Train travel in India can be an exciting experience and a fascinating insight into local life; from taking in the flurry of activity at the stations, to the scenic countryside views onboard and the opportunity to get chatting with other passengers.
Navigating the station in Delhi
While we recommend connecting the majority of the dots on your Rajasthan tour by private car and driver (as it’s the fastest and more comfortable means of getting around in most cases), peppering in a train journey or two can make a refreshing change of pace. Naturally, our guests often like to know a little more about what train travel in India is really like before they commit to including it in their itinerary. For that reason, we have prepared this guide of our most frequently asked questions on train travel in India:
Outside Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi
Where in my itinerary can I best include a train journey?
The most popular way of including a train journey in our itineraries is from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur (aka Ranthambhore) or vice versa, as a means of connecting the dots from Agra. Bharatpur station is about an hour and a half’s drive away from Agra, and that short journey is nicely broken up with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri en-route.
A typical day with this journey in mind starts with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal followed by a tour of Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast, and a late lunch in Bharatpur. The short journey onboard the Kota Janshatabdi to Sawai Madhopur departs at 15:48 (3:48 pm) and arrives at 18:02 (6:02 pm).
If you’re not visiting Ranthambhore National Park, another great way of including a train journey on your trip to India is from Delhi to Agra. The Gatimaan Express departs in the morning at 08:10 (8:10 am) and arrives in Agra a short while later at 09:50 (9:50 am). If staying centrally in Delhi near the station this is more efficient than driving, though for guests staying on the outskirts near the airport it will be faster to drive. Another lovely opportunity to experience train travel in India is on the old narrow-gauge railway in rural Rajasthan; a night or two at Dev Shree makes a great base from which to do this.
Boarding the train from Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station
Will Indian Excursions help me board the train and disembark? Does anyone go with us on the train?
An Indian Excursions representative will accompany you from your hotel to the train station and assist you with locating your platform, train and assigned seats. At the other end, another member of our team will be waiting to greet you directly outside of your platform, holding a sign of your name.
On request and at an additional cost, a representative can be arranged to accompany you on board throughout the journey.
When arriving at your destination, a representative of Indian Excursions will collect you from the station much like this
How will I know when to get off the train?
This part is slightly tricky, as unfortunately, Indian trains do not announce the next station. However, your itinerary includes a list of the stops en-route and their scheduled times. Members of staff or other passengers on board can assist you if asked. We’re also just a quick call away on the complimentary local phone we provide (or SIM-only, if you prefer) for the duration of your stay.
Are there toilet facilities on board?
Yes. They’re not as clean or comfortable as the one at your hotel, though they do the job when needed.
Toilet facilities in 1AC class on board the August Kranti train from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore)
Washroom facilities in 1AC class on board the August Kranti train from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore)
Toilet paper is available though it’s recommended to carry your own
The locking mechanism in the toilet on board the Kota Janshatabdhi
Toilet facilities onboard the Kota Janshatabdi to Ranthambhore
Indian trains offer a choice of two toilet styles; ‘Western’ and ‘Indian’ which is this traditional squatting style
Do you recommend overnight train travel in India?
No. We feel that a shorter journey of three hours or so is more comfortable given the facilities onboard. With overnight trips you do not get a good night’s sleep; the bunkers are relatively basic, and you’d be awoken through the night by passengers getting on and off at stations on the way. There are no shower facilities, and overnight trains tend to depart awkwardly late and arrive very early; well before the standard check-in time at most hotels.
Will food be served on the train?
Some but not all trains have a meal service included in the ticket. Others sell snacks and beverages onboard, such as tea, coffee and cookies (you’ll most certainly hear “Chai, chai, chai garram….!” (“tea, tea, hot tea…!) being hollered through the coach by sellers). Alcohol is prohibited.
If your train journey overlaps with a mealtime, our representative will offer to assist you in arranging a packed meal beforehand (from your hotel) to carry and enjoy onboard.
