Travel within India
Internal Flights
f you are planning to travel between the major cities
of India, then the most convenient and comfortable way to do
it is by air. In addition many of the 115 domestic airports
in India have been technologically improved with most being
well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kalkata and Chennai.
If you book internal flights before leaving for India,
it is important that you reconfirm on arrival. Flights can be
cancelled or delayed due to bad weather, particularly in the
winter months of December and January. Remember therefore to
reconfirm your ticket and the times of your flight as well.
Check-in for domestic flights is normally one hour before
take-off but allow extra time if you are travelling to politically
sensitive areas such as Kashmir, Jammu and some of the northeastern
states.
Travel by Train
For a fascinating and exciting way of experiencing India and
it's people, there is nothing better than a journey by train.
The state run Indian Railways has the largest rail
system in Asia and is the second largest in the world. The
network covers much of the country, is relatively inexpensive
and carries up to 14 million passengers every day. This latter
fact underlines the fact that trains are always overcrowded
and bookings should be made in advance.
Classes and accomodation types offered on the trains can seem
somewhat confusing. Basically however the choices are between
first and second class chair-cars plus two and three tier sleeper
coaches, all with the option of air-conditioning. Fares for
air-conditioning will be greater.
Special train journeys are available where you can travel
in style in the height of luxury and comfort. The Palace on
Wheels and the Royal Orient both operate week long tours from
September to April.
You can also enjoy the 150 year old Fairy Queen, a restored
steam engine that features in the Guiness Book of Records as
the oldest in the world. Or try the narrow guage Hill Trains.
Railways that were completed in the 19th century, linking various
hill stations and mountain landscapes. A perfect example of
these is the route from Kolkata to Darjeeling, taking 8 hours
and crossing 500 bridges. Make sure you do not forget your camera.
Car Hire
Self drive hire cars are available in India but driving
on Indian roads is probably not to be recommended for the casual
tourist. Indian traffic particularly in the cities is chaotic
to say the least. You will however find a large number of
chauffeur-driven tourist cars available for hire especially
in the main tourist centres.
Travel by Bus
The bus service is extensive throughout India, being
most useful in the hill regions where there is no rail system.
Buses on the whole will tend to be crowded and uncomfortable.
Taxis and Rickshaws
Taxis, auto-rickshaws and rickshaws are freely available
in the larger cities and tourist areas. Some taxis will have
meters, some will not. Before starting your journey by taxi
or rickshaw, it is best to confirm with the driver how you
will be charged or what rates you will be expected to pay.
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