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Meet the Waters: 12 Ferry Rides in India for an Exquisite Experience

by Riya Jogi on July 5, 2023

Turquoise, blue and azure waters invite you to experience an extraordinary time in India. You must have heard of many road trips and train journeys, but how about when you can travel via waterways? No, we are not talking about hefty cruises. To make it affordable, some of the best ferry rides are here for you!

As the ferry or jetty moves, your stomach swirls with excitement, and your heart dances with the thought of what’s next to come. That’s exactly why ferry rides create a sense of satisfaction as soon as you board them. Right from exotic river islands to popular backwaters, this guide is to help you with all the ferry rides. Being a cherry on the cake, Treebo Hotels add all the comfort to your journeys.

12 Best Ferry Rides in India are –

1. mumbai to alibaug ferry, maharashtra .

The coastal hub of Mumbai is an amazing destination offering enthralling ferry rides. The city is well-known for its jetty experience because it was the primary source of transit in ancient times. One amazing ferry ride connects Mumbai to Alibaug. As the ferry moves, the reflection of the heritage hotel Taj on the Arabian Sea makes your day!

Experience one of the best ferry rides in India

With many hotels in Mumbai as well as Alibaug, you can easily book your stay here. The capacity of these enormous jetties is 500 passengers. Famous boarding locations to catch a ferry include Bhaucha Dhakka and the Gateway of India. Due to Alibaug’s popularity, you can try numerous adventure sports here.

Cost – INR 350 Onwards

2. Ernakulam to Kochi Fort, Kerala

If you want to experience the best ferry rides, Ernakulam to Kochi Fort has to be on your list. Kochi Fort is an architectural beauty where you get to know a lot about history. The stunning landscapes are sure to fill your heart. You can book affordable hotels in Kochi for a comfortable stay.

The Ernakulam Jetty passes through lush surroundings and attractive foregrounds. It provides a fantastic opportunity to observe the city’s canals from above. Additionally, you can socialize with locals and learn about their culture throughout the journey.

Cost – INR 20 Onwards

8 Waterfalls in Kerala to Visit for a Mesmerizing Getaway

3. Mandovi Ferry, Goa

Imagine ditching the tricky road and opting for a ferry ride inviting all the serenity of Goa. One of the most well-known ferry rides in Goa is the Mandovi, where you can observe the beautiful scenery and pleasant breeze. You can indeed enjoy a budget-friendly getaway with affordable hotels in Goa .

Along with this, you can find a lot of river cruises operating on the famous Mandovi River. One of the best parts about it is that you can also enjoy late-night parties with your gang. Take this chance to witness the iconic landmarks with the thrilling motion of ferry rides.

4. Ghogha-Hazira Ro-Pax Ferry, Gujarat

One of the exquisite ferry rides in Gujarat is definitely the Ghogha Hazira ferry. It is operated by the government, offering a hassle-free experience. Straightaway, take this ride and explore the wonderful landscapes of the state.

Imagine the thrill of being amidst all blues and greens where you can hear your thoughts in serenity. The ferry ride literally connects two cities, Bhavnagar and Surat. With so many hotels in Gujarat, you can easily get affordable accommodation here.

Cost – INR 500 Onwards

5. Jorhat-Majuli Ferry, Assam

Welcome to one of the largest river islands in India in the beautiful state of Assam. Jorhat-Majuli Ferry is the only option if you want to experience the rich vegetation and breathtaking sights. One of the nicest ferry rides, it features a retro appeal with residents singing, dancing to the sunset and enjoying a simple way of life.

A quintessential way of exploring nature is to be here as there are no tall buildings to block your views. Additionally, so many affordable hotels in Assam make it an easy affair to travel. You must take the incredible ferry journey on bamboo boats because the river island is gradually deteriorating. Get ready for a worthwhile experience.

Cost – INR 15 Onwards

6. Hooghly River Ferry, West Bengal

Popularly known as Howrah Ferry, Hooghly River is the connecting water body in the city. Offering one of the unique Ferry rides, you get to watch the awe-inspiring views combined with calming sunsets. Interestingly, the ferry service began in 1975, making it a historically significant experience.

Along with this, you can also opt for a private boating experience by booking the ride well in advance. One of the desired activities is to travel on the powerful rivers while taking in the relaxing air. Make sure to check hotels in Kolkata so you can easily enjoy a hassle-free vacation.

Cost – INR 10 Onwards

12 Best Things to Do in Guwahati for Adventure and Relaxation

7. Port Blair – Havelock Ferry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

As you step in the beautiful Islands of Andaman and Nicobar, you simply cannot miss the famous Port Blair to Havelock ferry. Havelock is an amazing destination perfect for couples and honeymooners. It offers one of the best ferry rides with exquisite views of the surreal waters.

Moreover, many services are available to help you choose the best one. Did you know you can also take a private ferry and get it decorated for your loved one? That does sound romantic! Imagine the tranquility around waters combined with the calming sound of waters splashing through the ferry.

Cost – INR 1300 Onwards

8. Alleppey Tourist Ferry, Alleppey

When in India, the backwaters of Alleppey are sure to fill your heart with immense joy. Known for its mesmerizing beauty, Alleppey offers one of the best ferry rides taking you through long stretches of lush greenery. These ferries are easily available from Kollam, Kottayam and Kuttanad.

Your trip is certain to be fun with amazing hotels in Alleppey that are filled with modern amenities and clean rooms. If you want to save money, take a public ferry that runs every 20-30 minutes. Nothing beats mixing with the locals and making new contacts by the sea.

Cost – INR 200-400 Onwards

5 Popular Beaches in Alleppey

9. Lake Pichola Ferry, Udaipur

Who could possibly say no to stunning palace reflections that capture Udaipur’s allure? You may simply enjoy the tranquil waterways in the evenings, thanks to one of India’s most remarkable ferry rides. The finest time to enjoy a ferry journey is just before nightfall, when the palaces are all lit up.

