[evosy1978]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone new generally what time the night train from Goa to mumbia is.  Our plane from mumbia to the uk is 6.30am.

thanks

[jyotirmoy]

You should take 0104 Mandovi Exp. which departs Madgaon at 10 AM and reach Mumbai at 9:45 PM.
Incase you are travelling on a Tuesday you can take 2449 Goa SMPRK K Exp. which departs Madgaon at 11:20 AM and reach Mumbai at 9:08 PM.

The overnight train from Goa reaches Mumbai at 5:50 AM.

[-m2-]

I'm in a similar situation with a 5am flight and have ticketed the 2052 Jan Shatabdi (a/c day car) which departs Thivim at 1502 arriving at Dadar at 2254.  (this train is daily except wednesday, and originates at Margao at 1420)

The night train, 0112 Konkan Konya Express, does not arrive until 0550 so unfortunately is no good for making your flight even if it was on time.

[iwanttogoback]

m2, what do you plan on doing between the train arriving and the plane departing?

[jyotirmoy]

Assuming the outgoing flight from Mumbai to be international one should report at 3:30 AM. So if your train arrives around 11 PM you have 4 hours. Keep one hour for coming out of the station and a taxi ride to the airport you have only 3 hours. So it is better I think to leasurely reach airport from the station.

[iwanttogoback]

sounds reasonable! are there decent facilities at mumbai airport? like a good coffee shop?

[-m2-]

jyotirmoy, on Feb 16 2008, 04:33 AM, said:

Assuming the outgoing flight from Mumbai to be international one should report at 3:30 AM. So if your train arrives around 11 PM you have 4 hours. Keep one hour for coming out of the station and a taxi ride to the airport you have only 3 hours. So it is better I think to leasurely reach airport from the station.

That's about how I see it and it allows for the train to be a couple of hours behind schedule as well.  



As for facilities at the airport; not sure if the overpriced restaurant will be open but there are comfy lounge chairs as well as tea/coffee vendors in the departure area after you check in.

[evosy1978]

Hello folks thanks for the info.

I have some further questions.

1 Can you book train tickets through an agent/agency? (or is it easy enough to do yourself on line)  

2 How long in advance can you book your tickets.? (because our holiday is next december and january!)

3 Arriving at mumbia for 22.54 sounds ok. Is there sometimes a delay with this train service.  ( a delay being benificial for us)  

4 Is taxi the best way from the station to the airport.  Or is it walking distance.?

5 Is it ok and safe to spend a few hours at night at the airport?

6 In the other direction our flight arrives at Mumbai for 5.30am.  How long should I allow for getting to the train station?  (say about 8/9am train to Goa)  


Thanks for any answers would be very helfull.

[noflylist]

1. Yes but easy online.
2. 60 days.
3. Delay possible.
4. Two are far apart, taxi!
5. Yes, there are food stalls and chairs, take a book with you.
6. (If on time and documents OK and luggage is retrieved) 5:30 plane arrives, 6:30 customs cleared. Get prepaid taxi outside custom and get into taxi by 7:00, Train station by 8:00. Train after 9 sounds OK, if everything goes according to schedule.

[noflylist]

Just get an obligatory "Chai" on train station before boarding! (Couldn't resist!)

[cyberhippie]

The advance reservation for the trains is 90 days at the moment but as this is regarded as a political move, it may again change back to 60 days. Watch this space.

I have to ask though, why subject yourself to this punishing schedule, get picked up by your hotel of choice, get a sleep, see some of Mumbai, then train it down to Goa the next day. Rushing in India is conducive to a bad trip. You'll understand what I mean when you get there.

Also  the train leaving,  around 9am leave from Kalyan Junction which is quite a way from the International Airport here's the one I mean. Others can better advise exactly how long it would take to reach this station by taxi.

2618 MNGLA LKSDP EXP KYN 08.50 MAO 19.25  travel time 10.35

A better bet would be these train, which leaves from the closer Lokmanyatilak Terminus but the arrival times in Goa are less than ideal

6345 NETRAVATI EXP LTT 11.40 MAO 22.30 travel time 10.50

2619 MATSYAGANDHA EXP LTT 14.05 MAO 00.10 travel time 10.05

I would suggest if you are going to use the train option to spend the day in Mumbai, catch the morning train to Goa and see the magnificent Konkan Railway in all it's glory, after a sound nights sleep. this train is the most suitable and is the fastest way to reach Goa by rail. It leaves from Mumbai CST which is in downtown Mumbai and close to many hotels budget and otherwise.

