Riding the train in India - India - TravBuddy

If you can't afford using a plane between places in India, and decide that you're taking the train, there's a few things you should be aware of.

- Make sure you've booked a ticket, and confirmed it. Not confirming it may have big consequences, like losing your seats.

- Only book a ticket on the higher classes. 1st or 2nd with A/C. 3rd class is okay, but a bit crowded. Never ever book Sleepers Class(!!).

- Prepare yourself. People stare. They stare alot. Most likely because tourists hardly ever use the train, and they're not used to seeing 'white people' traveling like this. Just try to ignore it. Although that's easier siad than done.

- Bring snacks of some kind, and try to stay away from the meals served on the train. It may cause some really bad stomach problems. (They're constantly selling water, coffee, chai and other stuff, though..) The dinner on board is usually okay, though. Not tasty.. but it fills you up a bit.

- You have two types of toilets on the train: Western style and Indian style. Trust me, and only use the western style. Don't forget to bring toilet paper!

- Don't expect anything to be clean. The toilets are horrible. But if you gotta go, you gotta go. And if you're stuck on the train for 36 hours, you really don't have a choice. Bring soap.

- There might be people (train staff) who's trying to get even more money out of you. Like saying you'll have to pay 200 rupees more if you want to keep your bags in this and that spot. Ignore them. Or talk to the manager.

- Bring entertainment. Books, iPod, diary.. whatever.. but something that keeps you busy. A 24 hour trip may take up to 30 or more. You never know, so be prepared.

- People opening the doors to lean out is just normal.

- Trash cans don't exist. You have to throw it out of the window.

- Keep an eye on your luggage. Most indians are honest people, but at the train stations a lot of beggars come on board, and you never know. Just keep an eye on it.

- Make sure someone tells you where to get off. It's not easy finding the right stop along the way.

Hopefully some of these advises will help you out. And maybe you're a bit more prepared than I were.