a bit confusing for first-timers. But honestly, once you have your account and know how things run, it is not so bad. 

To book tickets you will need to create an account and verify your phone number and your email address. In order to do that as a foreigner you will need to use your credit card to pay a small amount (I think it was 110 ₹ so less than $1,50 ) for the verification. Once this is done you can start booking your tickets. I had to attempt this a couple of times so don’t be dismayed if it doesn’t immediately work.

Afterward, the system is pretty straightforward – put in your departure station and where you want to go, date, how many people traveling, and if you want to use a specific quota (quotas are explained below). Once you have hit ‘search’ you will get your results and you can still narrow it down from here. You can for example enter a maximum travel time, and specific train types as well as narrow down your stations. This can be useful if you are traveling to or from big cities like Delhi that will have more than one station far apart.

Once you have found the train you want you select the class and afterward you can book your ticket if the class you want is still available for your travel date. These tickets will show AVL for available . During the next step, you will put in your details including your passport number, and choose the seat/bunk you would like. Then you are ready to pay for your ticket and yes, you can just use your international credit card. 

What happens if no tickets are available for your preferred train? Then you have the option to go for a RAC ticket or get on the waitlist. RAC stands for Reservation Against Cancellation . With this ticket, you can definitely get on the train but won’t have an assigned seat yet. These tickets basically rely on the fact that there will always be last-minute cancellations or no-shows. 

In the worst-case scenario, you can opt for a waitlisted ticket. This will show a number like WL10/WL5 . The first number tells you the original length of the waitlist, and the second number your current spot so this one will change. Note that you can only travel if your waitlisted ticket either changes to RAC or CNF for confirmed . 

Booking a train ticket via 12go

12go is my favorite platform to book transport tickets in Asia. They are currently the only third-party platform that offers Indian train tickets. 

There are a few things to keep in mind when you book your Indian train ticket with 12go. First up: they only show you a select number of trains and only tickets that are still available. This is great if you don’t want to worry about RAC , WL or quotas. On the other hand it also limits your choices quite a bit, which can make things tricky especially if you are late with your booking. 

A definite plus are the payment options on 12go – you can easily pay with your credit card without a lenghty verification process but also use Pay Pal or Google Pay. But of course, you will have to pay a fee for the service. 

And, a little downside in my books – when you book with 12go you can’t choose your preferred seat/bunk yourself. 

As you can see both websites have their pros and cons, just try them both and see which one you prefer. 

After you’ve made a booking with either platform you will get your e-ticket. On the IRCTC site, you will get it instantly while it can take up to 24 hours with 12go. This ticket has all your information incl. the all-important PNR . This is the passenger name record and includes your name and details, train number, wagon, and seat. 

One of the most common questions: do I have a seat reservation when I get a ticket for a train in India? This question usually comes from a German as we are used to paying almost 5 Euro extra if we want a seat reservation. 

The good news is – yes, you will get a reserved seat with your train ticket in India unless you book 2GN class. If you have seen people hanging off trains in India and that scared you, fear not – this is not the norm and in most coaches, you will need a seat reservation and people adhere to them. 

If you book your ticket with 12go you will get your seat assigned. If you book your ticket through IRCTC you can choose where you want to sit. I like this option better because especially for the sleeper train I had specific ideas about where I wanted to sleep for safety and privacy reasons. 

Once you have your ticket you will see it mentioning your PNR as well as the train name and number, the status of your ticket (it should say CNF ), and something like A1/88 – this means your coach number is A1 and your seat number is 88. 

Download the Ixigo App and put in your PNR to check the status of your train (great to confirm whether it is on time or not) and to see the order of the coaches. Click on your coach in the app and you can see the seat figuration and find your seat. 

This chart is useful as you will already get an idea of where approximately your coach will be once the train arrives at the platform. On the platform you will see displays switching from the train number to the coach number all along. This way you will know where your coach will be when the train arrives and you can wait there. 

Note: If you have booked a first-class ticket you will not know your coach or your seat number until a few hours prior. I was told they put up charts at the station however I didn’t even need to check there as the Ixigo app showed my seat a few hours before departure. Alternatively you can send a message with your PNR to 139 on your phone and it will tell you the seat when the chart is ready. 

Indian trains are very popular and they sell out quickly. For most trains, ticket bookings open 120 days in advance. Chances are you may not be able to book your ticket quite as early but you also shouldn’t wait too long especially during holidays or in high season. 

If you are cutting it tight you can always use the Indian train quota. What’s that you ask? Well, basically Indian train tickets are sorted by categories, so-called quotas. Not everyone can buy from every quota. 

The main one is the GN – general quota . Those are the regular tickets that everyone can buy. As a tourist, you can also use the tourist quota . This is a small number of tickets for certain trains which can only be bought by tourists. You will need to have a valid international passport for buying those tickets. This can be a lifesaver if you are too late with buying a regular ticket but also comes with a caveat: tourist quota tickets are 1,5 x as much as normal tickets. 

By the way: as a tourist you can but don’t have to use the tourist quota. I bought all my tickets from the general quota. While I did get an error message once saying I needed to buy a tourist ticket after entering my passport information that was indeed an error – I simply tried again in a different browser and it worked. 

There is also a quota for women compartments, people with disabilities, and the infamous taktal . This can be helpful if you are super late with booking your tickets as this quota is only released a day before the departure of the train. However, these tickets also cost more, and sometimes the price is even increased based on demand. 

I traveled with a few different classes so I could report back to you. I did not, however, travel in the general class or sleeper class. I was told that these are fine for a shorter trip but since all my journeys were 5+ hours and I was traveling in Rajasthan during summer I didn’t want to be without aircon. 

You will see the price differences in the various classes with first class being the most expensive one, often costing double. But generally train travel in India is super cheap, especially when compared to trains in Germany (thanks, Deutsche Bahn). 

AC3 / 3A / 3E

This one is third-tier with aircon and at least for a day trip quite comfortable. When you travel overnight this turns into 3 bunks on top of each other – too little space for my liking. But during the day will share a bench between 3 travelers with 2 benches across and another one on the other side of the aisle. Chances are that some travelers will hop on the top bunk which means even more space for you. 

Just be aware that you won’t have an individual seat. I didn’t mind but I realized that Indians (or at least the ones I traveled with) have no problem extending their limbs beyond their allocated space (well, allocated in my German mind) and you may end up playing footsie with some. If you can’t fight them, join them… 

You will also get a sheet and a pillow even for your day trip if you like. I was told that sheets on Indian trains all get boiled and are thus quite clean and they are being handed out in a fresh paper package. 

CC stands for chair class the one that probably reminded me most of German regional trains. You will usually have 3+2 chairs per row and the seat in front of you has a little tray table. There are some rows where chairs face each other and you have a bigger table in the middle. And the seats will even recline a bit!

I thought this was by far the most comfortable class for the money I paid but I also got lucky (or tourist privilege, I am not sure) and got allocated a seat at a big table. 

EC stands for executive chair class and is the slightly fancier version of CC. You will get a 2+2 seat combo here and sometimes a meal and a drink are included in the price. 

I would definitely recommend CC or EC for a longer trip during the daytime. As far as I know, you won’t find both, CC and EC, on one train so you won’t have a choice but both are reasonably comfortable. They are nicer for a day trip than AC3 or AC2 as you will get a proper seat and won’t have to share a bench. 

I chose this second tier for my overnight trip from Jodphur to Delhi and I honestly thought it was the perfect choice. Unlike in first class, you are not alone in a compartment with a stranger but you are also not as cramped as in AC3. In AC2 there are only 2 bunks on top of each other in an open compartment. So you have 4 people facing each other on one side and 2 across the aisle.

I chose the aisle top bunk for safety and it was the perfect choice. I put my backpack underneath the bottom bunk and my hand luggage in my little nest, and while it was snug it was actually pretty comfortable too. You also get fresh sheets, a blanket, and a pillow and unlike AC3 you even have a curtain for more privacy. My top bunk also had a reading light and each bed/seat has its own outlet. 

I splurged on one first-class ticket to experience it and also to be as comfortable as possible on a long trip in the middle of the day. I expected it to be hot as hell and the least amount of people around me as possible for this sounded like a good idea at the time of booking. 

A day before my trip monsoon had started early so it was not hot but very wet instead. The train was running over an hour late, which I had luckily caught on the app so my wait at the train station in Ajmer wasn’t too long. 

The first class has individual compartments with either 2 or 4 berths. To put it nicely – it ain’t the Maharaja’s Express. And to be very real – I wanted to turn around and find a different seat back in cozy third class once I saw my compartment. 

Well, I moved all of the sheets on the top bunk, sanitized my hands vigorously, and settled in the window seat. Once we were on the way, someone came to take the used sheets and brought me new ones. And the conductor even knew my name. 

All in all, I don’t think ‘splurging’ on first class is worth it. It doesn’t seem cleaner or more comfortable than the rest, and personally, for an overnight trip, I prefer being in a shared compartment for safety reasons. I guess it is a nice option if you are traveling with your partner or friend and get a coupe for 2 people as you will have complete privacy.

If you are booking any AC compartment make sure to pack some warmer clothes – I was freezing twice, especially during my overnight trip, so bring layers.

This sleeper class is similar to AC3 minus a lot of amenities. If you want a local, authentic experience, go for it but you will have to make do without aircon, pillows, and sheets.

2S & GN

This is the official second class on Indian trains. 2S looked perfectly fine to me but again you will have to manage without aircon and open windows – that can be a hit or a miss but is usually fine for a shorter trip during the day. In 2S you will have a reserved seat unlike in GN – this general compartment is probably what you know from the movies. Since there are no reserved seats these are often crowded and not something I would recommend. 

General safety & Tips for women traveling by train in India

The first time I came to India to see the Golden Triangle I was too scared to take the train. Instead, I asked my friend to organize a private driver for me, something that was still super affordable. Then came my trip with the Maharajas Express, obviously a very different kind of train experience than your average journey. But to be honest, it got me excited about train travel in India. 

Luckily, I had no issues whatsoever and everyone was really kind. From the driver who walked me to the platform to the young boy and his grandmother who wanted to share their food with me, people were nothing but helpful and lovely when traveling by train in India. 

Still, I understand that shit can happen and it is not always rainbows and roses. Here are some tips for everyone but women in particular when taking a train in India. 

Travel light

My number 1 tip for anyone traveling by train in India: travel light. I left my big suitcase at my friend’s house in Delhi so I had one big backpack and one smaller backpack I wore in front of me. Light enough to get on and off the train. My big backpack was squishy enough to fit under the seats. 

I also took a small shoulder purse with all my valuables to take to the loo. I would advise you to get a good lock for your luggage. I did not only not have one but my backpack also had a giant hole so a lock would’ve been useless. I got lucky even on my overnight trip but wouldn’t risk it again. My small backpack slept almost literally in my arms. 

Women’s seat

While some trains do have women’s only coaches I never bothered to look for those. I simply booked my seat in an aircon class and called it a day. You do specify gender when booking and apparently, the IRCTC will try to seat you next to other women if you are traveling alone. I was always seated amongst a mix of people. But if you are really nervous try to find a women’s compartment though I guess this will severly limit your options when searching for a train. 

Overnight travel

My biggest concern was my overnight trip from Jodphur to Delhi. I made sure to depart and arrive at a decent time and discussed with my Indian friend what class would be best to book. I decided on AC2 and chose a top bunk. While I could have gone for AC1 the idea of being stuck in a separate compartment with one or more strangers at night did not sit right with me. I prefered sleeping in an open compartment – safety in numbers.

And while I would have preferred the bottom bunk after my overnight train in Thailand because they are easier to get into and you have a window, I decided on the top bunk as it feels a bit safer. 

Toilets 

The less we say about the toilets on the train the better. Then again it was only just as bad as I imagined. There is usually a sqat and a western style toilet in each coach. While the squat toilets are definitely the more hygenic, I understand the creature comfort of a toilet you can sit on – espically on a moving train squatting is an art form. Whichever one you choose bring your own toilet paper and copious amounts of handsanatizer. You may need to hold your breath too – I am sorry!

Wear something not too flowy or pants that are too wide-legged as you will need to put all this fabric somewhere and you probably not want it on the floor. Do not under any circumstances wear a onsie. Yes, they are cute and you look awesome but now you will have to deal with so much extra fabric around your legs and you are also topless. 

Are you on your period? To be honest, I would avoid a trip long enough that you will need to empty your cup or change your tampon. While most train toilets have a small sink, it is really not the place you want to deal with this. 

Is there wifi on trains in India? 

No, they are not quite as fancy and there is no wifi on trains in India. However, I found that making a hotspot with my phone and using my 4G/5G data worked surprising well most of the time.

Are there charging points in the trains? 

Yes, there are charging points, at least in the AC3, AC2, CC, and AC1 class that I was traveling with. However, there is not a charging point for each seat available so you may have to take turns with your fellow travelers. 

If you have a very long trip ahead of you I recommend you pack a power bank for your phone. 

Are Indian trains on time? 

Honestly, I was impressed with how punctual the majority of my trains were. One was delayed by a total of 2 hours after the area was hit by heavy rains and flooding so that seemed like a good enough reason. 

To make sure you know if your train is either departing or arriving late you can check the Ixigo App which is not 100% reliable but pretty good. In general, it seems similar to flights: the earlier you depart the better your chances are for no delays building up over the course of the day. 

At the train station

To be honest, the only moments when I didn’t like traveling alone was at the train stations. There was no problem whatsoever but unfortunately, many people sleep on the platforms and beg, and I felt quite uncomfortable at times. I know first-world problems but still. 

I had two early morning trains departing at 6 am. I chose them because it wasn’t too hot yet early in the morning and I would have some more time to explore once I arrived. That said, I recommend you only take an early train from a station you have already been to. This way you will at least know your way around a little and not stand at the station like a deer in headlights. I left early from Jaipur and from Udaipur however, I had already seen both stations upon arrival and knew where to go. 

Also, don’t come too early so you don’t end up waiting too long. If your station is the first one chances are your train will arrive early too and you can already get on. When in doubt ask the station master for help!

In some cities auto and taxi drivers can get quite annoying once you exit the train station. In fact, in Jaipur, a driver started hassling me while I was still on the platform and approached me five times until I almost put my hand in his face to tell him off. If your accommodation provides this service ask them to organize a driver for you. Otherwise, check with them beforehand how much you should pay for an auto from the train station. Ultimately you will have to say yes to one of them and this way you will at least know a reasonable price. 

Beware of the moving train!

I was very surprised to see that open doors are quite normal for Indian trains when moving. For reasons unknown, because unlike Sri Lanka, no people are hanging out the doors (at least not in the coaches with reserved seats). And if a door isn’t open yet chances are a traveler will open it long before the train comes to a stop in the station. 

I stood back and was in awe the first few times I saw this happen. During my last journey, it was I who opened the door long before the station, feeling very daring and adventurous. Then my friend Joe brought me back to earth and told me to be careful – apparently, there are quite a few pickpockets who will approach slowly driving trains and unsuspecting travelers standing in the door to snatch their bags. 

Yes, you can buy food on a train in India! However, there is no designated dining car as such. Some fancy tickets will include a meal service though. In most trains, vendors will walk through who sell chai, bottled water, chocolate bars, chips, or prepackaged meals like biryani and even mini Domino’s pizza. You won’t really know your options before but you definitely won’t go hungry either. Prices are totally okay – a small cup of chai is 10 rupees and a pizza is 150 rupees. 

During longer stops in a specific station, vendors from this station will also get on to sell you food and snacks. During my trip to Pushkar, I couldn’t resist and got some samoosas. I think his probably not-so-clean fingers on my food should have been a giveaway but this samoosa did not sit well with me for the rest of the day. However, the dishes you buy on the train are usually neatly packed and looked very hygienic. 

The greatest invention and option to eat on a train in India is to pre-order your meal. There are a few apps and websites for this but I recommend the IRCTC Catering App . All you need to do is put in your PNR and the app will show you the route you are traveling and stops along the way where you can order food. Each stop usually has a few restaurant options. Pick a restaurant and order the food you would like. Depending on the restaurant you will either pay cash on delivery or can pre-pay with your credit card. Then you just need to get on your train, sit back, and wait for the magic to unfold. 

And honestly, it is pure magic to me how it all works out. Get a local SIM card so the delivery guy can contact you if needed. The restaurant has your seat number through your PNR so they bring the food straight to your place. Once you arrive at the station you ordered from someone will hop on the train and bring you your meal. If you still have to pay make sure to have small change. 

I ordered twice and the food was yummy and hot – I can highly recommend this service especially if you are a somewhat picky eater or don’t want to gamble with train samoosas. 

In the mood for a train trip through India now? Give it a go and let me know if you have any questions! 

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India's best train trips are a journey to the soul of the subcontinent

Mar 11, 2022 • 8 min read

Traveling by train in India is an intense, exhilarating experience © Tuul & Bruno Morandi / Getty Images

No trip to India would be complete without a ride on one of the country's 13,000 daily passenger trains. India's railways are the lifeblood of the nation – the veins and arteries that keep the country’s heart beating, snaking into nooks and crannies that no plane could ever reach, and keeping 1.38 billion people connected with friends and family.

From 10-minute commuter hops to epic four-day journeys across the subcontinent, there’s a train ride to suit every travel need and every budget. Penny-priced local trains transport millions across big cities such as Delhi , Kolkata and Mumbai , while lavish luxury locos offer the chance to roll around the country in style.

With the windows down and doors flung open, India's trains offer a peek into the everyday workings of Indian life, crawling through dusty villages, winding up the lush slopes of forest-clad mountains and skimming beautiful coasts, bringing visitors within touching distance of drying laundry and coconut groves.

Onboard, you’ll find a microcosm of Indian society spread across eight different classes, from politicians and businessmen living it up in air-conditioned compartments to laborers sitting cross-legged on simple wooden benches. Affordable and relatively easy to book online, trains are also the most atmospheric way to explore India . Traveling by train is also a smart way to save money on hotels, with comfortable sleeper services connecting major cities nightly and meals often included in the ticket price.

Whether you're a committed rail enthusiast, or just dipping in a toe for the experience, here are the best train journeys in India.

The Deccan Odyssey 

Best luxury journey.

Start – New Delhi; End – Mumbai; Distance – 1524km (947 miles); Duration – 7 nights 8 days

Standing out amongst the thousands of passenger trains that traverse the country every day, India's luxury trains roll languorously between major cities, their polished engines and gleaming livery glinting in the sun. For those who can afford it, it's the only way to travel.

Rail aficionados sing the praises of the extravagant Maharajas’ Express , which comes with personal butlers, bejeweled dinner plates and onboard bathtubs, but a more affordable option is the Deccan Odyssey . This luxe service runs from the Indian capital to Ranthambore National Park , the Taj Mahal in Agra and Jaipur and Udaipur , continuing to Vadodara and the World Heritage Sites of Ellora and Ajanta before arriving in Mumbai eight days later.

Less a train ride, more a cruise on wheels, this elegant train rumbles through the night, with passengers waking in a brand new city every day, to be met by coaches offering local tours. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to sit out the organized excursions and explore by yourself on foot or by taxi, or just pull out a paperback and enjoy the peace and quiet on board.

Mandovi Express

Best all-round rail experience.

Start – Mumbai CST; End – Madgaon Junction; Distance – 581km (361 miles); Duration – 11hrs 50mins

With the Sahyadri Hills rising on the left and the Arabian Sea sparkling on the right, the Konkan Railway is a textbook example of Indian railway engineering excellence. Flash floods, landslides and collapsed tunnels all failed to hinder the construction of this trunk line from Mumbai's famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj station (CST) to the beaches of Goa .

While numerous trains weave along this coastal route, the Mandovi Express stands out as a national treasure thanks to its scenic views and the legions of hawkers who wander the aisles vending freshly fried pakoras (vegetable fritters), hot samosas (fried savory pastries) and biryani in clay pots.

Eschew the air-conditioned carriages with tinted windows that obscure the views, and opt for a seat in third or general class, where a warm salty breeze wafts through the bars of open windows. With no glass between you and the scenery, you’ll get the best out of the experience, as the train navigates more than 2000 bridges and 92 tunnels, with coconut trees bending in the foreground and rivers gushing beneath the sleepers.

Darjeeling Toy Train

Best for families and steam enthusiasts.

Start – New Jalpaiguri; End – Darjeeling; Distance – 84km (52 miles); Duration – 7hrs 20mins

Since the late 19th century, this dainty little "toy train" has been trundling slowly uphill to the Bengali hill station of Darjeeling . Seven hours after leaving the base of the hills, this pint-sized loco wails arrives in a cloud of steam and dark smoke, offering a trip back to an earlier century. Trucks and carts creep to a halt to allow the train to wind across Hill Cart Road, where the carriages glide so close to shop fronts that you can almost reach out and touch the piles of apples.

Built by the British colonial government, the railway was originally used to transport tea and rice down to the plains, but it’s now Unesco World Heritage listed and more commonly packed with holidaying families singing Hindi movie songs and cheering at particularly thrilling sections of track such as the Batasia Loop.

Every day, the train zig-zags uphill from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) through thick groves of bamboo and pine, working its way around rich green tea plantations before hooting into Darjeeling. The main service is usually pulled by a diesel engine, but two-hour joy rides chug from Darjeeling to Ghum and back tugged by steam locos. On a clear day, you may even spot the sun-kissed summit of  8586m (28,169 ft) Mt Khangchendzonga hovering on the horizon. 

The Dibrugarh–Kanyakumari Vivek Express

Best train ride for serious rail enthusiasts.

Start – Dibrugarh; End – Kanniyakumari; Distance – 4154km (2581 miles); Duration: 74hrs 35mins

Leaving once a week on Saturdays, this is one epic train ride, taking passengers from Upper Assam in the northeast corner of the country all the way to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu , at the southernmost tip of India – the point where the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. Making 57 stops in eight different states, this multi-day odyssey is a deep immersion into the verve and spirit of India's railways.

For the perfect combination of charm and comfort, book into a 2AC sleeper carriage – with open, four-berth compartments – and lie between clean white sheets watching students playing cards, mothers rocking babies in cradles tied from saris, and friends chatting over hot vadas (lentil-flour fritters) and endless cups of chai (sweet Indian tea). Take the opportunity to stroll up and down the 16 carriages to experience a microcosm of Indian society, and keep plenty of small denomination notes to hand for snacks, as hawkers rarely have change for big bills.

Island Express

Best for a quick taste of the indian rail experience.

Start – Thiruvananthapuram; End – Kanniyakumari; Distance – 87km/54 miles; Duration – 3hrs 20mins

By Indian standards, the Island Express is barely a local hop, but it’s a magical trip that takes passengers into the dewy depths of Kerala . For less than a dollar, passengers can stake out a window seat on this quiet country service that squeezes through the backwaters between Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, passing villages of sugar-pink houses and tiny whitewashed churches.

