The trains in India are often delayed and booking it can be confusing. Here are 9 things you should know before traveling.
1. Different Types of Tickets
Basically there are 2 types of tickets. Guaranteed tickets, which will say “Tatkal” next to it. And Waiting List tickets that will say WL. Tatkal tickets are more expensive and sell out, so its best to book them in advance.
2. Download These Train Apps
The 2 very useful train apps you should download are Indian Railway and Clear Trip.
Indian Rail app- It’s cheapest to buy a waiting list (WL) ticket directly with the Indian Railway app. The problem is Indian Rail doesn’t show you how many people are on the waiting list before you. It’s a gamble if theres 2 people ahead of you or 200, in which your ticket probably will not be confirmed.
Also, when you book a WL ticket on Indian Railway you’ll receive a confirmation email. Confusingly, this does not mean your ticket is confirmed! It’s just to confirm you requested it. You’ll receive a 2nd email if it’s actually confirmed.
Clear Trip App- Clear Trip DOES show you how many people are on the waiting list, so you know exactly what your chances are. Tickets on this app are slightly more expensive because you’re not booking directly with the railway. To save money, you can first check the waiting list on Clear Trip. If you think your chances are good, book the actual ticket on Indian Rail for the cheaper price.
3. Decide What Class of Ticket You Want
There are many options. Heres an explanation of the different seats so you know what you’re getting.
- AC First Class Sleeper (1A): private room with a lock on the door, 2 bunk beds/ 4 people in a room, western toilet.
- AC First Class: similar to Chair Car (mid range) but a little nicer, comfy chairs, either 2- 3 seats next to each other, might include a meal depending how long the ride is it.
- AC Chair Car: similar to AC First Class but doesn’t include a meal.
- 2 Tier AC or non AC : 2 stacked benches/beds fold down from the wall, 6 people/beds in the area, no door separating the beds from the rest of the train car.
- 3 Tier AC or non AC: 3 stacked benches/beds fold down from the wall, 9 people in the area, no door separating the beds from the rest of the train car.
4. Book Tickets in Advance
Train tickets are often sold out or overbooked. If you’re on a tight schedule, make sure you book your tickets in advance. On this trip I didn’t know how long I wanted to stay in each city, so I tried to buy my train ticket the night before. I ended up staying longer because every train was completely sold out.
5. Check the Train Status
Check the train status on the app before you go to the train station. Trains are often delayed, sometimes 8 hours. Save yourself time by checking before you go.
6. Make Sure You’re Going to the Correct Station
This seems like a no brainer. There are multiple stops in a city and with similar names. Or, the stop won’t be the city name at all. If you’re headed to the Taj Mahal, know there are 2 train stops both in Delhi and Agra.
7. Be Ready To Board Quickly
When the train arrives, it will either leave quickly or stay a while. The trains are quite long, so if you’re on the wrong end you might have to run. Also, they don’t believe in lines so it’s a mad rush to get on. Be prepared for people pushing and shoving to board. Furthermore, they keep the train doors open while it’s moving and people hang off. If you’re near the door, be careful not to accidentally get pushed off. It happens more than you’d think.
8. Bring Your Own Toilet Paper
Theres no toilet paper in most public bathrooms in India. Now, the toilet on the train is an open air hole over the tracks. You squat over it while the train is bouncing around.
9. “We’re not in Kansas Anymore”
If you’re a woman traveling alone, there are Women’s Only Waiting Rooms at the train station. I traveled here alone and absolutely needed these to escape harassment. Although, one man still came in and took his clothes off to bathe in the sink.
Poverty is a huge problem in India. The train stations are very dirty with all sorts of animal and bodily fluids on the ground. I witnessed a vicious fight between a pig, monkey and dog over garbage to eat. I had rats crawling on me for food. I also saw several naked people at the train station toilet.
On that note, enjoy your time in India. It’s a very cultural experience!
If you’re headed to the Taj Mahal, here are my tips for your time there. It’s truly a beautiful place. Enjoy 🙂