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Travel - Internal
AIR: The domestic airline is Indian Airlines (IC). The network connects over 70 cities. Indian Airlines also operates regular flights to the neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Maldives, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Middle East. Domestic airlines include Jet Airways (9W), Sahara Airlines (S2) and Alliance Airlines (3A), a subsidiary of Indian Airlines.
Special fares: There are various special Indian Airlines fares available to foreign nationals and Indian nationals residing abroad. All are available throughout the year, and may be purchased either abroad or in India, where payment is made in a foreign convertible currency (such as US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). With the exception of the Youth Fare India (see below), discounts of 90 per cent are available for children under two years, and of 50 per cent for children aged two to 12. Full details of all the special fares are contained in the India brochure, available from India Tourism. A summary of each is given below. Group discounts of up to 30 per cent are also available.
Discover India: There are two types of ticket available; a 21-day ticket costs US$750 and a 15-day ticket costs US$500. These offer unlimited economy-class travel on all domestic Indian Airlines services. No stop may be visited more than once, except for transfer.
Youth Fare India: This is valid for three months, offering a 25 per cent discount on the normal US Dollar fare. It is available to those aged 12-30 at the commencement of travel for journeys on economy/executive class of domestic air services and Indo-Nepal services.
India Wonderfares (North, South, East and West): Cost US$300 and are valid for seven days, offering unlimited economy-class travel within the north, south, east or western regions of India. No town may be visited more than once, except for transfer. Details of the main air centres included in the deal can be obtained from Indian Airways offices.
Departure tax: £8.
SEA/RIVER: There are ships from Kolkata (Calcutta), Vishakapatnam and Chennai to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, and from Kochi and Calicut to the Lakshadweep Islands. Services are often seasonal, and are generally suspended during the monsoon. One particularly attractive boat journey is the ‘backwaters’ excursion in the vicinity of Kochi in Kerala. Several local tours are available.
RAIL: The Indian internal railway system is state-run by Indian Railways (website: www.indianrail.gov.in). It is the largest rail system in Asia and the second-largest in the world. There are over 62,000km of track, over 7000 stations and over 11,000 locomotives, including 5000 steam engines. Its trains carry over 12 million passengers every day. The network covers much of the country and is a quintessential part of the fabric of India, as well as being relatively inexpensive. Express services link all the main cities and local services link most other parts of the country. Buses connect with trains to serve parts of the country not on the rail network. Children five to 11 years of age pay half price, children under five travel free. There are six classes of travel: first-class air-conditioned, second-class air-conditioned, third-class air-conditioned, air-conditioned chair car, first-class sleeper and second-class. Major trains carry restaurant cars.
Indrail Pass: This special pass consists of a single non-transferable ticket which enables a visitor to travel on any train without restriction within the period of validity. First-class sleeper tickets are; US$135 for seven days; US$185 for 15 days; US$198 for 21 days; US$248 for 30 days; US$400 for 60 days and US$530 for 90 days. A/C tickets are twice as much and second-class tickets are much cheaper. Children (aged between five to 12) are entitled to half-price fares. Children under five travel free. It is sold only to foreign nationals and Indians residing abroad holding a valid passport, and replaces all other concessional tickets. Payment is accepted only in foreign currency (US Dollars or Pounds Sterling). Refunds can be given only if cancellation is made before the starting date. Validity period is from the date of commencement of the first journey up to midnight of the date on which validity expires. A ticket can be used within one year of its issue. Advance reservation is essential, particularly on overnight journeys, arranged through travel agents. Reservations are on a first-come-first-served basis. Indrail passes can be reserved in the UK from SD Enterprises Ltd (tel: (020) 8903 3411; fax: (020) 8903 0392; e-mail: info@indiarail.co.uk; website: www.indiarail.co.uk). The passes can also be purchased in India at all the main railway stations and authorised agents.