The boat is flanked by ghats, houses, and notable temples. If you’re lucky, you might even see migratory birds soaring in their prime. For your comfort, you can find many hotels in Udaipur offering extravaganza services and luxurious living.

Cost – INR 400 Onwards for Adults | INR 200 Onwards for Children

10. Bhitarkanika National Park Ferry, Odisha

Imagine watching a huge network of canals and creeks as you opt for the Bhitarkanika National Park Ferry. It is one of the best ferry rides filled with views of the gorgeous beauty of Saltwater lake. Surrounded by a lush green ecosystem of mangroves, the ferry indeed offers a memorable experience.

Due to the absence of major structures, the views are completely in tune with nature. Furthermore, it’s not every day that you get to experience the unusual aquatic life! With many hotels in Odisha, you can go for an affordable travel experience with your loved ones.

Cost – INR 1800 Onwards

Beaches in Odisha : Unveiling Coastal Charms and Untouched Beauty

11. Vivekananda Island Ferry, Kanyakumari

It is easy to get to the well-liked attraction of Vivekananda Rock Memorial by taking a pleasant ferry. Vivekananda’s life is commemorated by the statue, which is why it attracts visitors from all over the world. Ferry rides with locals are an experience you just cannot miss while visiting.

In order to provide a smooth transportation to the mainland, ferries here run continually. The unbelievable sense of seeing a historic location in between the waves as your ferry approaches the island is surreal! Make sure to check hotels in Kanyakumari for a comfortable stay after the ride.

Cost – INR 30 Onwards

12. Half-moon Beach to Om Beach Ferry, Gokarna

Om Beach is one of the gorgeous beaches Gokarna is endowed with. However, there is no vehicular access to Om Beach, so you must either walk or take a tranquil ferry journey. Imagine the excitement of seeing azure lakes and distinctive mountain and forest topography.

The spectacular scenery and unique experience of the ferry ride is unmatched. Om Beach is also a more isolated and uncrowded location than others so you are more likely to have a secluded experience. When you get here, watch the sunset and then take the ferry ride once again to get back.

Cost – INR 150 Onwards

Know that as you enjoy these breathtaking ferry excursions, you are photographing a variety of Indian landscapes, river features, and mountain ranges. For travellers, that is undoubtedly a blessing!

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Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry – Time, Prices & Tickets

Table of contents.

Alibaug is a seashore jungle gym for India’s rich, popular and invigorating Mumbai escape. It’s possible to enjoy Alibaug in a day or two. You simply take some overtime to relax there and go beach hopping along the coastline. The long drive you’ve got to form to urge. It is to the strip of land just beyond the horizon, which will now be a thing of the past. The much-delayed, much-awaited Mumbai to Alibaug ferry service is fascinating. With this, you’ll get from Mumbai to Alibaug in just an hour and a half as against the 3 hours it regularly takes. Thus the view is going to be far better, for sure. Dissimilar to the current traveler ship, the Ro-Ro ship will work 24×7, and consistently, including storm season.

How To Reach Alibaug Via Ferry

The fastest method to get to Alibaug is by Ferry to Mandwa Pier from the Gateway of India in the Colaba neighborhood of southern Mumbai. Ferries to Alibaug are accessible from Gateway of India and ‘Bhaucha Dhakka’. From the dock, the seashore is 30-45 minutes south, by bus or auto cart. The bus fare is counted in the cost of the Ferry.

It is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Mumbai to Alibaug. You even have the option to choose air-conditioned ferries, which are also available, especially in summer. This ferry service takes you from Mumbai to Alibaug in 50 minutes. The Ferry departs from Gateway of India at various times listed below.

What Are The Different Ferry Options?

Ferries and Launches are operated by three organizations between Gateway of India, Mumbai, and Mandwa, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. This service will not operate in the event of rain or bad weather.

PNP, Maldar, Ajanta, M2M are different for everyone. Ajanta is cheaper than others, and the price is different for the upper and lower floors and the air conditioning.

The ferry schedule is as follows. Please check with the ferry operators for the correct timetable as it is subject to change without notice.

RORO Ferry (M2M) works between Ferry Wharf (Bhaucha Dhakka) in Mumbai and Mandwa Jetty in Raigad. It serves every day of the week and all year round. M2M offers people the option of bringing their vehicles. Passenger safety formalities following the statutory provisions are followed. M2M Ferries or the Ro-Pax Ferry is implied in such a way that it can oblige 500 travelers and 150 vehicles. It helps you save some time as well.

Best of all, the M2M Ferries are functional consistently.

Ferry Timings

Four companies are operating ferry services on the sea route to Alibaug from Mumbai. Every company has its specific timetable of the day.

PNP Maritime Services Pvt. Ltd.

Phone No.s : Alibag – (02141) 225403, Mandawa – (02141) 237087,

Mumbai – (022) 22885220, 22885221

Below are PNP Maritime Ferry timings:

MALDAR Catamarans

Phone No.s : Alibag – (02141) 223746, Mandawa – (02141) 2237464,

Mumbai – (022) 22829695

Below are Maldar Catamarans Ferry timings:

AJANTA (Jal-Vahatuk Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit)

Phone No.s : Alibag – (02141) 224437,

Mandawa – (02141) 237550, Mumbai – (022) 22026364, 22023585, 2287547

Below are Ajanta Ferry timings:

Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry Prices

Fare is different for all. Ajanta is cheaper than others, and M2M is costly but worth it. Also, the fare is different for the upper deck, lower deck, and A/C. Here is the available information for you.

Above prices are for adults, for one side travel only.

