Train Travel in India: 21 Hacks by a Local

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Train travel in India is one of the most memorable experiences you can have. Hence, when you are exploring India you would want to focus on using the train services to move between cities. The Indian Railways is one of the largest and most intricate railway networks in the world and using it can help you enjoy some memorable moments.

However, you need to keep in mind that it carries over 23 million passengers daily. This is equivalent to the entire population of Australia. Hence, the situation can get overwhelming if you are unsure how to handle it.

While you certainly can make use of flights to move around the country, train travel in India can be an enriching experience. Not only do you get to meet fellow passengers and interact with them, but you also get to enjoy countryside views that are hard to enjoy from up above.

Hence, travel by Indian Railways is one of the unique travel experiences in India you must try. However, before you get excited here are 21 hacks that can help you in many ways to make your travel by train in India easier and memorable.

1. Know Your Railway Stations

Even before you decide to travel by train in India you need to focus on how you want to plan it. This can make a huge difference because you have to remember that millions of people will be travelling at the same time and day. Planning your trip will only make things a lot easier and smoother for you.

Pro Tip: Always be clear about what railway station you want to board and alight the train. Not all trains stop at all stations. Knowing where you want to board and where you want to alight helps you to move on to the next step.

2. Narrow Down the List of Trains

Once you have clarity on what railway stations you want to board from and alight at you need to narrow down the list of trains. For this, you can head to IRCTC’s official website and type in the railway station names, select the journey date and hit Search.

This will give you a list of trains you can choose from on that particular date along with other details. You can then decide which one fits your schedule the best.

Pro Tip: Always narrow down at least 2-3 trains, if available. If the seats are unavailable in your most preferred choice of train you can look for the availability of seats in the second one.

3. Look for Alternate Nearest Railway Stations

If you are unable to secure seats for the railway station you want to alight at, look for the nearest railway station to that one. This allows you to reach closer to your destination and then cover the rest of the distance via a cab.

Pro Tip: If you are travelling from New Delhi to Mumbai, you would usually want to alight at Mumbai Central Railway Station. However, if tickets are unavailable for that train you can look for an alternate train that can get you to other railway stations in Mumbai like Dadar or Borivali. This would allow you to be in Mumbai and then cover the rest of the distance via local train or cab.

4. Choose Dates and Time Wisely

Choosing a date for train travel in India can be challenging. If you are flexible with your travel plan look out for days when more tickets are available. This generally means that fewer people are travelling on that day.

Pro Tip: Avoid weekends and festival dates as most people tend to travel around that time. Also, do keep track of various social and political events, if you’re in or going to the city where it is taking place.

5. Book in Advance:

India is the most populous country in the world. Hence, it is likely that Indian trains can fill up quickly, especially during holidays and festivals. If you plan to travel by train in India you need to book a train ticket in advance to help you get a seat. For this, you can make use of the IRCTC website or app. With the IRCTC Next Generation eTicketing system, you can reserve train tickets instantly.

However, if you are not internet savvy you can always head to the nearest major railway station and find a booking window. You can always find the Station Master’s office and enquire about the inter-city train booking office if you’re unable to find one.

Pro Tip:  Inter-city train booking offices are usually crowded during morning hours and weekends. Plan to visit them during early afternoon hours and on weekdays if possible.

6. Choose the Right Class:

Indian trains are further divided into classes. Hence, you must have information and clarity on the various classes that these trains offer. When you are planning to book a train ticket you must be aware of various classes available.

Knowing some information about various classes would help you make the right choices.

Let’s take a quick look at these classes and how you should choose them

General Class (Unreserved):  As mentioned, there is no reservation required for this category. You can buy a train ticket and hop on in this class. These coaches have wooden benches not ideal for long-distance travel.

Second Seating (2S): Second-seating coaches require reservation tickets and have bench-style seats. There is no air-conditioning but ample fans are provided.

Pro Tip: These coaches are ideal for short trips that last 4-5 hours.

Sleeper Class (SL): Sleeper class is the cheapest option for overnight trains in India. Most poor citizens prefer to opt for sleeper-class coaches. The coaches can be noisy, crowded and dirty. Hence, not an ideal option for those doing train travel in India for the first time.

Three-Tier AC (3AC): This is just an air-conditioned version of the Sleeper Class. However, in this one, the bedding and towels are provided.

Two-Tier AC (2AC): Most middle-class Indians prefer 2AC because there is more space between berths and curtains for privacy. Bedding and towels are provided as in 3AC.

Pro Tip: This class is ideal for overnight journeys that can take at least 12 hours or more.

First Class AC (1AC): With lockable doors, wider beds and better and cleaner bathrooms and toilets, First Class AC carriages are ideal for long-distance travel.

Pro Tip: This is ideal for long-distance travel that exceeds more than 20 hours.

Air Conditioned Chair Car (CC): These coaches are available on short-distance trains between major cities. These coaches have a 3-2 seating arrangement where there are three seats on one side of the aisle and 2 on the other.

Pro Tip: This coach is ideal for 6-7 hours journey.

Executive Air Conditioned Class (1A): If you are opting for a Shatabdi Express and Duronto Express category train you will find this class in the option. These are premium super fast intercity trains with coaches that have two seats on each side of the aisle.

Pro Tip: This class is ideal for a 7-8 hour journey with comfort and convenience.