Waterlogged paddy fields roll by, skinny palms bend as if bowing, and the steam from the kitchens of trackside houses drifts through the open doors. You’ll want to sit right up against the windows (or in the open doorways) to snap photos of children playing street cricket, elderly men in dhotis (white sarongs) smoking rolled-leaf cigarettes and bullock carts rumbling alongside the rail tracks. Just watch out for the stray branches that thwack against the sides of the train, leaving broken twigs scattered up the aisles and tiny flowers scattered underfoot.

Pune–Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express

Best train trip for a first-time overnight ride.

Start – Pune; End – New Delhi; Distance – 1515km (941 miles); Duration – 19hrs 35mins

India’s sleeper trains vary widely when it comes to levels of comfort, with many services creeping along at a snail's pace and stopping noisily at local stations through the night – a definite hindrance to sleep! However, Duronto Express trains only stop at a tiny number of stations en route, using some of the country’s fastest trains, and they offer excellent meals and high standards of onboard service.

Recognizable by their bright green and yellow color scheme, these sleek and modernized trains are perfect for first-time night-riders looking to sample the Indian railway experience without the rough edges. Departing Pune just after 11am every day, the train speeds past rushing rivers, stretches of deserts, small mountains and serene villages.

There's much excitement in the middle of the day as lunch arrives on red plastic trays. Expect tomato soup with a breadstick and butter followed by foil-wrapped chapatis, steamed rice, dal, chicken curry, yogurt and pickles – and a small tub of vanilla ice cream for dessert. The meals loaded in Pune are the tastiest of the ride, but you'll also get a satisfying dinner and breakfast before rolling into Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin station, close to Humayun's Tomb .

You may also like: How to get around in India, from Goa’s beaches to the high Himalayas Visiting the Taj Mahal: plan the perfect trip to India's iconic monument When to go to India: the best times to visit for amazing experiences

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Worried about taking the train in India? Don’t be. Here’s our complete guide.

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 15, 2024

Have you even really been to India if you haven’t taken an Indian train? Train travel in India is more than just a means of transport.  It truly is part of the culture and experience of travel in India. 

The India train network spans 63,000 km of rail routes and 6,800 stations so it’s fairly safe to say you can travel between almost any two destinations in India by train.

I’m going to detail an entire travel guide to India trains below. But the first piece of advice I have to share is simply; take the train.

Don’t be afraid of taking trains in India.  Don’t be worried they’re crowded or that you might not understand where to get on or off.  Taking a train in India is an entire experience. 

• Where to start?  
• Booking tickets  
• Classes of train travel
• How much does it cost?  

Car and carriage numbering

• Facilities on board
• Indian train stations

Train travel in India with kids

• Questions (and answers) about train travel in India
• Download the right apps  

Do you need an advance reservation for train travel in India?

Yes, you definitely need a reservation for train travel in India.  Trains often get booked out weeks or even months in advance.  

It used to be common that some trains had a reserved Foreign Tourist Quota (seats reserved for tourists making last minute reservations to important destinations) but with the advancement of online bookings this can’t be counted on.  I recommend making your booking as far in advance as possible.  

Booking tickets for train travel in India

Because trains in India get booked in advance I recommend buying tickets online before you travel. 

If you have a contact or friend in India it might be easier to book through them ahead of time.  Otherwise there are essentially 3 options for you to book train travel in India: 

• Go to a railway station and  book in person  when you arrive
• Book online  directly  from Indian Railways  at the IRCTC website   www.irctc.co.in
• Book online through  third party 12GoAsia . 

Booking  online through ticketing agency  12go.asia  is without doubt the easiest and most straightforward option .  

This is the option we used to book all our train travel in India. But I will detail both online options below. 

Online option 1: Book online directly from Indian Railways IRCTC website

This is not the most straightforward option but once you are registered you’ll have access to all routes, trains, classes and ticket types at a lower cost than booking through a third party.  (This is a less reviewed way of booking train travel in India as up until 2016 IRCTC did not accept international credit cards).  

However (in theory) it works now from overseas.  

• First you need to register an account with IRCTC. Go to  www.irctc.co.in  and click  REGISTER  top right. Enter the details to create an account.
• Choose a username and enter your mobile number with country code (it will now accept international country codes). 
• Check your emails for the Online Rail Ticket Reservation User Registration Confirmation.  Click the link to activate your account and enter your chosen ID and password to log in.  
• Fill in the destination and boarding point along with the date of desired journey.  
• Check the list of times and options for different classes of train travel and select your choice.  A new window opens for filling the required passenger details.  
• Make your payment through the preferred payment gateway. 
• Check your emails for a message of confirmation and your electronic ticket details.  

Online option 2: Book through 12GoAsia

This is the quickest and most reliable booking option we have found.  Albeit you do need to pay a bit extra for the booking fee.  But for sure the ease of service and reliability of this option makes it worth it. 

The website is very straightforward. Enter your destination details and desired date of journey and the different timing options and classes will be displayed if available.  

Your electronic ticket will be emailed to you.  

This is all you need to show at the train station and/or to the guard or attendant on board. 

Understanding  classes  of train travel in India

There are 8 classes of seats and accommodation to purchase for train travel in India. Not all of them are available on every train.  

We have tried nearly all classes now and can recommend different options for distances and comfort (and adventure) around India.  

These are the train classes listed below in descending order according to price per fare. 

First  Class  (1A)

This is the most expensive class of train travel in India.  There are 4-berth cabins and 2-berth coupes available on popular routes.  The main difference between this class and 2-Tier AC is that First Class has a lockable cabin door for complete privacy. 

Second AC / 2-Tier AC (2A)

A comfortable class for overnight travel.  

2-Tier AC has 4 berths per cabin with bedding provided.  The only shortfall on 2A class is that it lacks a lockable door on the cabin (a curtain is provided instead). 

Third AC / 3-Tier AC (3A)

Air-conditioned coach cabin with 64 berths per carriage.  The bottom berth is folded down during the day (with 3 numbers above each seating space) for seated travel.  Bedding is provided.  

Sleeper Class (SL)

The most common class of train travel in India. Sleeper (SL) has regular sleeping coaches with three berths vertically facing each other but without any air conditioning.

This is probably our favourite train travel experience in India.  I would recommend Sleeper for an early morning and short distance journey purely for the experience. 

AC Executive chair class (EC)

A seated air-conditioned class with four seats in a row and spacious seating and legroom.  AC Executive Chair Class is now only found on the popular  Shatabdi Express ,  Vande Bharat Express  & Tejas Express  trains. 

Seated AC / AC Chair Car (CC)

Air-conditioned coach with five seats in a row. 

General / Second Class Seats (2S, II)

Open plan cars with wooden or padded plastic seats.  This is the most basic and cheapest class of travel (recommended for short daytime journeys when you’re feeling up for it).  Seats are often non-reserved so you will need to join the rush on entering 2S…  

How much does it cost to ride trains in India? 

Fares vary for train travel in India depending on class and distance (obviously).  And ticket prices will also be higher booking through a third party (like 12GoAsia).  

Here are example ticket prices for the popular 3-hour(ish) train journey New Delhi to Agra : 

• First Class (1A): 1510 INR
• Extended AC Chair (EC): 1285 INR
• 2-Tier AC (2a): 945 INR
• 3-Tier AC (3A): 740 INR
• AC Chair Class (CC): 640 INR
• Sleeper (SL): 242 INR

Navigating Indian train stations

This almost warrants documenting as an entire adventure in itself.  Navigating Indian train stations can be intense. But there are also smaller stations and stops where you will be offered help and food and a place to sit (even if you weren’t looking for it).

For us, we started off this trip departing from Kolkata Railway Station (Howrah) which is enormous.  But it functions like clockwork with systems that have been improved upon and working for decades.  (Albeit that is if you can find your name on the typewriter-printed paper charts pinned to wall to allocate seating!).  

Smaller stations (like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer etc) give you a bit of breathing room to understand how an Indian train station functions. 

There are ticket booking lines, electronic arrival and departure screens, an enquiry booth, security checks, shops and stalls, bathrooms, waiting rooms and the sound of chai wallahs making their call.  

And there is often a waiting room for customers booked in any of the AC classes.  This will be signposted but otherwise ask at an enquiry counter (or any security guard will point you in the right direction).  It is sometimes called a ‘retiring room’… 

This is important.  (Learn from our mistakes here).  Coaches/carriages on longer distance Indian trains are numbered according to class like this: 

• AC1 : Car H1, H2, H3 (1, 2 and 3 are the number of coaches of that class on the train)
• 2A/2-Tier:  Car A1, A2, A3 etc.
• 3A/3-Tier:  Car B1, B2, B3 etc.
• AC Chair Car:  Car C1, C2, C3 etc.
• Sleeper/SL:  Car S1, S2, S3 etc. 

So for example, if you have booked a 3-Tier AC ticket your booking status will show: 

• B2/25/Lower

Where B2 is the car number and 25 is the seat number (lower berth).

Each carriage/car is labelled on the outside with the according number (eg. B1 or B2) and some stations have electronic boards above the platform to let you know which car is lined up at that spot on the platform. 

We underestimated the importance of getting on the correct train car in Jodhpur on our first trip. We saw ‘2-Tier’ and just jumped on.  The  Ranikhet Express  has over 24 carriages and it’s a long way to run with two backpacks on and two kids in tow to find your correct car as the train signal is sounding!  

Check your ticket ahead of time and determine your  Car Number , Class  and  Seat .

Travelling in India with kids adds to the adventure.  You need to have your wits about you navigating busy train stations (but that’s pretty standard advice for travel with children in general).  

There is a discount for purchasing a child ticket on Indian trains, but unless your child is very young (and small in size) I recommend booking a full ticket and entire berth or seat.  

Plan ahead and bring snacks and water.  There are stops along the way and attendants selling small juices, water and food as you go.  But it’s a given rule to always be prepared with snacks for the kids. 

Bring toilet paper and wet-wipes or soap to make efforts for hygiene even on Indian trains.  Little hands touch all kinds of things and it will give you peace of mind to know you are at least making all attempts to keep things as hygienic as possible. 

What about food on long trains?

On long distance trains there will often be the option to purchase the food-included option when buying your ticket online.  But don’t panic it you can’t see this option available.  

There aren’t restaurant of buffet cars on Indian Railways but on long distance trains there are plenty of train attendants who will come to your cabin or car and ask if you would like to order food.  

The attendant may come by with the box of food for breakfast (our experience travelling long distance train Kolkata to Mumbai).  And for lunch and dinner the attendant will come by earlier and take your order. 

It is not expensive and will likely have a veg/non-veg option to choose from. 

For snacks, drinks, water and chai on the popular routes the attendants come through the cars regularly selling different options for a few rupees.

What are the facilities like?

As above, the facilities available on different train lines and in stations are varied depending on which class you are travelling.  And which train station you are stopping at. 

In our experience, the AC classes (1A, 2AC, 3AC) have two toilets in each carriage.  One western style toilet and one squat toilet.  There should be water to wash your hands but unless you are in First Class there almost definitely won’t be toilet paper provided. (Plan ahead with that one). 

Train stations also have varied toilet facilities, waiting rooms and shops selling everything from wet-wipes to water and colouring-in books for kids.  

It really depends on the size of city and station.  But if you have any doubts or questions, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. 

What are the toilets like?

I’m not going to lie.  We were nervous about this aspect of train travel in India but I can honestly say the toilet experience turned out to be better/less-disappointing than we dared anticipate.  (Perhaps we are getting concerningly more seasoned?!). 

Train toilet facilities are pretty much as expected.  Basic but functional and varying by class and capacity.  

Each carriage has 1-2 toilets and in 1A and 2A there is often one western option.  There isn’t likely soap and/or toilet paper (be prepared with that).  But because tickets are pre-purchased in the AC carriages and seating is assigned there isn’t a problem of over-crowding.  

And thankfully(?) because of this and due to the fact that the toilets are so basic they are usually in reasonably sanitary condition.

Can you leave the train to buy water and snacks? 

This always a worry.  In theory the latest IXIGO app should indicate how long a stop will be at a station.  But we found it more reliable the old fashioned way and asked the nearest guard (or passenger) if we had time to run and grab snacks. 

Otherwise don’t stress yourself about missing the train or being left behind in the middle of rural India somewhere.  Each train we have travelled on has friendly chai wallah’s that will sound out their call throughout the train, “ Chai, chai, pani, chai… ”.  

Just go with what is on offer and enjoy the adventure!

Recharging mobiles and devices

There are shaver sockets in 1A, 2A and 3A sleeper cars which can be used to recharge mobile phones and devices.  

The sockets sometimes do work…

What are the beds and sheets like? 

In 1A, 2A and 3A fresh sheets and pillowcases are provided for anything above a medium distance journey.  They have been bleached and pressed to perfection and come packaged per passenger in a paper bag.  

The beds are basic berths as the pictures depict.  It’s hot up on the top bunk in Sleeper Class but in AC the temperature is controlled and it is a comfortable way to travel. 

The bed length is standard and long enough (even for us as tall NZ-travellers) to sleep comfortably.  And there is ample storage under the bottom bunk for luggage. 

Do the trains run on time?

India has a massive railway network and many different types of train (local, express, long-distance) so punctuality can’t always be relied on.  Perhaps we were lucky, but in our experience each of the trains we have taken departed right on time.  

The IXIGO app is useful for checking the status of your train departure.  

How do you know where to get off?

Station nameboards are clearly shown at every station.  If you have service on your mobile you can check ahead on Google Maps (I called this the old fashioned way before we braved the app).  But the app actually has an alarm that can be set to warn you when your station is coming up. 

Otherwise, ask someone in your carriage.  People are friendly and happy to help.  (The chances are you won’t even have to ask and people will give you a heads up you are nearly at your station).  

Useful apps to download for train travel in India

There are many (far too many) different apps for train travel in India including plenty of third party apps.  We recommend the IRCTC app or Ixigo; both are available for iPhone and android.  

IRCTC Connect

With this app you can check train schedules between destinations and input your PNR to check the status of your booking (and timing of your train).  The app has real-time details of whether your train is running on schedule and will tell you which platform you are departing from. 

IXIGO Indian Rail App

This is the official Rail info app of Ixigo.com travel planner website. It provides most of the information required to plan a train journey in India allowing you to check the trains for your destination, ticket availability etc. You can book tickets on IRCTC from within this Ixigo app for all your train journeys.

Enjoy the adventure that is train travel in India !

The most important tip for train travel in India is simply to enjoy your Indian train travel journey!  

Depending on what sort of experience you are looking for you might find your favourite class of train for travel in India surprises you… 

But regardless of destination and class the journey is an adventure.   You’ll meet locals, try new snacks and you can relax while the Indian countryside rolls on by. 

Enjoy the adventure of train travel in India! 

Where we stayed in India

• Kochi:   Hotel Abad Plaza [good location next to mall with supermarket. Multiple restaurants on site; huge buffet breakfast. Swimming pool. Note this hotel is not in the old city of Kochi ]. 
• Varanasi:   Hotel Temple on Ganges [great location; basic rooms and restaurant. Close to Assi Ghat – good location to explore Varanasi from]. 
• Jaisalmer:   The Wanderlust Guesthouse [AMAZING guest-house! We loved staying here and can highly recommend. Great rooms; rooftop restaurant overlooking the fort; awesome camel safaris!
• New Delhi:   Hotel Hari Piorko [good location in the heart of the Main Bazaar, Delhi; close to restaurants and train station. No view from rooms]. 

• Kolkata:   Hotel Golden Palace  [close to New Market with very friendly service and a great in-house room service restaurant]. 
• Mumbai:   Gulf Hotel [good location in Colaba few mins walk to Gateway of India. Basic rooms (and very old elevator) and very basic breakfast included. Also  lots  of (questionably so?) mirrors]. 
• Jodhpur:   Raj Mandir Boutique Homestay  [good location in Blue City, spacious room with small balcony inside Haveli style home. Tiny little doors, lots of unique decor and artefacts].
• Jaipur:  Jaipur Haveli  [incredible old haveli home in heart of Jaipur. Highly recommend; beautiful rooms; great attention to detail and very friendly staff and owners]. 
• Agra:   Aman Homestay  [very friendly family-run homestay with rooftop views of The Taj Mahal. Great rickshaw driver service and home cooked meals].
• Delhi:  Smyle Inn  [extremely basic hotel in small back alley. Very friendly, helpful staff and simple breakfast included. Just off Main Bazaar]. 

More about travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Hostelworld – The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner   – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!

Read more from travel in South Asia

• Taking an overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi. 
• How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
• Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan. 
• Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan. 
• Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
• How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
• Our complete packing list for travel in India. 

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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3 thoughts on “Worried about taking the train in India? Don’t be. Here’s our complete guide.”

CC class in a train stands for AC Chair Car. It is a type of train car that features seats arranged in rows, similar to those found in an airplane. These seats might not lean back, and they might not have their own screens.CC class is usually found in long distance trains and is considered as a more comfortable option compared to other classes like general compartment or sleeper. https://www.letsdiskuss.com/what-is-cc-class-in-a-train

Thank you for your clear information ….from an Indian abroad travelling all around India by train very shortly. Much appreciated

I love train travel. It’s a great feeling to watch that scenery slowly, I will take your suggestions into consideration, I read your article with pleasure .

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Everything you need to know about overnight trains in India

I watched my favorite Wes Anderson movie, The Darjeeling Limited, on repeat prior to my first trip to India more than two years ago.

The camera pans across lush landscapes as the train with three troubled brothers slowly snakes through the Eastern Himalayas. Remember that scene where the impeccably-dressed steward brings the brothers sweet lime juice on a silver tray, and they sip while sitting on opulent orange upholstery? The movie is absolute eye candy.

My overnight train journeys, both solo and as part of Intrepid’s South India Revealed trip, looked nothing like the cinematic masterpiece. They were, however, equally quirky and rewarding immersive experiences, and I would gladly take the train again (now that I’m prepared).

You’ll make new friends

There’s a chance you’ll be sharing a compartment with local travelers of either gender. Our group met a variety of passengers along the way, including a professional web developer who was traveling for work, and a young couple on holiday. Part of my group took the North India Revealed trip before I met up with them in the south, and told me about their shared meals and late-night conversation with a family sharing the quarters. While it sometimes feels exhausting to take long trains, it’s hard to turn down homemade desserts!

The thing all these experiences with local travelers have in common is the genuine interest about our journey across India, and desire to learn where we were all from. Fellow train travelers always have the best food tips for each city, too!

READ MORE: THE MAGIC OF MOVING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE IN INDIA

Put your misgivings aside

The ambiance on Indian trains falls somewhere on a sliding scale of slightly tattered to dorm room drab. With vinyl seats, metal walls and fluorescent lighting, it’s definitely not a design marvel, but I ended up getting a decent night’s sleep as the beds are actually quite sturdy.

The accommodations aren’t spotless, but they aren’t dirty, either. You’ll be provided with clean sheets that come in paper packets, blankets, and a pillow. Many of the seasoned travelers I met chose to bring their own cocoon-style travel sheet.

CHECK OUT INTREPID’S INDIA TRIPS AND EMBARK ON THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Don’t expect privacy

Unlike European sleeper cars, there are no doors to each compartment, nor are there curtains that slide in front of the bunks. The vinyl seats fold down to convert each seating area to a 6-bunk compartment with three bunks on each side. Think of it more like an open-air sleeping cube. Passengers will be walking up and down the aisle at the far end of the beds.

You’ll want to sleep in comfy yet modest clothing. A t-shirt and yoga pants are fine, and you’ll see plenty of local men sleeping in jeans and sweatshirts, and ladies in comfy shirts or tunics paired with traditional pants called salwars, which can be tight like leggings or loose like pajamas.

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What’s to eat?

There is no cafe cart. Ask your guide about what bring before you arrive at the station, or even what will be available to eat at the station. Our amazing guide, Usha, who was not only a travel pro, but a provider of great food advice, prepped us before each journey, alerting us to which stations had good street food, and which ones were bare bones. It’s easy to pick up bananas, chips, water and a last-minute cup of chai before boarding the train. Some even had vendors making fresh takeaway.

On extra hot days, most in our group indulged in ice cream bars (look for the small freezers where they sell cold water), as our pre-train sweet treat.

Bring a sweatshirt

Yes, India is often hot and it seems crazy to pack such a bulky item in your luggage , especially if you’re limited to just a backpack. Train cars with AC – which is how you’ll travel on an Intrepid trip – can get cold, especially if you are on the top bunk near the fan.

Vital train tips from Ashish Verma, Intrepid Travel’s Contracting Manager in India:

Be ready for delays for a number of reasons – fog is a pretty common one. And remember a chain and padlock (there are bars beneath the seats where you can lock up your bag). Also, don’t use the toilets when the train is stationary!

Sleep early and bring earplugs

Once you and the group board, it’s best to get settled and get to sleep earlier rather than later. First, there are no individual bunk lights, just one big overhead light, so you can’t customize it to your liking. Second, the chai wallahs start gliding through the aisles early (around 6am) to hawk their hot tea – and they aren’t quiet about it.

In addition, the train will make stops throughout the night letting passengers on and off, and it might get noisy. The earplugs will help offset the sporadic commotion throughout the night.

Let’s talk toilets

Sleeper trains have toilets at the end of each car. Most have 3 bathrooms — 2 Indian-style squat toilets, and 1 Western-style seated (drop) toilet. Attendants come through and clean throughout the journey. It won’t be the cleanest bathroom ever, but I’ve experienced worse at roadside stops during my travels. I’m going to admit, me a few of the other ladies on our trip ran to the bathroom as a bunch as soon as we boarded to scope out the situation — that’s when we pulled together a communal bathroom supply bag with toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and wet wipes.

Put on shoes to visit the bathroom (the floors are often hosed down and wet) and bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer, though there are sinks. Most importantly, don’t avoid drinking water during the journey simply because you want to avoid the WC. It’s hot throughout most of the year in India and you’ll risk dehydration. Our guide Usha warned that dehydration, not Delhi belly , is the reason they most often need to seek medical attention for guests.

READ MORE: AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE DELHI METRO

Luggage stays with you

There is room under the bottom bunk to store your luggage. You’ll be able to squeeze a carry-on, large duffle, or 60-70 liter backpack under the seat. Large, traditional suitcases don’t fit so well. Nor will that kind of luggage fit in a tuk-tuk, which you’ll take almost daily in India. So be a smart traveler, and opt for luggage you can easily carry.

What’s available on the train?

