Tag: Train Travel
My best overnight train ride was in Thailand
In 2011 — the last time I had made the journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani — I had travelled by bus. The bus wasn’t uncomfortable, but this time — in 2017 — my friend and I chose to travel by train.
We made our reservations beforehand and got into our Second class AC (air-conditioned) coach on a wet June evening.
The problem with reserving seats on Thai trains is that their system is a little complicated and you can’t just go on their site and book a ticket. You need to email them beforehand and then on the day of your journey, collect the physical ticket from the station for a fee. And apparently, there have been instances when the railways have been really late in replying to emails. Continue reading My best overnight train ride was in Thailand
Istanbul-Dhaka railway route on the table
March 21 (TravelAndy): The proposal for an Istanbul to Dhaka railway route was discussed at a two-day meeting attended by the representatives of more than 11 countries in New Delhi last week.
The meeting on “Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia” was organised by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in co-ordination with Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) and the Indian railway ministry.
Discussions were held to strengthen the rail transport and provide connectivity to the countries in South Asia and South East Asia. Among the countries that took part in the meeting are Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and India. Continue reading Istanbul-Dhaka railway route on the table
Kamakhya-Katra train service starts
May 28 (TravelAndy): Indian Railways launched a direct train between Kamakhya in Assam and Katra in Vaishno Devi in north India’s Jammu and Kashmir state.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the train from Shillong yesterday. It is initially scheduled to operate on a weekly basis.
The train will cover its 2,605km in approximately 53 hours. The train will run through the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Continue reading Kamakhya-Katra train service starts
Special trains between Jammu and Mumbai
April 26 (TravelAndy): In order to manage the rush of tourists during the summer months, Indian Railways has decided to extend the service of Suvidha special trains between Jammu and Mumbai from May 6, 2016.
The Jammu Tawi Suvidha weekly special train will depart Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on May 6 at 06.35 and reach Jammu at 18.00, next day.
On the return trip, the train will leave Jammu Tawi station on May 8, at 07.20 and reach Mumbai at 18.00 the next day. Continue reading Special trains between Jammu and Mumbai
Under-sea tunnel for India’s first bullet train
April 21 (TravelAndy): Part of the route of India’s first bullet train — slated to run between the cities of Mumbai and Ahmedabad — will travel through an under-sea tunnel, said reports.
Of its 508km route, the train will pass through a 21km underwater stretch along the Thane creek in Virar, Maharashtra. This will be the county’s first under-sea train tunnel.
The construction work of India’s first bullet train track is supposed to start in 2018. Continue reading Under-sea tunnel for India’s first bullet train
India’s fastest train on Delhi-Agra route
April 6 (TravelAndy): India’s railway minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off the country’s fastest train – Gatimaan Express – in Delhi yesterday.
The train completed its maiden run of 200km, between Delhi and Agra, in 100 minutes.
The train is a semi high-speed one and can run at the maximum speed of 160kmph, faster than any existing trains in India. Continue reading India’s fastest train on Delhi-Agra route
Railway plan to make cancelling tickets a breeze
March 29 (TravelAndy): Indian Railways are planning to launch a facility through which you can cancel tickets with a phone call.
One can simply call at 139, which will immediately send a one time password (OTP) to the user’s mobile number.
The passenger requires to simply show OTP at the reservation counter, to get refund of the cancelled ticket. Continue reading Railway plan to make cancelling tickets a breeze
Bullet train connects Hokkaido to Tokyo
March 26 (TravelAndy): The first bullet train track connecting Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido to Tokyo opened on Saturday, said The Bangkok Post.
The introduction of bullet train on this route has reduced travel time between Hokkaido and Tokyo by 53 minutes.
The train runs through undersea Seikan tunnel connecting Hokkaido with Aomori, at the tip of Japan’s main island Honshu. Continue reading Bullet train connects Hokkaido to Tokyo
First pilgrimage train chugs out of Amritsar
January 4 (TravelAndy): Punjab has flagged off its first Tirth Yatra train from Amritsar to Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra, said reports.
This special train has 18 coaches and can accommodate 1,080 passengers.
During the trip, the pilgrims will be provided with food, accommodation and transportation free of cost. Continue reading First pilgrimage train chugs out of Amritsar
What is AC First on Indian Railways about?
What is it about travelling AC First on Indian Railways? I mean, how different was it from say, 2AC (I had travelled 2AC)? That’s one thing I had always wondered about. So, when I realised I wasn’t in a hurry and the AC First fares were exactly the same as a flight to Hyderabad, I chose the slower option.
For the uninitiated, AC stands for air-conditioned. 2AC is the second-most luxurious options on long-distance Indian trains each cubicle has 2+2 berth configuration; apart from two more berths on the other side of the passage. (In 3AC and Second Class, the configuration is 3+3, plus two berths on the other side of the passage). Continue reading What is AC First on Indian Railways about?
Book train bedroll online and take it home
December 10 (TravelAndy): Indian Railways has introduced a takeaway e-bedroll system.
Reports said travellers can now buy their bedrolls online through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The bedrolls can also be availed from the designated food plazas and fast food units of IRCTC.
This is a take-away facility and allows passengers to take their bedrolls home. Continue reading Book train bedroll online and take it home
Goa Rajdhani to run from Nov 15
November 14 (TravelAndy): Indian Railways is going to flag off the Goa Rajdhani train from Madgaon on November 15, said reports.
The bi-weekly train service will operate between Nizamuddin station in New Delhi and Madgaon in Goa.
It is scheduled to depart from Nizamuddin station on every Friday and Saturday and from Madgaon on every Sunday and Monday. Continue reading Goa Rajdhani to run from Nov 15