With
approximately 65,000 km of rail route and 7000 stations, the railway network
in India is the third biggest in the world after Russia and China. Indian
Railways are also the world's biggest employer, with over 1.6 million staff.
The trains link most towns and cities of India. Train travel within India is
a pleasant experience because a train journey is the best way to come across
the diverse landscape of India as the train snakes through plains and
valleys, forests and mountains, towns and villages.
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Types of Trains |
» The Palace On Wheels : is India's best
train in the luxury category that comes with 5-star amenities. The train
originates at Delhi Cantonment station and takes tourists on a tour to
Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal at Agra. The air-conditioned luxury train has 14
deluxe saloons with facilities like channel music, intercom, attached
toilets, running hot & cold water, shower and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Maharaja and Maharani are the two multi cuisine restaurants.
» The Royal Orient : is another exotic train that
takes tourists through the states of Gujrat and Rajasthan. There are 13
air-conditioned coaches and saloons fitted with all the modern amenities.
Every cabin is clean, comfortable and furnished tastefully. The cabins have
spacious baths with running hot and cold water. There are multi-cuisine
restaurants and a gorgeous bar- The Watering Hole. Even a well stocked
library is present in Royal Orient.
»
Fairy Queen : is another luxury category delight of Indian railways. The
train runs on steam from Delhi to Rajasthan's tiger reserve of Sariska. A
train with a capacity of 50 passengers, Fairy Queen is also fully furnished
with catering facilities.
» Deccan Odyssey : The newest entry to India's
luxury train segment is the train that takes tourists through the most
picturesque destinations of Maharashtra and Goa. A train with all modern
amenities, Deccan Odyssey has 13 fully air conditioned deluxe saloons, each
a combination of 4 twin bedded chambers with channel music, intercom, CD/MP3
player, attached toilets, running hot and cold water, shower, wall to wall
carpeting and other amenities. There is also a multi-cuisine restaurant and
well stocked bar.
» Completely Air-Conditioned Trains
The fully air conditioned trains in India are Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani
Express connecting various destinations of India with national capital
Delhi. These trains are the fastest trains in India. Both vegetarian and
non-vegetarian meals are served in the trains the cost of which is included
in the ticket fares itself.
» Super-fast Express & Express Trains
Express trains have both air conditioned and non air conditioned bogeys
covering two or more states. Pantry services are provided in Express trains
but the price of meals have to be paid separately.
» General and Local trains
General
Trains are slow moving trains which may also cover two or more states. These
generally cater to the requirements of common man. Local trains that run
within a state normally have sitting facilities only. However, to provide a
taste of luxury to local train travel, Jan Shatabdi Express trains were
introduced a few years back.
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Travel Classes |
The travel classes in Indian trains (other than Rajdhani, Shatabdi
and local trains ) are AC Ist Class, AC 2-Tier Sleeper, AC 3-Tier Sleeper,
First class, Sleeper class and General category. In Rajdhani and Shatabdi,
all travel classes are in the AC executive categories only. Reservation of
tickets can be done 60 days prior to the date of journey for hassle free
travel.Passengers are allowed to board an Indian train only when their
ticket status is confirmed or in RAC. RAC implies that the ticket is not
confirmed but allotment of seat shall be made on board the train against any
other cancellation of ticket.
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Facilities for
Foreign Tourists |
Specific
facilities have been extended to foreign tourists by Indian Railways.
Several important trains have a special quota for foreign tourists. This can
be availed on payment of US dollars or pound sterling. Special cells have
also been set up at major reservation centers to help foreign tourists plan
their itinerary and guide them in completing other formalities.An
International Tourist Bureau has been set up at New Delhi Railway Station to
provide personalized service and assistance to foreign tourists regarding
bookings, reservation, itinerary planning and other inquiries. It is worth
mentionable that ITB arranges for confirmed reservations for foreign tourist
through tourist quota in all classes of trains. ITB may also arrange
accommodation to foreign tourists on request.
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