• No dining car, but vendors will come by selling a limited supply of water, packaged snacks, tea, and (instant) coffee
• Yes, there are electrical outlets, but there are only 2 in a compartment of 6 beds
• No wifi, bring a book
• Yes, sheets, blankets, and pillows are provided for each passenger
• Hand sinks are in the WC, there are no showers

Safety tips from Ashish Verma, Intrepid Travel’s Contracting Manager in India:

Don’t carry too much cash on overnight trains and don’t leave any electronic gadgets unattended. Money belts should not be visible to anyone and expensive jewelry should not be worn!

Overnight train survival kit

• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Flip flops or slippers
• Sleeping sheet
• Deck of cards, book or writing journal (anything non-digital) to pass the time

Ready for an incredible adventure? Check out Intrepid’s range of small group trips in India.

(Image credits from top to bottom: Intrepid Travel, Kristin Amico x2, Intrepid Travel, Kristin Amico x2, Intrepid Travel.)

Feeling inspired?

Kristin Amico

In early 2017 I quit my full-time job, gave up my Boston apartment, sold most of my belongings, and bought a one-way ticket overseas. I'm currently spending a year living nomadically and eating my way across Europe and Asia. My food and travel writing has appeared on Intrepid Travel, Fodor's, Paste Magazine, and The Kitchn. Follow my adventure on Instagram @Kristinamico.

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NatureDiary » Blog » Travel Guides » Information

Train Travel In India – A Comprehensive Guide

Known for its multitude of famous and offbeat tourist attractions, India offers plenty of places to travel to and explore. Railway is the best mode of transport to travel for its easy booking process, comfortable journeys and affordability . Besides, what can possibly beat the train journey experience with beautiful views of the countryside?

With one of the largest railway networks in the world, India boasts outstanding railroad connectivity throughout the nation. Those who usually travel by other modes of transport and haven’t travelled by train a lot might find it a bit difficult to figure out how to travel by train and what type of train and class to choose . I came up with this comprehensive rail travel guide to answer all your queries on this matter.

Types Of Trains In India

1. express train.

An express train is your most reliable option if you’re travelling to a different state. Running at a maximum speed of around 100 Km/hour , these trains are much faster than local and passenger trains. Besides, they also have much fewer stops, which allows them to cover long distances quickly.

Apart from ordinary express trains, Indian Railways has also launched AC Express coaches to offer a more comfortable train travel experience . Special express train routes connecting major cities have been launched too. These are known as intercity express trains, such as the Kolkata – Asansol Intercity Express.

2. Superfast Express Train

Superfast express trains are only slightly faster than regular express trains in terms of maximum speed, which ranges between 100 and 110 Km/hour. However, the former takes even fewer stops, which cuts down on the total travel time .

Superfast trains are also more expensive than ordinary express trains as the fares include a superfast surcharge. The Sampark Kranti Expresses, which connect New Delhi to different state capitals and other important cities, fall into this category.

3. Premium Superfast Express Train

There are a few premium superfast express trains too, which have higher fares and come with additional perks. The Duronto Express and Rajdhani Express , for instance, are long-distance trains in India that runs non-stop from its departure station to its destination.

These trains have sophisticated LHB coaches for a more comfortable and posh travelling experience . These premium superfast express trains get more priority and barely delay for any reason. For long-distance travels, I always prefer Duronto or Rajdhani to reach my destinations on time.

4. Metro Train

Metro railway has become one of the most convenient modes of public transport in metropolitan areas in India. Also known as Rapid train service in some areas, the metro railway frequently uses underground railroads to get across crowded urban areas swiftly.

These trains use completely separate tracks from other trains explicitly designed for them. Metro trains are available every few minutes, and passengers can get on and off at any station along the way. This type of railway offers fast and air-conditioned transit at affordable prices , but it’s available in only 15 Indian cities at the moment.

5. Mountain Train

India also has 7 mountain railways, of which 3 have been recognized by UNESCO as world heritage sites . These are special railway routes running through various mountain ranges. Thanks to the picturesque views one can enjoy during the journey, mountain railways are major tourist attractions.

The Darjeeling Toy train and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway are among the most popular ones, but others, like the Kalka–Shimla Railway , offer unforgettable experiences too. Fortunately, I have travelled on all these three railways and the journeys were pretty exciting!

6. Luxury Train

These trains are operated specifically for tourism purposes rather than regular travel. Complete with various luxurious amenities like minibars, restaurants, spas, fitness cars , etc., these are models of ancient royal trains used by different Indian kings and the British.

Luxury trains pass through different tourist destinations and halt at each of them for excursions. The best trains with luxury facilities in India include the Golden Chariot, Palace on Wheels, Maharaja’s express , etc.

7. Local Train

This is one of the most affordable and popular modes of transport in the country. Also known as suburban or local trains run for short distances – usually between a central business district and the suburban areas surrounding it.

These trains are slower than the rest as they stop at each and every station along the way. Seating is unreserved, and it’s quite common for these trains to get very crowded.

8. Passenger Train

Running at 40 to 80 Km/hour, passenger trains offer a mix of reserved and unreserved seating . These trains stop at almost every station on their routes, although not as frequently as local trains.

There are two types of passenger trains in India – slow passenger and fast passenger trains. Both of them are very economical modes of transport.

The Classes Of Train

Apart from the different types, one can also choose from various travel classes of trains when booking tickets. This might be a little confusing for those riding the first-time train in India. Your travel experience would depend heavily on the class you’re riding in. Different classes offer varying comfort levels and amenities. Let’s see what Indian Railways offer.

Executive Anubhuti (EA)

These coaches offer a travel experience similar to plane rides. Executive Anubhuti coaches are air-conditioned and come with comfortable recliner seats, infotainment systems, headphones, etc. EA coaches are frequently cleaned and boast very sophisticated sanitation.

Executive AC Chair Car (EC)

Very similar to EA, this is one of the most expensive train classes in India, besides AC First Class. EC coaches also offer a great travel experience, with various amenities, free snacks and drinks, and even large tables in between seats facing each other.

First AC (1A)

These are the most luxurious coaches for long-distance travel, and the tickets can cost around the same as many domestic flights. Travellers can book entire cabins or coupes to themselves and enjoy complete privacy. You can enjoy spacious berths, fresh food prepared in the pantry car, and the added security of lockable doors. First AC coaches also come with shower facilities for the passengers.

First class (FC)

A first-class compartment is very similar to AC first class, minus the air conditioning. If you plan to travel on a first-class train in India, it’s best to go for the First AC class unless you want the privacy of first-class coaches at a lower cost. Otherwise, the third AC is a better choice in terms of both comfort and cost.

Second AC (2A)

The second AC coaches don’t come with individual coupes. They are divided into compartments of three berths each, separated by curtains. These air-conditioned coaches also offer a comfortable travel experience, and the berths are relatively spacious. The fares are somewhere in between 1A and FC class fares.

Third AC (3A)

These coaches offer a mix of affordability and comfort and are an ideal choice for middle-class travellers in India. The coaches are divided into compartments of eight berths each – six regular berths and two side berths. Although 3A coaches don’t offer the privacy and the amenities you’d enjoy in the 2A, FC, or 1A classes, you can easily interact with fellow travellers here.

Third AC economy (3E)

The 3E class was launched to make AC train travel more affordable, but putting more berths per compartment. These coaches have three side berths per compartment rather than two.

Chair Car (CC)

One of the most affordable options for those travelling between different districts or states, chair car coaches don’t have any berths. Instead, they feature chair-style seating. This class is viable for journeys lasting up to a few hours.

Sleeper Class (SL)

Sleeper class is your most budget-friendly option for long-distance train journeys. The berth arrangement is similar to AC 3-tier, with six berths on one side and two on the other per compartment. However, the travelling experience is completely different. Apart from air conditioning, sleeper class coaches also lack the catering services you’d get in 3A class. Instead, you may buy food from vendors boarding these coaches.

Second seating (2S)

Offering the cheapest reserved seating, these coaches come with chair-style seats too. However, the problem with 2S coaches is that they can get quite crowded and congested as they have a mix of reserved and unreserved seats.

Different Berths On Indian Train

Usually, you have the option to choose your preferred berth when reserving your berths for a train journey. Different berths have their own perks and downsides, which you should always consider while booking your tickets.

• Upper berth (UB): Do note that only the top berths of the face-to-face berths are referred to as upper berths – not the side berths that lie lengthwise. While elderly travellers or women wearing sarees may have a hard time getting up there, an upper berth is perfect if you need to rest.
• Middle berth (MB): Lying between the upper and the lower berth, the middle berth is more accessible. However, it’s not really my most preferred choice as you can neither enjoy the views outside nor engage in conversations very well. Unlike when travelling in the upper berth, you’ll also have to deal with the chatter of people.
• Lower berth: My personal favourite, this berth is next to the window and offers nice views. Lower berth travellers can easily get off their berth without worrying about having to climb back up.
• Side upper berth (SU): Moving on to the side berths, SU refers to the topmost berths among the ones positioned lengthwise along the wall of the coach. This berth offers a couple of nice perks, like extra headspace and allowing you to interact with other passengers with ease.
• Side middle berth (SM): Remember I mentioned that 3E coaches have three side berths in each set instead of two? The side middle berth is the extra berth in question, and it’s one of the worst berths you could get. The cramped space may result in a very uncomfortable travel experience, and you won’t get to enjoy the views very well either.
• Side lower berth (SL): This is the best alternative in case a lower berth isn’t available. Side lower berths offer the same accessibility perks and views as lower berths. You can also chat with your co-passengers with ease. However, people walking past your berth can be a little disturbing due to the position of this berth.

Who Can Ride Trains In India?

Pretty much anyone and everyone can ride trains in India. If you travel by train even a couple of times, you’ll notice people of every age group using it for transport. Even minors and senior citizens wouldn’t have any trouble riding trains. Local trains also have ladies-only coaches to ensure a safe travelling experience for women.

However, you’ll need to choose the travel class and berth according to your requirements and who you’re going with. For couple travellers , the best options are the FC/1A coupes or the side berths in Third AC and sleeper coaches. When booking tickets for family travellers , try to make sure everyone can stay together if possible. For solo travellers , it doesn’t really matter – go for whichever berth you like the most.

If you plan to travel with pets, standard first class and AC first class are your only options. Those are the only coaches where passengers are allowed to carry pets. Alternatively, your dog can travel in the dog box or the brake van.

The Fare Of Train Journey

As you know by now, you have plenty of options when booking a train ticket in India and can usually find something that fits your budget. There’s a huge contrast between the fares for AC First Class and sleeper class coaches. This is something you should always keep in mind when booking train tickets.

Here are two charts showing the fare rates for different train classes at varying distances:

1. Fare For Mail/ Express Trains

2. fare for ordinary trains.

Please note that the above tables contain fares that are subjective to change over the years. We will update it as soon as we get the latest information. You can also visit the official website of Indian Railways .

How To Book A Train Ticket?

You have several ways to book train tickets for your travels. Online booking is obviously the most convenient, but you may also get your tickets at the counter. Here are four ways you can book a train ticket in India.

Online Booking Procedures

1. using the uts app for unreserved ticket.

Indian Railways launched the Unreserved Ticketing Service (UTS) app to make life easier for passengers. Especially in busy urban areas, the queues at ticket counters for local and passenger trains can get quite long. You can instead use the UTS app to book a paperless ticket online.

You first need to download and install the UTS app on your device ( Android | IOS ). Run the app and register yourself as a new user, signing up with the necessary credentials. Once you have signed up, log in to your account and click on book ticket. Below are the steps to follow for this method.

• Step 1: Select ’Normal Booking’ from the options that appear. At this point, the app will ask you to turn on the location/GPS on your smartphone to identify the nearest railway stations. Accept this request. Now you will find two options “Book and Travel (paperless)” and “Book and Print (paper)”. Remember to print the ticket in case you have selected the second option. Then fill up “Depart from STN” and “Going to STN”, and click the NEXT button.
• Step 2: Next you will get 6 boxes on your screen containing the Number of Tickets for Adults and Child, Ticket Type (journey and return), Class, Train Type and Payment Type. Choose the suitable options and click on the GET FARE button.
• Step 3: On the next page, you will find your ticket summery. Verify the details and click on BOOK TICKET button. Do it and complete the payment, and your ticket will be generated.

You may check your tickets later by clicking on the home icon on the top right and tapping on booking history.

2. Booking Reserved Tickets With IRCTC app/ Website

Besides the official train ticket booking website , IRCTC has also launched a mobile app that allows users to carry out various tasks online, such as booking tickets, checking the ticket status, ordering food on the train, etc. Use these steps to reserve seats or berths for long-distance train journeys.

• Step 1: Install the IRCTC Rail Connect app ( Android | IOS ) and register yourself. Now, log in to your account using the credentials created during registration.
• Step 2: From the homepage, select Plan My Bookings. A page with spaces to enter your departure station, destination, and travel date will appear. Fill them up and click on Search Trains.
• Step 3: The app will now provide you with a list of trains, along with information like their departure time and the availability of seats/berths. Information regarding the availability or non-availability is provided separately for every travel class. You can view the respective ticket prices by clicking on the classes.
• Step 4: Select the train and class of your choice, and tap on passenger details. Now, fill in the details and click on the respective checkboxes to accept the terms and conditions. Keep in mind that each booking can include only up to six adults and two infants maximum.
• Step 5: Once you’ve provided the necessary information and accepted the terms and conditions, tap on Review Journey Details. You can now go over the train information, passenger details, class and berths booked, etc.
• Step 6: If all the details are fine, fill in the Captcha at the bottom and tap on Proceed To Pay. The app offers several payment options – debit card, credit card, net banking, and E-wallets. You’ll find the tickets under your transaction history after completing the payment.

3. Booking Train Tickets With Third-party Apps

Apart from booking directly through the IRCTC app, you can also use various other third-party apps that offer online travel ticket and hotel booking services. Especially if you’re already booking your hotel rooms through an online travel company, it might be more convenient and cost-effective to use it for train ticket booking.

Although they charge an additional service fee that you can avoid by using the IRCTC app , they also offer various discounts, cashbacks, and other special offers.

Every third-party ticket booking app has its own booking procedure and interface. In this regard, you should note that their user interface is usually more intuitive and easier to use than the IRCTC app. This might make them a better choice for users who aren’t too tech-savvy and find the IRCTC app to be too complex.

Examples for such third party ticket booking websites are makemytrip.com , railyatri.in , goibibo.com for domestic travellers and 12go.asia for international travellers.

Offline/ On-counter Ticket Booking

Passengers who find online booking to be too difficult, lack the means to pay online, or face other problems with online ticket booking can get it done offline instead. For this, you need to visit the booking counter at your nearest railway station and request a reservation form.

The form has spaces to fill in with details like passenger information, berth preference, train, train number and name, travel date , etc. Once you have filled it up, submit it at the booking counter along with the payment. They’ll issue your tickets along with your unique PNR number.

Online booking is much more convenient and hassle-free, but sometimes you may not have a choice besides offline booking. You can also get your booking done through brokers and travel agencies, but it’d be much more expensive as they charge extra to earn their profits .

Common Terms Related To Train Ticket

When booking or reading your train ticket, you might come across a number of terms and abbreviations that you’re unfamiliar with. Indian Railways commonly use these terms, and it’s a good idea to learn them beforehand. Below are some of the most common terms related to train tickets.

• PNR: Passenger Number Record
• RAC: Reservation Against Cancellation
• CNF: Confirmed
• CAN: Cancelled
• WL: Waiting list
• RSWL: Roadside station waiting list
• RLWL: Remote Location Waiting List
• GNWL: General Waiting list
• TQWL: Tatkal Quota Waiting list
• PQWL: Pooled Quota Waiting List
• RQWL: Remote Quota Waiting List
• RLGN: Remote Location General waiting list
• LB: Lower Berth
• MB: Middle berth
• UB: Upper berth

Facilities You Can Get Inside Indian Trains

Indian railways have made significant improvements to train coaches over the years, adding various new facilities. Although not every train class is equally luxurious, some of them can deliver quite an amazing travel experience.

Most train coaches have toilets, with the exception of local and passenger trains meant for short-distance travel. Usually, there are four toilets per coach – two on each side. During 2021 and 2022, Indian Railways also installed bio-toilets in many trains to reduce the dumping of bacteria on railway tracks.

2. AC and fan

The various air-conditioned travel classes mentioned earlier come with AC units to keep the passengers comfortable during travel. The non-AC coaches have plenty of fans instead to maintain air circulation and comfort . You may also ride a full AC train in India, where all the coaches are air-conditioned.

3. Bed, Pillow And Blanket

Passengers travelling in AC first class, AC Second Class sleeper, and AC 3-tier sleeper receive free bedrolls from Indian Railways. These bedrolls include a pillow, a blanket, two-bed sheets, and a face towel.

Hence, you don’t have to worry about it getting too chilly at night in air-conditioned coaches. In case you don’t receive your bedrolls for any reason, you’re entitled to a refund of ₹20 once you reach the destination station. You’ll need a certificate from the TTE as proof of your claim.

As of now, Indian Railways has fitted only the air-conditioned coaches with dustbins as these coaches have sealed windows, and passengers end up littering the coaches. They’ve also integrated some of the modern trains like Tejas Express with sophisticated compacter dustbins that crush garbage to make more space inside.

5. Charging Point

Most sleeper train coaches have charging ports beside the seats or berths . You need not worry about not being able to charge your phone during long train journeys, regardless of the class you’re travelling in (unless others are using them already).

6. Reading Lamp

Travelling in the AC 2-tier sleeper class will also get an individual reading lamp in your berth. This is quite useful if you don’t want to go to sleep and night and have work to do.

7. Luggage Security

The cabins and coupes in first-class coaches (both AC and non-AC) have doors that you can lock. This ensures significant luggage security, as you need not worry about your stuff getting stolen as you sleep.

However, this feature isn’t available in other travel classes. You’re allowed to carry luggage in the luggage van for free up to a certain weight limit, over which you’ll have to pay an extra fee. It is pretty secure, although there’s a chance that your stuff may get damaged unless packed very well.

8. Child Safety

Northern Railway has recently taken up the initiative and launched special baby berths as an experiment. Currently available only on certain trains, these berths have baby-sized foldable extensions on the outer edge. The extended berth area has a railing to prevent babies from falling off and straps to keep them secure.

9. Food Items

Long-distance trains have pantry cars to prepare fresh food on the move. However, this is only for only passengers travelling in first class and AC first class coaches. Those travelling in AC 2-tier and AC 3-tier receive food prepared at IRCTC’s kitchen facilities at various stations along the way. Indian Railways has also launched an eCatering service, through which passengers can order restaurant food while travelling in trains.

Food On Indian Trains

Let’s dive a bit deeper into the availability of food on trains in India and see how you can while travelling:

1. Pantry Cars

As mentioned earlier, long-distance trains have pantry cars. Apart from catering to the 1A and FC passengers with food cooked on the train, the pantry car personnel also take down orders from those travelling in 2A, 3A and sleeper coaches . They pass on the orders to a station on the way with kitchen facilities, where they collect the food and load them onto the train.

2. Online Order

You can now use the IRCTC app to order food online too. The eCatering service is a great initiative by IRCTC that allows passengers to enjoy restaurant food while travelling by train. They have partnered with various FSSAI-approved restaurants at more than 450 stations. Placing the order is easy too, since your details and other information are already linked to your PNR number.

3. Buy At Train Stations

You always have the option to buy food at railway stations along the way, provided that the train will stop there long enough. Note the halt times and be careful not to get stranded because your train took off while you were buying food.

A variety of foods are available at railway stations, although snacks are the most common. When travelling in sleeper class or chair cars, you may also buy food from vendors boarding the train at different stations.

4. Pre-packed Food

If you aren’t travelling in a coach with catering facilities and don’t want to take your chances with buying food during the journey, you can carry long-lasting pre-packaged food . This is also a good solution for those who prefer homemade food due to health concerns . Choosing relatively dry food items is advisable, so you don’t have to worry about leaks or creating a mess. Also, make sure the food won’t go bad by the time you can eat it.

Things To Carry While Travelling on Trains

For individuals unfamiliar with travelling by train, packing for the journey might appear to be a daunting task. While you can’t afford to leave behind anything important, carrying extra and unnecessary luggage isn’t recommended either. Here are six things that you should carry when travelling by train in India:

1. Ticket And Other Essential Documents

Forgetting your tickets at home is a terrible idea. Travel ticket examiners (TTEs) board reserved compartments to ensure no one is travelling without tickets and everybody is in their assigned seats . You must display your ticket and prove that you have booked one to avoid getting in trouble.

Thankfully, you don’t necessarily need a physical copy of the ticket – a PDF version of it on your smartphone will do just fine. Hence, in case you book your train tickets online, you don’t need to print them out.

Apart from your tickets, you should always carry proof of identity while travelling. Your Aadhar card is an ideal choice for this, although a voter ID card or driving license would work too.

2. Your Mobile Charger

Unless you’re travelling for a day and are confident your phone has enough battery life, you should always carry your mobile charger. You can charge it on the go using the charging point beside your seat. Also, definitely carry a power bank if you have one, just in case the charging point is faulty.

3. Water Bottle

Even if the journey isn’t long enough for you to need meals on the way, you’ll need water. You can easily buy a bottle of packaged drinking water at a station or from vendors boarding the train. However, carrying your own water bottle from home is advisable to save money and reduce waste . This is even more important when travelling to desolate places where you might not find shops or vendors to buy water from.

4. Safety Locks

Luggage safety is a huge concern on Indian trains, as anybody can board or get off a train at any given time, even without tickets. Unless you’re travelling 1st class, there are absolutely no luggage security features to protect your stuff from theft.

You should always use safety locks to secure your luggage bags while travelling, regardless of your mode of transport. Travel trolley bags are the best options for train travel as they are easy to carry and have locking facilities. Besides this, it’s advisable to carry a chain with a lock to tie your bags to your seat during train journeys too.

5. Earphones

A pair of earphones can prove to be invaluable during long train journeys when it’s easy to get bored unless you’re travelling with a group of friends.

Apart from these essential items, you may like to carry a neck pillow, travel clothing, hand sanitiser, toilet seat sanitiser, soap paper, biodegradable wet wipes, sleeping bag liner, inflatable travel pillow, power bank and books . You may also like to check the list of travel essentials worth carrying on your trip.

Tips For Travelling By Train In India

It can take you some time to get accustomed to train travel in India. Especially if you’re travelling in sleeper class or one of the other coaches without a lot of amenities, it might initially be a rough experience. To help you avoid potential hassles and enjoy a smooth journey, I’m going to share a few tips I learnt from my own experiences.

1. Pack Some Extra Food

Due to unexpected delays, train journeys can take much longer than they’re supposed to. In worse cases, the train might stop for a long time in the middle of nowhere. When embarking on a long train journey, it’s always wise to pack some extra food for such situations.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a meal – simple dry snacks like nuts and biscuits are fine too. You just need something to keep you from starving until you can find a meal.