Seats on board the Kota Janshatabi in ‘air-conditioned chair class’
Inside the air-conditioned chair car coach on board the Kota Janshatabdi
Boarding at Bharatpur station
Are trains in India on time?
Generally, yes, though winter fog that affects the month of December and January can cause delays. Indian Excursions will be tracking your train’s status on the day and keep you informed. Should there be a significant delay, we will offer the choice of driving instead.
What about my luggage? Is it safe during train travel in India?
Yes, it is safe to carry luggage on Indian trains. We recommend exercising the same caution as you do anywhere else in the world by keeping an eye on your belongings. However, in most cases, your driver will be heading to your next destination by road and can safely deliver your luggage to your hotel a few hours after you arrive. (It is always our priority to allocate the same car and driver throughout your stay: this not only allows our guests to gain a sense of familiarity with their driver but is also more cost-efficient as it avoids empty legs. Where your “main” driver is heading to your next destination, a second driver local to your destination will be arranged for your station transfer on arrival).
There is ample room for luggage storage in the overhead racks, but we recommend leaving your bags with your driver
Activity on the platform at Sawai Madhopur station
Are seats reserved?
Yes, you will be allocated a particular seat number. However, please note it’s not possible for us to select a seat of choice. It will be assigned by Indian Rail at the time of booking. Passengers who’re booked on the same ticket are, 99% of the time, allocated seats next to each other. In the unlikely event you’re not and providing you wish to sit together, our representative will politely ask the other passenger(s) to switch.
What classes are available on trains in India?
There are many different classes available on trains in India, and these can be somewhat confusing! For this guide we’ll focus only on those we recommend comfortable for guests of Indian Excursions; Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC), Executive Air-Conditioned Chair Car (EC), First Class Air-Conditioned (1AC) and Two-Tier Air-Conditioned Chair Car (2AC).
- Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC): Commonly found on day trains rather than overnighters, Air-Conditioned Chair Car is as it sounds; rows of assigned seats in an air-conditioned carriage. Padded seats are aligned in rows of three and two, some with tables. This is the highest class of coach available in the Kota Janshatabdi from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore) and is regularly frequented by guests of Indian Excursions.
- Executive Air-Conditioned Chair Car (EC): Similar to Air-Conditioned Chair Car but a small step above, this class of coach is available on the Gatimaan Express from Delhi to Agra. Like Air-Conditioned Chair Car, this coach offers padded seats in an air-conditioned carriage. Food is served on board in proper crockery and cutlery (though we recommend a packed breakfast from the hotel to take with you instead).
- First Class Air-Conditioned (1AC): First Class Air-Conditioned, known as 1AC, is found on journeys of a longer duration. Compartments offer either two or four beds as well as carpet and a lockable door. During the day, the upper beds are usually folded down to allow passengers to sit on the lower. This class of coach is found on the Golden Temple from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore) to Bharatpur, as well as the on the same route. Unfortunately, it is not possible to select in advance whether you’d prefer a two-bed or four-bed compartment, instead, it will be allocated by Indian Rail a day before the journey commences. There are limited seats available in 1AC and tickets usually book up fast as soon as they’re available (120 days before the trip).
- Two-Tier Air-Conditioned Chair Car (2AC): Two-Tier Air-Conditioned Chair Car, or 2AC, is similar to 1AC. However, the compartments are separated by a curtain rather than a lockable door, so there’s lesser privacy, though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as for a shorter daytime journey it makes an excellent opportunity to chat to other passengers.
Shiv Gurjar (co-founder) relaxing in a 1AC coach on board the August Kranti train from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore)
A berth in a 2AC coach on board the August Kranti train from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore)
In 2AC, berths are separated by a curtain rather than a lockable door
Corridor within the 1AC coach from which the private compartments are accessed
If you’d like to experience train travel in India on your upcoming trip to Rajasthan (as part of a wider planned itinerary), please do get in touch. As specialists in this region with years of experience and a well-proven track record, we’re an ideal match to assist with your arrangements. We’d be delighted to get stuck into the planning of your tailor-made itinerary.
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