Question about India

[TotallyOz]

I have to go to Prune, India and could not get the flight the way I wanted so I fly into Delhi. I can then, take another airline or the train. What would you do?

[Guest thaiworthy]

I've never been to India, so can't advise you specifically. But if I were faced with the same situation and had never been there, I'd take the most comfortable and convenient way to travel: take another airline. You won't have to leave the airport. But that's just what I would do, if I had to go to India, which I can't imagine why I would-- since it doesn't interest me.

 

You could see a little of the countryside and learn a little about the people by train, but that is based on personal taste. Easpecially since it sounds as if you are using the train as a means of transit only to get to Dehli.

 

If you enjoy being pampered by flying first class on planes, I don't know if train travel would suit you necessarily. However, if you are feeling adventurous, then this site might just prove me wrong:

 

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best way to see India is not on a plane at 35,000 feet, but at ground level on the incredible Indian railway system. In fact, no visit to India is complete without experiencing the bustle of Indian railway stations and a safe & comfortable journey on an Indian express train with the tea seller's welcome cry of 'Chai, chai, garam chai' coming down the aisle. You can safely forget media images of overcrowded suburban trains with people sitting on the roof. On a long distance express in an AC Chair car or an AC1 or AC2 sleeper, all seats and berths are reserved and it’s a safe, civilised, cheap & comfortable way to get around India. Even long distances such as Bombay to Delhi, Delhi to Varanasi or Delhi to Udaipur can be covered more time-effectively than flying, using overnight AC Sleeper trains, city centre to city centre, saving a hotel bill into the bargain.

 

http://www.seat61.com/India.htm

[Guest]

I've never been to India, but that's going to be a very long train journey. I would want to sample a shorter Indian rail trip before even contemplating one that long. Presumably you could not get flights direct to Bombay?

[Guest fountainhall]

I have to go to Prune, India

 

Indian cities have some fascinating names, but being called after a dried fruit is a new one on me! I think you mean Pune

 

It’s more than 20 years since I was in India, and so I am not best placed to advise. But I’m surprised you are flying into Delhi when Pune is a mere stone’s throw from Mumbai, which is easily accessible from Bangkok? It’s a very long 1,000 mile train ride from from Delhi. Whilst parts of the trip might be fun, I cannot believe you’d enjoy most of it.

 

If there’s a non-stop flight from Delhi, unhesitatingly I’d take it.

 

Alternatively, if you have a few days to spare (and I hope you do), stop-over in Rajasthan and see some of its extraordinary, amazing sights. First, though, there’s Agra and the Taj Mahal which can be done by road or train from Delhi. You HAVE to see it if you are close to Delhi! From Agra, hop on a short flight to Jaipur. Try and stay in the Rambagh Palace Hotel, the home of the former Maharaja. See the sights (including the Pink Palace). Another quick flight and stay at the Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur – another former princely residence. See its sights, and only then pop down to Pune.

[pong]

also assuming you may mean Poona? Puna?. Thats MUCH closer by to Bumbay=now Mumbai, which has several direct flights ex BKK (JET and Indigo or iNDIAN).

Mumbai-Poona is by hourly bus or fast train (by Indian stdd)-about 4-5 hrs.

For general info re most/nearly all trainsystems in this world-with links to schedules& al that and pix of how sleepers look like: seat61.com. This site is however VERY pro-train and omits any negative that also can often be said about those iron roosters. Will also explain how to book online-if that is possible at all.

for low-budget flight links (I guess Poona will have its own tiny airstrip): whichbudget.com. or general sites like skyscanner or skytrax. or amadeus.net (do NOT use the booking option-find teh timetables per week) to check just what links there are.

Might be prudent to consult a doctor to see if more is needed ro innoculations etc. as just going to TH, certaily if this is your 1st time going there. And you DO need a visum-taking a very burocratic processing with 4-5 days to issue.

and a final warning re DEL: it does have a brand new INTernational airport-now even with a railink to its metro, but it still is often fog-bound in the right season, leading to eternal delays and reroutings.

[Guest fountainhall]

also assuming you may mean Poona? Puna?

 

Pune is the new name for Poona.

[Guest]

There have been one or two TV documentaries on Indian railways. These are fascinating to watch, but the trains don't look particularly pleasant.