2. Book Your Tickets Well In Advance

In a country as densely populated as India, it’s only normal for train tickets to be very high in demand. Unless you book your tickets ahead of time, you might end up on the waitlist or not even get a ticket at all.

Train tickets are available for booking 60 days before the date of departure , and it’s best to get yours as soon as possible. This is especially true if you plan to travel during certain times of the year, such as the winter months, Diwali, and during other major festivals.

3. Look For Nearby Stations If Tickets Aren’t Available

Considering the high demand for train tickets to major cities and popular tourist destinations, it’s quite common to find no tickets available on your preferred travel date. In such cases, check if you can get tickets to other stations near your destination station . Although it’s a bit inconvenient compared to a direct train route, you can get a cab or an auto rickshaw to cover the remaining distance.

4. Travel At Night

For long train journeys, it’s best to opt for nighttime travel if possible. It’s easier to spend your time sleeping, and you don’t have to spend in a hotel room for the night . Besides, there’s far less noise and commotion at night since most passengers are asleep, ensuring a more relaxing journey.

Travelling at night also means you don’t waste a day travelling to your destination. You can check in at the hotel early and spend the whole day sightseeing.

5. Always Carry Toilet Supplies

Unless you’re travelling in one of the costlier classes, dirty bathrooms will always be a problem on Indian trains. Running water is also limited, which can cause severe inconvenience during long journeys . As mentioned earlier, you should always carry hand sanitiser and some toilet paper during long train journeys.

6. Reach The Station Early

When you have a train to catch, never aim to reach the station with just a few minutes at hand. In case you are unaware, major railway stations in India are huge, with 10 or more platforms in many cases.

It might take you far longer than expected to get to the platform where your train will be arriving . Add up the time taken to navigate through the crowds and the heaps of luggage, and you’ll see why it’s wise to reach the station at least half an hour in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Unless your waitlisted ticket is confirmed, you’re not allowed to board the train. Only when people with confirmed tickets cancel their bookings the waitlisted tickets are promoted to confirmed status in serial order. Unconfirmed waiting list tickets are refunded by Indian Railways. Travelling with unconfirmed waiting list tickets is illegal.

Reserved compartment tickets are specific to the respective trains. You can only board the train for which you’ve booked the ticket. However, this doesn’t apply to unreserved tickets like those for local trains or general coaches in other trains, and you’re free to board a general bogie on a different train.

Every train reservation has a PNR number linked to the passenger details. If you book a train ticket in your name, only you’re allowed travel on it. However, IRCTC now allows passengers to transfer train tickets to someone else. You’ll have to visit the reservation counter with your ticket and ID proof of the person to whom you wish to transfer the ticket.

You can board your booked train at a different railway station along the way, and there shouldn’t be much of a problem if it’s just 2-3 stations away from the boarding station on your ticket. However, in case you board it from one of the previous stations, you may have to pay the penalty for the extra distance. You can also change your boarding station on the IRCTC app in advance, which is a much safer option.

It’s recommended to book your train ticket as early as possible. This not only increases the likelihood of getting confirmed tickets but also allows you to choose the berths as per your preference. Train tickets are available for booking up to 60 days in advance, excluding the departure date.

There are various apps that would enable passengers to locate and track their trains live on the map while travelling. I use the app Where is My Train on my own trips, which is one of the most popular apps. Developed by Google for Indian Railways, this app provides various information such as the live location, train speed, schedules, etc.

Train travel in India might initially seem complicated, but it’s one of the most convenient modes of travel once you get used to it. Booking train tickets online is easy, and so is managing your booking and checking your ticket status.

I’ve always preferred travelling by train, and the digitalisation of the services through the IRCTC app has made things even better . In case you weren’t sure how to travel by a first-class sleeper train in India, I hope this guide has cleared up your doubts.

I hope you’ll enjoy a great train journey and gain an experience worth remembering.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. Let us know your experience! If you like us to write on any specific topic, send your request to [email protected] . Your feedback is highly appreciated. We will love to hear from you!

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India Train Travel : Tips for Navigating the Indian Railway System

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: January 17, 2021

Train travel in India can be intimidating. It can be confusing to navigate the Indian Railway system, but once you figure it out, it isn’t so bad at all. The thing about India train travel  is that it is always overbooked and very busy. 

Table of Contents

India Train Travel Tips

#1 book ahead of time.

The India Railway system is very complicated.

You would be wise to know your entire itinerary and book ahead.

Unfortunately for Dave and I, we are on a very loose schedule and like to go with the flow.

We never know how long we want to stay in a place, so we don’t book travel ahead of time.

This was the cause of many a headache. But we quickly figured it out and learned a lot.

So now we can share our best India train travel tips with you!

That first day we travelled by train in India, we had no idea where to stand on the platform.

We had no idea what car we should go in and we didn’t have a clue how to find our seats.

Heck, we didn’t even know what our ticket meant.

Best Memories of India happened on the Train

Some of our favourite experiences in India have taken place on the train.

We have made new friends, enjoyed wonderful conversations, and enjoyed mixing it up with the locals.

General Class on India Rail is always an adventure and a ton of fun.

People are a little shocked to see a tourist sitting on the seat in the General Class on Indian Railways, but they quickly embrace you and look after you.  Everyone is always willing to lend a hand.

How the India Railways System Works

#2 use the irctc website.

The easiest way to book a ticket on India Rail is to do so online at http://www.irctc.co.in/ Make sure to have a printer handy to print out your ticket.

**Update** Since writing this article, we’ve learned of ClearTrip ,  It looks like a far more streamlined way to book tickets.

The first thing that you will need to know about train travel in India is the class system.

#3 Know What Class You Want

For overnight bookings, you will definitely want to be comfortable.

You need to know that the difference between classes when you book your ticket or you may end up on a very uncomfortable journey.

The Booking Process

Here are some tips to help make your train travel in india easier:.

India Rail Classes: 1AC – Air conditioned, private room with locking doors.  2 or 4 berth 2AC – Air conditioned two tiered beds, 4 people to a berth 3AC – Air conditioned, three tiered beds, 6 people to a berth CL – Chair Class, padded reclining seats with air conditioning SL – Sleeper Class, non air-conditioned tiered berths 2nd class – unreserved seating, free for all Note: 1,2 and 3 AC are travellers best bets for overnight trains.

They are clean, cool, and comfortable. Plus, they are quiet and you won’t be breathing in the fumes from the trains when they enter a tunnel.

A local man from India that was riding in 3 AC with us said, “SL (Sleeper Class) is loud and you go insane listening to clickety clack, clickety clack.” .

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#4 How to Book Train Travel in India Online

• Go to http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ to get your train number, information on what trains go to each station, and the station codes.
• After you have all of the train information for your destination, go to http://www.irctc.co.in/ to book your train ticket.
• You can choose from several classes, but 2AC and 3Ac are your best choices for overnight trains.
• SL is a sleeper class and also a good choice, but you will not have air conditioning and you will have less security. And as stated above, it is loud.
• Many countries have problems with our credit cards working. We thought that it was just us being Canadian, but we talked to others from the U.K. that had the same problem. You can get around this.  When they ask you what payment system you want to use, choose Axis PG as your method of payment if you are Canadian.

For other countries, you will just have to keep trying the different methods of payment from the list to see what works for you.  You will find something that works.  If we did, anyone can.

• Unless you book your train well ahead of time, you will most likely have a waitlist.  If the waitlist isn’t too long, you have a good chance of having your rail ticket confirmed on the day of departure, especially if you are on 3AC.  2AC can be a problem because there are fewer seats in that class.
• Your reservation will have a PNR number.  If you have an unconfirmed train ticket (meaning you bought your ticket but you are on a waitlist), you will need to check this on your travel date to see where you are sitting and to see if your seat is confirmed.

You can check this on the website http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ You can also check by telephone; just ask your hotel reception what number to call in that city. It will also be on your eticket or railway ticket.

• A confirmed train ticket will have your seat number already printed on it.  A Wait List ticket will not, but when you check your PNR number, it will give you a seat and car number.

#5  How to Book Your Train Ticket at the Station

A trip to the train station is always an adventure and it is sometimes better to book at the station. That way they can help you out if you have any questions.

• Go to the computer reservation desk at the station.
• Get a form.  Go right to the front of the line and ask for a form first thing. You aren’t cutting in line, you just need to get that piece of paper.
• Get in line and fill out the form while standing in line. Otherwise several people will get ahead of you while you fill out your form at the table and it can be a very long wait.

Note: women often have their own line. If you are a woman, go in that line for a shorter queue and don’t let the Indian men get in front of you. They don’t care that it’s women only and think they can stand in front of a tourist.

• Know the name of the train station that you want to go to.  Stops are not always the same name as the city and the ticket agent may not know the stop that you want if you simply say something like Goa or Mumbai. Because there are several stops for each.
• There will most likely be a waiting list when you book your tickets.  India rail tickets are always sold out and you will rarely get a seat that day.
• Being 1 to 10 on the waiting list is a very good chance that you will get your seat confirmed if you are booking on 3AC class.
• 2Ac may be a different story as there aren’t as many seats. Sometimes even higher numbers will be confirmed. The sooner you book your train ticket in advance, the better chance that you will get on the train when you want to.

At the Train Station

#6 finding your railway car.

Getting in the right car of the train can be confusing. 

We got on the wrong car our first train trip because we didn’t know where to look for our number.

As we eventually learned, train travel in India is very well organized and if you know where to look, you will be able to find what you need.

• Go to the computer or large board to confirm your booking seat number.
• Punch in your PNR number and the screen will give you all the information that you need.
• Write down your information on your train ticket and go to the electronic board to look for your train number and car number.
• You can then figure out which platform you will be boarding from.
• Proceed to the engine number that coincides with your train and car by number. It will be listed on the board as well. 
• Stand and wait at the engine number on the platform until your train arrives.  Indian trains are very long and contain several boxcars, so you want to make sure that you wait in the right spot.
• Don’t take too long to board. Sometimes trains wait a while at the station, other times they leave without warning.

Insider Tips for platform navigation.

• Trains are very long and some stations are very confusing with multiple tracks.
• Sometimes train stations in India are very basic and they will only have computer printouts stapled to a board.
• If it is only a board, look for your train number and class on your ticket and then match it to the board.
• You will be able to find your seat number and car number
• But you may get platform information and you won’t know where to stand.

What to do when you don’t know your platform

The best advice that we can give you is, find a spot in the middle of the platform and keep an eye out for your car number as the train passes.

Then get ready to run.

Normally 2 and 3 AC are at the front or the back of the train. (so be prepared to run in either direction)

This can be a problem because if you are standing at the front, your car may be at the back or vice versa. So stay in the middle. 

We reiterate, trains in India are very long and if you were at the wrong end of the train when it approached, you will have a very long run to your car and will probably miss your train.

#7 Boarding the Train

Train travel is the easiest and most comfortable way to travel around the country.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind once you get on the train.

• When you get on the train, it’s likely that people will be sitting in your seat. Just tell them your number and they will move or simply make room for you.
• Put your luggage under your seat right away. It fills up quickly and if you set it above on a bed, you won’t have a place to put it later.
• Bring a chain lock or pack safe. On a 3AC Sleeper train, you could be 3 beds high and not notice anyone come into your berth. While you are sleeping, you will never know who will walk through. Having your valuables locked to a pole or bed will give you a more relaxed sleep.
• Food is provided, but not included.  Water, chai and sodas are available for sale.  You will never go hungry.  There is always someone going through offering food and drink.  If you don’t want to buy food on the train, bring your own snacks
• Have an alarm.  Nobody is going to come and wake you up when it is your stop – it is all up to you.
• Know the names of a couple of stops before yours. There are no announcements on most trains and you simply have to keep an eye out for your stop. Know the time that you arrive and start watching for the stops before yours.
• Gather all of your belongings ahead of time and be prepared.  Trains in India can sometimes stop for a long time and other times not so long at all, barely giving you time to grab your bags and get to the door.

Train Travel in India is Fun

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF7DshvcZJw[/embedyt]

Train travel in India can be a lot of fun and it is a wonderful way to get to know the people of India.

When you are stuck in a berth staring at each other with your knees almost touching, you have no choice but to chat and get to know each other.

By the time your stop comes, you won’t want to get off the train because you will have made such great new friends in the lovely country of India.

People helped us and gave us extra information on train travel in India by showing us the ins and out and tips and tricks.

They even checked on us regularly, telling us when our stop was coming up, buying us soup and translating all the conversations going on around us.

More insider tips that will make your train travel in India much easier:

#8 What to do if You Can’t Reserve a Ticket?

India’s trains are always overbooked. You have to reserve your seat weeks in advance and sometimes you just can’t get on a train.

It can be frustrating and difficult when you are number 2 and 3 on the wait list and your seats don’t confirm.

But, there is hope. We have started doing this on a regular basis and haven’t had a problem.

Go to the train station anyway.

Buy a general class ticket to the destination of your choice.

Find out where the AC Chair Class, 3 A or 2 A classes, will be arriving on the platform.

We have hopped on 3A and Chair Class without a problem.

We just ask the train captain if there are any seats available and he sticks us in an empty one.

He has the chart and he can tell you where to go.

You will have to pay the upgrade, but this is all completely legitimate.

You will receive a receipt and you can stay in your chair or bed for the duration of the train.

#9 Beware of Scams

Beware, however, because sometimes men pose as India Rail employees and try to scam tourists out of money.

Make sure you are talking to the actual train captain.

He will have a navy blue jacket, charts in his hand, and a name tag.

He will also be assisting the local people, not just the tourists. – This is the most important thing to look out fo r.

See our India Travel Scams for more details.

—–

#10 Know the number of the train you are booking your general class ticket, not just the destination.

For example, when buying a ticket to Delhi,  don’t just buy any ticket to Delhi.

You need to know the express train number that has the AC cars.

We have made the mistake of not having our tickets confirm after booking them online and going to the train station anyway.

We saw other trains going to our destination and hopped on the first one that arrived.

Sure, it was still going to the same destination, but it was a general class train that stopped at every single remote train station in the country. Taking hours to get to our destination.

If we had stuck to the train that we tried to book online, we would have been on a more direct route and not spent hours on end trying to get to our destination.

#11 If the entire train is general seating train only, don’t get on.

It is a train that, once again, will stop at every single station along the way.  Sometimes we have felt that we would be fine in the general seating compartment and got on the train because it was the first one to arrive at the station.

Big mistake. 

Our 4-hour journeys have turned into 9-hour epic rides.

Normally trains that have AC classes and sleeper classes stop less and are more direct.

#12  Don’t be in a hurry when taking the train.

India Rail is very slow. The trains putter along and stop at stations for up to a half hour at a time.

Just take a deep breath (sometimes easier said than done) and know that you are going to be on the train for a long haul and there is nothing that you can do about it.

——

#13 Most trains stations have a prepaid taxi booth .

Don’t let touts meet you on the platform to offer rickshaw rides.

They won’t give you a good deal normally.

First look for the prepaid taxi booth to get a fair price; most major train stations have them.

If they don’t have a prepaid booth, walk outside before getting your taxi. When there are several vying for your business you will get a better price.

The guys that meet you on the platform at your arrival always quote very high.

#14 If you know your itinerary, book all your tickets in advance.

You can book your India Rail Tickets up to two months in advance.

If you have a set itinerary and know when you will be leaving each place, it is wise to book your tickets online in advance at the IRCTC Online Passenger Reservation site.

#15. Get ready to body check someone.

We have arrived at some very busy train stations and it can be crazy trying to get off the train.

Indians have a strange habit of piling on the train before letting anyone else off.

You will have to go through hoards of people to make your way off.

Just put your head down and push and shove your way through.

Nobody will mind, they will be doing the same themselves.

We have even seen people pushing through open windows to try and get on the train.

Strange and surreal indeed.

But don’t stress yourself out, this didn’t happen often during our entire three months of travelling on India Rail. It only occurred a few times.

#16 Don’t stand close to the door with your packs on.

The doors remain open on the train during the trip and people hang out them and stand by them all the time. People even jump off while the train is still moving.

You would be wise to keep your distance, especially with your pack on, because you don’t want to be nudged and sent flying out the door.

Just stay in or near your seat until the train stops, and then make your way through the masses once you arrive at your destination.

#17 Keep back from the tracks.

People die on a regular basis in India by falling into the tracks when a train arrives. For some reason everyone gets crazy.

They don’t believe in queues so it is a free for all when the train comes.

If you have reserved seats, there is no reason to rush into the car. Stay back and wait for the train to arrive.

If you follow our advice in all of the posts above, you will know where to stand on the platform to be in front of the proper car.

After everyone is through with pushing and shoving each other, you will be able to walk in safely and comfortably.  Don’t fret about this too much, normally reserved seating is far more civilized anyway.

#18 Eat the food.

Some of the best food we have had in India has been on the train.  India rail has guys walking the aisles selling chai, tomato soup, pakoras, chips…you get the idea.

They offer full meals of biryani, omelets, curries and sandwiches.

We love ordering from the guys that come on at the stations with peanuts, spicy nut mixtures, oranges, and samosas.

We even call the guys with the carts out the window to grab some tasty deep fried goodies for a treat.  Everything costs only 5 to 20 rupees (10-50 cents) and it is all safe and delicious.

And That’s how to Travel by India Railways

There you have it. You should have no problem navigating train travel in India. Just remember to enjoy yourself.

Indian railways can be intimidating, but they are also a wonderful experience. The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly, and it is a moment that you will never forget.

Even though we have enjoyed our train travel experiences and we would love to travel on India Rail more often, our final piece of advice to you is to plan your route thoroughly.

Book your tickets in advance, and know where you are going and when you want to get there.

Believe the stories that you have heard.  If you don’t book a train ticket in advance, chances are slim to none that you will get out of a place and onto the next destination for fun and adventure in India.

Top 7 Things to do in Rishikesh

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6 Reasons to Visit North East India

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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39 thoughts on “India Train Travel : Tips for Navigating the Indian Railway System”

The award winning rail website :

The Man in Seat 61 (seat61.com)

Including very detailed info on Indian Rail

Thanks for your kind information. From this information, some unknown peoples or tourists/travellers must get some important knowledge about train reservations in India.

Hey Interesting I’ve always loved traveling by train, but it sounds like it’s a real adventure in India! Thank you for your tips also i have may more memories related to train

Quite a big list of guide for train travel in india. Useful Article for tourists in India.

Nice collection of train tavel information.Thank you for sharing a such experience and information about journey.

I love to travel via train and many time i across Indian railway. If you want to travel in Indian railway must go for AC not for sleeper class. Sleeper class is so crowded due to the waiting list passengers and toilet condition is worst. If anyone from abroad visiting to India, you must consider it.

My partner and I are in the process of planning our 3 month trip to India and just want to say thank you for such an informative and inspiring piece of writing. ?

I love to travel via train and many time i across Indian railway. If you want to travel in Indian railway must go for AC not for sleeper class. Sleeper class is so crowded due to the waiting list passengers.

Well, nice article! Your train travel India blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done an excellent job! There are so many developments working on this part but this is one of the best innovative post ever. Thanks for such post.

Really nice and detailed study about the train travel in indian…. Pleasure to read… Keep up the good work…

Indian Railways are sometimes very hectic and frustrating to travel because unexpected things can happen anytime but if you travel with the right advice then you can very easily manage to enjoy your whole journey and please also do follow these travel tips provided in the post.

Thanks! I’m glad you agree with our tips! We had a great time traveling India Rail.

Well, this is my first visit to your blog! Your train travel India blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a excellent job! There are so many developers working on this part but this is one of the best innovative post ever. Thanks for such post.

Very useful information for tourist. train travel is not a easy task. You have a confirm ticket for journey than your relax but not a confirmed ticket and you are go the travel than very problematic journey. I read your blog and very helpful point you share If you can’t reserve your seat, what can you do? Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!

If you are completely new to the place where you are arriving, then you definitely need to do your homework by knowing couple of stations before the stop comes. This is what I have learned in my Indian Railways travel trips.

NORMALLY PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTIES WHO TRAVEL INDIA BY TRAIN WILL SAY THAT THEY HAD A HORRID EXPERIENCE IN TRAINS BY ALL FACILITIES… THANKS FOR GIVING POSITIVE TRAITS ABOUT INDIAN TRAINS…

There are also special, high class, fully air conditioned trains like Rajdhani expresses, Shatabdi expresses (only chair cars), Humsafar expresses, Gatimaan express (only CC, 160 km/hr), Tejas express(only CC) etc in which food and drinks are included in fare. These are also the fastest as they stop at very less stations, run at 120 km/hr and are always given priority over regular express trains. And obviously these are costly than regular. And just 4 days back, work for India’s first bullet train approved by Indian and Japanese PMs. It will be hopefully ready by 2022.

Awesome article, Here is the link to check Train Running Status

Ahhh India. A country filled with so many wonders and a lot of whys… We had a private driver for 6 weeks so we missed out on the rail adventure. Sounds like it was pretty cool and great advice. Travel on friends!

Thanks for giving positive reviews.I would love to visit in Northern India to enjoy the beauty of Chandigarh and other beautiful places.

this post is amazing and it gives an inside depth of traveling in trains in India. this really of great help. I will definitely try to implement this next time while commutation by train.

As stated in some portals and news, railway network of India is 5th largest railway network in the world. In fact, the railway track was first made by East India Company when they used to ruled in India before 1947.

Super helpful guide! I’ve always seen videos and photos of trains in India and they do look quite intimidating. Good to know you gave it a shot and that it wasn’t too difficult with some advance planning 🙂

I didn’t see it mentioned in the post, but I wanted to point out there is a foreigner quota too for reservations… so make the most of it! In any case this is a very helpful guide.

Thanks so much for that addition. Appreciate it!

Great tips in here! As you say, it’s a pretty easy system to navigate once you know what all the various symbols and abbreviations and numbers mean, and I wholeheartedly agree that India is best seen by train if you have the time.

I think someone mentioned this in the comments already, but I would like to reiterate that Cleartrip is a great resource for non-Indians to use when booking railway tickets — not only is it much more user-friendly than the IRCTC site, but it also allows you to use foreign cards to purchase flight, bus, or rail tickets. I think it might ask for a local number when you sign up, but otherwise it’s great.

Thanks for the tip, I’ll add Cleartrip to the list. We didn’t use that, but I wish we knew about it! Cheers.

Great post!

I just spent 7 weeks in India and traveled extensively by train. I found the official India Railways website to be really difficult to use (it constantly crashed) and then wouldn’t accept non-Indian credit cards, so I could even purchase a ticket. Instead, I used Cleartrip, which is a commerical site that’s much easier to use and accepts foreign credit cards.

