India: How to get around

The methods of getting around in India are similar to those in most countries; travel by train, bus, car, taxi and boat. Of course, there are differences among each method and tips you need to know!

The train video below amazes me and I cant stop watching it!! Wow that's fast!



Train: Traveling by train in India is the best way to travel. The rail system in India is legendary and unlike any other sort of travel. It is an integral part of the Indian travel experience. You can register for a ticket online which will be sent to your specified location or you can go and buy a ticket at the station. INDRAIL is another rail option. Be aware that tickets are sold 15 days in advance of a trip; however, you should look into the famous quota- tourist and emergency quota. These tickets can be booked a day before the train leaves. Go early to book your ticket because this is a popular method of purchasing tickets, especially to popular tourist destinations such as Mumbai and Goa. Tickets sell out quickly!
Also note that most hotels and guesthouses will send someone for a small fee to buy the train tickets for you. This might be your best bet as they will know best how to navigate the craziness that is the rail system in India!


Bus: Taking the bus is an inexpensive way to travel in India. There are buses for every type of trip you might be taking for example, short trips, long trips, government state-run buses and private buses. Be prepared if you decide to take the bus, they are usually crowded, cramped, loud, slow and uncomfortable. Don’t expect to get a seat.


Boat: India has ships, boats and ferries. The ferries serve as a bus on water. They are especially used as a form of transportation in southern Calcutta where the Sunderban in the Delta region are only accessible by ferry
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Car/taxi: A few years ago Indian roads were the most dangerous roads to travel in the world. The Central government has worked hard to improve the roads and upgrade the highways. The ambitious project is known as the Golden Quadrilateral. Today, the roads almost reach international standards.
It is not recommended to rent a car in India. The roads are dangerous, the signs are hard to read and the traffic is crazy. Don’t expect road regulations to be obeyed. The traffic is heavy and undisciplined. The Indian people drive on the left hand side of the road. Many tourists take a taxi or hire a driver. Pedestrians, cyclists and cows wander in the middle of the road as if you don’t even exist! Accident rates are high, as you can imagine. The meters in most taxis to not work so decide on a price before you get in!

Are there any other ways to travel in India? Let us know the methods you choose when you traveled to India! Did the crazy amounts of traffic and sporadic driving patterns make it difficult to get around?