For
tourists visiting India for the first time, train travel in India will
be a thrilling experience. Railways in India are the cheapest modes of
inter city travel. India has the second largest railways network in the
world with the railway tracks covering a total distance of 63,140
kilometers (approximately). India's varied landscapes are best enjoyed
in a train. The smell of burning wood and coal in villages, the lush
green fields, the bunch of village kids running with train waving out to
the passengers is an experience in itself. One can book tickets at the "booking
office" at the station. Usually, there is a separate window
catering to foreign tourists. You can seek assistance from the cops who
keep vigil on the platforms. Buy a ticket before boarding the train, you
can't buy one on the train. Given below are some tips for making your
train travel a nice experience.
Coaches and Comfort
The trains catering to inter city travel have many coaches starting
from the first class to the unreserved category. The ones that are
recommended for extremely comfortable travel are the first class, A/C
class and second class A/C. You will be provided with bedding for the
night, which will be promptly taken away early morning! Your company
would be wealthy tourists, bureaucrats and politicians who fear flying.
You will miss out on the varied countryside views and smells as the
windows are heavily tinted. Then comes the second-class sleeper, which
should be your option if you want to truly experience the rural India.
However, no bedding is provided and it is better if you eat before
catching the train. Your company would families and individuals like
students, who will be always ready to help you in case you have a
trouble.
Toilets
The toilets on trains are usually clean, but using them is no less than
an art. It is an experience in its own way. The train will be chugging
at its full speed and balancing yourself on the seat is not an easy
task. Most people prefer the Indian style of the toilet, as no one is
keen on sitting on anything in the bathroom! The floors are mostly wet
due to leaking water. Be careful with your important articles like
passports, watch, purse, etc. which may slip out of your hand and go
down that small hole on the floor. Do not take out your contact lenses
or any form of jewellery while in the toilet. It is best if you wear
minimal jewellery on train and use spectacles instead of lenses.
Personal Safety
For your own safety, we would say that you do not try any of those
acrobatic movements that most people seem to do with perfection on the
train. These include swinging out of the train when it reaches a
platform, step out on the platform while the train is still moving, or
simply stand on the doorway while the train runs at full speed. No one
will stop you from doing these things and they may sound like fun, but
you will be responsible for your own injuries. If you have to stand on
the doorway, make sure you hold on to something that is sturdy. All
doorways have strong handles right outside the entrance. A better option
would be to sit instead of stand. Also, the doors are usually heavy and
tend to sway while the train is moving. You may be pushed off the train
by these doors if you are not careful.
Baggage
Lock your zipper bags securely with little padlocks that are available
on the station or any general store in a city. Every seat is provided
with a round metal hook below. You are supposed to tie up your baggage
on that hook with a metal chain that most hawkers sell on the station.
Keep an eye on your baggage and never leave it unattended. If you are
traveling alone, make sure you know your fellow travelers well in case
you need to go to the restroom. There is a cloak room available in the
stations where you can store your main baggage at affordable rates, take
a shower and head out to travel the city for a day. Come back in the
evening and take out your baggage. It is very convenient for tourists
who are exploring a particular place for a day.
Food
Most trains offer meals for the passengers. With an exception of super
fast trains and special train services, the food quality in other trains
is not upto mark. Most passengers bring food packed from their homes to
avoid eating the meals provided on train. The safest bet is to eat
packaged food from stations. This may include fruit-cakes, biscuits,
unpeeled fruits, etc. However, the hot beverages served on trains like
tea and coffee are pretty good. Try to get food packed from a good
restaurant if you are going to travel more than one night. If it is just
an over nigh travel, try to eat something before you board the train.
Taj Mahal Tour