I just posted an article on everything I learned about train travel in India that folks may find helpful: http://www.howtotraveler.com/2011/05/india-by-train-a-comprehensive-how-to-guide/ .

Wow, so many different travel classes! I notice they focus on the A/C alot. Does it get really hot on the train over there? Thanks for the tips! If I ever find myself in India for some reason, I’ll definitely travel by rail! .-= Ryan Cowles´s last blog ..Taking a Train Across the Country – Part Two =-.

hi, i always wondered what foreigners think about india when they visit. its nice to read that tourists do enjoy my country despite all the hurdles they face the moment they land at the airport. and yes indian rail is the best mode of transport in india (reaches even the remotest corners of the country).

one thing about the credit cards not being accepted on the website, try and open a bank account before coming to india (try the american express, citibank etc). would certainly save u guys a lot of hassle.

I know this post is a bit old, but I thought I’d comment anyway:

1) I don’t know if you know but you can actually book tickets from the Internet. It’s much easier IMO than doing it at the station. Here’s the official site: http://www.irctc.co.in . You can also get a schedule of any train on that site, which is handy sometimes.

2) I prefer 2AC or 1AC. They’re both cheap anyway (compared to most countries) – ~$50 for 2AC and $100-$200 for 1AC.

Thanks Sam for adding the information. We wrote a post later about the irctc.co.in and thank you…you reminded us that we should have linked the later post with all of the other information that we have learned to this one.

Everything in India is an adventure and seems harder than it is until you give it a shot. This is a good read for first time train riders in India, it’s a great way to travel around there. .-= Anil´s last blog ..The Cheesiest Travel Photo Contest Part 2 – Entry #9 =-.

Good to know. I am going to try an American Express card today and see if that works. Thank you guys!

You guys are awesome – thanks for the tips! Currently trying to book train tickets on line and are stumped on what to choose as payment. I have a Citi Bank MC but it is not working currently. Thoughts?

We have tried using Citibank and TD Visa and neither work. We tried this after the post went up, so I am glad that you asked the question. I am thinking that our Canadian cards will not work. We even tried entering from two different gateways. We have another card CIBC that we are going to try, but I have a feeling that it will not work. We have an email into India Rail, we will see if they get back to us, as the site states that cards from all countries are accepted…hmmm

I’ve always loved traveling by train, but it sounds like it’s a real adventure in India! It also sounds like it could be very confusing and possibly frustrating for beginners, so it’s great that you share such good, detailed advice. .-= Trisha Miller´s last blog .. Suzy: Week 17 Goals – Writing eBooks =-.

This is where my PacSafe came in so handy! On overnights I locked it up to the bed like you said and got a nice rest (or as nice as could be since I was in Sleeper most of the time! 😉 Glad you guys have it all figured out already – I have to admit…it took me a bit longer!! .-= Shannon OD´s last blog ..A Little Choice…Uluru’s Base Walk and Personal Choice =-.

Hi Shannon, I don’t think we have it figured out yet. We are stumbling along hoping for the best:) I agree with you about the pacsafe. We are sooooo glad that we brought them, even if they do add extra weight to the luggage. Trisha, yes it can be confusing. We have only taken the train twice, so we are certainly not experts yet. But we will keep sharing the information as we learn more. Cheers!

Complete Guide to Train Travel in India

Why should you train travel in india.

India’s expansive railway network is not just a mode of transportation; it’s an integral part of its cultural fabric. With over 18 million people traveling daily across its vast expanse, Indian trains offer an unparalleled opportunity to witness the pulsating heartbeat of this nation.

Each train ride is a microcosm reflecting the myriad experiences awaiting intrepid travelers – from breathtaking landscapes rolling by like living paintings to encounters with warm-hearted locals who share tales steeped in history and tradition. As you step aboard one of India’s iconic trains, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds.

The rhythmic clickety-clack as the wheels roll over tracks creates a symphony that lulls you into a state of relaxation. As the scenery unfolds outside your window, you will witness breathtaking landscapes: misty mountains covered with emerald tea plantations, golden deserts stretching towards the horizon or lush green fields dotted with colorful saris drying under the sun. But what truly sets train travel apart in India is its ability to connect people from all walks of life. It offers a unique glimpse into Indian culture.

Train Travel in India

How to book trains in india, online booking ( irctc website).

Booking train tickets in India has never been easier with the advent of online booking platforms like the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website. Gone are the days when travelers had to stand in long queues at railway stations, juggling their schedules and hoping for available seats.

The IRCTC website offers a seamless booking experience for both domestic and international travelers. Its user-friendly interface allows you to search for trains based on your preferred date, time, class, and destination.

The comprehensive search results display all relevant information such as train availability, seat quotas, fares, and even station codes – making it convenient for frequent travelers.

The IRCTC website provides various payment options so that you can choose the most suitable method for yourself. Whether it’s credit/debit cards or net banking facilities or even e-wallets like Paytm – there is an array of choices that cater to different preferences.

In addition to ticket reservations, this platform also offers other services like checking PNR status updates, live train running status updates using GPS technology – allowing passengers to plan their journey accordingly without any last-minute surprises. One of the most significant advantages of using IRCTC’s online booking platform is its efficiency.

No longer do you need to worry about missing out on your preferred trains or being stuck with inconvenient timings. With real-time availability updates and instant reservation confirmations, you have complete control over your travel plans.

All you need to do is –

• Create an account on the IRCTC website to log in and make reservations.
• Enter your journey details, including the source and destination stations, travel date, and class of travel.
• Select the train, check seat availability, and choose your preferred seats or berths.
• Make the payment using various online payment options available on the website.

Foreign Tourist Quota for train booking

For foreign tourists planning their Indian adventure, there is a unique opportunity available – the Foreign Tourist Quota for train bookings. This special quota ensures that international travelers have access to reserved seats or berths on various trains across India.

The Foreign Tourist Quota allows foreigners to book tickets up to 365 days in advance, giving them ample time to plan their journey across this captivating nation. The Foreign Tourist Quota not only simplifies reservation procedures but also offers special fares that are often significantly lower than regular prices.

This initiative aims at promoting tourism while ensuring that travelers have a memorable experience exploring the diverse landscapes and heritage sites scattered throughout India. To take advantage of this exclusive quota, all you need is a valid passport and relevant visa details.

Travel Classes in Indian Trains

What makes train journeys in India even more fascinating are the distinct travel classes that cater to various budgets and preferences. For those seeking luxurious indulgence, first-class air-conditioned (AC ) compartments provide unparalleled comfort and privacy.

With spacious cabins adorned with plush upholstery, cozy beds, and personal attendants at your beck and call, this class promises an opulent experience fit for royalty.

Then there is Second-class AC (2AC) offers similar amenities but with slightly less space, perfect for those seeking comfort without breaking the bank. Here you can enjoy air-conditioning while sharing a cabin with fellow passengers as you exchange stories over steaming cups of chai.

For budget-conscious travelers, there are several non-AC options such as sleeper class and general class. Sleeper class allows you to witness the sights and sounds of Indian Railways up close while still providing basic facilities like berths to rest during long journeys.

General class is an authentic Indian experience – crowded compartments filled with people from all walks of life sharing stories and laughter.

But perhaps one of the most intriguing classes is known as “ unreserved ” or “general unreserved.” This category represents chaos mixed with excitement; it embodies the true essence of India. People scramble for seats or stand shoulder-to-shoulder throughout their journey, creating an atmosphere where strangers become friends within minutes.

I would recommend to go for the AC class as it gives you the comfort. Regardless of which travel class you choose, traveling by train in India promises unforgettable memories at every turn.

Important things to carry while travelling in train in India

Travelling by train in India is an experience like no other. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, witness breathtaking landscapes, and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. However, before embarking on this exciting adventure, it’s crucial to ensure you have all the essential items packed for a comfortable journey.

Train journeys can be long and sometimes boring, so having something to keep yourself occupied is crucial. A good book or some form of entertainment is essential.

Don’t forget your travel documents ! Keep them organized and easily accessible as they are required during various checkpoints. A valid ID proof is mandatory when traveling by train in India.

Indian trains offer onboard catering services; however, carrying snacks or homemade meals can be a good idea too. Pack some dry fruits or energy bars that will keep you energized throughout the journey. Additionally, staying hydrated is vital, make sure you have enough water bottles handy.

Indian trains may not always guarantee clean washrooms or readily available supplies, so having your own essentials is crucial. Include travel-sized toiletries such as toothpaste, soap, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer to keep yourself fresh throughout the journey.

A few more things like a comfortable pillow or neck rest can do wonders for long train journeys. It will provide much-needed support during those overnight trips when sleep becomes elusive.

Additionally, packing some earplugs or noise-cancelling headphone s can help drown out any unwanted noises that might disturb your tranquility.

Another important item to carry is a power bank or portable charger for your electronic devices. Trains often have limited charging points or erratic power supply; therefore keeping your gadgets charged up ensures you stay connected and entertained during those long hours onboard.

Another important consideration is security and safety measures while traveling through crowded stations or longer routes. Carrying a lock for your luggage will give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are secure.

What is the process of Boarding the Train in India?

The first step in boarding a train is finding your platform, which can be quite challenging if you’re not familiar with the station layout. There are usually multiple platforms, each catering to different trains heading towards various destinations across this vast country.

Once you’ve located your platform, it’s time to navigate through throngs of people jostling for space. Once on the platform, it’s essential to locate your assigned coach and berth. Keep an eye out for porters carrying towering stacks of luggage expertly weaving their way through the crowd, they might just come in handy if you have heavy bags weighing you down.

As time ticks away before departure, ensure that you are ready with all necessary documents – tickets, identification proof, easily accessible in case any inspection arises during travel.

Safety and Security in Indian trains

With millions of passengers commuting daily across its vast rail network, ensuring a secure journey is not just a goal but an obligation for Indian Railways. From bustling metropolitan cities to remote rural areas, the railways serve as the lifeline connecting people from all walks of life.

The authorities understand this responsibility and have taken several measures to maintain safety and security within trains. To begin with, strict protocols have been implemented to safeguard against accidents or mishaps.

Regular maintenance checks are conducted on all trains and tracks to ensure they meet the highest standards of safety. The introduction of advanced signaling systems and improved communication technologies has further enhanced operational efficiency while minimizing potential risks.

RPF (Railway Protection Force) personnel patrol both inside the trains and at railway stations, maintaining a constant vigilance over potential threats such as thefts or misbehavior. CCTV cameras installed throughout coaches act as an additional deterrent against criminal activities.

Indian Railways actively encourages passengers’ participation in ensuring their own safety by reporting any suspicious activities or unattended baggage promptly. Various awareness campaigns educate travelers about emergency procedures and how to respond effectively during challenging situations.

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The ultimate guide to train travel in india: including how to book train tickets from abroad..

My Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in India

The best way to travel India is by the vast, and great value, Indian Railways network and traveling on Indian railways is an essential Indian bucket list experience in itself.

However, this massive system can be confusing to navigate at first and tickets can get booked up way in advance and can be difficult to book from abroad.

But never fear, read on and I’ll explain everything you need to know in this ultimate guide to train travel in India including how to book train tickets in India (even from abroad) and all the tips you need for traveling by train in India

I’ve been traveling around India independently, on a budget, and mostly as a solo female traveler since 2013. In my ultimate guide to train travel in India I’ll introduce you to Indian Railways and guide you through how to book train tickets in India.

As Indian trains get fully booked weeks and months in advance, I will also show you how to book train tickets in India in advance even from abroad to ensure a smooth trip.

I will explain all the different ticket types and 8 classes found on Indian Railways. Do you need to know what a Taktal ticket is? What is the different between AC2 and AC3? Should you join a Wait List? Is sleeper class really that bad? All the answers are here…

I’ve also written down all my tips for traveling by rail in India and answered your questions and queries about how to find your seat, food, safety, scams and of course the state of the toilets on Indian trains!

It’s a long post (Indian Railways is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world after all!) so grab a chai and settle down and I’ll explain all you need to know about train travel in India!

Indian Rail Travel Explained

India is a huge country with an amazing diversity of sights but vast distances mean that when planning a trip to India you need to give some thought about how you are going to get around.

India offers multiple ways to get around (albeit often slowly) this massive sub continent, you can get transport to pretty much every corner of India for a very affordable price, but you need patience because getting anywhere in India always takes  longer than you think.

My main advice is always to take it slow – Everything seems to take a lot longer than you think and trying to cram too much in often leads to a stressful and frustrating trip that is hard to enjoy.

Read More: 5 Common mistakes travellers often make when visiting India for the 1st time

Why take the train instead of the bus?

Train travel is very popular because the roads in India are often poor, traffic can be chaotic and buses rickety so the best way to get around the huge and diverse country of India is by train.

Of course, you could take the bus – buses in India range from bone shakers that you can’t believe are still in one piece and running to ‘delux AC’ buses that are just about reasonably comfortable.

Still, taking the train is so much more comfortable in India and the scenery is usually better. After a  nightmare sleeper bus ride ( it was like being in a coffin on a roller coaster) from Mumbai to Goa on my first trip to India I always prefer train travel in India now, especially on longer journeys.

The Indian railways network is one of the largest in the world and stretches to almost every corner of this amazing and diverse country and ticket fares are incredibly good value. With over 63,000 km of rail routes and 6,800 stations you can get to pretty much every town or city in India by rail.

Indian Railways is the third biggest passenger rail network in the world (after Russia and China) and the busiest in terms of passengers. About 23 million people travel regularly by train in India and Indian Railways employs over 1.5 million staff making it one of the world’s biggest employers.

There are over 10,000 locomotives with over 67,ooo passenger coaches covering over 66,0o0 Kms across the country. If you laid out all the railway tracks in India in one straight line they would circle the earth about 1.5 times!

Indian train journeys don’t get boring, you’ll see all sorts going on both inside and outside the train and its a unique and culturally immersive experience that you won’t want to miss.

But in the world’s most densely populated country seats on Indian trains sell out fast , especially for popular routes in the peak tourist season you can find trains booked up weeks or even months ahead which could put a real delay on your travel plans! Which means arranging your train tickets should be on your ‘to do’ list as you prepare for your trip to India. 

Read More India travel blogs:

• My Complete Guide to Planning your First Trip to India
• My complete guide to getting a tourist visa for India

How to book train tickets for Indian railways in advance?

As train travel in India is so popular I always advise people to book their train tickets in advance , there are many ways that you can book a train ticket in India but if you are expecting to be able to arrive and hop on and hop off then you will be disappointed.

You will need a reservation for all Indian Railways long distance trains , except if traveling in unreserved second class which I wouldn’t recommend (although it’s often not as bad as you this! …)

There are several ways that you can buy an Indian train ticket  – online, at a travel agency or Indian Railways booking counter.

Update! You can now also book some (but not all routes are available)  Indian Railway tickets online at Bookaway

Due to the high demand for train travel in India tickets for Indian trains can be booked up to 120 days in advance.

To make your trip to India more enjoyable and less stressful I recommend you book your tickets in advance, especially if you have a limited amount of time to spend traveling India and a packed itinerary of places you want to see.

If you want to find out the earliest date that a train is available you can look on www.indianrail.gov.in and click ‘Availability at major stations’ then ‘Earliest date of available berths’ you can see the next date on which berths are available on key trains leaving each of the most important stations.

So now you can see why you need to book train tickets in advance! But booking trains from outside India is not so easy….

Where to book tickets for Indian trains:

Use a travel agent like india someday.

The easiest way by far to book train tickets from abroad is by using the services of a travel agent. India Someday are expert trip planners, and I’ve had great experiences travelling with them before so now I always use  India Someday to book my train tickets. They charge a small service fee but it takes away all the hassle and stress of booking train tickets and ensure you get the right trains to make your trip run smoothly.

India Someday can also help with all aspect of planning a trip around India, advising on the best routes to take, accommodation and all transport options. Global Gallivanting readers can also get 5% off the trip planning fee by using the code GLOBALGALLIVANTING5 when enquiring. Contact them through their website.

IRCTC Website

Online reservations can be made on the official government IRCTC Online Passenger Reservation website . I don’t find the IRCTC website very user friendly. It is slow and temperamental – often the service is unavailable although sometimes if you keep trying it will work eventually.

It’s also not so simple to use – first you need to know the number of the train you want to book instead of being able to search and book by destination (and importantly checking availability) and it also does not accept most foreign cards and can be hassle to set up an account without an Indian mobile number.( see here how to get an Indian sim card )

A much easier way to arrange your train travel in India and book trains, even from abroad, is to use a website like Cleartrip.com to search and book trains.

Their website is much more user friendly and easier to use. There is even an app you can get on your phone and, once your account is set up, this is probably the simplest way to book trains – it’s actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it!

Most importantly you can pay with an international card . However they do charge a small service fee and not all trains are displayed, you can now book Taktal tickets online but you can’t book the Foreign Tourist Quota through these websites.

How to set up a Clear Trip Account

To set up a Clear Trip account IRCTC has insisted that you must also sign up for an IRCTC account. When you register with Clear Trip it will set both accounts up for you, but IRCTC requires an Indian mobile phone number.

This makes it a little difficult to set up the account before you arrive in India but it is possible – you  can set up a Clear Trip account before you arrive without an Indian mobile number but, as with most things in India, patience and persistence are required.

Read More: How to get a local sim card in India

Read More: My Mumbai Travel Guide: The best places to visit, stay and eat.

To set up a Clear Trip account go through the normal process to set up an account, where it asks you to enter an Indian mobile number and zip code you will need to just make these up.

To make up an Indian mobile number it’s 10 digits and usually starts with 9, but you can’t use a mobile number that has already been used before so you might have to try a few combinations.

Then make up a numerical zip code (doesn’t work if you put in a UK style postcode) but make sure you change your country from India to UK or US or wherever and then finish the registration.

Then you should get an confirmation email with an Email OTP (Email One Time Password).  Now send an email back to IRCTC customer care, attach a scan of your passport, quote your IRCTC user name and ask them to send you the SMS OTP by email.

It could take a few days or you may have to chase them for a while. Once you get the password then you can verify and activate your account on Clear Trip and enter the Email or SMS OTP and then you are ready to book train tickets and enjoy train travel in India!

There is more detailed information of this process on the really useful website – the Man in Seat 61 

It’s a bit annoying but train travel in India really is the best way to travel here and so it’s worth it to book in advance and avoid the hassles of trying to get train tickets once you arrive.

Once you’ve got your Clear Trip account set up and the app on your phone it’s actually pretty easy to book train tickets! Just search the trains on the route you want to go, check the availability of the trains and book. Your ticket details will also be saved on the app and you can show it to the conductor – this is how I book most of my train travel in India.

Use a travel agency or ask a friend

If you have a friend in India you could ask them to book the train tickets for you and forward you the ticket by email. If not, if you want to avoid hassle and don’t mind paying a bit more you could ask a reputable travel agency or a train travel specialist to sort out your train bookings.

I recently traveled through North India for 12 days and used a great company called India Someday  to help plan my itinerary and book trains and homestays along the way ( read about it here )

India Someday are a young, energetic and resourceful travel company based in Mumbai (Bombay) who are experts on India and can assist you in booking trains and other transport as part of planning a complete well thought out, personalized trip to India.

They even offer Global Gallivanting readers 5% off just use the code GLOBALGALLIVANTING5.  Contact them through the India Someday website. 

Read More: My review of traveling with India Someday

Read More: Tips for women traveling in India

If you prefer your train travel in India to be more luxurious then there are even some ultra luxury tourist train routes in India , escorted group trips by train and rail passes.

There is an IndRail Pass option where you can buy the pass and ask them to make all the reservations you want to go with it, free of charge.

However, I’ve never tried this as I prefer to stay flexible and travel slow. Using a rail pass would most likely be more expensive than booking point to point tickets and to get your money’s worth you would have to have quite rushed and busy itinerary that was all pre booked. I

f you only had a short time to explore India and wanted to have everything pre arranged then this might be an option.

Read More: The perfect route and itinerary for backpacking India

Tips for booking train tickets in India

Train travel in India, like everything else in India, always throws up some surprises, here are a few more tips and things you should be aware of when traveling by train in India.

Whether you use IRCTC or an app like Clear Trip the Indian railways online booking service closes for maintenance each day between 23:30-00:30 Indian time ( 18:00-19:00 GMT)

Sometimes the system is overloaded with visitors or just randomly won’t work, shows an error or no trains available – as with everything in India be patient and persistent, refresh the screen and keep trying and it should work in the end!

The system only shows direct train routes. If your search does not come with any train then maybe it is because there is not a direct train to your destination the system cannot calculate a journey where you have to change trains, you have to find a station where you can change and make the booking separately as 2 tickets.

Most places in India have 2 names – the old colonial names and the newer more ‘Indianised’ names. If you are having trouble with the destination try the other spelling! Usually it uses the Indian name but sometimes, for example Trivandrum is still used instead of Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru uses the old name Bangalore.

Also, sometimes the name of the railway station is not necessarily the same name of the city. For example, the main railway station (and one of the busiest) in Kolkata/Calcutta is called Howrah so you would need to type this in.

Also, many major cities have more than one train station – a search for trains from Mumbai will bring up stations like Lokmanya Tilak, Navi Mumbai or Thane which are actually pretty far away from the main re where travelers stay.

The main station in Mumbai is CST, in Delhi the main station is New Delhi, but there are also many others. For Goa, the main train station is Madgaon/ Margao.

For stress free train travel in India and to book trains you will need to first have a little geographical knowledge of India, to help you you can can check the Indian Railways Trains at a Glance timetable. 

Read More: 8 useful apps to make traveling by train in India easier 

How to get a train ticket at the station in India

The main stations in big cities and tourist centres, such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi (and 24hrs at Delhi International Airport)  have a separate booking office for foreign travellers called an International Tourist Bureau that you will need to visit if you want to get a last minute ticket from the foreign tourist quota.

Make sure you bring your passport, visa and cash and make sure you go to the right one! Don’t believe anyone that comes up to you claiming that it has closed, moved, burnt down, all trains are cancelled or whatever else! This is a scam to get you to go to their travel agency which may or may not even be able to provide the services but will certainly over charge you!

There is a list of stations with an International Tourist Bureau at www.indianrail.gov.in under the Information and International Tourist tabs. You could try your luck at a smaller station that has an international tourist reservation bureau as it may be less hassle and less waiting.

Either way, to apply for a tourist quota ticket you cannot get these online, you will need to go in, fill out a form showing where you want to go, show your passport and visa, wait and hope that there is a ticket available in the next couple of days for where you want to travel to.

You can only pay in cash with US dollars, UK pounds, Euros, or Indian rupees and you may need to show an encashment certificate, ATM receipt or something that shows that you obtained this cash in a proper, legal way.