M2M Ferry Price for travelers and vehicles:

For Passengers: ₹ 300 to ₹ 360

For bikes: ₹ 210

For 4 Wheelers: ₹ 800 to ₹ 1200

For Pets: ₹ 310

For Cycles: ₹ 110

For Buses: ₹ 3200

How To Book Tickets

For M2M ferry, you need to book online in advance. Book from their official website .

For PNP, MALDAR and AJANTA, you can directly book on the spot from their counters. They always have seats available in the next ferry.

Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry Map

Things To Know Before Taking Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry

While you plan your Mumbai to Alibaug Ferry here are a few things to understand and follow:

Make sure, you reach the boarding venue a few minutes earlier to avoid last-minute problems with the entry.
If you are an Indian citizen, it is recommended to carry a National identity proof such as Aadhar Card.
If you are a foreign national, you must make sure you take your passport and visa along.
You are recommended to not carry any valuables including jewelry, cash money, etc. The ferry operators and management do not take any responsibility for its safety.
It is essential to strictly follow all the precautionary and safety instructions given at the site for the ferry.
You must maintain a safe distance from your fellow passengers as a part of social distancing.
It is recommended to carry essential medications for allergies, chronic illnesses, etc. during the ferry.
It is always recommended to not take along too young and too old people for safety concerns and emergency situations if any.

Important Policies To Know

Booking policies.

You may choose to book your M2M ferry tickets online on its official website .
The ferry tickets are also available on-site.
In the case of online and offline bookings, it is advised to book your slots at least 2 to 3 days in advance.

Confirmation Policies

On booking the ferry, you will receive a confirmation receipt via email within 24 hours.
In case of any changes, and unavailability of the preferred ferry slots, new slots are allotted and a new confirmation receipt is sent.

Cancellation Policies

Though you can cancel your ferry travel any time before boarding, you do not have any access to file refunds for it.
No amount of the ticket amount is refundable.

Payment Terms Policies

The booking amount for slots needs to be paid in advance before the travel.
The booking amount as demanded by the travel company is to be paid 100% in advance.

Is Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry Open?

Mumbai to Alibaug ferry service is open throughout the year except for the Monsoon season and bad weather. M2M Ferry is currently operating on specific days of the month. You can get all the information on the website.

Can We Take A Car Ferry To Alibaug

There is only an M2M Ferry service, which provides vehicle and pet transport through the ferry. The M2M ship works between two ports – Bhaucha Dhakka Port in Mumbai and Mandwa Jetty in Raigad. So in case you’re in Mumbai, your boarding point would be from Bhaucha Dhakka Port.

The RoPax ferry service has a capacity of up to 500 passengers and 150 vehicles. It includes cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. The terminals were built at both locations to allow easy entry and exit of the vehicles.

Best Time To Take Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry

The Mumbai to Alibaug Ferry rides are available year-round from 7 am to 6 pm every day of the week. The Mumbai to Alibaug route is pleasant and ideal for a short ferry trip or transport of vehicles and luggage. However, the ferry schedules might be shut down during heavy rains or other intense climatic conditions. Summer and winter seasons are the most-preferred time to take Mumbai to Alibaug Ferry.

Is It Safe To Travel By Mumbai To Alibaug Ferry?

Yes. It is completely safe to travel by ferry from Mumbai to Alibaug. All ferries are in good condition and well-maintained. All safety precautions for travellers are followed along with all necessary government approvals. The ferries are scheduled considering the climatic conditions. You might expect a cancellation with a full refund in case of a bad climate.

How Much Time Is Required From Mumbai To Alibaug By Ferry?

The Mumbai to Alibaug Ferry lasts for about 50 to 55 minutes. However, it might change a bit depending on the package and company you choose to travel with.

How Can I Reach Boarding Point Of Ferry?

You can opt to travel by local train, car or bus to reach the boarding point i.e. Gateway of India Jetty. To board at Bhaucha Dhakka, you can reach Dockyard Road station by bus, motorcycle or car.

Resorts In Alibaug

We have the best 8 resorts in alibaug listed down for you. Refer this article for list of best alibaug resorts with their details, pricing, address and more.

Cheaper Options Than Resort

If you are traveling on a budget and don’t want to spend Rs.2000 per night, you can go stay at alibaug beachside camping as well. It is a bargain for just Rs.1200 per person inclusive of stay, meals and open-air movie screening session.

Ferry travel from Mumbai to Alibaug is a nice break out from routine life. All information you need to travel is Ferry company, schedule, and ticket price. All are given above for you by Weekend Feels . Take a backpack and be ready to enjoy the trip. You can feel the water of the sea sparkled like astonishing jewels – so valuable that they were consistently unattainable. The sky, glorious with the fantastic magnificence of the rising sun, can be witnessed from the Ferry. The cherry on the cake is the seagulls that seem to move in celebration of our freshly discovered opportunity as they continue after our ship. Weekend Feels will take care of all arrangements for you.

Below are a few places to visit in Alibaug:

Alibaug Beach
Kolaba Fort
Murud Janjira Fort
Varsoli Beach
Kihim Beach
Brahma Kund
Kanakeshwar Forest
Kashid Beach

Weekend Feels

Weekend Feels® is an experience travel company specializing in campsites. We love writing about places that we explore.

Mumbai to Goa on the Angriya Cruise: India's Premier Sea Voyage

Angriya cruise, logistical details.