7. Understand the Berth System:

Be familiar with the seat/berth arrangement in your coach. Sleeper classes have upper, middle, and lower berths. AC classes have more privacy and space.

Pro Tip: While booking a train ticket pregnant women, senior citizens and women aged 45 and above can request for a lower berth.

8. Keep a Copy of Your Ticket

If you are travelling via a train in India for the first time things can get hectic. Hence, it is advisable to always carry a printed or digital copy of your train ticket and a valid ID proof. Both are mandatory during travel.

Pro Tip: Even if your ticket is not confirmed you can still get a seat if your waitlist number is not high. You can always ask the ticket checking personnel to assist you with finding vacant seats.

9. Arrive Early at the Station

Train stations in India are long, crowded and noisy which can lead to a lot of confusion. Some of the old railway stations in India have more than 10 platforms. Hence, it is ideal that you arrive at the railway station early to help you find your train and coach and settle in comfortably.

Pro Tip: In case, you’re late and have just few minutes to aboard, get on the train first. You can then walk from one coach to another and find your coach and seat.

10. Stay Aware and Informed

Right from the moment you arrive at the station, you need to be aware and informed about what’s going on. Platforms for trains can change at the last minute. This can lead to rushing at the last moment. Listen to announcements or ask station staff for the latest information.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious of pickpockets and scammers especially major railway stations where it’s crowded.

11. Always Carry Essentials

When you are travelling by train in India you need to carry essentials that will make your journey easy. Hence, make sure you have bottled water, light snacks, a portable charger, hand sanitiser, wet and regular tissues, and medicines (if you need them).

Pro Tip: Staying hydrated is essential when travelling by train in India. Here are some ways to stay hydrated when travelling in India.

12. Pack Light and Wisely

This varies from person to person, but packing light makes the train journey easier and better. However, if you are heading for a long trip you would want to pack more clothes. Divide them into multiple bags to help them move around with ease.

Pro Tip: Always secure your luggage under the seat with locks for an additional layer of safety.

13. Buy Food Wisely

When you are travelling in India by train food is never in shortage. You will find vendors at various railway stations where your train halts. Some vendors hop on the train and they will pass by your seat selling whatever tea, coffee, and snacks they have.

While these snacks can be tasty they might not be hygienic. If you are not used to such meals, you can order local snacks from licensed Indian Railway vendors. You may also pre-order meals through the IRCTC app or website.

Pro Tip: Pack in some homemade sandwiches, salad bowls, granola bars, chips, cookies and fruits like bananas and apples.

14. Dress for Comfort

If you are heading for a train journey that will take at least 4 hours or more you would want to focus on comfort dressing. This is especially important when you are travelling in overnight trains in India. Also, when you’ve got an upper berth you will have to climb up and down so keep that in mind when choosing clothes to wear.

Pro Tip: Layering is a good idea. If you are on the upper berth you will experience more cold from air conditioning ventilation. During the day hours, you might not experience the same chilly temperatures. Hence, layering can help you adjust to the situation.

15. Be Prepared for Delays

While this is usually not the case, when you are travelling by train in India you need to be mentally prepared for delays. Train delays are common in India due to weather, technical issues, or congestion. Hence, plan your travel with some buffer time for delays.

16. Focus on the Alight Time

When you are travelling via train in India you would want to focus on the time you alight at your destination station. This is essential because you want to ensure that you don’t find yourself stranded at a railway station in the wee hours of the night unless you have someone to pick you up from the station.

Pro Tip: Always take the overnight train if your travel duration is more than 12 hours. This way you will reach your destination in the afternoon or evening hours.

17. Always Carry a Portable Charger

While you will find charging points on the train near your seat, likely, that it is generally busy. Carrying a portable phone charger will help you keep your phone charged throughout the journey to help you stay connected.

Pro Tip: Charging your mobile phones and laptops on trains is restricted from 23:00 to 05:00. Having your portable charger allows you to charge your phone when you board a late-night train.

18. Carry Cash in Smaller Denominations

If you are going to order food and snacks from licensed vendors or regular platform vendors you will need to keep change ready. Hence, you must keep cash in smaller denominations like Rs. 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.

Pro Tip: Always keep a separate handy pouch/wallet for smaller cash denominations, especially if you’re carrying more cash.

19. Use Toilets Intelligently

Most coaches have toilets on both ends which means whatever coach you are in there are toilets on both sides. However, if both these toilets are occupied you can walk to other coaches and use them instead.

Pro Tip: If you are boarding an overnight train in India, wake up a bit early and use the toilet before most passengers wake up. This allows you to avoid long queues and also use the toilet in a better condition.

20. Follow Protocols When Travelling with a Pet

In most cases, it is ideal to book first-class AC cabins or coupes where you can be with your pet. However, you can also carry them in pet boxes in second-class luggage or a brake van. Following the IRCTC guidelines would be important to avoid any inconvenience.

21. Be Considerate, Open and Kind

When you are travelling in India by train you would want to be considerate and open. You will meet people on a train and they likely interact with you. If you’re chatty you can enjoy the conversations, if not, you can keep your conversations short and polite. At night, keep your noise levels down and share seating space, if required.

Final Thoughts

Travelling by train in India can be an incredible experience, offering insights into the country’s culture and landscape. There are plenty of reasons why you should travel by train in India. However, it is also essential that you know how you can use this extensive network to your benefit.

With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the Indian railway system and make the most of your train travel in India.