Public Transportation in India: An Overview and Tips to Getting Around in the Country.

One of the best ways to become acquainted with a country’s culture and landscape is to identify with the many different ways that residents of that country get around in their homeland. Transportation is a big part of every person’s journey and your perception of a country can change immensely depending on which window you’re staring out of, who’s sitting next to you and how comfortable the ride is. Comfort and preference are relative, but making an informed decision will surely ease the process.

Trains:

An overcrowded train, one of the most widely used transport while travelling in India.
Image Credit: Telegraph.co.uk

“One seat on the roof coming right up!”. Don’t worry. This isn't likely to happen on an ordinary day, nor is it encouraged, but this picture does get you ready for the masses!

If you’re new to the country, your source of information is just as important as the ticket you purchase. A governmental source can always be trusted because you know that you’re getting the most up to date information on reservation enquiries and availability. Traveling by train is the preferred method of travel for most people because it’s quick, efficient and reliable. India is a huge country and there’s far too much to see. A train ride will take you far and to several locations like Jaisalmer, Simla and of course Delhi in a short amount of time. If you think you’re going to be taking the train throughout the duration of your trip, it’s also probably a good idea to consider purchasing an Indrail Pass. You’ll want to make all your reservations far in advance if you want to be lucky enough to find a seat as last minute bookings are not allowed or common.

Bus:

Locals will tell you that buses are one of the better ways to get around in India as well, especially if you’re on a tight budget. There are definitely a lot more services for bus booking than trains which also makes it slightly more challenging, but narrowing down your search to the most popular names like Goibibo, MakeMyTrip and redbus is easy peasy – I just did it for you, in fact. Most agents will boast having the best service or offering the most number of routes you can take, but at the end of the day, hopping on to one bus is not all that different from hopping onto another so make sure you grab an affordable deal with redBus for instance.

A State transport bus in India

Buses are crowded, hot and chaotic, but that fits right in to the general climate in India anyway. This is how you can really dive into getting to know the culture. Knowing when to choose a bus over a train also depends on where you plan on going. In most cases, a combination of train and bus is needed. Trains will take you to all major cities and boarders, but you can’t count on a train to take you high up into the mountains. The same rules apply though. Bookings are only possible with some agents and only done in advance. If you plan on taking a bus on the go then you’ll just have to race to your seat!

Boat / Ferry:

Why not visit Port Blair in the Andaman Islands by ferry? Most ferries happen to stop there so it’s an opportunity worth taking for some historic sightseeing. Just be sure to avoid this way of travel during the monsoons unless you’re a fan of getting wet and staying that way for hours.

A ferry packed with people, on its way.

Cab:

Believe it or not, but contrary to logic, hiring a private cabby can be quite cheap if you’re travelling with a large group of people. This is also preferred over renting a car yourself because you will probably waste a lot of time and money on gas just figuring out the streets and getting around traffic. The reason we opt for public transportation is always because we know that at least the drivers know where they’re going! Nevertheless, if a car is how you want to do it then do make sure that you have an international driving permit if you’re willing to drive yourself. It’s a lot easier to hire a car from within a major city like Delhi. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

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What are your favorite modes of transport while travelling?

Do share your experiences in the comments section below!

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About the author: Joanna Jaoudie is a content editor from flipit.com, a site dedicated to helping travelers travel cheaply within India using travel related deals and discounts.