Duration: The Angriya Cruise typically takes about 14-16 hours, ensuring passengers not only travel but revel in the opulence it offers.
Boarding Point in Mumbai: The cruise embarks from the Purple Gate, Princess Dock in Mumbai. Considering Mumbai's traffic, ensure you give yourself ample time to arrive.
Drop Point in Goa: The cruise docks at Mormugao in South Goa. From here, it's a short distance to the heart of Goa's attractions.
Timings: The cruise usually departs Mumbai at around 4:00 PM and arrives in Goa the following morning. However, timings can vary based on the season and specific sailing dates.
Ticket Prices: Fares for the Angriya Cruise, as of 2021, start at around INR 6,000 for dormitories and can go up to INR 15,000 for luxury suites. This often includes meals, access to entertainment zones, and guided tours of the ship.
Baggage: The cruise allows up to 25kg per person for checked baggage and 10kg for cabin baggage. Excess baggage might attract additional charges.
Booking: It's highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during the peak tourist season. You can book directly through the Angriya website or trusted travel agents.
Amenities on Board: The Angriya boasts a plethora of amenities like swimming pools, lounges, bars, and a spa. They also host themed nights, DJs, and live performances, ensuring your journey is packed with entertainment.
Safety: Being India's premier cruise liner, Angriya ensures top-notch safety standards. The cruise is equipped with modern safety equipment and has a trained crew to handle emergencies.
Dining: From Konkani flavors to continental delicacies, Angriya offers a range of culinary experiences. Their restaurants and bars serve an array of gourmet dishes and drinks.
Cabins : Angriya offers a range of accommodation options, from luxurious suites to pod rooms and bunk beds. Each offers a distinct experience, ensuring comfort and privacy.
Documentation: All passengers must carry a government-issued photo ID. Foreign nationals should have their passports handy.

Accommodation Options: Angriya provides a variety of rooms ranging from luxurious suites to comfortable dormitories. This includes pod rooms, family rooms, double rooms, and luxury suites, each tailored to different budgets and preferences. Dining: Multiple restaurants and bars aboard the Angriya serve a range of culinary delights. The cruise offers a mix of traditional Konkani flavors, pan-Indian dishes, and international cuisines. Bars and Lounges: There are dedicated spaces for relaxation and entertainment, including bars and lounges. Some popular spots include the Sea Breeze Cafe, Sorro Di, and the Fathom Lounge. Swimming Pool: A small pool allows passengers to relax and enjoy the sea's view, offering a unique experience of swimming while sailing. Spa: For those looking to unwind, the Angriya spa provides a range of treatments and massages, helping passengers relax and rejuvenate. Entertainment: The cruise often hosts themed nights, live performances, and DJ sessions, ensuring that passengers are entertained throughout their journey. Sun Deck: A place to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. Curio Shop: A boutique store where passengers can purchase souvenirs, clothing, and other travel essentials. Library: For book lovers, there's a dedicated space with a collection of books to enjoy during the journey. Kids' Area: A designated space for children to play and engage in various activities, ensuring they too have a memorable journey. Safety Equipment: Modern safety amenities, including life jackets, lifeboats, fire safety mechanisms, and trained personnel, ensure passengers' safety during the journey. Guided Tour: The crew conducts a guided tour of the ship, offering insights into its operations, history, and unique features. This list provides a general overview of the amenities, but for the most up-to-date information and detailed descriptions, it's advisable to check the official Angriya Cruise website or contact their customer service. As with all businesses, the amenities might evolve or change over time.

Decked up till 7 tiers, the Angriya Ferry Cruise has Japanese built bars, hotel rooms, restaurants, swimming pools, spas and a club.
It can house 400 passengers, which makes it perfect for group vacations.
It has spacious couple rooms with king sized beds and attached washrooms.
It’s restaurants have state of the art features with culinary horizons expanding to meet your every mood and need.
Ancora, decorated with a large, real-life anchor, is perfect for breakfast and dinner, and has a 24-hour coffee shop for your perusal.
Their second restaurant Coral Reef, serves breakfast, high-tea, and dinner. Its portholes give you a glimpse of the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Sea Breeze is a soulful cozy nest, perfect for evening snacks, street food, and your favourite pasta and dessert bar.
The Angriya has the Aguad, Gaaz and Goaf bars which are open at different intervals throughout the day to suit your mood.
The bars are accompanied by the lounges of Sorro Di and Sea Horse, open decks, an infinity pool and a spa, perfect to truly give you a well-rounded, relaxed experience to detox.

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Love Sailing? Add These 5 Enthralling Ferry Rides In India To Your Travel Bucket List

Specialty: Content Writing - Entertainment, Health & Lifestyle

Qualification: Masters degree in Business & Finance from University of Mumbai

Experience: 5 Years

Best ferry rides in India to add to your travel bucket list

There are certain exotic destinations in India, which are so remotely located, they can be accessed only via a ferry ride. Either to explore a riverine island or simply a quaint village located in the countryside of Goa, ferries have proven to be one of the offbeat and enthralling ways to experience a destination.

From Brahmaputra and Hooghly rivers to the Indian Ocean, here are the best ferry rides in India one must experience at least once.

Best ferry rides in India to add to your travel bucket list

1. port blair to havelock ferry ride.

The only way to reach Havelock Island from Port Blair is a ferry ride. One of the many perks of visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands is this three-hour ferry ride in the Indian Ocean.

If you wish to include Neil Island in your itinerary, it will take you an hour more. You can use either a private ferry or government ferry services that are operational on this route.

2. Jorhat to Majuli ferry ride

Situated in the midst of the Brahmaputra River’s sandbanks, Majuli is the country's first riverine island. The ferry ride from Johrat to Majuli island is one of the best ferry rides that one can experience in India .

The landscape surrounding this ferry service route is dotted with rice fields, ponds with blooming hyacinths, narrow bylanes lined with quaint cottages on stilts, and bamboo trees. It is one of the most idyllic getaways in India.

