Travel plan idea blog

Though I agree train is cheap and efficient for traveling around India, there are a few things for you to keep in mind. I don’t know where this person gets their accident rates because they are way understated. I was in India for 1.5 months and there where more than four train wrecks just in that period of time. More importantly all of them resulted in large numbers of deaths. The most important thing to remember is that the cheaper the fare, the bigger the potential for problems. There are a lot of people traveling on the train and it is very hard to keep track of your belongings especially if you are asleep. There are locks you can buy for your bags, but keep in mind that will not slow anyone down who has a sharp knife. Also, when you are heading into large cities be aware that thieves get on the train the stop or two before major cities, tourist stand out like a sore thumb. The other thing to be mindful of in the cheaper cabins is that no one announces the stops, and if you don’t know recognize the place you are supposed to be going, it can be a trick. Once we got on a train at our station that was supposed to leave at 10 AM only to find it was the wrong train, the train we were on had been scheduled to arrive at 9:30 the previous evening. We got off, but it was a bit too close. Our train did not arrive for another 2 hours. One of my biggest concerns was that in third class and especially the third class sleeper, there are bars welded across the windows in order to control who gets on and off. This is not a problem unless something goes wrong. There are emergency windows that you are supposed to be able to remove in an emergency, but two strong men who tried to open the first of a three step process where unable to budge them. The safety mechanisms where rusted shut. If you move up a class or two things are much better, no bars on the windows, air conditioning and even security. If there where police on the third class portion of the trains, they were hiding. If you are going to travel by train, spend the few extra cents, and be sure you know how to reserve your tickets and how to pick them up. If you only speak English, this can present a problem even in some of the major cities. For further information see the travel and safety section of Lonely Planet India, from what I saw they hit it on the head. Another effective way to travel is by bus. They are crowded, but there is always someone announcing each stop along the way which is a great comfort, but be sure to bring your Imodium as they make few stops, which can present a problem if your guts are in disorder.
Travel well,
Peace.

Thank you for the Comments John G. It's great to get another perspective.

My friend and I travelled throughout India for 3 months this past summer. We're both young American women educated at a very liberal women's college; needless to say, we had a bit of a time adjusting to India's patriarchial society. For women travellers, though, there are women's waiting rooms at train and bus stations and sometimes designated seats for women on trains and busses; it does make a difference!

Definitely pay the extra few dollars for 1st class sleeper trains. Air conditioning, no bars on the windows, more cushions, no beggars going throughtout the train, and while I still slept with my feet on top of my bags and kept a close watch on my belongings, I felt safer. We travelled across the country on trains and they are by far the most comfortable and easiest way to get around [even on our 40+ hour train from Goa to Agra in 3rd class sleeper]. Also, spend the 30 ruppees and buy the train schedule book. Once you've figured out how to read it it's a breeze.

Be careful and have fun!

Traveling by train in India can definitely be a tremendously different experience. I agree with Molly, definitely get the best possible seats you can afford, and a bus ride can sometimes be better in terms of schedules compared to trains on the Central Railway line. Being from Bombay myself, I've rarely traveled through the northern and central parts of the country as compared to the west coast, but I'd be glad to answer questions.

I HAVE LEAVED IN U.S. FOR LAST FORTY YEARS.NOW I AM RETIERED AND HAVE MY OWN CONDO IN INDIA. I LOVE TO TRAVEL IN INDIA. IT IS DEFFINETLY AN ADVETURE.you just have to be prepared.It is full of inconviences. But very rewarding. I suggest take short treeps by private taxi share it with some fellow travellers to make it cheaper.All major visitors attrections are close to a major city. Stay in a comfotable hotel,go sight seeing by taxi,take a brake every three or two days and enjoy a great ancient beautiful country on this planet. need help ? I will be glad to help.if you can form a group of ten I will join with you. A well planed trip for a life time memory. happy travelling.

Few tips for new train travellers in India. Get yourself a Railway timetable booklet. It will list all scheduled stops your train is going to make. If you have lost track of time and dont know where the train has reached, lookout your window.. all train stations have name of the city written atleat at start and end of railway platform (there is no announcement in trains).

Those who are concerned about security of luggage, please get good suitcases that can stand up to the challenge. There are strong plastic suitcases (VIP) to which a metal chain can be locked on one end. Other end is supposed to go in metal hooks under your seat. Having locked your luggage this way a theif's (even with knife) cannout sneak away quitely.

Indian railways cost less because they spend money wisely not becaue they are ot spending on safety. As far as # of accidents are concerned dont just look at their numbers look at percentage. There are thousands of trains that run each day in India. Your risk of being in an accident is not significant to get scared off. I will say you have a higher risk of being in an accident when you drive on any Interstate in US.