Safe, ridiculously inexpensive and often faster than road (thanks to India’s insane traffic), train is one of best ways to explore India. I have travelled throughout the country on trains as a solo female traveller and I have had more great experiences than I can possibly count. So here are my tips for riding India’s rails…..
Book as early as possible: Trains in India fill up very quickly and although there is a quota for foreign travellers, the tickets are often much higher than the normal prices. To start, you will need to set up an account on the IRCTC website . Depending on how the Indian government feels at the time, you may or may not need to have an Indian phone number to verify your account and an Indian credit card to purchase the ticket. Thankfully, you can get an Indian SIM card at international airports as soon as you arrive.
So Many Options: The IRCTC website does not make it easy to figure out which trains actually have seats available. You need to click into each option to see if it is sold out including different classes. One thing that is great about the IRCTC website though is that it shows you what your chances are of getting wait-list tickets and you can book last minute tickets (otherwise known as Tatkal). Here is a link to a detailed step-by-step guide to train booking.
Safety tip: After spending many, many hours on Indian trains, I highly recommend booking AC 2 Tier on night trains and choosing the side upper berth (you can choose which berth you prefer when entering your personal details when making the booking.). The side berths each have individual curtains that you can close which gives you the most privacy possible. I usually close the curtain shortly after getting on to try and remain as invisible as possible. Although I have found trains to be very safe and usually full of families, I don’t want to advertise that I am a foreign woman travelling alone.
For daytime trains, this isn’t really necessary. For high-speed trains, I normally just book the cheapest ticket. All of the seats are comfortable with decent leg space and good food options.
Before You Go: There are a number of apps that you can download that will show you the train status (ie delays) and more importantly, which track it is pulling into. While larger train stations may or may not have boards above each train track telling you the next train departure, it is not always easy to figure out where your train is actually leaving from. I like to use the app called Indian Railway. I usually try and arrive at the train station around 30 minutes before my train leaves to make sure that I can actually find the right track. True Story: I once had to chase a train down the platform and bang on the doors to be let in because I couldn’t figure out which platform to go to. I managed to get into the general carriage and had to sit next to the toilets for an hour until the next train stop before I could get into my correct train car.
What to Bring: Besides my backpack, I always try and bring a pair of flip flops for late night bathroom trips, and snacks in case I get hungry. I get on the train wearing comfy pants and have anything that I think I may need at night in my purse to save myself from getting into my backpack. This includes my laptop, glasses & contact stuff, toothbrush and toothpaste and toilet paper or napkins. I always keep all of my valuables with me and sleep with them either behind my head or near my legs.
Toilets: This is an important topic, especially in India. However, no need to be worried. All Indian trains have bathrooms that are kept relatively clean and tidy. There are even Western toilets. If you see only squat toilets in your train car, simply walk through the doors to the next one and check if there is a Western toilet. You will probably be pleasantly surprised by how nice it is!
So there you have it! An easy-peasy guide to train travel. Now what are you waiting for? Get on that train and start exploring one of the world’s most dynamic and unique countries!
