[MikeD]

Hi - I was planning our first train trip in AC class (Mumbai - Varanasi probably, or perhaps Jhansi / Khajuraho) - early October.

I'm finding the ideally timed trains are full (wait list) in AC - but have spaces in Sleeper.

If the wait list is 1 or 2 - is it worth me keep checking (every few hours) to see if spaces become available?

Also - we thought AC would be a good introduction to Indian Railways but this seems to be restricting us. Weare fairly used to 'roughing it' and from what I read Sleeper doesn't seem that different - except that you can see out!. Does anyone have recent experience re Sleeper class. There are 2 of us travelling (couple) so one can keep an eye on the bags if the other is taking a wander / loo visit.

Cheers

[malkers]

If waitlist is only showing one or two then I would go ahead and book it as you'd be almost guaranteed a seat, if you sit and watch it then others will be in front of you.

Given the choice I'd only travel 2ac, 3ac is ok but less room to move and less room for storage.  Whilst I wouldn't have any qualms about 'roughing it' in sleeper class I'd be a bit worried about my own security if I was carrying valuables, plus you get all the beggars, glue sniffers and lady boys hassling you more each time you stop, this can happen in the nicer carriages but not as much.

[MikeD]

Thanks - I have tried to book but it says

"Wait Listed ticket reservation is not permitted on your e-ticket .
If you wish to book a waitlisted ticket please replan the same journey for i-ticket. "

So I guess I can't book if wait listed - I'm try to book from the UK (e ticket)

Or perhaps I haven't understood things

Mike

[cyberhippie]

With a waiting list for 1-2 you have a great chance of getting a berth, however the only way to get on the waiting list is to book a ticket.
Unfortunately, you cannot get on the so called waiting list by buying a waiting listed ticket online, at least not easily.
There are two types of ticket you can buy online an I ticket, which means the ticket/reservation has to be deliver to an India address. With this system you can buy a waiting listed ticket, BUT you need a delivery address in India (Mumbai) which makes stuff a little more complicated.

An E ticket is one you print yourself, easy isn't it BUT this particular booking doesn't allow you to book a ticket on the waiting list, it only allows you to book where there is availability.

Catch 22 huh.

Well it get's more complicated, many trains have what is known as a tourist quota (you've probably already read about it) great but the online booking system doesn't allow you to book on this quota so..............

It may have to be sleeper class my friend if you want to go directly to Varanasi, the only other idea, is to do a search for trains between Mumbai and Jhansi (there are loads more trains passing through this major junction) and take it from there!!
Or search for trains to Mughal Serai, a mainline staion 20 KM's from Varanasi

Of course you could take the risk of booking when you get there, via the Taktal quota, where  by some berths are held back until 5 days before the train departs but it's a big risk!!

Hope that helps

Happy Traveling

[MikeD]

Cheers - as someone has said before I think - booking trains is good training for travelling in India!

[cyberhippie]

Just a though Mike, do you have a hotel booked in Mumbai, if so it's possible to have the ticket sent there, get the full address and the name of a contact person, enter said address on the online booking form where it say delivery address and you're away. This is a tried and trusted method many before you have done it.

This enables you to book an I ticket and get on the waiting list!

Cheers!

[cyberhippie]

Shameless plug for my website but it might help you out with trains!

Gone India Trans

[jen kalb]

cyberhippie, on Sep 11 2007, 01:49 PM, said:

Shameless plug for my website but it might help you out with trains!

Gone India Trans

Here's a question - how does i-ticket delivery of WL tickets work?
Are they delivered immediately when issued or only later when they reach confirmed status?

anybody know?

[jyotirmoy]

jen kalb, on Sep 15 2007, 11:39 PM, said:

Here's a question - how does i-ticket delivery of WL tickets work?
Are they delivered immediately when issued or only later when they reach confirmed status?

anybody know?

The i-ticket is posted to the address you had mentioned while booking. They don't wait for confirmation. Please note that tickets are not posted to foreign addresses. In case you want to cancel it you have to go to one of the computerised rail booking centres. The only difference between booking tickets from the booking centres is that you do that from home and the paper ticket is delivered by post.
Hope this helps. Any further querry please feel free to ask.
Good luck & happy travelling.

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

The i-ticket is posted to the address you had mentioned while booking. They don't wait for confirmation

i guess it would be good to let the hotel know, and find out how you retrieve them when you arrive, but i'm sure you wouldn't be the first to have tickets sent to your hotel before you arrived.

just as a matter of interest, how long is the mumbai-varanasi trip?

[jyotirmoy]

5017 Exp departs from Mumbai daily at 6:35 AM and reaches Varanasi at 12:30 PM next day. That is 30 hours.
2165 Exp leaves Mumbai on Mon, Th & Saturdays at 5:20 AM and reaches Varanasi at 8:10 AM next day that is after 27 hours.

[wanderingkat]

I've done nearly all my train trips on 2 non-AC (alone), and never had too much hassle (tho maybe on the Varanasi route the hassle factor is higher?).  As far as overheating is concerned, I never found it much problem, esp at night and esp as the train's moving most of the time, improving air circulation (and there are fans on the ceiling). The few AC trips i've done were definitely a little more comfortable, but if you're used to roughing it, and there will be two of you to watch luggage, then I reckon you should be fine on non-AC.

[jen kalb]

thanks, that's exactly what I needed to hear!

At what point, when on WL, does one start seriously worrying and making alternative arrangements?

[jyoti]

How long of a trip is it? Sleeper class is fine for shorter trips or overnight, but the racket from the open windows makes conversation difficult, and it gets really cold at night if you're in the mountains, and you also have to carry your own blankets or sheets depending on how cold it is, so that means buying more when you get here or carrying more with you. (and really hot if you're where it's still hot).   Where are you traveling? Some places in October will be quite cool, meaning even colder at night on a moving train with open windows.  

3 tier AC is the same as sleeper class except slightly thicker bunks, they bring you blankets and pillows, and it's "sealed" with appropriate AC AND heating depending on the season. So it's quieter and less dusty.

WL: I've been told that when the wait list gets over 50, that's when to worry. As cyberhippie said, you can order the i-tickets if you have an address to deliver to. Maybe a hotel you've already booked with? Or a friend or contact who can hold them and you can pick them up, or send them to you? There's also tourist quota which usually doesn't fill quickly, either, but you have to go to an actual station with your passport, so it doesn't work well for advance unless you're in country. It means possibly getting a seat when you're late booking, tho.