Did you know? Indian Railways carries over 23 million passengers daily, operating up to 19,000 trains. In the fiscal year 2023-24, it transported 6.905 billion passengers. (Source)
In recent times, we have seen a striking growth in Indian tourism, and internal tourists are the major chunk in this scenario.
But the thing that captivates the most voyagers is the railway network of India as it has seamless boundaries crossing varied destinations and landforms. Trains open new gateways of amazement, making it irresistible for people to ignore them
That’s why this blog post aims to provide complete information of this segment and provide valuable insights to the readers.
Let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
Mastering Indian train travel: Tips for foreigners
Ticket booking steps for beginners
Travel planning assistance roadmaps
Exploring different types of Indian trains
How to find the fastest train: Verdict to be noted
Learn How to Master Indian Train Travel for Foreign Visitors
I’m inclined to believe that you haven’t been to India or experienced India until you’ve taken an Indian Railways journey. This stunning country is best appreciated from the vantage of an overnight sleeper train, where you can witness the landscapes unfold and engage in conversation with new friends.
The ultimate way to savor India is to perch by the window with a cup of masala chai, observing the scenery transform before your eyes. Alternatively, you can stand at the train’s doorway in the early morning after a night of travel, soaking in the cool, refreshing breeze on your skin.
In India, train travel can be safe, efficient, and convenient, depending on the class you choose (more details below). Our number one way of getting around India. Here are some of the best train journeys we’ve done in India that you mustn’t miss!
The third largest employer on the planet, Indian Railways moves 25 million passengers every day and is the owner of the world’s longest railway platform. This is an experience you should not miss during your visit to India.
You will not regret the time and effort spent planning your Indian rail journeys. The railways remain India’s lifeline for many Indians who rely on them to travel around the country. You can understand the complexity of the ticketing system when you consider that 1.2 billion Indians depend on trains to travel around.
Intriguing Insights This infographic shows the year-wise growth of passenger growth in Indian railways.
Indian Railways Train Tickets: How to Book?
You can book Indian tickets using multiple ways. With several platforms now offering train ticket booking services online and offline, it’s easier than ever to plan your journey across the country.
Book Indian Train Tickets from Overseas
It has always been more difficult (and sometimes impossible) to book Indian train tickets within India.. Although one can face issues like unavailability of foreign quota, unacceptable credit cards, and many others, now, things have changed, and it’s easier than ever to get your Indian train tickets even before you set foot in India.
Plan Your Train Travel in India
The first step in planning a trip to India involves creating an approximate itinerary.
You shouldn’t have to book every hotel, but you should have an idea of where you want to travel and how much time you plan to spend in each location. You can then start looking at specific trains and dates.
Not only that, but you should book your Indian train journeys at least 3-4 months in advance, if possible, especially if holidays like Christmas, New Year, or Diwali are around. Some express trains do not run every day. Express trains only run on certain days, and some express trains only run on certain days. You may find the following information when researching trains.
You can see the trains that go from Varanasi to Delhi. They are listed by the days of the week (the letters represent the days), the duration, the classes, and the time. Check the internet for a variety of websites that offer information on train options between cities, such as redRail. It can be used for various features too, such as to track train live status and PNR Status.
Interesting facts Indian Railways has been expanding its network significantly, adding 31,180 km of track from 2014 to 2024. (Source)
Different Types of Trains in India
Know that there are different types of trains in India, even for long distances. Some trains travel twice as fast and stop at 20% of stations. Depending on which train you take, the time it takes to travel between two locations can vary. You may encounter several types of trains during your journeys to India.
Overnight Trains
Rajdhani Express
The Rolls-Royce (ok, maybe more like a Volkswagen) of Indian express trains. The fastest and most reliable express trains run between Delhi and the state capitals. These trains are a fast and comfy way to get from Delhi to Mumbai or Kolkata (and back). They get to go first on the tracks and come with meals. Rajdhani trains are air-conditioned, but don’t expect anything too fancy like red carpets or chandeliers. The interiors of these trains are the same as any other Indian Railways air-conditioned train. These are the most expensive trains.
Garib Rath
The Garib Rath, with its mustard yellow and olive green livery outside, is an air-conditioned express train for all economy class passengers. It was designed to be an affordable alternative to air-conditioned trains for people who couldn’t afford them. There are 1-2 trains per week and several routes. I will highly recommend taking this one for an unforgettable experience.
Duronto Express
Duronto is Bengali for non-stop, and this train was introduced in India in 2009 to be the first step in high-speed rail services. The trains were originally designed to run from point to point without any stops, but some now seem to make stops. This might be the best call for easing your long-distance travels.
SuperFast Express
For inter-city/town travel, this is the train type you will find. It can be all AC (referred to as AC SuperFast) or a combination of Sleeper and AC classes (SuperFast). These trains are fast and an excellent way to travel. Recommended.
Express
These formats are a step down from the SuperFast rails. Express trains stop at more stations. Trains of this type are generally fine and are often the only option on less frequent routes. However, they are more prone to delays than other categories.
Mail Trains/Passengers
The slowest requirements are more stops, takes longer, and is more prone to delays. This type of train should only be used if it is the only one available.
Daytime Trains
Tejas Express
India’s newest high-speed trains offer a (relatively new) addition to train travel. These are modern trains that have automatic closing doors and are air-conditioned. They also feature TVs on the back of Executive AC seats. This is a novelty when travelling by train in India. However, it’s not for those who enjoy sitting by a window or door. These trains have seats available despite the high price of tickets.
Shatabdi Express
These daytime express trains are only equipped with seats (all of the above trains include sleeper berths). They cover popular routes such as Delhi to Agra, Amritsar, and other cities. They are reliable trains that run on schedule. We highly recommend them. All AC.
Jan Shatabdi
It is the same as the Shatabdi trains but with the addition of a non-AC chair car class. It is a bit slower but less expensive than Shatabdi.
Local Trains
These are available in many formats, but they are mainly used for subdomain travel. They offer unreserved seats only and have “General” seating. Cities are often very crowded. These are not recommended unless you want to go the scenic route.
Research about the Fastest Trains for Your Route
People who are willing to travel quickly must look out for SuperFast trains, as many travelers prefer them. I have never had a problem getting a Rajdhani, but it costs about 30% more than the SuperFast.
Some trains are notorious for their lateness. It was not until I heard about a train that was 11 hours late (yes, you read it right) that I believed this.
Frequently Asked Questions
hat is the percentage of rail transport in India?
Govt records show that the rail share in freight transport has declined steadily from 85% in 1951, to 60% in 1991, and in 2022 it was only 27%
Which state has the most trains in India?
Uttar Pradesh tops the list with an extensive railway network spanning approximately 9,000 km.
Which is the longest train in India?
The longest train route in India is the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express, covering a distance of approximately 4,218 kilometers.
