India by Train

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Rocky

Rocky

Private Member
Joined
May 6, 2007
Has anybody travelled India by train? Me and the Mrs are thinking of doing one of those tours that takes you to the Taj Mahal and whatnot, just wondered if anybody had any experience of them and any suggestions on the best way to do it.
 
Rocky said:
Has anybody travelled India by train? Me and the Mrs are thinking of doing one of those tours that takes you to the Taj Mahal and whatnot, just wondered if anybody had any experience of them and any suggestions on the best way to do it.
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No but I’ve been on a couple of train excursions, one up north and the flying scotsman, both barry 🤪
 
I've been Prague to Paris.You have to get a connection at Cologne and another at Liege.If that's any good?
 
Many moons ago I took a train from Bombay to Goa. Fantastic experience.
Given the amount of years ago, not sure I can offer any advice except go for it.
India is brawsome.

I wouldn’t connect in Cologne.
 
barney said:
Many moons ago I took a train from Bombay to Goa. Fantastic experience.
Given the amount of years ago, not sure I can offer any advice except go for it.
India is brawsome.

I wouldn’t connect in Cologne.
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Cheers, I'll probably go with Moaty's suggestion and connect via Moscow. Hopefully can get a "doon a wee bit" connecting ticket
 
barney said:
Many moons ago I took a train from Bombay to Goa. Fantastic experience.
Given the amount of years ago, not sure I can offer any advice except go for it.
India is brawsome.

I wouldn’t connect in Cologne.
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Rocky said:
Cheers, I'll probably go with Moaty's suggestion and connect via Moscow. Hopefully can get a "doon a wee bit" connecting ticket
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As an aside, I took the bus on the way back to Bombay. That was even better than the train. If you get a chance, and you’re up for an adventure, take a long distance bus at least once.
I didn’t realise you had to order food in advance so every time we stopped people were getting a heck. Except me. The locals thought it was hilarious and took me under their wing, feeding me regularly ❤️

A lifetime highlight trip
 
Rocky said:
Has anybody travelled India by train? Me and the Mrs are thinking of doing one of those tours that takes you to the Taj Mahal and whatnot, just wondered if anybody had any experience of them and any suggestions on the best way to do it.
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Can't give you specific advice other than to say go for it. An ex girlfriend did 2 long train rides in India and was so impressed by the scenery, people and food she plans to retire there. Mind you she's a hippy yoga instructor so will be happy with the absolute basics. Not sure how plush or comfortable the train you mean is.
 
Bangkokhibby said:
Can't give you specific advice other than to say go for it. An ex girlfriend did 2 long train rides in India and was so impressed by the scenery, people and food she plans to retire there. Mind you she's a hippy yoga instructor so will be happy with the absolute basics. Not sure how plush or comfortable the train you mean is.
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I was aiming for very plush tbh. I've travelled to India for work before so I'm not too worried but I think the Mrs has visions of the Orient Express. I watched a youtube video the other day of a fella travelling in a first class sleeper compartment and it was a long way away from my definition of plush!
 
Rocky said:
I was aiming for very plush tbh. I've travelled to India for work before so I'm not too worried but I think the Mrs has visions of the Orient Express. I watched a youtube video the other day of a fella travelling in a first class sleeper compartment and it was a long way away from my definition of plush!
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All about expectations vs reality. Is your Mrs prepared to get less than first class (as she knows it) service. Roughing it seems to be what most people who've done similar enjoy.
 
Bangkokhibby said:
All about expectations vs reality. Is your Mrs prepared to get less than first class (as she knows it) service. Roughing it seems to be what most people who've done similar enjoy.
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She'd be fine with clean and basic, the main issues with the youtube video I watched was a) even in first class you're in a 4 berth cabin and she defo wouldn't want to share with other folk and b) the bogs looked pretty minging. I guess you can get round the first one by booking 4 tickets.

I got the shits quite spectacularly last time I was in India and it lasted for 3 months after I got home, so I'm conscious of that too. Spending a 7 hour layover sat on the can in Dubai airport is one thing, doing it on a squat bog shared by a whole carriage is another.

We'd probably do it as an organised tour anyway, so I guess you'd know exactly what you're getting.
 
Rocky said:
She'd be fine with clean and basic, the main issues with the youtube video I watched was a) even in first class you're in a 4 berth cabin and she defo wouldn't want to share with other folk and b) the bogs looked pretty minging. I guess you can get round the first one by booking 4 tickets.

I got the shits quite spectacularly last time I was in India and it lasted for 3 months after I got home, so I'm conscious of that too. Spending a 7 hour layover sat on the can in Dubai airport is one thing, doing it on a squat bog shared by a whole carriage is another.

We'd probably do it as an organised tour anyway, so I guess you'd know exactly what you're getting.
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Haha reminds me of a train I was on between Marrakech and Casablanca. The at first normal looking toilet pan had a hole bashed out the bottom and was screwed to the floor above a hole in the floor. You could see the tracks rushing past below 😮
Anyway hope you do it and your Mrs enjoys the experience. 🙏
 
Rocky said:
She'd be fine with clean and basic, the main issues with the youtube video I watched was a) even in first class you're in a 4 berth cabin and she defo wouldn't want to share with other folk and b) the bogs looked pretty minging. I guess you can get round the first one by booking 4 tickets.

