Train travel in India – a beginner’s guide

The thought of being stuck on a long train journey, sometimes even for days at a time, can be pretty daunting if you don’t know what to expect. But hey, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.

We’ve enlisted below certain tips and tricks that will make your train journey a lot more comfortable:

1. Know your Indian rail classes and which one you prefer

Take it from us, picking the right class for your Indian train travel has a huge impact on your overall enjoyment and comfort on your journey.

So, select the right class from these options mentioned below to enjoy your train journey:

•     1AC Air-conditioned first class has a private room, with a washbasin and doors.
•    2AC Air-conditioned two-tiered beds along with an open cabin (closed by a curtain). 3AC Similar to 2AC, 3AC has three-tiered beds in the AC cabin
•    EC Executive chair class that is air-conditioned that provides delicious food and drink on the train
•     CC Chair Class has padded reclining seats with air conditioning
•     SL Sleeper Class has non-air-conditioned tiered berths and is the least comfortable of all Indian train classes
•     2nd class seating, which is not reserved

2. Understand your railway ticket

Let’s admit it: If you’re traveling for the first time on a train, the train tickets can seem a little confusing as it is a whole mishmash of letters and numbers.

So, check the 10-digit ‘Passenger Name Record’ (PNR) number on your ticket, which provides the necessary information about your seat number, coach, fare class, name of the train and its number, booking status, boarding, and arrival time, and overall journey time.

3. Book an air-conditioned carrier

It’s almost impossible to describe the feeling of backpacking during summers, let alone traveling via trains in the scorching heat. To beat the heat during summers, you need to book an air-conditioned carrier

Not only will they protect you from the heat but also make your journey comfortable with luxurious amenities. These include personalized reading lights, AC vents, USB points, mobile charging points, an improved ladder to climb to the upper berth, and snack tables next to the aisle berths.

4. Pack warm clothes

Though traveling in AC train class is a good idea, but hey, it can also leave you chilly throughout the journey.

So, the next time you travel in any AC class, carry an extra layer handy to keep yourself warm or you can simply use woolen blankets (provided on the trains) which will keep you warm and cozy throughout the journey.

5. Pre-order your food

Although Indian Railways offer food, their options can be quite limited. All you will find on the menu is a traditional Indian meal. If it’s not to your liking, you can skip these food items and place an online order instead.

All you have to do is choose your favorite dish, and place an online order on apps like Travelkhana, Rail Yatri, Yatri Bhojan, and more. Once done, a delivery guy will arrive at your seat with your food in a couple of minutes. You can then enjoy the food on the way to your destination.

6. Stay alert and download a map on your phone

Believe it or not, there are no station announcements on Indian trains. So, you need to stay alert during your journey, especially if you have taken an overnight train and your stop is scheduled during sleeping hours.

Keep an eye on every stop. Be aware of your scheduled arrival time so that you have an idea of where you might be. You can also have a mapping program with a GPS pre-downloaded on your device ahead of time.

These tips make traveling on the Indian Railways one of the greatest travel experiences. If you get it right, you will have a great time on your journey. If you don’t, you will perhaps find it challenging to survive the train journey.