Read More: My Mysore Travel Guide: The best places to visit, stay and eat

So now you know how to book your ticket, read on to know which class to book…

Indian Railway Classes Explained

When you are booking train tickets in India, first you will need to understand what class you want to travel and what type of ticket you have.

The array of  8 classes on Indian trains  can seem bewildering at first, although only a selection of these classes will be available on any given train, but let me break it down for you:

(AC1 or 1A) – Air conditioned first class

These can be sleepers or executive chair class and are a comfortable way to travel with lockable compartments in 2 or 4 berths available. However, there are not many carriages of these class and they are not found on every train. Also, the price is double the cost of AC2 and often comparable to a domestic flight.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 2,640  ( £26 / US$40 )

(AC2 or 2A) – Air conditioned 2-tier

AC2 is a comfortable and relatively clean way to travel and favoured by most middle class families. AC carriages (and the non air conditioned sleeper carriages) with upper, middle and lower bunks arranged in bays of six on one side of the aisle, and along the coach wall in bays of two (upper and lower) on the other side of the aisle. The bench style padded seats convert into bunks at night.

In the AC carriages, pillows, sheets and blankets are provided for overnight journeys and you also get plug sockets. On AC trains the windows are sealed and tinted this means not so much dust gets in so they are cleaner than sleeper class but the windows are often quite dirty so not good for gazing out at the countryside or taking photos. It’s also a good idea to take a fleece or jumper for the AC carriages too as sometimes I find these too cold.

The main difference between AC2 and AC3 is that there are only 2 levels of bunks instead of 3, so it feels a bit less crowded, and that AC2 has individual berth lights curtains allowing for a bit of privacy.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 1,580 ( £15 / US$ 25 )

(AC3 or 3A)- Air conditioned 3-tier

AC3 is very similar to AC2 with an open plan and air conditioned carriage with three tiers of bunks instead of 2 and is slightly cheaper. Bedding and plug sockets are provided and the windows are sealed but there are no privacy curtains. Normally the AC carriages are a bit cleaner and the berths are better padded than in sleeper class.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 1,120 ( £11 / US$ 17 )

(SL) Sleeper Class

Sleeper class coaches make up the majority of carriages on most long distance Indian trains and this is how most Indians travel.

The bunks are similar to those mentioned before in the AC carriages expect that, instead of air conditioning, there are fans and the windows are open providing a cool breeze and a good view of the countryside that’s better for taking photos!

The windows are fitted with bars to keep out intruders and have shutters you can bring down if it rains. There is also no bedding provided and it’s pretty grubby so you will probably want to bring your own sheet or sleeping bag.

When traveling in the winter (the best time to travel in India)  I find that I don’t need air conditioning – actually the AC is often too cold for me and the temperature in sleeper class once the train is moving is not too hot (actually sometimes in the North it can be a bit chilly)

I usually use sleeper class in the winter although I do prefer to take an AC carriage in the hotter months or if I’m traveling alone on a long journey over night.

Riding the rails is an essential experience for anyone visiting India and the atmosphere in sleeper class is always more vibrant.   You will often find that families want to talk to you and share their food with you. There are also hawkers coming along the train all the time selling food, drinks and a whole array of other items to the background soundtrack of tinny Bollywood tunes played from mobile phones, the rhythmic clack clack of the rails and the cries of “chai, chai, chai , coffee, coffee, coffee.” You can also buy food from the stations as sellers can pass it through the windows to you.

As all berths have to have a reservation the carriage should not be too crowded but sometimes people do still try their luck and the open windows do mean more noise and dust comes into the carriage but traveling in sleeper class gives you a better insight into Indian life both on and off the train.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 420 ( £ 4 / US$ 6 )

Read More: 30 Incredible experiences you can only have in India!

You might also find:

(EC) – AC Executive chair class and (CC) AC Chair class

These classes are a comfortable and air conditioned good choice for day time journeys.  There are also newer, modern fast trains like the Rajdhani Express (long distance)  and Shatabi Express (day time) on important routes for example Delhi to Mumbai that are very comfortable and faster than the older, normal trains. Food and drinks are sometimes included in the fare and served at your seat.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 950 ( £ 9 / US$ 14 )

First class (FC)

The traditional non-air-con 1st class coaches with lockable compartments but these are quite rare now.

(2S) Second Class Sitting

Open plan and non air conditioned cars with wooden or padded plastic seats. Fine for shorter day time journeys and most seats can be reserved but there are usually a couple of carriages like this that don’t need a reservation although I wouldn’t recommend joining the scrum in the unreserved carriages.

Example price from Mumbai to Goa – Rs 250 ( £2.50 / US$ 3.80)

Luxury, Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express Trains

If you are traveling shorter distances between major metro cities, popular tourist destinations or important pilgrimage sites you could book a seat on one of the newer and faster air conditioned Shatabdi or Rajdhani express trains.

There are only 2 classes and only seats not sleepers and the trains do not stop at so many places and the price is higher but these trains will get you where you need to go quicker and more comfortably. Refreshments are also often served on the train and are included in the price.

There is a new high speed train that connects New Delhi to Agra for the Taj Mahal in only 99 mins. Read more here  The Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express takes 126 minutes to reach Agra from Delhi.

There are also new ultra luxury train tours you can take in India like The Deccan Express – the most luxurious train in India

There is also a new modern double decker train called the Tejas Express that has just started traveling the Mumbai – Goa route. Read more here…

Indian Train tickets explained

So once you’ve decided which class of carriage is most suitable for you, you can book your ticket. Like the classes, there is also a bewildering array ticket types for Indian trains.

Here is an explanation to the ticket types and acronyms that you will find when booking train tickets in India:

As train seats often get booked up far in advance if you see availability then book it while you can! Don’t wait and come back to it in a few days it may be gone and you can always cancel if you change your mind!

If your ticket says CNF then congratulations! You have a confirmed seat on a train!

RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) and Waitlist (WL) tickets

Once a train is fully booked with confirmed reservations (CNF) next tickets are sold as ‘Reservation Against Cancellation’ (RAC) and then after that passengers are put on the Waitlist.

If you have an RAC ticket, you  are  allowed to travel on that train you just don’t have a specific seat booked until someone cancels and then you are promoted from RAC to CNF (confirmed). If no one cancels you can still get on the train and you should be given somewhere to sit but maybe not a sleeping berth.

If you are on the waiting list you still have to pay for your ticket but unless you are promoted to RAC or CNF before departure you are not allowed to travel. If you are not promoted to a confirmed seat then your fare will be refunded.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Goa 

Sounds risky but I’ve done this many time with a waiting list of 15 – 20 or below and always got on the train. You will find that 24 hours before the train is due to depart many people cancel and you should get a text/ email saying that your ticket is confirmed and showing your seat number.

I’ve seen waitlists of over 300 but I wouldn’t bother to join them but  I take an RAC or WL ticket under 20 and have a good track record of getting a confirmed ticket.

You can check the status of your booking on  www.indianrail.gov.in/pnr_Enq.html  or if you booked with Clear Trip enter the PNR number on your booking. If you have the Clear Trip app you can also check PNR status on there and any movement should be sent to you in a text. Don’t give up hope too soon if you are on the waitlist – most of the movement happens the day before departure.

With both of these options there is no guarantee that you will get seats together with your travel companions although it is likely that a family will all cancel together therefore giving you their seats together.

Tatkal (CK) Quotas

Tatkal is Hindi for  immediate . There some tickets on key trains that are held back for emergencies and available to book one day before departure and sold with an extra charge. For trains where there is no tourist quota you could try booking at Tatkal ticket. You can book these online from 10am one day before the departure but as the website is temperamental it’s best to go in and try to make the booking.

With Cleartrip you can book tickets from the General quota and the Tatkal quota for travel the following day but you  cannot  book Foreign Tourist quota tickets. You can also cannot buy more than 10 tickets per month. You cannot amend or change a booking but you can cancel it online and you get the majority of the ticket price refunded.

Tourist Quota Tickets

On many popular trains there’s a special (but small) Foreign Tourist quota which gives foreigners a chance to get on a train!  The tourist quota is not available on every train and there are only a couple of tickets available. So hoping for tourist quota tickets can be risky, if you know your itinerary then it’s much better to book your trains in advance.

With tourist quota tickets you will probably still have to wait a couple of days, it does not guarantee a seat on a train and cannot be booked online meaning you have to go and wait around at the ticket booking office (possibly for a few hours) and hope you can get on a train. Tourist quota tickets can be paid for in US Dollars, pounds sterling, or rupees but you may need to show an exchange certificate or ATM receipt.

Read More: 7 Reasons why traveling in India isn’t as difficult as you might think

More Tips for traveling India by train

Arrive with good time at the station to find your platform and seat.

Indian train stations can be huge, chaotic places and departure platforms can sometimes change at the last minute so arrive at the train station with plenty of time to find your train.

Your train, coach and berth number will be printed on your ticket and you can check the train number on a board to find out the platform.

Announcements are made in Hindi, English and the local language and reservation lists are posted on the notice board at each station and on the train door too and you can check your name is listed.

Indian trains are also really long, on the platform are markers to show where each train carriage should arrive and each carriage is also labelled.

Your carriage number and seat number is on your ticket for example S6 means the 6 th  carriage in sleeper class. B1 is the 1 st  AC3 carriage, A1 is the first AC2 and H1 would be first class AC. Usually the higher classes are at the front of the train don’t leave yourself sprinting down the platform trying to find your carriage with your backpack on.

Once on the train you won’t be able to cross between carriages of different classes so you would have to wait until  the next station if you got on in the wrong class.

Showing your ticket

When traveling by train in India all passengers are required to show their ticket and passport to the train conductor. Tickets cannot be sent overseas or picked up at the station but Cleartrip issues e-tickets, emailed to you to download and you can also see your tickets in the ‘Trips’ section of the app.

Until recently it was necessary to physically print out the tickets (annoying!) but since Feb 2015 I’ve had no problems simply showing the conductor the booking made on my phone in the app or downloaded email ticket along with my passport.

Toilets on Indian Trains

One of the biggest concerns about train travel in India is the toilets! Going to the toilet on any train is never the most pleasant experience and on Indian railways it is not different. There are toilets and wash basins at the end of every carriage with both squat and western options. Neither of which are that clean but not totally unbearable.

There is usually no toilet paper, soap or water but most travellers in India take tissues and hand sanitizer everywhere with them. Be careful you don’t drop anything out of your pocket onto the track too!  I haven’t travelled in 1 st  class but found that the conditions or the toilets in the AC classes are not that much better than sleeper class.

Food and Drink on Indian Trains

Indian Railways do not always have buffet or restaurant cars on the trains but some sort of food is always available. Hawkers regularly pass through the cars selling all kinds of food and drinks among other things for a few rupees (keep lots of 10 rupee notes handy for train journeys as they often don’t have change and most things are 10 or 20 rupees)

You can also order food from the attendant (veg or non veg) and it will be served to your seat. It’s cheap but I often find the train food is not great and the hygiene can be suspect so I often prefer to take snacks on with me.

There are also often many hawkers at the stations selling food, some stations even have local specialties, sometimes you can even call a restaurant and ask them to deliver to the train – Dominos is even staring to deliver pizzas to trains!

Expect to be late

I joke that Indian Railways must have an unbroken record of never having a train arrive on time but seriously I’ve never been on one that arrives on time so I allow plenty of time for delays. Time is a more flexible concept in India! Allow extra time for your train to be delayed by a couple of hours and chill out – India will teach you to be more patient and you will get there eventually!

The further the train is from the source (the start) the more likely it is to be late. These trains travel over many days all across the country so it’s no surprise that they often get held back. You can check the train running status online if your train will be late at   www.trainenquiry.com  or look on  www.erail.in  enter the train number to see how late yesterday’s train arrived to get an idea.

Also be aware that train travel in India can take a long time, India is a huge country and most of the trains travel pretty slowly and stop a lot – the journey from Kerala (Trivandrum)  to Delhi could take over 50 hours –  that’s over 2 full days (and maybe more if it is delayed) Domestic flights are not cheap but could be an option if you don’t want to spend 2 days on a train! I use  Skyscanner  to check for the cheapest deals if I need to save time.

How safe are Indian trains?

Train travel in India is one of the safer ways to travel however there are accidents on Indian Railways, the network is huge, aging and derailments do happen, although there has been a big drop in serious incidents since in the early 1990s and traveling by train is still safer than traveling by road!

Apart from accidents, train travel in India is usually pretty safe even for women travelling alone. In the lower classes you may encounter many stares of attention from other passengers but most of the time they are just curious. Foreigners traveling in the higher classes attract less attention and may feel safer because the other passengers are generally more educated but overall you are unlikely to have any problems at all.

On overnight train journeys women should book the upper bunk to avoid any potential wandering hands and also you can go and sleep without having to wait for other passengers to want to sleep.  Women should take advantage of the special ladies carriages wherever available (usually on local commuter trains) and take advantage of ladies queues and of course, dress conservatively.  If I travel on my own overnight I prefer to go for a higher class and book an AC carriage rather than a sleeper one but generally trains are pretty safe.  See more tips for women traveling in India here. 

Take care of your luggage though, theft is not common but it can happen if the opportunity is there although I’ve never had any problems. It’s  good to sleep with your valuables on you, perhaps in a money belt. You can also chain your bags underneath the seats so they are not easy to grab and run off with when the train reaches a station although this has never happened to me or anyone I know.

Scams and Hassles on Indian trains to be aware of

Unfortunately India has more than it’s fair share of scams and hassle for a traveller to contend and train travel in India is not without its share of scams but you should soon get to realise who is genuine and just ignore touts, hawkers and other scammers. When you disembark after a long train journey in a new destination you are at your most vulnerable and will most likely to accosted with many offers of taxis, tours and hotels.

I always try to get a train that arrives in daylight wherever possible because I feel safer when dealing with these touts and of course it’s easier to find accommodation.  Most of these offers will be over priced or a commission racket. The best way to deal with these is to just ignore all the touts and anyone that comes up to you, don’t engage at all and keep on walking confidently to find the official  pre paid taxi or rickshaw stand  (most big stations have them)

Failing that get out of the vicinity of the train station and just hail down a regular rickshaw who is just going about his normal business instead of preying on tourists and you are more likely to get a decent price and get taken straight to your hotel. It’s a good idea to know a landmark near your accommodation as more often than not the rickshaw driver will not know where it is although he may stop and ask people on the street as he goes along to help him find the place.

Read More: How to avoid the scams and survive your first time in Delhi.

Also be wary of anyone around places like train and bus stations, airport and major tourist attractions who tell you that where you want to go is closed, moved, burnt down, your train is cancelled or the hotel you want to go to is disgusting, closed, unsafe and that they will help you find an alternative or take you to the tourist information centre or ticket office.

Even if they look ‘official’ and are in uniform (this happened to me and  I got scammed in Delhi ) or you will lend up being taken to an alternative hotel from which they will earn a commission or at some fictitious travel agency or tourist information centre paying a lot of money for a service that may not even exist. I’ve heard of people booking and paying for a whole 2 week tour that turns out to not exist or paying over the odds for a taxi all the way to Varanasi when it was just that the train was delayed. Read more about common scams in India. 

Suburban Trains and Metros

Everyone’s seen those images of famously overcrowded Indian trains with people sitting on the roof and hanging on the side but I’ve never seen anything like that. Riding on the roof is illegal and I’ve never seen anyone doing it, the suburban trains or basic unreserved 2nd class carriages can get busy especially at peak periods, in Mumbai it’s called super dense crush load!

I avoid traveling in those peak hours on local trains but as long as your quick and prepared to barge on a bit taking the local commuter trains in Mumbai can be fun and a cheap and efficient way of getting around the crowded, congested and buzzing city.

Train travel in India is constantly changing and improving. India is rapidly building and introducing metro and rapid transit rail systems in many cities. Delhi’s metro is impressive, Calcutta has had one since 1984 and more metros are also started to operate in Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Jaipur.

What if you like to be flexible and spontaneous?

I hear you! I do as well – I don’t like to have all my travels planed out as you never know what’s going to happen, who you will met, which places you will love and wish to linger longer in and which you will hate and want to leave asap.

You cannot change or amend your booking online though so what I do, as sleeper trains are so cheap,  I often book a couple of options and then cancel the ones I don’t want only losing a tiny bit of money but it allows me to be more flexible.

It’s easy to cancel trains on the Clear Trip app and get a refund up to 4 hours before departure (not a full refund but you get most of it back).

Read More: The perfect route and itinerary for traveling India

Do you have any more questions or tips for train travel in India? Leave a comment below

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A backpacker’s travel guide to brisbane, local secrets guide to jodhpur, india, local secrets guide to sofia, bulgaria, 27 comments.

Yes please..would be very helpful..as I would like to book train tickets from South Africa.

That would be very helpful please

PDF would be fab 🙂

Super helpful!

I like how thorough many of your articles are. This is helpful not just to foreigners but also Indians.

Thanks so much – glad to hear that! 🙂

Cool, glad its helpful – I will work on making it into a downloadable PDF 🙂

Can we get India train tickets from you?

From me? No, I’m not a travel agent so I can’t use my account to book for other people sorry.

The easiest way is to ask http://www.indiasomeday.com they can book train tickets for you for a small commission. I’ve travelled with them before see more here – http://www.global-gallivanting.com/my-review-of-traveling-with-india-someday/

hope this helps you 🙂

Good to see your love for India and Indian Railways. The blog is surely informative. However, you should be aware of the current updates of Indian Railways. To get updated info, keep a check on http://www.getpnrstatus.co.in

Thanks, glad its been useful

Hi Anna, what do you do about safety when needing to use the toilet if you are travelling solo? Do you have to take your day pack with you and have on your back? Could imagine it would be quite tricky sqatting on a moving train with a day pack on your back. I wouldn’t imagine it’s safe to leave it at your seat? Thanks

Hi Shani, normally I have my valuables in a smaller pack and take it with me to the toilet. I also keep my smaller bag on valuables under my head normally when I’m sleeping. They do have handles to hold on too while squatting on a moving train and they also have some western toilets. You can also bring a chain to chain your bag to the seat but I haven’t had a problem with theft on the train. Hope this helps 🙂 Happy Travels

Just had my 1 year visa approved, flights are now booked but I was dreading the IRCTC registration……… but using your detailed instructions and reading seat61.com I completedthe whole process and received verification codes in less than an hour. Thanks for a fab website Anna. Woohoo, India here I come 🙂

Awesome! So glad my blog helped! Hope you have a great trip!

Nice one you put ample information in your blog, also add this to solve the confusion about waiting list problem In Indian Railway.Thanks http://blog.railyatri.in/decoding-the-myths-about-remote-location-wait-list/

Great blog and awesome pictures indeed. Your tips and suggestions will be certainly useful for many foreign travellers who come to India and want to travel safely.

Thanks, glad its helpful

Great blog Anna,You know more than any other citizens of India.These information are very useful for people using railways.If possible kindly include info regarding dustbins in Indian railways.Many people don’t know that there is a dust bin present in every compartment,It is located below the wash basin. Thanks,

Thanks Laxmikant 🙂

Hi Anna Love your website! We are planning to visit India for the first time this October November and found your fantastic website. You give such amazing all-round advice – superb! We would like to travel mostly by train, so your train piece is just what we need. However, most of the photos don’t come up, especially the ones inside the different compartments. I have tried in several countries and with many different providers, so it might be an instruction problem on your side. Would love to see them, so could you please check this out. Thank you so much for an exceptional website. Kindest regards Crystal and Joerg

Nice Article!!! Thanks for sharing such a amazing article with us, keep it up more.

Ive been travelling in indian trains since i was 1 year old (because i’m from india ) . I dont know why i still half your article .

Nice Blog !! It is a complete guide to the travelers especially foreigners. Food is also a major issue in India while traveling on a train. Call 07827998877 or visit traveler food website to order your food on your seat.

[…] by train in India is the best experience! I will not talk about the many kinds of tickets because other bloggers already covered this topic. But I advise you to book your train tickets in […]

Train travel in India can be an overwhelming experience. It takes meticulous planning ahead of time. We were uniquely blessed to be easily able to travel the complex and far flung vast expanses of perhaps the third largest railroad system in the world. Arguably the most used railway system as well. Without going into detail I can tell you confidently, that it was absolutely splendid! In contrast to that luxury, we also traveled on all four gauges (narrow, meter, broad and standard gauges) of the vast Indian Railways on every known classification. On some stretches the four gauges ran within and concurrently. I don’t know of any other place on the planet where that is so common over long stretches, lol!

The sound of the tracks and bewitching alpine horns as well as the archaic whistle on some old hobbies is etched in my mind. Some of the best quality REM deep sleep I’ve ever experienced was in those wonderful trips. The scenery was exquisite. Whether it was rumbling through megalopolis urban centers or the tranquil expanses of the country side (a veritable diaspora of green farmland, to the dense and foreboding jungles to the serene expanses of the many ocean beaches, the landscape was haunting. Aside from all these we also enjoyed being unhooked from the train next to a private cove with a pond or lake to camp out at. Stuff of dreams that would easily be the envy of many. Uncommon and common experiences to cherish forever.

I have to say I’m compelled to agree, it’s an !incredible !India!

[…] think nothing of jumping on a train and backpacking India alone but that’s because I’ve been here for a while, I’ve heard […]

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History of Indian Railways from 1853 to Present

History of indian railways: take a look at the history of indian railways from industrial railways, passenger railways, its story of electrification/ modernisation, and so on..

History of Indian Railways: Indian Railways is the fourth-largest network in the world, spanning over 1.2 Lakh Km across the country. Mainly, three kinds of services are provided by the Indian Railway to the public including Express trains, Mail Express, and Passenger Trains. If we talk about the fare, then Passenger trains fare are the lowest and Mail Express trains are the highest. On the other hand, Express trains fare lie in the middle. 

In 1832 , the idea of setting up a railway system in British India was first proposed. At that time, rail travel was still in its infancy in Britain, but the East India Company knew the benefits of developing an extensive rail network. After a long decade of inaction, private entrepreneurs were allowed to establish a rail system by Lord Hardinge, the Governor-General of India in 1844 . Two companies were formed by the year 1845 namely "East Indian railway Company" and the "Great Indian Peninsula Railway". 

On 16 April 1853 , the first train in India was to run between Bori Bunder, Bombay (now Mumbai), and Thane at a distance of around 34 km. The network to about 14,500 Km was developed in 1880 around the three major port cities of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. In 1901 , Railway Board was formed under the guidance of the Department of Commerce and Industry. But still, the powers were vested in the Viceroy. Take a look at the chronology of Railways in India.