Special trains: The Palace on Wheels is an expensively decorated Edwardian-style luxury steam train with 14 coaches, which travels to Rajasthan. Each coach consists of a saloon, four sleeping compartments with upper and lower berth, bathroom, shower, toilet and small kitchen. Room service is available. There is a dining car, a bar, an observation car and a fully-equipped first-aid centre. Modern amenities include air-conditioning, four-channel music and telephone intercom throughout the train. Tariff includes cost of travel; full catering; elephant, camel and boat rides; conducted sightseeing tours; and entrance fees.
Itinerary: Delhi–Jaipur–Chittaurgarh–Udaipur–Sawai Madhopur–Jaisalmer–Jodhpur–Bharatpur–Agra–Delhi. Bookings: Several tour operators/travel agents organise escorted tour facilities which include the Palace on Wheels. Royal Orient Express: This luxury train journeys through Gujarat and Rajasthan taking in the sights of Chittargarh, Udaipur, Palitana, Sasangir, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The trip takes eight days and accommodation is in furnished carriages with lounge, minibar and kitchenette. Multi-cuisine restaurants and a library are also available. Contact Indian Railways for further information. Hill Trains: Narrow-gauge rail lines completed in the 19th century linking numerous hill stations and various mountain landscapes. For example, the Kolkata (Calcutta)-Darjeeling route takes eight hours, crosses over 500 bridges and offers ample opportunity for photos as the pace is leisurely.
Other trains: The Rajdhani Express trains are deluxe super-fast trains connecting Delhi with Mumbai, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai, Bangalore, Bhubhaneswar, Guwahati, Jammu Tawi, Secunderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Ajmer and many others. Shatabdi Express: Super-fast trains connecting major and secondary city centres. Visitors can travel chair car or executive class. Snacks and meals are provided. Konkan Express: This connects the states of Marharshtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala along the coast of the Arabian sea. The route includes 72 tunnels and many bridges often crossing ravines of over 50m deep.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the left. An extensive network of bus services connects all parts of the country, and is particularly useful for the mountainous regions where there are no rail services. However, public transport is often crowded and can be uncomfortable. Details of routes may be obtained from the local tourist office. Tourist cars: There are a large number of chauffeur-driven tourist cars (some air-conditioned) available in the main tourist centres. These unmetered tourist cars run at a slightly higher rate than the ordinary taxis, and are approved by India Tourism. Self-drive cars are not generally available. Driving around India is not recommended due to the erratic nature of Indian driving standards. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
URBAN: Taxis and auto rickshaws are available in large cities and fares should be charged by the kilometre. They do not always have meters but, where they do, visitors should insist on the meter being flagged in their presence. Fares change from time to time and therefore do not always conform to the reading on the meter, but drivers should always have a copy of the latest fare chart available for inspection. Kolkata (Calcutta) has a 16.45km (10 mile) underground railway.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Delhi to other major cities/towns in India.
| Air | Road | Rail | Sea | | Mumbai | 1.50 | 28.00 | 17.30a | - | | Kolkata | 2.00 | 30.00 | 18.00b | - | | Chennai | 3.00 | 45.00 | 32.00 | - | | Hyd’bad | 1.55 | 40.00 | 24.00 | - | | Agra | 0.40 | 4.30 | 3.15 | - | | Jaipur | 0.40 | 6.00 | 5.15 | - | | Jammu | 1.50 | 14.45 | 16.00 | - | | Triv’rum | 5.00c | 62.00 | 60.00 | - | | Patna | 1.30 | 22.00 | 16.00 | - | | Port Blair | 5.05 | c | - | d |
Note: a. Time by express (not daily); normal train takes 23 hours. b. Time by express (not daily); normal train takes 25 hours. c. Does not include stopover in Chennai. d. Boat journey from Chennai takes three to four days.
Note: Further information (including route maps, times of express trains and more detailed travel-time charts) may be found in the official India brochure, available free from India Tourism (see Contact Addresses section).
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