A Complete Guide for Train Travel in India

Train travel in India is as romantic as it gets. You see it all: remote villages of the east, spectacular Himalayas, and the western ghats of Goa; it's an attack on your senses that leaves a lasting impact on you forever. It would be foolish to say that pulling off a train trip in India is easy because it's not. So much goes into planning your journeys, and with the extra level of stress that travels through a country as intense as India brings, it can be a tough nut to crack if you're not prepared. Take some pressure off yourself for your upcoming train trip across India with our complete train travel guide containing all the information you need for one hell of a ride.

Booking Train Tickets in India

Booking train tickets in India can be somewhat tricky. Like anywhere, you can buy the tickets at the station, but because trains are one of the most popular forms of transport to move between cities, the tickets are often sold out before the departure dates. Instead of booking your tickets in person, you'll need to purchase them online. There's an official Indian railway website - https://www.irctc.co.in/ -, but it's not easy to navigate as it can be quite laggy. However, even if you use a third-party app, you'll have to register an account through this site. But this can't be done without an Indian mobile number, which you won't be able to get until you enter the country. The best solution is to wait until you arrive in India and download the Ixigo app on your phone. This app is much more advanced than the website; you can buy all your tickets there. It's slightly more expensive than the official IRCTC website, but trains in India are extremely cheap, so it's not a big deal.

What Are the Indian Train Classes?

Before you buy any train tickets, you have to learn more about the Indian train classes because there are a lot of them, eleven to be precise. Most tourists traveling by train in India usually stick to AC first-class or AC2 as they're the most modern. But if you're looking for more adventure and hoping to travel local style, you might want to try AC3, which is a step down from the others. Here's a full breakdown of the Indian train classes:

• AC first-class: A private compartment with a door containing two and four berths, full air conditioning, and bed coverings.

• AC2: Open space with a curtain containing four berths and air conditioning and bed coverings

• AC3: Open space with six berths, air conditioning, and bed coverings.

• AC 3-tier economy: Similar to AC3, only there's an extra bed on the side of the aisle.

• EA: Seating carriage with air conditioning and TVs on the back of the seats.

• EC: Seating carriage with 2+2 layout and air conditioning.

• CC: Similar to EC, but with a 2+3 layout.

• SL: Sleeper class that has six berths but no air conditioning.

• First-class: Another option with a 2+4 layout, but it's quite uncommon to see these days.

• 2S: Standard cabin with plastic or wooden seats.

• GN: Another variation of 2S; it's a general seating cabin.

Type of Ticket Statuses for Long Distance Trains

• Each ticket for long-distance trains in India is associated with a specific type of booking. For the average tourist, this might look like a few random letters, but they're very important as they tell you the status of your reservation.

• These are the four train ticket statuses you must be aware of:

• AVL (available): These are the tickets that haven't been sold yet or are available to purchase for the ride.

• WL (Waitlist): Also referred to as a waitlist ticket, "WL" indicates that the train is fully booked. The number next to it represents your position on the waitlist. If you reserve this ticket, you’ll move up the list whenever someone cancels their ticket until a seat becomes available for you.

• CNF (confirmed): You've confirmed your space on the train, but you won't be given a seat until closer to the departure date.

• RAC (reservation against cancellation): It says it all in the name. You'll be able to take the train, but your berth isn't guaranteed.

Popular Train Journeys

You've learned how to navigate India's train network, and now your next task is to choose some incredible train journeys for your trip. You can bet there are plenty of options, and tickets sell out quickly, so planning ahead is essential.

Check out some of these world-class Indian train journeys:

• Goa Express (Goa to Londa): Whizz past the dreamy Goan coastline, the famous western Ghats, secret waterfalls, and local villages in rural areas you've never heard of.

• Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling): Also known as the 'Toy Train,' the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways takes you on an adventure through misty mountains and lush green fields as you experience one of India's most famous tea-growing regions.

• The Golden Chariot (Bangalore to Goa) - Treat yourself to a luxury ride on the Golden Chariot between Bangalore and Goa. This journey is unlike anything else you'll find in the country, as the cabins are decked out like mini palaces, and you'll witness the best of the state of Karnataka's landscapes.

• Maharaja Deccan Odyssey (Mumbai to Delhi): Start in India's financial center and end in the country's capital on the Maharaja Deccan Odyssey. Along the way, you'll spot some incredible attractions, from Ajanta caves to famous cities like Udaipur.

Tackle the Train Network in India Like a Pro With This Guide

Even the most experienced travelers have a tough time dealing with India's train network. It's no walk in the park; every decision you make requires careful consideration, but with this guide, we've done half of the work for you already. For all the carnage you get to witness on a train trip across India, it's a truly rewarding excursion that you'll want to do over and over again by the time it's over.