History of Indian Railways

Industrial railways (1832 -1852), introduction of passenger railways and expansion (1853-1924), read| what does the yellow and white line indicates in the train coaches, electrification and expansion (1925 - 1950), read| do you know about world's first solar powered train, re-organisation of zones and developments (1951-1983), rapid transit and later developments (1984 to present), know about the guarantee system and guaranteed railways.

When the first proposal for railways was being debated in the 1840s in Great Britain then there was intense lobbying in support of these proposals mainly by banks, traders, shipping companies, etc. Actually, they wanted that railways should be established in India and so had a strong interest. They prevailed British Parliament to create the Guarantee System. So, any company that constructed railways in India was guaranteed some rate of interest on its capital investment. East Company honoured this guarantee and then controlled large parts of India. Therefore, the railways that were built with such agreements governing them were known as guaranteed railways. Typically, the guarantee was for a return of 5% annually. The right was also there for the railway company to pull out of the venture and get compensation from the government at any time.

Get here current GK and GK quiz questions in English and Hindi for India , World, Sports and Competitive exam preparation. Download the Jagran Josh Current Affairs App .

• When did the first train in India run from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane? + On 16 April 1853, the first train in India leaves Bombay (now Mumbai) for Thane. It was dedicated by Lord Dalhousie. The train consists of 14 carriages and was pulled by three steam locomotive engines namely Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan. It travelled around 34 km and carried about 400 people.
• When did the first railway budget was presented in India? + In 1925, the first Railway budget was presented in India.
• When did Indian Railways reorganise into regional zones? + In 1952, the Indian Railway was reorganised into regional zones. And on 14th April 1952, the Southern Railway Zone was established.
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Indian passenger train commemorates 160 years

The experiment yielded fruitful results, a 5.6 km rail line was laid between Red Hills and St. Thomas Mount. On 22 december 1851, the first train chugged on its way to Roorkee.The success of the train paved the way for the passenger train.

16 April, 1853 the first passenger train covered the historic distance between Bori Bunder in Mumbai and Thane. The experimental distance was 34 kms with the aid of three locomotives Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan.

The 21 minute journey set off a milestone with the passenger train commemorating 160 years of seamless travel. The historic ride was enjoyed by 400  invited passengers in 14 carriages.

The train which began at 3:30 pm was flagged off by Lord John Elphinstone who was the governor.The Indian Railway Association was begun by Sir Jansetjee Jeejeebhoy and Jaganath Shunkerseth in 1845.

India stands 4th as the largest railway network in the world

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Indian trains: a traveller's survival guide

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written by Freya Godfrey

updated 13.02.2019

The Himalayan Queen, the Grand Trunk Express, the Deccan Odyssey… the very names of India’s trains are evocative of timeless style and old-school adventure.

1. Book in advance

2. don’t panic if your ticket says “waitlisted”, 3. pick your class carefully, 4. strike up a conversation, 5. don’t expect to be on time, 6. keep your belongings safe, 7. don’t rely on the train food, 8. order takeaway to the platform, 9. sit back and enjoy the ride.

Introduced by the British East India Company, tracks were first laid across the country in the late 1800s to transport troops. Only after independence in 1947 did the focus switch to passenger trains – now, Indian Railways is the biggest employer in the country.

Today, there’s always an element of adventure to a journey on the rails. Here's everything you need to know before travelling by train in India.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for India, created by local experts

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A Trek Through Ladakh's Markha Valley

Trek through the Markha Valley, taking in the jaw-dropping Himalayan landscape, camp in traditional mountain villages, and discover hilltop monasteries. This unique journey combines the culture of the Buddhist faith with the natural beauty of the mountains and the hustle and bustle of Delhi.

15 days  / from 2745 USD

Rajasthan: The Land of Kings

Experience the Land of Kings in luxury.This trip around Rajasthan takes you to Jaipur's palaces, sacred pilgrimage sites and deep into the desert hills. Breathe in the excitement of Delhi and visit the Taj Mahal. Then come nightfall, lay your head to rest in former royal palaces and magical forts.

6 days  / from 785 USD

The Holy City of Varanasi

The flat, sunburnt plains of the Ganges River are India's breadbasket: a densely populated area, it is home to many of the country's greatest sights. See Delhi and all its treasures, then fly to Varanasi, the most sacred stretch of the Ganges and one of India's most intense and atmospheric places.

Booking opens 60 days before travel, and long-distance trains get filled up quickly, meaning that only the shortest journeys can be organized on the day. It’s often possible to book at your hotel reception, but be aware that you may have to pay a small “admin” fee.

If you organize your trip at a train station, avoid any touts, head straight for the booking desk and leave yourself plenty of time – it’s not the fastest system in the world.

You can also book online, though it’s not as simple is click and pay. First, you’ll need to create an account on IRCTC (Indian Railways’ official website), which will require an Indian phone number for confirmation. You can get around this by emailing the company with a photocopy of your passport.

Once you have your IRCTC login, you may find the website a little clunky, so it’s much easier to use another travel booking site such as Cleartrip to actually buy your tickets (you’ll still need to enter your IRCTC login details at payment stage).

If there are no tickets available at the time of booking, you’ll be given a reserve ticket, either “RAC Waitlist” or “Waitlist”.

With an “RAC” (reservation against cancellation) ticket, you can board the train, though you might not get the seat/class you were after. The ticket will be confirmed if enough people cancel and, as many people book far in advance, there is a high chance of this happening.

“Waitlist” means that all confirmed and RAC tickets have been sold. You’ll get a number with your waitlisted ticket – if your number is lower than ten, there’s a good chance that your ticket will be confirmed. To find out whether you have got a seat on the train, you can check at the station on the day, where you’ll find a seating chart posted up on the station notice board, or look online to see whether your status has changed.

Indian trains are generally divided into eight classes – though they are not all available on all trains (it usually depends on the distance and line you’re travelling on).

There are three air-conditioned sleeper classes: AC1 (first class) is the most expensive, with four-bed booths, but most tourists choose AC2 (two-tier bunks) or AC3 (three-tier bunks) for long or overnight journeys.

These three classes offer a blanket, sheet and pillow for the journey and have fold-out bunks so you can get some decent shuteye. With two-tier bunks, AC2 is a little quieter and more comfortable than AC3; choose a side berth for the best window view or a top bunk in the main berth for the greatest chance of sleep.

SL (sleeper class) is cheaper but, ironically, you may not get that much sleep. Seating is arranged in open berths with three tiers of bunks, but bedding isn’t provided. While it is a reserved carriage, there tend to be more people than bunks. Although it gets quite crowded, sleeper class is actually a great option for daytime journeys, as it tends to be quite sociable.

CC (air-conditioned chair car) has upright, aircraft-style seating, which is a good bet for short trips, as are the other chair classes, FC (first class) and EC (executive).

2S (second class) is the cheapest option, with upright benches, but it’s unreserved which means that there’s often a scrum for seats. You’ll only really want to book second class if you’re on a tight budget and taking a short journey.

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You may well find that some of your best memories are of the conversations you have on train journeys. People are very willing to chat, and one of the most enjoyable ways to pass the time is to get to know the people around you.

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Indian train schedules are renowned for being, well, a little relaxed. Trains can be delayed for anything from a couple of minutes to a number of hours, so be sure to organize any connections with plenty of contingency time built in. Platform announcements will let you know whether your train is running on time.

While the majority of people are trustworthy, thieves do operate on trains, and if you’re asleep on an upper bunk you’ll have no way to stop them looting your stuff. You’ll notice that many locals attach their bags to the underside of their seats with a chain and padlock, and it’s advisable to follow suit.

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Many trains provide on-board meals, but the food is fairly variable in standard (and cleanliness). Trains pause for around twenty minutes at each stop on long distances, so there’s time to jump off and buy some food or a chai on the platform. Alternatively...

It’s now possible to order takeaway meals to Indian rail stations. The food is delivered to the platform, so you can collect it before you board or at a stop on the way or at your destination. There are a number of online takeaway services specifically tailored to train journeys. Try railrestro.com if you have a confirmed ticket – simply enter your PNR (booking) code and choose a restaurant near your desired station. Bored of curry? You can even call up a local Domino’s for a pizza.

India is such a vast country that most travellers only manage to experience a small section of its culture. Through a train window, you can catch glimpses of truly rural India, from the deserts of Jaisalmer to rice paddies in Maharashtra and mist-capped hill stations.

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RailRecipe Blog

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History of the Indian Railways and the First Train In India

On April 16, 1853, the first passenger train in India ran from Mumbai’s Bori Bunder to Thane, Maharashtra. So, look at this blog to explore the history of Indian railways, including industrial railways, passenger trains, and the story of electrification and modernization. The running of first train in India was a historic day, and 400 lucky passengers got opportunity for this once-in-a-lifetime excursion. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway was the first to run a train.

History of the First Train in India

In 1832, the idea of creating a railway system in India was first proposed. Train travel in Britain was still in its infancy at the time, but the East India Company saw the significance of creating a comprehensive rail network. Lord Hardinge, who is a Governor-General of India at that time. He permitted private entrepreneurs to build a rail system. Two companies, i.e., “Great Indian Peninsula Railway” and the “East Indian Railway Company,” were established in 1845.

Alos, read: Top 10 Fastest Trains in India

The first railway in India went from Bori Bunder to Thane, covering approximately 34 kilometers. In 1880, a network of roughly 14,500 kilometers was developed around the three major port towns of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. The Railway Board was established in 1901 under the Department of Commerce and Industry’s direction. Regardless, the Viceroy was given authority.

History of Indian Railways

1832–1852: industrial railways, 1853–1924: passenger railways and expansion, 1925–1946: electrification and further expansion, 1951–1983: zonal re-organization and further developments, railrecipe, an irctc-authorized e-catering service provider.

RailRecipe is the No.1 food delivery in train service provider. It is well-known for providing cuisine from top-tier restaurants to train passengers at a substantial discount and on-time delivery.  Order your first meal from RailRecipe app and get a bumper discount.

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India Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

I’ve never been to India. I know. Crazy, right? It’s not that I don’t want to go but life has just always gotten in the way. However, India is a place a lot of people visit and, since I can’t write about it, I want to bring in someone who can: my friend Mariellen Ward. She’d a travel writer who has been going to India since 2005 and runs the website Breathedreamgo . We’ve known each other since 2010. Today, she’s going to share some tips on how to visit India for first-time visitors.

I will never forget my first time visiting India. My first car trip in Delhi felt like a roller-coaster ride. Cars and trucks of every size, overloaded bicycles and motorcycles, and even the occasional bullock cart, seemed to be coming at me from every direction. No one was paying any attention to lanes or the rules of the road. Vehicles were driving the wrong way. I couldn’t make sense of what was happening.

I had heard about the “sensory overload” travelers feel in India, and now I was experiencing it. It was exciting and nerve-wracking in equal measure. And just a taste of things to come.

I spent six months crisscrossing the subcontinent on my first trip, back in 2005 and was often overwhelmed by the huge crowds, the foreign traditions, the perplexing bureaucracy, the mind-boggling complexity, and the bewildering culture shock.

These things combined make India a challenging — though very exciting and rewarding —destination.

However, if you read and follow these travel tips for first-time visitors, they could help smooth out some of the more disorienting bumps.

1. Slow down

It takes time and some know-how to successfully navigate in India. This is not a place for hurried travel. Don’t try and see as much as you can; that is not the right approach. It’s tiring to travel in India, and the object should be to experience it, not to check things off a list.

As a general rule, for every two weeks you are in India, pick one region. For a one-month trip, just pick two regions — say, two weeks in Rajasthan and two weeks in Kerala . You can even sit in one place and still not miss anything. No matter what, if you are in India, you will experience India.

2. Adjust your attitude

Likewise, accept that things will not go as planned. Cultivate the philosophy that things happen the way they are supposed to, not the way they are planned. This attitude can lead to the most marvelous adventures.

3. Be careful who you trust

Having said that it’s a good idea to be open, a healthy level of skepticism also comes in really handy in India. There are many con men there, especially in the travel and hospitality sector. They have a sixth sense for first-time visitors and will try and take advantage.

So, learn the prices by asking locals and other travelers before negotiating with auto-rickshaw drivers and market vendors. Don’t believe drivers — or random people you come across at airports, train stations, and tourist attractions — who tell you things such as your hotel burned down, or the train you want was canceled.

Often, an opportunity to make money off of you will spur creative tactics, and some of these scams can easily catch you off guard. Once, I was looking for a new iPhone case and the vendor showed me one and told me it was made by Apple. But a close look revealed four spelling mistakes in one short sentence engraved inside the case.

4. Practice safe travel

There are also anecdotal reports of women being molested, especially in busy, crowded places. Follow basic precautions and safe travel strategies, and use common sense in India.

Here are several safety travel tips (please read my top tips for women traveling in India for more details):

• Buy a local SIM card so that you can make local calls and stay in touch.
• Research carefully where you want to go, ensuring it is an area frequented by other travelers, with good infrastructure and hotels.
• Plan your travel so you don’t arrive late at night; travel during daylight hours only.
• Be careful when posting to social media, so that you are not revealing your current location.
• Stay alert to your surroundings, and keep a close eye on your handbag and luggage.
• Keep the Tourist Helpline number handy and call if you need any assistance: 1-800-111363.

5. Try a small group tour

For your first time in India, try taking a small group or custom tour to help you get your feet wet. My company, India for Beginners , was founded to help women travel safely and well in India. We offer a few small group tours, but we specialize in creating custom tours and providing a high level of personal service, such as meeting travelers at the airport and assigning a tour manager who is available 24/7. We hold your hand in India!

6. Take the train

Taking a train in India is a great experience and should not be missed. However, you need some basic knowledge about the classes and the trains. You may not want to dive into sleeper class or general class immediately; I would recommend 2AC (second class with air conditioning) or CC (chair car). Or even 1AC (first class with air conditioning) or EC (executive chair car).

Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains are among the best in India, so try and book one of these. Overnight trains can be a problem because they don’t clean the toilets at night, so keep that in mind when you book.

7. Eat the food

India is one of the world’s great culinary destinations, and first-time visitors should not shy away from trying all the delicious cuisine on offer, even street food. Some of the famous Indian items you shouldn’t miss are masala chai, sweet lassi, biryani, pakoras, dosas, and sweets such as gulab jamun and kheer.

It’s hard to avoid getting sick in India, though, because you never know when a tainted item will cross your plate. It could be at a street stall or a five-star restaurant. However, you can reduce the chances of getting sick by following these basic rules:

• Drink filtered or bottled water only.
• Watch for undistilled water in ice or sauces.
• Avoid salad and other raw food unless you can peel it (such as an orange or banana).
• Eat only food that is freshly cooked.
• Look for busy stalls and restaurants with high turnover.

8. Get a local SIM card

Everything in India runs on WhatsApp, one-time password (OTP) verification, and text messages. Because of this, you need a local number. To do so, get a local SIM at the airport when you arrive. Still, you may have trouble paying for things online with a foreign credit card, as India requires OTP verification, and getting registered with Indian Railways so you buy train tickets online is nearly impossible.

9. Remember where you are

For example, unless you’re on the beach in Goa, it’s wise to wear modest clothing in India . Long, loose, and flowing are key for dressing for the climate and the culture.

It’s also best to be very respectful, especially with regard to the myriad religions. And be aware that genders relate differently in India, and overfriendliness can be misconstrued. Be polite, but with strangers, and especially those working in the hospitality sector, it’s usually best to dial back effusive friendliness.

10. Follow the seasons

Weather and the season matter in India. It’s incredibly hot almost everywhere in May and June, the monsoon season is July to August, and it’s surprisingly cold in north India in winter, December to February. Do some research and find out the best places to visit in India by season .

So, when it’s cold in north India, head down to tropical Kerala or Goa and hit the beach. In the heat of summer, check out Ladakh, a high desert plateau that sometimes seems otherworldly. Note: Fall is festival season, so you can experience Durga Puja in Kolkata, Diwali in Jaipur, or the Camel Fair in Pushkar.

11. Visit attractions in the morning

(However, this rule does not apply to shopping. Stores, and even restaurants, tend not to open until 10 or even 11 am. Urban Indians tend to do everything late. Breakfast and lunch are late, and dinner can be very late indeed.)

12. Head into the countryside

You can go trekking in the mountains, take a tiger safari , visit one of the many national parks, camp out overnight on a sand dune in Rajasthan, or take a boat cruise on the Brahmaputra River.

And don’t forget the rural areas. Most Indians still live in villages. It’s really worthwhile to meander through the quaint villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand.

India is not an easy place to travel. It’s not a relaxing vacation destination. It is, though, an experience — often a life-changing experience. Start by doing research, read books about India , watch movies about the country, learn about the cultures and various destinations, and get ready for a transformative travel experience.

Like many before you — from The Beatles to Steve Jobs to Elizabeth Gilbert — you may just fall in love with the place. As writer Rumer Godden said, “Once you have felt the dust of India, you will never be free of it.”

Mariellen Ward fell in love with India, with travel, and with travel blogging on her first trip to the country in 2005. She has spent more than seven years of the last 18 in India, and now lives there. Though Canadian by birth, Mariellen considers India to be her “soul culture.” With her travel blog, Breathedreamgo , she tries to encourage and help other female travelers to go after their dreams. And her custom tour company, India for Beginners , is dedicated to helping women travel safely and well in India.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

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A detailed comparison of the best luxury trains in India

This article was first published in March 2018 and updated in December 2019.  

Can you think of a better way to explore India than on a Luxury Train ? I cannot. Regal train cars, silverware, butlers, red carpets and royal sights. Luxury trains in India are the epitome of travel in the sub-continent and the best way to see the country, much like the Wes Anderson movie about India Darjeeling Limited, but fancier.

Whether you pick the Maharajas Express train or the Palace of Wheels you are definitely in for a real treat . If you are looking to board the world’s most luxurious trains with the highest level of comfort and for the most affordable prices, read on to find out what the best luxury trains in India are.

The history of luxury trains in India

Train travel has a long history in India where the tracks were laid by the British over a century ago. With such vast territory and the trade interest of the global powers in the 18th and 19th century firmly on the East, rail tracks were the most efficient and fastest way to move merchandise and spices onto the ships that would take them back to the West.

The first commercial train journey in India connected Bombay with Thane and took off in 1851 although the first train actually ran two years earlier. At the time, the tracks were owned by the the British overseas government or the regional rulers, like for example the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

Nationalisation began in 1925 and was fully completed after independence, when the government took over all of the remaining lines and re-structured them creating new ones and regrouping or laying new tracks in portions that were then in newly created Pakistan.

Today, as indicated by the Indian Railways knowledge portal , “the Indian Railways manage 65,436 kilometers of tracks, employ 1.3 million people and runs around 19,000 trains daily, of which more than 12,000 are passenger trains, serving 8.4 billion passengers every year”.

So what about luxury trains in India , how did it all start?

The first luxury train to start operations in India was the Palace on Wheels in 1982 which is why most people who have heard of luxury trains in the country will immediately tell you about The Palace on Wheels and may have never heard of any of the others. However, palace on Wheels is not the most luxurious , The Maharajas Express is definitively the most exclusive and highest end luxury train in India although Palace on Wheels was renovated in 1999 and revamped in 2017 again.

Today, there are four luxury trains covering India :

• The Maharajas Express
• The Palace on Wheels
• The Golden Chariot
• The Deccan Odyssey

The best luxury trains in India

Although all the Indian luxury trains are similar in a lot of ways, they are not entirely the same so let’s take a look at each of them first then with a comparison of all the luxury trains in India .

Palace on Wheels

The Palace on Wheels is the oldest and first luxury train in India and is a collaboration between the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways .

The train was launched in 1982 as a means to promote the state of Rajasthan by putting back to use the carriages of the rulers of princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India whose trains were abandoned after Independence.

The train was subsequently renovated in 1996 when ensuite bathrooms were added and revamped again in 2017 with new carriages being added with larger suites .

The Palace on Wheels luxury train is the best known of all the luxury trains in India although not the most luxurious. It has been awarded a lot of accolades and is renowned the world over.

Cabin categories and facilities onboard the Palace on Wheels

Although the original Palace on Wheels has only one category of cabin, the revamped one also includes a second category of Super Deluxe cabins which are larger and have double beds.

These cabins also come with their own driver and guide so guests do not have to join the group bus. This was previously only offered on the Maharajas Express .

Onboard, there are two restaurants and one lounge car, a spa and a small gym . Food served is thali style with six small bowls filled with protein of vegetables served with pickles, rice, poppadoms and breads.

Routes and itineraries on the Palace on Wheels

Routes of the Palace on Wheels are usually 7 nights long , departing and returning to Delhi, but you can also buy tickets from Delhi to Jodhpur only for 5 nights. The traditional route covers most of Rajasthan, as it did from its launch.

The itinerary of the Palace on Wheels starts in Delhm, Jaipur , Ranthambhore (which is where people come for an Asian safari to see the endangered Bengal Tiger ), Chittorgarh, Udaipur , Jaisalmer, Jodhpur , Bharatphur, Agra, Delhi.

Check out this review of the Palace on Wheels by Love and Road.

You can also read about the best places to stay in Jaipur ( like Amanbagh ) , Udaipur (like Shiv Niwas Palace ) , or Jodhpur ; and our travel guides to Jaipur , Jodhpur , Udaiper and Jaisalmer .  

Maharajas Express

The Maharajas Express is the epitome of luxury train travel in India . It is the most exclusive and luxurious of all the four luxury trains and offers real comfort in its premium cabins, especially the Presidential Suite which includes two bedrooms and occupies an entire car. The premium category cabins are unique to the Maharajas Express although the newly revamped Palace on Wheels also has a higher category room.

I traveled on the Maharajas Express journey from Mumbai to Delhi a few years ago and it was one of the most fabulous trips I have ever undertaken. You can read some of the things which surprised me with these facts about the Maharajas Express and these extravagant Maharajas Express experiences .

That itinerary is highly recommended as it provides the main highlights of what is India’s most beautiful state all while enjoying true regal hospitality that only a luxury train in India can provide.

The Maharajas Express may not have been the first luxury train in India but it certainly is the most awarded . It has received several accolades and been covered in major publications and for good reason, as it is an exclusive way to explore the country .

The Maharajas Express is owned and managed by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited ( IRCTC ), the tourist arm of the Indian railway company, a government owned entity.

Cabin categories and facilities onboard the Maharajas Express

The Maharajas Express has four cabin categories . The Deluxe cabins have double beds and are 120 square feet. They can also be set as twin share.

The Junior Suites are 150 square feet and can also be set as twin or double. They are larger than the deluxe cabins.

Suites are 220 square feet and have their own minibars, lounges with desk tables and sofas and a bathtub, that’s right, a bathtub onboard a luxury train ! Suites have their own private transport and guides when on tour.