I got the shits quite spectacularly last time I was in India and it lasted for 3 months after I got home, so I'm conscious of that too. Spending a 7 hour layover sat on the can in Dubai airport is one thing, doing it on a squat bog shared by a whole carriage is another.

We'd probably do it as an organised tour anyway, so I guess you'd know exactly what you're getting.
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Flying scotsman it is then 🤪
 
Rocky said:
Has anybody travelled India by train? Me and the Mrs are thinking of doing one of those tours that takes you to the Taj Mahal and whatnot, just wondered if anybody had any experience of them and any suggestions on the best way to do it.
Click to expand...
I have been to India over 100 times though not in the last five years and travelled all over. I did a few first class train journeys including the train to the Taj.

It’s really very very basic at first class level and very few middle class or rich would travel by train back then. you wouldn’t want to eat the food as it’s street food and it’s fairly certain that you would get a dodgy belly. Even a salad is dangerous as they don’t wash it in bottled water.

India is a fabulous place to go and air travel is very reasonable as are high quality hotels …it’s easy to hope over to the Maldives.

Drop me a pm and happy to give you some tips. I have a few companies over there and as I said it’s a fabulous visit.
 
Global Hibby said:
I have been to India over 100 times though not in the last five years and travelled all over. I did a few first class train journeys including the train to the Taj.

It’s really very very basic at first class level and very few middle class or rich would travel by train back then. you wouldn’t want to eat the food as it’s street food and it’s fairly certain that you would get a dodgy belly. Even a salad is dangerous as they don’t wash it in bottled water.

India is a fabulous place to go and air travel is very reasonable as are high quality hotels …it’s easy to hope over to the Maldives.

Drop me a pm and happy to give you some tips. I have a few companies over there and as I said it’s a fabulous visit.
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Appreciate that, will do
 
Rocky said:
She'd be fine with clean and basic, the main issues with the youtube video I watched was a) even in first class you're in a 4 berth cabin and she defo wouldn't want to share with other folk and b) the bogs looked pretty minging. I guess you can get round the first one by booking 4 tickets.

I got the shits quite spectacularly last time I was in India and it lasted for 3 months after I got home, so I'm conscious of that too. Spending a 7 hour layover sat on the can in Dubai airport is one thing, doing it on a squat bog shared by a whole carriage is another.

We'd probably do it as an organised tour anyway, so I guess you'd know exactly what you're getting.
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Shopping channel on TV is doing a special deal on incontinence pants tonight if that helps you decide.
 
Rocky said:
Thanks but those shits would have given me third degree burns if held captive in waterproof kecks.
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I think we could have a massive new thread on lavatorial experiences home and abroad and also incorporate our childhood horrors of outside shared bogs!
 
I met a retired Welsh couple while we were on holiday in Turkey. Quite a nice couple with a decent sense of humour and outlook on life.

Discussing holidays they had taken a 3 or 4 day train excursion as part of a cruise itinerary. I'd imagine the standard would be high.

They're never doing that again! The wife in particular was shocked at the level of poverty so much so she was in tears just talking about it years later. There were others things they hated but that was the thing that I've remembered.
 
Jack said:
I met a retired Welsh couple while we were on holiday in Turkey. Quite a nice couple with a decent sense of humour and outlook on life.

Discussing holidays they had taken a 3 or 4 day train excursion as part of a cruise itinerary. I'd imagine the standard would be high.

They're never doing that again! The wife in particular was shocked at the level of poverty so much so she was in tears just talking about it years later. There were others things they hated but that was the thing that I've remembered.
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Different country but my wife and I were on safari holiday in Kenya some 20 or so years ago. The cop on duty at the airport entrance had to be given a pound from each person entering or leaving the airport. The kalashnikov he was holding deterred any dissent. Apart from the safari period, we were in a compound of sorts containing three hotels. We only ventured outside a few times as we had been warned about extremely aggressive beggars. When we ventured to a nearby small area with shops and touristy stuff we saw the beggars, one leg or no arms, elephantitus limbs, eye problems, cleft palettes, home made crutches etc. My wife was in tears and gave away half our spending money. The guy who looked after our accommodation (Daniel) was a single 19 year old earning around £11 per month. He shared a house (sic) with a married couple and their two kids, which was really just a corrugated metal shed, a one room structure, no electric, no water (just a stand pipe 100 yards away). He was not eligible for this luxurious house until he married and started a family. We gave him a few quid when we left and I tried to give him some clothing but he said all staff were searched as they left and any gifts disappeared via the manager's office. At the time he could have earned around £50 a week in London doing hotel work, with room and board. Before we left took his details and filled in some forms and paid £20 which sponsored his migration to London. We lost touch so not sure how he's doing now.

I never intentionally visit countries with poverty on this level as I just feel too guilty to enjoy myself.
 
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