A Traveller's Guide to India - Train Travel in the Land of the Rajahs
The swirl of brightly coloured saris, the smell of spices frying in the evening air and the sound of a city on the point of bursting into life somewhere beyond sight; India is a sensation.
See India by train and travel through a land of mystery, spirituality and elegance. India is a country on the cusp of change. In Delhi you can walk through a tropical London with cappuccino swilling businessmen carrying laptops on every street corner and yet in the royal cities of Rajasthan you can mount an elephants' howdah and forget about the modern world.
Indian Trains
In India train travel is approached the same way as everything else - with vigour. In true Indian style there are eight classes of travel on regular trains and a further ninth class of luxury hotel trains. Indian Railways is the world's fourth largest employer with approximately 1.5 million staff transporting 20 million passengers a day.
As one of the most important means of transport in India train travel is regulated by the Indian Government but unlike some national rail services it functions extremely well.
A Culture of Cultures
In India train travel has not only been vital in the free flow of ideas but also in the movement of the population. In a country with three times the population of the USA this has also lead to a vibrant multiculturalism that is without parallel.
India by Train Travel - Eating Out
One of the factors which most surprises our customers when crossing India by train travel is the range of cuisines available. In the UK there is a general misapprehension that Indian food is based around curries which are served with naan bread and rice. While naan breads are often served in restaurants in the north of India the same cannot be said in the south.
"While some countries content themselves with what they have, India always seems ready to find room for more; more flavours, more choice and more opportunities to try something new."
India by Train Travel - Travelling Experience
In India the train has certain advantages that make it the most viable way to travel. As India is such a vast country it is almost inevitable that any tour of the country involves journeys over long distances. Overnight rail travel in luxury sleeper trains allows guests to make the most of the daylight hours and to be able to relax when travelling. In what other mode of transport can you start your journey with light conversation in the bar and a pleasant anticipation of an excellent meal to come?
India by Train Travel - Etiquette
"The support of your Tour Manager is one of the most comforting parts of crossing India by train. "
Your Tour Manager is a competent and capable traveller who has been specially selected based on their skills; exactly the type of reassuring person you want in your party as you journey through a foreign country.
01904 521 936
Seeing India by Train Travel
If you would like to see India by train or travel through the subcontinent with Great Rail Journeys then please order a brochure using the link on the right hand side of this page.