Lastly, the largest of all the cabins in any luxury train in the world . The Presidential Suite onboard The Maharajas Express is real decadence. They are 440 square feet and come with two rooms and bathrooms, so they are perfect for families. The Presidential Suite also has a lounge area , a personal butler and dedicated any language private guide and car for the daily tours.

The train has two restaurant cars, two bars, a shop, a gym and a spa . Prices start at $3,850 for the shorter 3 night trips and $5,850 for the 7 night trips per person sharing and can go all the way up to $27,000 for the Presidential Suite accommodating 4 people.

Routes and itineraries on the Maharajas Express

The Maharajas Express offers several itineraries and has recently launched two itineraries in the southern part of the country. These are all of the routes:

• Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi
• Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi
• Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi
• Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai
• Mumbai – Ratnagiri – Goa – Hampi – Mysore – Ernakulam – Kumarakom – Trivandrum
• Trivandrum – Chettinad –Mahabalipuram – Mysore – Hampi – Goa – Ratnagiri -Mumbai

The itineraries from Mumbai to Delhi or viceversa are some of the best ways to see Rajasthan and they are exactly what I experienced on that first trip to India. I loved visiting the Tipu Sultan Summer Palace in Mysore as well as the extravagant Mysore Palace .

How to book the Maharajas Express : This is the official Maharajas Express website, do not be fooled by all the others who impersonate the official site, this is the only official site so book direct http://www.the-maharajas.com/ .

Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey train is focused mostly on the Maharashtra State of India of which Mumbai is the capital and is managed by a joint venture between Cox & Kings and the Indian Railway Corporation, IRTC.

As mentioned before, the first ever train departed from Mumbai and that is also where the central railway authority of India is based, so it is an historic part of India . The Deccan Odyssey offers a different route to some of the other trains with interesting stops like the vineyards of Nashik or the beaches of Goa.

Cabin categories and facilities onboard the Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey has 21 coaches and 11 of them are dedicated to the guest cabins. There are two restaurants, a bar car, a spa and a gym and there is even a conference cabin for your business needs.

Routes and itineraries on the Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey has a few varied routes covering very different parts of the country, some of which start and end in Mumbai while others end on Delhi. This is the list of journeys:

• Treasures of Gujarat : Mumbai, Vadodara, Palitana, Sasan Gir, Little Rann of Kutch, Modhera, Patan, Nashik, Mumbai
• Maharashtra Splendour : Mumbai, Nashik, Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg, Mumbai
• Indian Sojour : Mumbai, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Agra, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Delhi
• Jewels of the Deccan : Mumbai, Bijapur, Aihole and Pattadakal, Hampi, Hyderabad, Ellora Caves, Ajanta Caves, Mumbai
• Indian Odyssey : Delhi, Sawai Madhopur, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Vadodara, Ellora Caves, Mumbai
• Maharashtra Wild Trail : Mumbai, Aurangabad, Ramtek-Pench, Tadoba, Ajanta Caves, Nashik, Mumbai

As you can see, the Deccan Odyssey is a good option if you want to visit some of the remote parts of India which receive few tourists, like Gujarat, or combined some of the most diverse historical trails onboard the Jewels of the Deccan which visits parts as old as Ajanta Caves with Hindu UNESCO listed sites like Hampi or Pattadakal and Mughal strongholds like Hyderabad . This would be an itinerary that would provide very different insights into several historical times in India’s history .

Deccan Odyssey’s wild trail itinerary focuses on wildlife and visits a few of the country’s best wildlife reserves .

Check out this review of the Deccan Odyssey by Journey Wonders.

How to book the Deccan Odyssey : This is the official website of the Deccan Odyssey, make sure to book direct to secure the best prices https://www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com/trains/deccan-odyssey/ .

Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot train is owned by a joint-venture between the Karnataka Tourism Authority and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation ( KSTDC ) and managed by Maple Hotels and Resorts. I loved visiting the gorgeous Temples of Pattadakal in Karnataka . 

The train is touted as the only luxury train in the south of India but actually the Maharajas Express also launched two routes in the south in 2017 and the Deccan Odyssey also runs some journeys through some of the southern states. It is true that the Golden Chariot is indeed focused on the south and has the more comprehensive itineraries , plus the teams are firmly anchored in Karnataka .

The train is perhaps the least luxurious of the four luxury trains in India , although it still is perfectly comfortable and luxurious but there are some small details that make it a small notch below the rest. Alcohol is not included in the rates, every deboarding happens independently without the red carpet performances of the Maharajas Express and there are no premium cabins or private car + driver options. These are all elements which do not deter from the experience but provide a slightly more affordable choice.

Cabin categories and facilities onboard the Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot only has two cabin types , double or twin , both of which are of the same size and are only different in their bedding. The twin cabins can also accommodate three people although given how tight the cabins are they would have to be children not to feel extremely crammed.

The train has a total of 19 coaches , two restaurants that look almost the same, two kitchens , one cooking Indian food and one cooking Western/International food, a spa, a small gym and one bar .

Routes and itineraries on the Golden Chariot

The Golden Chariot train offers two routes , The Pride of the South covering Karnataka with a day in Goa and the Southern Splendour covering Tamil Nadu (but doesn’t include its capital of Chennai ) and Kerala .

Both routes depart and return on Mondays but are very different in nature and have barely any overlap so you could go on both and have completely separate journeys .

These are the two routes on Golden Chariot.

• Pride of the South : Bangalore – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bangalore
• Southern Splendour : Bangalore – Puducherry – Mahabalipuram – Tanjavur – Kanyakumari – Kovalam – Alappuzha – Kochi – Bangalore

Rates start at $4,300 for triple sharing and $5,000 per person in double sharing.

See my guides for Kochi , Bangalore and Pondicherry (Puducherry) for further information on what to do in these areas.

How to book the Golden Chariot : For more information you can check the detailed review of my Golden Chariot experience . And this is the official website of the Golden Chariot www.goldenchariot.org

Comparison between the best luxury trains in India – which one is the right for you?

Although the four trains are different in some ways and cover various routes, it may be difficult to decide the right one. So let me help you by simplifying the choice with a comparison table between the best luxury trains in India .

However, you may not decide to choose the right luxury train in India based on the trains themselves as they are all equally luxurious, especially for the entry-level standard cabins.

So perhaps the best way to pick a train would be to look at the itinerary that you are most interested in and this will also depend on what type of traveler you are and how many times you have been to India before.

Let me give you some guidance on who each luxury train in India is good for.

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From Dream to Reality: How India’s First Metro Rail Transformed Urban Travel

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In the bustling streets of India’s cities, a new era in urban travel was born with the introduction of the country’s first metro rail system. From dream to reality, this groundbreaking transportation network has transformed the way millions of people navigate their daily lives. With its sleek trains gliding effortlessly through the cityscape, the metro rail has become a symbol of progress, efficiency, and connectivity. No longer do commuters have to battle through congested roads or endure long hours of travel. The metro rail offers a reliable and convenient alternative, whisking passengers to their destinations with speed and comfort. But the impact of India’s first metro rail goes beyond mere convenience. It has revolutionized the urban landscape, easing traffic congestion, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable development. Join us as we delve into the fascinating journey of India’s first metro rail and discover the transformative power it holds for the future of urban travel.

India’s first metro rail system was inaugurated in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) on October 24, 1984. The construction of the metro rail was a significant milestone in the history of Indian transportation infrastructure. It marked the beginning of a new era, not only for Kolkata but also for the entire country. The metro rail system was a much-needed solution to the growing transportation problems faced by the city, including congested roads, unreliable public transportation, and increasing pollution levels.

The idea of a metro rail in Kolkata was first proposed in the early 1950s, but it took several decades for the project to become a reality. The construction of the metro rail faced numerous challenges, including land acquisition, funding, and technical feasibility. However, the determined efforts of the government and the support of the public led to the successful completion of the project.

The introduction of the metro rail in Kolkata was a significant milestone for India. It demonstrated the country’s capability to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects and provided a blueprint for future metro rail systems in other cities. The success of the Kolkata metro rail system paved the way for the development of similar projects in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

The need for a metro rail system in India was driven by several factors. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and increasing vehicular traffic had led to severe congestion on the roads. Public transportation systems were unable to cope with the rising demand, resulting in overcrowded buses and trains. Commuters spent hours in traffic, leading to productivity losses and increased pollution levels.

A metro rail system offered an efficient, reliable, and sustainable solution to these problems. It provided a dedicated mode of transportation that was not affected by traffic congestion. The metro rail could transport a large number of passengers at high speeds, thus reducing travel time and increasing productivity. Additionally, the construction of the metro rail system created job opportunities and stimulated economic growth.

The implementation of the metro rail project in India was not without its challenges. One of the major hurdles was the acquisition of land for the construction of stations and tracks. In densely populated cities like Kolkata and Delhi, finding suitable land was a complex and time-consuming process. The government had to negotiate with landowners and compensate them for their properties, which often led to delays and increased project costs.

Another challenge was securing funding for the project. The construction of a metro rail system requires significant financial resources, and the government had to rely on both domestic and international sources for funding. However, the availability of funds was often limited, and delays in disbursing funds further slowed down the progress of the project.

Technical challenges were also encountered during the construction of the metro rail system. The engineers had to overcome geological obstacles, such as underground water bodies and unstable soil conditions. They had to design and implement innovative engineering solutions to ensure the stability and safety of the structures.

Despite these challenges, the government and the project stakeholders persevered, and the metro rail systems in India became a reality.

The introduction of India’s first metro rail system brought about a multitude of benefits for urban travel. Let’s explore some of the key advantages it has bestowed upon the cities and their residents.

• Impacts on traffic congestion and air pollution

One of the most significant benefits of the metro rail system is the reduction in traffic congestion. With a reliable and efficient mode of transportation available, commuters have shifted from private vehicles to the metro rail, resulting in fewer cars on the roads. This has led to a significant decrease in traffic congestion, easing the daily struggle faced by commuters.

Furthermore, the metro rail system has contributed to a reduction in air pollution. Private vehicles are a major source of pollution in urban areas, emitting harmful gases and particulate matter into the atmosphere. By encouraging people to use public transportation, the metro rail has helped improve air quality and create a healthier environment for the residents of the cities.

• Economic benefits and increased connectivity

The metro rail system has also had a positive impact on the economy of the cities. It has created job opportunities in various sectors, including construction, operations, and maintenance. The construction of the metro rail system has stimulated economic growth, attracting investments and boosting local businesses.

Moreover, the metro rail has improved connectivity within the cities. It has connected different parts of the city, making it easier for people to travel for work, education, and leisure. The improved connectivity has also led to the development of new commercial and residential areas, further contributing to economic growth.

• The evolution of the metro rail system in India

Since the introduction of India’s first metro rail system, several other cities have followed suit and implemented their own metro rail networks. Delhi Metro, Mumbai Metro, Chennai Metro, and Bengaluru Metro are some of the notable examples. These metro rail systems have been designed to cater to the specific needs and requirements of each city.

The metro rail systems in India have evolved over the years, incorporating advanced technologies and design concepts. The trains have become more energy-efficient and comfortable, with features like air conditioning and spacious seating. The stations have been designed to provide convenience and accessibility to passengers, with facilities such as escalators, elevators, and dedicated spaces for differently-abled individuals.

The implementation of metro rail projects in India has provided valuable lessons for future endeavors. One of the key learnings is the importance of proper planning and coordination. The success of a metro rail project depends on effective collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, contractors, and consultants. Timely decision-making, proactive risk management, and efficient project management are crucial for the timely completion of metro rail projects.

Another lesson learned is the need for sustainable development. Metro rail systems should be designed to minimize their impact on the environment. This includes the use of energy-efficient technologies, waste management practices, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Sustainable design principles should be incorporated into all aspects of the project, from the construction of stations to the operation of trains.

Looking ahead, the future prospects for metro rail projects in India are promising. Several cities are planning to implement their own metro rail systems, including Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kanpur. These projects will further enhance urban connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainable development. With the lessons learned from previous projects, the implementation of future metro rail systems is expected to be more efficient and streamlined.

The introduction of India’s first metro rail system was met with a positive response from the public. Commuters appreciated the convenience and reliability of the metro rail, which saved them valuable time and reduced their daily commuting stress. The metro rail became a preferred mode of transportation for many residents, leading to an increase in ridership over the years.

Public opinion on the metro rail systems in India remains largely positive. Commuters appreciate the affordable fares, cleanliness, and safety measures implemented in the metro rail networks. The introduction of smart card systems and the integration of technology have further improved the passenger experience.

However, there have also been some concerns raised by the public. The overcrowding of trains during peak hours and the lack of proper last-mile connectivity are two common issues faced by commuters. Efforts are being made to address these concerns, with the expansion of metro networks and the introduction of feeder bus services and bicycle-sharing programs.

India’s first metro rail system has paved the way for a new era of urban travel in the country. It has transformed the way millions of people commute, offering them a reliable, efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation. The metro rail systems in India have not only reduced traffic congestion and air pollution but have also stimulated economic growth and improved connectivity.

The success of India’s first metro rail project serves as an inspiration for future infrastructure projects in the country. It has demonstrated the potential of large-scale transportation projects to bring about positive change and improve the quality of life for residents. With the continued expansion of metro rail networks and the adoption of innovative technologies, the future of urban travel in India looks bright. The dream of seamless, efficient, and sustainable transportation is becoming a reality, one metro rail at a time.

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Kerala's first private train service from June 4: Details

Kozhikode: The first ever private train service from Kerala will start on June 4 from Thiruvananthapuram. The service intended for the tourists will be operated by SRMPR Global Railways Private Limited in association with Princy World Travels Private Limited, as part of the Indian Railways' Bharat Gaurav Yatra project. "Under this private partnership in collaboration with Indian Railways', the SRMPR has hired a train from the Railways to run tourist services from Kerala. The train, staff and other facilities will be provided by the SRMPR while services like ticketing and marketing are being done by Princy Travels,'' said Devika Menon, Director of Princy World Travels. 

The train will conduct services to Mumbai, Goa and Ayodhya. The first trip is to Goa. The pre-booked passengers can board the train from stations like Trivandrum, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargode. The train, which can carry up to 750 passengers at a time, includes  2 sleeper class bogies, 11 third class AC coaches and 2 second class AC coaches. 60 staff, including medical experts, also will be on duty. Food, wi-fi facility, and a GPS tracking system will be provided. Star hotel accommodation, food and sightseeing will be part of the tour package. 

For a 4-day Goa trip in the non-AC sleeper, a traveller has to pay Rs. 13,999. If it is 3 tier AC the amount is Rs 15,150 and for 2 tier AC, the amount is Rs 16,400.   For the Mumbai trip, the amount is Rs 15,050, Rs 16,920 and Rs 18,825 respectively. For 8 day Ayodhya trip the rate is -  Rs 30,550, Rs 33,850 and Rs 37,150. The trip covers temples and pilgrimage destinations in Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Kids under 10 years, The tickets are free for children upto five years. For children between five and ten years, half the price of an adult's ticket will have to be paid. 

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Railways plan Vande Bharat Metro trains launch for inter-city travel later this year, Kapurthala Rail Factory to build

T he first of India's Vande Bharat metro trains will roll out from Indian Railways' Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory later this year, two people aware of the plan said, with the train's prototype ready for trials.

The 12-coach trains, which can be extended to 16 if required, will serve India's rapidly expanding inter-city and suburban routes. In the first two years after the prototype is approved, 50 such trains are expected to be introduced, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity.

The made-in-India trains will take India into select global club of metro train rolling stock makers, dominated by countries in Europe, South Korea, China and Canada. Metro coaches operating in various Indian cities are currently supplied by global train makers, with some of them manufacturing coaches and train sets in the country, including under technology transfer agreements.

Larger orders

Also read: Vande Bharat Metro to soon replace Mumbai local trains

Subsequently, the Railways will place larger orders of over 400 trains, requiring investments worth ₹ 50,000 crore over next few years in manufacturing units.

While a 12-coach metro train currently costs ₹ 100-120 crore, domestic manufacturing would bring that down by a fourth, making it one of the cheapest metro systems globally.

“These trains are first being manufactured for domestic consumption to connect over 125 cities covering short distances between 100-250 km. First set of the trains would be run between 12 key cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Mathura, Varanasi, Tirupati, Chennai etc. Based on the availability, export option would also be explored later,” said the first person quoted above.

A query sent to the railway ministry remained unanswered till press time.

Multi-pronged approach

Also read: vande metro train: trials, features and more here.

Saurabh Agarwal, partner with EY Investment Growth Group said that a multi-pronged approach is necessary to achieve the goal of self-reliance. “Localization would have a cascading effect, generating more jobs, fostering increased investment in research and development, and ultimately reducing dependence on imports. These factors are all essential for achieving self-sufficiency in India,” he said.

The 12-coach trains can be extended to 16, depending on the need. The coaches will feature all modern amenities available on Vande Bharat trains now. It will have a maximum speed of 120-160 km per hour, same as the existing chair car version of Vande Bharat semi high-speed trains, but come with faster acceleration required for inter-city trains with more stops. It will cater to the general category of passengers and daily commuters, and thus have an entire unreserved configuration.

Also read: Indian Railways to launch first Vande Bharat sleeper train and Vande Metro

Vande Bharat metro would be third in a series of trains proposed under the Make in India tag. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced that three versions of Vande Bharat semi-high-speed trains would be launched to change the face of rail travel India.

The first chair car version of Vande Bharat rolled out on 15 February, 2019. As per railway data, 51 Vande Bharat trains (102 Vande Bharat train services) are operational on 100 different routes, spanning 284 districts in 24 states and Union Territories. The second chair car version of Vande Bharat train and the metro versions are expected to be launched later this year.

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Sikkim’s Sanglaphu Lake opened to the public for the first time in history!

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated : May 6, 2024, 12:56 IST

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Sanglaphu Lake in Mangan district, open to public first time. Set at 5080m altitude, near Yumesamdong. Emphasis on environmental & cultural preservation, responsible tourism promoted in Sikkim.

Sanglaphu Lake in Mangan district, open to public first time. Set at 5080m altitude, near Yumesamdong. Emphasis on environmental & cultural preservation, responsible tourism promoted in Sikkim. Read less

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Sanglaphu Lake in Mangan district, open to public first time. Set at 5080m altitude, near Yumesamdong. Emphasis on environmental & cultural preservation, responsible tourism promoted in Sikkim.

Avelo starts flying this week from Knoxville to New Haven, a neighbor to New York City

For the first time in more than a decade, a new airline lifted off from McGhee Tyson Airport.

New Haven, anyone?

Avelo Airlines , a budget carrier founded in 2021 that specializes in short flights between small airports, will fly from Knoxville to its Connecticut hub twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays beginning May 9.

When the airport announced Avelo would be its first new airline since Frontier in 2011, there was some collective head scratching. Few Knoxville residents had heard of the airline, and perhaps fewer could list attractions in New Haven, Connecticut.

But the flights allow McGhee Tyson and Avelo to create a gateway to New England through New Haven, a spot for great pizza and an academic hub thanks to Yale University.

Despite a connecting train, Knoxville is the real Avelo destination

The coastal city also has a train station that takes riders on a two-hour trip directly into New York City's Grand Central Terminal. Despite that, Knoxville is the real destination here.

Behind the scenes, Avelo learned Connecticut travelers want to fly to McGhee Tyson. One of the main reasons is to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the country.

Welcoming 13.3 million visitors in 2023, it's not even close.

"We're the destination, not the other way around," Brian Simmons, chair of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority's board of commissioners, told Knox News at the February announcement.

Knoxville to New Haven offers more connections to New England cities

The Avelo announcement was welcome news for locals with connections to New Haven, especially Yale alumni and those with family and friends in Connecticut. Tweed New Haven Airport is within a short drive of other New England cities − roughly 45 minutes to Hartford, 90 minutes to Providence, Rhode Island, and just over two hours to Boston.

"By the time you get to Tweed and take a train over to New York City, you're probably still on the runway at LaGuardia," Avelo spokesperson Courtney Goff said.

If you want to test the theory, McGhee Tyson offers flights to LaGuardia on American and Delta.

Could Avelo be the airline that inspires others to expand in Knoxville?

Knoxville's airport now has nonstop flights to 30 destinations on six airlines, the most in its history. It also has more passengers than ever before.

In 2023, the airport served a record 2.8 million flyers and expects to break the record again this year.

Some travelers weren't so thrilled with the Avelo announcement. The airport teased a new airline and destination were coming, leading some to believe elusive carriers like Southwest or JetBlue might be on the way.

But any new airline brings with it the opportunity for more destinations and other airlines.

"We are growing organically with existing airlines, but we also have other airlines that are very interested in coming here, and we're proving that we can have a new airline come and establish service and be successful," Simmons said.

'Crawl, walk, run method' could mean more Avelo flights are coming

Avelo belongs to a class of airlines known as " ultra low cost carriers ," which were critical in helping U.S. airports recover from the pandemic by taking leisure travelers on domestic vacations. The airline uses a "crawl, walk, run method" for new flights, Goff told Knox News via email.

That means adding service slowly at first, like the twice-weekly trip to New Haven, before adding more flights if there's demand. Avelo has left other similar airports after only a short stay but is confident Knoxville is a good fit.

Inbound seats on the inaugural flight are nearly full, Goff said.

Avelo fleet comprised of Boeing 737 planes, but not those 737s

Avelo's fleet is composed of Boeing Next-Generation 737 planes, not to be confused with its 737 Max planes, which travelers are avoiding after a series of fatal crashes and non-fatal mechanical failures.

Other ultra low cost carriers are Allegiant, Breeze Airways, Frontier, Sun Country Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Allegiant operates a base at McGhee Tyson, stationing four Airbus A320 aircraft there.

Breeze, Sun Country and Spirit are likely contenders for the next airline to come to Knoxville.

Seven new flights at McGhee Tyson just in time for summer travel

Available airplane seats from Knoxville could increase as much as 40% this summer compared to last summer, thanks to new destinations and bigger planes. Legacy airlines American, Delta and United will swap regional jets for larger aircraft on select flights.

McGhee Tyson is adding seven new flights this summer:

• Avelo Airlines to Tweed New Haven Airport beginning May 9.
• Frontier Airlines to Philadelphia International Airport beginning May 16
• Allegiant Air to Orlando International Airport beginning May 17
• Delta Airlines to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport beginning June 7
• Allegiant Air to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport beginning June 13
• Allegiant Air to South Bend International Airport beginning June 14
• Allegiant Air to Jacksonville International Airport beginning June 14

Avelo's inaugural flight took off from Knoxville around 10:50 a.m. May 9 after a water cannon salute and a ribbon cutting. Flights to Connecticut can be booked at aveloair.com for as low as $56.

Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email  [email protected] .

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at  knoxnews.com/subscribe .   

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