3. Mandovi ferry ride

Speaking about unforgettable ferry rides, one cannot leave out the Mandovi ferry ride in Goa. Leaving the bustling city life behind, one of the serene ways to experience the Goan countryside is by taking the Mandovi ferry ride.

Sail past the vintage Portuguese houses in the Goan hinterland. You can also carry your rented bikes and scooters on the ferry for a nominal cost.

4. Hazira Ro-Ro ferry ride

The Ghogha-Hazira Ro-Pax ferry service in Gujarat connects the Gulf of Khambhat. The ride reduces the travel time and distance between Bhavnagar and South Gujarat.

Equipped with a cafeteria onboard, the ferry service is one of the best boat rides you can take in India. It is only a matter of a few hours to reach from Ghogha in Bhavnagar to Hazira in Surat.

5. Mumbai to Alibaug ferry ride

Luxuriate on one of the most popular ferry services in the country — the Mumbai to Alibaug ferry ride. The vessels operated by M2M Ferries are equipped with all kinds of modern facilities that can make the two-hour ride as comfortable as possible.

You’ll glide past the awe-striking Mumbai skyline, its docks and ports, and the stunning seashore of Mandwa. The ferry ride, connecting Mumbai and Mandwa, has reduced the travel time by a whopping four hours.

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Ferry Routes in Andaman

Andaman ferry booking schedule, neil island to havelock.

It's advisable to book ferry tickets in advance when travelling to the Andaman Islands, especially during the peak tourist season, to secure your seats and schedules. Last-minute bookings may be risky due to limited availability, so planning ahead is recommended for a smoother travel experience.

Different ferry operators have varying policies for infants:

Makruzz and ITT Majestic: No charges for infants under 1 year.
Green Ocean: No charges for infants under 2 years.
Nautika/Nautika Lite: Infants under 2 years are not charged in full, but there is an INR 105 + 50 PSF fee per infant.

Booking directly through the ferry operator's official website grants access solely to their services and support. Conversely, Go2Andaman is a partnering platform that consolidates information from multiple operators, offering a broader array of choices, potential discounts, and superior user experiences and customer support.

The only ferry providing Open Deck Access is Green Ocean 1; all other ferries are fully enclosed, offering a panoramic view of the sea.

The distance between Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair and the boarding point for Private Ferries at Haddo Jetty is around 5 km. It takes approximately 15-30 minutes to reach there by auto-rickshaw or taxi. In case you plan to take the Government Ferry, you will have to go to Phoenix Bay Jetty, which is 10-20 minutes away.

Ferry seat categories offer different comfort levels, sea views, and legroom. The base category is like economy class on a flight and is below deck. The mid and upper categories are above deck and like business class on a flight.

We do not accept booking requests for routes from mainland India (such as Kolkata, Vizag, or Chennai) to Andaman, Little Andaman, or any restricted islands.

Book ferries for four routes: Port Blair to Havelock Island, Havelock Island to Neil Island, Neil Island to Port Blair and Havelock Island to Port Blair.

When you take a ferry, your luggage will be subjected to an X-ray scan for security purposes. Please note that only checked-in luggage can carry alcohol up to 1 liter per person. It is not allowed to carry alcohol in hand baggage. Additionally, you are allowed to carry small hand luggage and check-in luggage that weighs up to 25 KG per person.

If your travel date is within the next 7 days, one of our team members will contact you through phone, email, or WhatsApp to confirm the availability of your ticket, In such cases, you may be required to pay the remaining balance amount upfront to process your ticket.

To learn about our cancellation and rescheduling policy, please click here .

After booking, confirmation of tickets may take up to 3-4 working hours during office hours, Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Please check if the payment has been processed successfully, If yes, kindly contact us via WhatsApp or Call us at 080-45686588, or email at [email protected] . If the payment has not been processed, you can retry the payment.

The ferry operators maintain the authority to arrive at a final resolution for your concern, taking into account the details you have provided. As a standard practice, they are likely to suggest either purchasing a new ticket or extending their support in securing a seat on the next accessible ferry, usually for a small fee, subject to availability.

Please ensure you have the following essential documents with you when boarding:

Ferry Tickets
Government-IDs (such as Aadhaar or Passport)

While it is advisable to have a printed ticket with you during the boarding process, it is not mandatory.

To ensure a smooth boarding process, we suggest arriving at the jetty at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. If you're traveling with children or seniors, we recommend arriving 1 hour prior to departure. Please note that boarding gates close 30 minutes before departure, so please plan accordingly.

The Ferry Operators/Go2andaman will use the email and phone number provided at booking for communication regarding cancellations or rescheduling. You need to keep these accounts active and accessible.

If a ferry sailing is canceled due to uncontrollable factors, passengers are offered a free rescheduling option based on availability. If this option is not satisfactory, a full refund can be requested.

To Cancel or Reschedule your booking, please send an email to [email protected] using the email address that you used when making the reservation. Kindly Note: Cancellation or Rescheduling fees may apply depending on our policy.

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Mumbai To Goa Luxury Cruise Angriya To Start From 12th October With Tickets Starting At ₹7,000

From songs being penned about to it, to entire movies being made around it – Mumbai to Goa is a legendary trip that is almost like a rite of passage for every 20-something. Now your Goa plans can be even more exciting as you can travel to the state of sand and sunshine by the all new Mumbai to Goa ferry!

Yes! There is soon going to be a Mumbai to Goa cruise that will carry vacationers travelling between the two places. The route will traverse through the Arabian sea and end in Panjim.

There are currently several ways for travellers to reach Goa from Mumbai. Some fly to Goa, while others do a road trip. Some even take an overnight train or bus to get there. Soon the boat service will become an additional mode of transport for everyone. This will be a major boost to Goa Tourism . Mumbai to Goa by boat...sounds like a plan, right?

