A Guide To Indian Train Travel

India is a train lovers paradise, and it’s by far the best way to explore the sprawling patchwork of Indian cities, villages and countryside. Films like the Darjeerling limited and the best-selling novel Shantaram have both epitomised the chaos and bustle that is the Indian train journey, and for someone that’s never visited before it can be a little overwhelming when wondering what to expect on your first journey.

In true Indian style the booking process isn’t straight forward either – but there are still ways to easily book and plan your trip online. This guide explains the different classes, main train routes and how to go about booking your trip, all from the comfort of your couch.

Booking Train Travel

Unlike many other countries where you can virtually turn up and jump on a train then and there, in India you’ll need to book as far in advance as possible as train journeys can sell out very quickly, especially the popular tourist routes. You can choose to purchase an Indian Rail Pass which will allow you unlimited travel for a specified period (Up to 90 days) and this also allows you to pre-book journeys to avoid missing out. This is good if you have a set itinerary, although if you are more flexible you may just choose to buy individual tickets which could work out cheaper. The price of your pass varies depending on the class you chose – for more detailed information and prices check out the India Rail website or PNR Status website.

If you’re buying tickets from outside India there are now two ways for travellers to do this, as the official Indian Rail website is now accepting non-Indian credit cards again. However, I should note that this system can be quite confusing so keep this in mind. If you’re looking for ease of use, and don’t mind paying a small admin fee on top of your tickets (this is minimal, usually $0.50) you can use Clear Trip to search for and purchase your tickets. Tickets for any direct journey open 90 days before departure and your tickets will be emailed to you for printing.

If you use the Indian Rail site keep in mind that it is closed for maintenance between 23:30-00:30 Indian time and can get overloaded and very slow at other times. Like Clear Trip you can buy from 90 days out from departure and you can choose an e ticket option. You will need to sign up with an email address and if you have any issues with booking it is worth trying again at another time.

If you want to book a journey from within India you can also purchase tickets from the main train stations or tourist bureaus, but as mentioned try to do this as far in advance as possible.

Trains Classes And Main Routes

With the sheer span of India’s train network trains pretty much service every city and main town in the entire country. To search for exact routes, check out this detailed map.

The quality of the 8 different train classes can vary widely, so depending on the level of Indian authenticity you’re looking for, you should carefully read the details of each before purchasing your ticket, or you could find yourself standing on an overnight train if you’re unlucky! Not all classes are available on every train so check for availability before booking. Here’s a rundown of the classes:

AC1 – First class air conditioned sleeper cabins. These are spacious cabins with wash basins and can sleep either 2 or 4 people. It is the most expensive class, generally double the cost of AC2 and is only found on the most popular and longest journeys. Bedding included.

AC2 – Second class two-tier air conditioned sleeper compartments separated by curtains where seats by day are converted to bunks at night. AC2 can be found on the majority of journeys. Generally speaking, most travellers choose this option and it is a comfortable and economical way to travel. Bedding included.

AC3 – Third class air conditioned sleeper cabins, similar to AC2 but with less privacy and 3 tiers of bunks instead of 2. AC3 can be found on the majority of journeys. Bedding included.

First Class – Non air-conditioned lockable 2 or 4 berth cabins, which can be quite dirty compared to AC1, 2 and 3. This class has started to be phased out but may still be found on some journeys. Bedding isn’t provided.

Executive Chair Class – This is an air conditioned chair carriage, found only on main express routes.

AC Chair Class – Another air-conditioned chair carriage, found on the majority of routes.

Sleeper Class – For the more adventurous traveller, this consists of an open cabin with 3 tiers of bunks, and no air conditioning or bedding. This is the way the majority of Indians travel long distance, and can get crowded and dirty, although if you want to true Indian experience and the best views of the countryside, sleeper class is for you. This class is found on the majority of routes.

Second Class Unreserved – This is the class where you’ll see a rush of Indians all vying for one of the fairly uncomfortable padded seats, and this class isn’t recommended for long journeys. Found on most journeys, this carriage would be suitable for a day trip.

What To Expect On Your Journey

The Indian train network has almost 7,000 stations over 63,000 kilometeres of train track, and its the third biggest network in the world behind Russia and China. Pretty crazy when you think about it, and taking this into consideration it explains why there are often severe delays on some services (Ive heard of a train being over 7 hours late before!) and the absolute bedlam that goes on at stations when passengers are trying to board, so be prepared for ‘elbows out’!

Where food is concerned there is no formal dining car, but meals can be ordered from the attendants passing through the cabins for the equivalent of a couple of dollars and there are also snacks drinks and other refreshments regularly offered.

Generally Indian trains are safe, however take precautions and lock your bags and secure to your bed with a lock if possible.

And Finally, A Cool Fact About Indian Train Travel

Indian Railways employ over 1.5 million people, making them the world’s largest employer. Imagine the Christmas party!

Photo Credits: Thanks to wili_hybrid, gopal1035 and mckaysavage.

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