Hi guys
I will be in Kathmandu and needing to get to India as fast as I can by public transport to Chennai. I ve used both the Sunauli and the Birgunj border before but for Northern India, the latter of which took too long and was super dusty so trying to avoid that.
Do you think the Sunauli one would still be the fastest or will the Eastern border be a better option, the one near Siliguri (I believe there s only one on the East).
Thanks
with visa issue on arrival
What do you mean by this?
I will be in Kathmandu and needing to get to India as fast as I can by public transport to Chennai.
The reality is that flights are public transport, and a flight is going to be the fastest option. Either way, you need to consider the total travel time from KTM to MAA - not just a 'fast' immigration checkpoint.
Do you think the Sunauli one would still be the fastest or will the Eastern border be a better option, the one near Siliguri (I believe there s only one on the East).
I expect you mean the border at Kakarbhitta / Panitanki.
If you are going to travel by land to Chennai, then whichever border crossing you choose will not change in any material way how long it takes to get to Chennai.
https://erail.in/trains-between-stations/new-jalpaiguri-NJP/chennai-central-MAS?view=d
https://erail.in/trains-between-stations/varanasi-jn-BSB/chennai-central-MAS?view=d
https://erail.in/trains-between-stations/new-delhi-NDLS/chennai-central-MAS?view=d
If you really need to get to Chennai as fast as you can, then you should fly. KTM-DEL-MAA - seven hours, 150 EUR.
Thanks for your reply and sorry for messing the 'visa on arrival' part up.... what I meant by that was if when going into Nepal from India, if visa on arrival is also possible from the Eastern border (just remembered it started with a 'K' so thanks for pointing the name out... Kakarbhitta :)).
I've met some travellers the last time I was in India getting train tickets online.. will I be able to do that while still in Europe and do you know how it works as I think one needs to register and pays some money beforehand if the info I got when in India was correct.....
Thanks again
when going into Nepal from India, if visa on arrival is also possible from the Eastern border (just remembered it started with a 'K' so thanks for pointing the name out... Kakarbhitta :)).
Yes, no problems at that border crossing.
I've met some travellers the last time I was in India getting train tickets online.. will I be able to do that while still in Europe and do you know how it works as I think one needs to register and pays some money beforehand if the info I got when in India was correct.....
Yes, that is correct. You can buy tickets online through the IRCTC. You do need an account first, and that may take several weeks to be activated.
You might want to review the user guide before you start:
http://contents.irctc.co.in/en/Internation_User_guide.pdf
Or refer to the Man in Seat 61 - the IRCTC is listed as Option 2:
https://www.seat61.com/India.htm#Buy-tickets-online
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