Photo of Mumbai To Goa Luxury Cruise Angriya To Start From 12th October With Tickets Starting At ₹7,000 1/3 by Aakanksha Magan

Mumbai to Goa Crusie and Booking Information

When is it starting

The Mumbai to Goa cruise, named Angriya, was supposed to flag off in December last year. However, a trial run was done on 23rd May 2018. It started from Mumbai on 23rd May 2018, and reached Goa on 24th May 2018. The first commercial cruise will start from 12th October 2018 from Mumbai.

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Where will it start from

The Angriya will begin its non-stop, 16-hour voyage from the Purple Gate of Mumbai’s Indira Docks at 5pm and arrive at Mormugao in South Goa the next day at 9am.

Cruise timings

The cruise will depart from the Mumbai port at 5pm and reach Goa at 9am the next day. It will return to the Mumbai port on alternate days.

How much will it cost

A one-way ticket (from Mumbai to Goa or vice versa) for the cruise will start from ₹7,000 (for a bed in the dorm) to ₹11,000 (for a double occupancy suite) per person. This includes stay and three meals: evening snacks, dinner and breakfast. You can book a trip through their website, which should be live soon.

How much time will it take

The ferry will operate year round and is expected to take 16 hours from Mumbai to Goa. It is also expected to have a capacity of 600 passengers.

Booking information

The cruise is not available for online booking as of now. As soon as there is any online booking information, we will update with the same. For the time being you can follow all updates on Angriya's Instagram account.

Photo of Mumbai To Goa Luxury Cruise Angriya To Start From 12th October With Tickets Starting At ₹7,000 2/3 by Aakanksha Magan

Cruises and Ships from Mumbai to Goa

Many cruise ships have been operating between these routes through the years. One was a Scandinavian-built vessel that took holidayers from Mumbai to Goa by ship from 1994 to 2004. But this was the last of them. There hasn't been any sea travel between the two cities since 2004.

Photo of Mumbai To Goa Luxury Cruise Angriya To Start From 12th October With Tickets Starting At ₹7,000 3/3 by Aakanksha Magan

So, next time you are planning on how to reach Goa from Mumbai, or the other way round, do keep in mind the option of the Mumbai to Goa ferry. And once you reach Goa, all relaxed and settled, this is all that you can do there !

Interested in other luxury cruises in India? Read this: 7 Affordable, Yet Luxurious Cruises That You Can Actually Take From India Right Now!

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Shimmering blue waters, clear skies for star gazing, mirror-like sand, thrilling water sports and emerald green forests make Andaman a dream destination. The beaches in the pristine islands of Andaman are the perfect antidote for your travel-thirsty minds. Experience the perfect vacation come true with Andaman’s youngest cruise liner.

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Let us help you experience the best vacations in Andaman with our trusted catamaran, Nautika. We are India’s youngest domestic cruise liner, staying true to our catchphrase ‘Friendly Fabulous Fast’.

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Ferry through the azure blue waters of the Andaman Islands, in our lux and fast fleet of ferries. Experience comfort and seamless connectivity when you Travel with Makruzz on your next Andaman Adventure.

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The Makruzz Experience : Pioneers in the industry, Makruzz, in existence since 2009, operates the largest network of high speed vessels in the Andamans with over 10 connections daily between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Our mission is to provide comfortable, timely, safe and reliable sea transportation for every traveler.

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online ferry booking in andaman Made Easy

The Andaman Islands are a beautiful and popular tourist destination located in the Bay of Bengal. With pristine beaches, lush forests and incredible marine life, these 572 islands attract visitors from around the world. However, there is no road or air transport between the islands. The only way to get around is by ferry. This makes booking ferry tickets an essential part of planning any trip to the Andamans. Andaman Ferry Ticket is the best website for comparing and booking tickets for the 4 private ferries operating between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Islands . Whether you need a one-way, roundtrip or multiple island ferry ticket in Andaman, our website makes andaman ferry ticket booking easy. Avoid the hassle of booking private ferries in andaman independently and let Andaman Ferry Ticket.Com find you the perfect ferry tickets andaman for your vacation.

Nautika is a premium ferry service operating in Andaman, offering a comfortable and convenient way to travel between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island. Their fleet of modern and well-equipped ferries ( Nautika & Nautika Lite ) ensures a smooth and enjoyable journey for passengers.

With a focus on safety and reliability, Nautika provides a top-notch ferry experience, making them a preferred choice for travellers visiting Andaman.

Their affordable pricing and easy booking options further add to their appeal, making them a top choice for ferry travel in the region.

Makruzz is a well-known ferry service in Andaman, offering premium, deluxe, and royal seating arrangements for travellers. Their fleet of high-speed catamarans provides a comfortable and luxurious travel experience between Port Blair, Havelock, and Neil Island. With their premium seating options, passengers can enjoy an air-conditioned lounge and access to a bar and snack counter.

The deluxe and royal seating options provide additional amenities like reclining seats, TV screens, and more. Makruzz’s commitment to passenger safety, convenience, and comfort has made them a popular choice for ferry travel in Andaman.

Green Ocean

Green Ocean Cruise offers the only all-weather deep-sea vessel between Port Blair and Havelock for an unparalleled experience. With consciously designed space on board to facilitate unrestricted movement, guests can enjoy the scenic beauty of the islands.

As a completely sustainable company, we provide comfortable maritime transportation and fine dining with strict regulations and sustainable policies. Guests can enjoy a relaxing and entertaining day tour cruise while luxuriating on beautiful green forests, white sand, and blue sea.

ITT Majestic

ITT Majestic, a high-speed passenger craft owned by ITT Lines (P) Ltd, offers quality passenger services with luxury and comfort in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. It was designed by Incat Crowthers and built by an Indonesian company in 2016, with 200 seats of different categories on a single, fully air-conditioned deck.