Please note this train does not run on Wednesdays so plan accordingly.


2051 JAN SHATABDI EX AVL CSTM 05.10 MAO 13.55 travel time 08.45

Costs

Rs 680 in Chair Class (aircraft type seats)
Or
Rs 196 in ordinary 2nd class



I also recommend you book ahead, especially if you are arriving near the Christmas, New Year period. Trains for this section of the west coast, book up very fast and around the festive period can be booked up weeks ahead. if you are arriving near to this period I advise using the full advance reservation period, i.e. book 90 days ahead.

For more info on train times and departure point you can look at Erail which is a bit faster than the Indian Railways official site


Flights to Goa are also cheap enough if booked in advance here's some prices I fished from the net.
For more info on flight and booking online you can look at Make My Trip

Air Deccan
DN-603
Mumbai
Thu, 10 Apr
3:15 PM Goa
Thu, 10 Apr
4:15 PM NonStop
Duration:1h 0m

Rs.475 plus Rs 2035 tax

Spicejet
SG-259
Mumbai
Thu, 10 Apr
4:15 PM Goa
Thu, 10 Apr
5:15 PM NonStop
Duration:1h 0m

Rs.490 plus Rs 2035 tax

Hope that is of some help, feel free to ask any other questions that spring to mind

[noflylist]

Way to go to Kalyan is hard, regular taxi not allowed outside Mumbai city limit. Airport to Ghatkopar taxi (40 Min), Ghatkopar to Kalyan local train (1 hour). This is not the way to travel for just arrived status!

[evosy1978]

Ok - all very sound advice.

Basically we just want to get get to Goa asap.  Were only going to Mumbai because we want to book the flights now as there quite cheap. We dont want to risk waiting till next year to book a flight direct to Goa as they might be very expensive.

The other thing is Ive more or less booked the accomadtion in Goa and our first night is xmas night.

Im considering all options at the moment though.

The flights we want are with Kuwait airlines leaving heathrow xmas eve 10.30 and arriving Mumbai xmas day 5.10.  We would then have to wait till 13.00 for the first plane to Goa.  so we decided we might aswell get the morning train. As its a lot cheaper, and because everyone seems to recommend the journey being very scenery good.  

Mayby as you say getting a later train and arriving in Goa late at night would be an idea.

You mention the Konkan railways being very good -  are these two that you mentioned not Konkan railways???

                                                6345 NETRAVATI EXP LTT 11.40 MAO 22.30 travel time 10.50

                                                2619 MATSYAGANDHA EXP LTT 14.05 MAO 00.10 travel time 10.05


Is it only the          2051 JAN SHATABDI EX AVL CSTM 05.10 MAO 13.55 travel time 08.45    that is Konkan railway or am I getting confused.

Sorry for the questions but im enjoying researching and thinking about the advice your giving me.

[cyberhippie]

All the trains mentioned use the Konkan Railway to get to Goa. They just depart from different station in and around the city.

Ok so I see you want to get to Goa ASAP, I understand that but are you willing to spend10 plus hours on the train, after around 15 hours in getting to India Via Kuwait city??

The morning train will be a little rushed and only a hour or two delay on your flight could see you plans thrown into chaos. As others have noted Kalyan Junction is a good ways out of Mumbai.

Myself I would ho with the afternoon train just to be sure, remember if you miss your train for whatever reason, there's little or no chance of being able to book a train on or near Christmas day they will be booked out completely.
My first choice would be to fly a day earlier and book a hotel for the night and travel on morning train, Christmas day, to get there.

[evosy1978]

ok all good advice.

Were now thinking of reverting back to plan a ..   Just getting the 13.00 flight with jet lite.  

We know we will sleep some on the plane so we will be kind of ok when we get to mumbia.  Has anyone any ideas of what we could do for a few hours between 6.30am and about 11am then to the airport for the flight.  I was thinkin along the lines of a good breakfast and a drive round the city in a tuktuk???

Thanks again.

[noflylist]

no tiktuks in city proper allowed. Hire a taxi to around Gateway of India - walk eat people watch walk towards fort area, may be crawford market, go to airport in a taxi.