1

Goa to Mumbai is 10-12 hours.But to really get the exiperience you crave,take the Delhi-Varanasi train.What a difference.!

2

Check Jet, Spicejet and Indigo for prices and timings. Then see how many trains you'll need.

3

If Goa to Mumbai is 10-12 hours then I'm guessing most of these train rides will be at least 12 hours.

Hmm, I've looked at some flights. The annoying leg is Varanasi to Bangalore as all flights go back to Dehli or Mumbai, there's no direct flights and the train ride would take too long. Im only in India for a month so I guess travelling by plane will be the best way to travel.

How long is the Delhi to Varnasi train ride?

4

Seriously,DEL>Var is to far and to long.1 month is way to short to mess with the trains.Stay with planes,but night train Goa-Mumbai you should do.It might be great fun.Get the 2AC seating,not sleeper.Train ride in India,must do...What will you tell your friends when they ask?Take a ride.

5

hi,

i love train travel in india. grew up doing it and still fascinated... by the number of ppl you meet from different walks of life. so definitely do it, but plan well in advance, they 2ndAC gets sold out very fast (read: 2 months atleast before your journey) and then you are biting finger nails to hope the seat gets confirmed till the day you board!

also, i find that night journeys work really well. if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget, then thats one night of hotel stay less. plus you get to experience a train but not 'waste' a day walking around a city!

have a lovely trip...

bhavani
http://merrytogoaround.wordpress.com/

6

Delhi to Varanasi
12-17 hours, depending on train chosen
both day and night trains exist

Varanasi to Bangalore
45 hours
direct train leaves late evening

Bangalore to Kochi
11-13 hours, depending on train chosen
both day and night trains exist

Kochi to Goa
12-15 hours, depending on train chosen
day train 2 days a week which leaves 5AM, otherwise night trains

Goa to Mumbai
9-12 hours, depending on train chosen
both day and night trains exist

As noted above, IF you sleep well on trains, night trains can save both time and money (e.g, on ~12 hour legs, you lose very little waking time to travel, unlike on airplanes). Also, as noted above, it is just about the easiest way to meet and talk with "ordinary" Indians (i.e., ones that aren't trying to sell you anything).

Night trains tend to book up quickly, especially Kochi to Goa.

Ideally, select trains which you would board at or near their originating station, to minimize waiting at the boarding station for a late train.

During or near December - January, trains (and flights) can sometimes be seriously delayed in the Ganges - Yamuna basin due to fog.

Much of the Konkan Railway (which most trains on the Kochi to Goa and Goa to Mumbai runs traverse for a substantial part of the way) is quite scenic.

7

meet and talk with "ordinary" Indians

I see this a lot around here ..... my question is, who was that Indian guy I was sitting beside on the plane yesterday?

8

I define "ordinary" Indians as ones that aren't trying to sell you anything. Most aren't. Most that press themselves onto foreign tourists are.

The Indian guy you were sitting beside on the plane yesterday probably wasn't trying to sell you anything.

Edited by: fdbaz

9

You can never tell how long a train is. My train from Mumbai to Kannur should have taken 16 hours the other day and ended up being 19.

Regardless, train travel is wonderful. I wouldn't go for a 45 hour one (I have done it and while it's an experience, it's not one I need again), but up to 20 hours or so hours aren't so bad. If you are up north, sleeper class is fine. Down south, if you can get 3 tier AC, it can be nice as it gets real hot.

10

Trains are a dirty nightmare. You can't eat anything they serve. Just look at the kitchens. It's a major major hassle at the stations knowing which is the right platform. I hated it.

FLY FLY FLY (If you can afford it)

11

Just order a biryani at any stop and it's fine. All you do is ask someone where your platform is. It's hectic and an adventure.