ITT Group, the parent company, has been offering cargo carriage services across the country for several years and is also involved in the travel and tourism sector, owning and operating a hotel.

Port Blair to Havelock Ferry Tickets

Total Distance: 73 Kms Time to Reach: 1.5 to 2 hours Total Ferries Everyday: 12

Havelock to Port Blair Ferry Tickets

Total Distance: 73 Kms Time to Reach: 1.5 to 2 hours Total Ferries Everyday: 8

Havelock to Neil Ferry Tickets

Total Distance: 37 Kms Time to Reach: 1 to 1.5 hours Total Ferries Everyday: 8

Neil to Port Blair Ferry Tickets

Total Distance: 18 Kms Time to Reach: 1 hour Total Ferries Everyday: 5

Port Blair to Havelock Ferry Schedule & Fare

(*The schedule and ticket prices are subject to change in the future.)

Havelock to Port Blair Ferry Schedule & Fare

Havelock to neil ferry schedule & fare, neil to port blair ferry schedule & fare, why book tickets on our platform.

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Yes, of course. Ferry operators understand that schedule changes can happen. While ferries are not liable for any losses, passengers have the option to claim a full refund or reschedule their journey, subject to availability.

Yes, ticket cancellation is possible. Cancellation charges apply based on the time of cancellation. Cancellation made more than 48 hours prior to departure: Rs. 200 per passenger . Cancellation made more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours prior to departure: 50% of the fare collected + applicable tax will be refunded. Cancellation made within 24 hours of departure: No refund will be given.

For a smooth boarding process at the boarding point, passengers are not allowed to carry sharp articles onboard. Additionally, consuming liquor and smoking are prohibited. The free baggage allowance is 25kg as registered baggage, and please remember that pets are not allowed on the ferry.

To ensure a hassle-free journey, passengers should report at the jetty one hour before departure. Please bring a hard copy of your online ferry booking ticket and a photo identity card for check-in. The check-in counter closes 15 minutes before departure, and boarding closes 10 minutes before departure.

Yes, there are a few additional charges to keep in mind. A passenger service fee of Rs 50 per person , per ticket is applicable. During the peak season from 1st December to 31st January, a supplement of Rs 100 per person , per ticket, per sector is charged. If you need an extra copy of the ticket printout from ferry offices, it costs Rs 50.

Passengers are responsible for their belongings, and Makruzz is not liable for any loss or damage to them. Makruzz reserves the right to cancel or change the voyage date and time. Passengers also agree to indemnify Makruzz for any consequences arising from pre-carriage illness or ailments. Disputes and claims are subject to Indian law and the exclusive jurisdiction of Port Blair.

Makruzz Royal classes passengers are given light snacks, beverages for free. For other private ferries, you need to either pre order or buy snacks at the snacks counter within the ferry.

While there are a few websites available, we suggest AndamanFerryTicket.Com . Here you can get the latest ferry schedule and fares for all the routes. You can compare ticket prices for all the private ferries and also book whatever you want and get PDF ticket in your email instantly.

Correction of the ‘Name’ (only spelling mistakes) is permitted on the ticket with an extra charge of INR 200 per person once it is booked. Complete change of the name is not allowed.

Reschedule of the booked ticket is permitted on the ticket with an extra charge of INR 200 per person once it is booked.

No, tickets are non transferable and non reroutable.

Women are allowed during pregnancy (based on the instructions given by their doctors). Infants are allowed onboard but must be accompanied by an adult.

All the crew onboard is trained for medical emergencies. However, you are advised to carry your own medicines, take proper precautions and adhere to the safety norms onboard.

No, tickets for infants below 2 years old are nonchargeable.

The applicable GST rate for tickets is 18% per person, per ticket, starting from 1st December 2017.

No, by law, consuming liquor and smoking are not allowed onboard the vessel. This is to ensure a safe and pleasant journey for all passengers.

It is recommended that passengers report at the jetty one hour before departure. This allows sufficient time for the check-in process and ensures a timely departure.

Passengers are solely responsible for ensuring they possess all valid travel documents, such as identity proof, passport, visa, and any other required documents, for their journey with Makruzz in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please contact us. You can also visit our website for more information and updates on ferry connectivity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Routes and timings are subject to change on account of sea and weather conditions.

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Why take a Drishti Ferry

If it’s to do with water, we know all about it. The ferry service is operated by Drishti Cruises and Ferries, a company with strong roots in marine activity. For over 10 years, Drishti Marine has worked to enrich people’s experience of the ocean through marine tourism and infrastructure – from building secure and stable jetties to consulting on powerboating activities to handling rescue operations on beaches. In Goa, Drishti has long-standing experience operating the lifeguard and rescue operations and beach cleanup activities along the state’s 105-km coast.

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Gateway of India Ferry Ride – Details & My Honest Experience

Gateway of India Ferry Ride: Standing at the bay of giant Arabian Sea, Gateway of India is one of the top tourist attractions in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This iconic monument was built in the early 20th century. This place has a historical significance as the last British ship was set to sail in 1947 when Britishers left the country and Indian got its freedom. The structure of this monument is an adaption of Paris’s famous Arc de Triomphe.

Though I have lived in Mumbai for so many years, I never tried the ferry ride. Though I had been to Elephanta Caves when I was a kid, but I vaguely remember that experience. This time, I went to experience the ferry ride from Gateway of India and here are the details:

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FAQs Gateway of India Ferry Ride:

Gateway of India Entry fee: Free

30 mins Ferry Ride: Rs. 115/- and additional Rs. 10 if you want to sit on the roof top

Gateway of India Ferry Ride Timings: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Option 1) Take a ferry ride of 30mins and enjoy the Mumbai skyline view from the sea

Option 2) Go to Elephanta Caves from here

Option 3) Go to Alibaug from here

Note: Ferry rides does not operate during the heavy monsoon and high-tide time

Gateway of India, Ferry Ride Experience:

To be very frank, I felt a little low when I saw the crowd as initially we didn’t get a good spot to enjoy the views but then we started requesting the people to give us some space to at least click photos. People were kind enough to agree for this.

The experience was really good. Mumbai looks beautiful from the ferry. And since I am a huge water baby, I just loved looking at the Sea from the boat. They were also serving hot tea on the boat, just in case!

It had rained earlier that day, if you will see the vlog (added at the end of this post), you will see we all got drenched in the rain. So, the climate was really pleasant. Wind was so pleasant and it was so calm, then I didn’t even realize when 30 minutes were over. I wish they increase the duration and distance of the ferry ride.

All in all, it was a good experience and I highly recommend it to you to at least, go for it once!

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21 places to visit near bangalore within 100 kms, 17 best resorts in alibaug for a cosy weekend, 9 best resorts in malshej ghat in 2023, mumbai to alibaug ferry – price, timing & tickets.

Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by Editorial Staff

Every place has its rich history and culture, and uniqueness. Similarly, Alibaug is a popular tourist place in Maharastra, famous for its mesmerizing views, gorgeous beaches, historical forts, and thrilling adventure sports. It is a beachside town located in the Raigad district.

To reach this place, you cannot get any conventional transport; you will have to take the ferry from Mumbai. Alibaug is situated at a distance of 100 kilometers from Mumbai, and the Alibaug experience enhances with the ferry travel from Mumbai.

The view you will get while traveling by ferry will be far better than you would get while going by road. Thus, if you also want to plan a trip to Alibaug from Mumbai, experience the ferry ride, and know more about it, then you need to follow this article.

How to reach Alibaug via ferry?

The fastest, as well as unique, way to reach Alibaug from Mumbai, is by taking a ferry from Mumbai. You can take a ferry from Gateway of India to Mandwa Pier. The ferries going to Alibaug are easily accessible from the Bhaucha Dhakka and Gateway of India from Mumbai.

The seashore is situated 30-40 minutes south of the dock by auto or bus. You can also get the option to travel by air-conditioned ferries, which are available, especially in the summer season. The ferry service from Mumbai to Alibaug takes a travel time of 50 minutes.

What are the different ferry options?

Three organizations operate the ferries and launches between Mumbai to Alibaug. PNP, Maldar, Ajanta, and M2M are ferries that travel between Mumbai and Alibaug. Among these, Ajanta is the cheapest option. The price of each ferry is different for the upper and lower floors and the air conditioning.

The Ro-Ro ferry (M2M) works between the Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf ) and Mandwa Jetty in Raigad. You can get service from all the ferries on all the days of the week. The M2M ferries also allow you to bring your vehicles.

What are the Mumbai to Alibaug ferry timings?

From the sea route of Mumbai to Alibaug, three major ferry companies are operating currently, each having its schedule.

PNP Maritime Services Pvt Ltd. Ferry timings

Departure from the gateway of India: The first ferry departs from Gateway of India at 8:15 am, and the last departs at 8:15 pm. The ferries from Gateway of India depart at an interval of every two hours.

The departure of Alibuag: The first ferry departs from Alibaug at 6:15 am, and the last departure is 6:30 pm. Ferries from Alibaug depart at an interval of every two hours.

Maldar Catamarans

Departure from Gateway of India – 8:30 am, 10:45 am, 1:15 pm, 3:30 pm, and 6:00 pm

Departure timings from Alibaug – 8:45 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, 3:45 pm, and 6:00 pm.

Ajanta ( Jal Vahatuk Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit)

Departure from Gateway of India – 6:15 am, 7:00 am, 7:45 am, 9:15 am, 10:00 am, 11:15 am, 12:00 pm, 12:45 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

Departure timings from Alibaug – 6:45 am, 7:30 am, 7:55 am, 9:45 am, 10:30 am, 11:45 am, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm, 4:55 pm, 5:30 pm, and 5:45 pm.

What are the Mumbai to Alibaug ferry prices?

Each ferry service has a varied price range for their ferry services from Mumbai to Alibaug. Moreover, the fare differs with the type of deck. The main deck charges of Ajanta ferry services are priced at INR 135. The main deck of PNP maritime services costs INR 185, while the AC deck is priced at INR 190.

Maldar Catamarans ferry services charge its main deck INR 160, AC Deck INR 215, and the Upper deck is priced at INR 195. The M2M ferry services prices are as follows: Main deck- INR 300 and AC Deck- INR 360.

Things to know before taking Mumbai to Alibaug ferry

While planning your ferry trip From Mumbai to Alibaug, there are a few things that you must follow to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ferry journey.

It would help if you reached the boarding venue earlier to avoid any last-minute rush.
If you are an Indian citizen, it is mandatory to carry your Aadhar card as proof of your national identity.
As part of the social distancing protocols, you must maintain a safe distance from your co-passengers
It is advisable to refrain from carrying any valuables, such as jewellery, etc., while travelling. The ferry services management will not take responsibility for your loss.
During the ferry ride, ensure you carry all essential medications for chronic illness, allergies, etc.
It is of utmost necessity to strictly adhere to the safety precautions given by the ferry services companies.

What are the essential ferry policies?

Booking policy: You can book the M2M ferry tickets from their official website. Regarding offline and online bookings, booking your tickets two to three days in advance is advisable.

Confirmation policy: After completing the booking procedure, you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours. In case of the unavailability of the preferred slots, you will receive a new slot allotment and a confirmation receipt.

Cancellation policy: The ferry tickets can be canceled anytime before boarding. However, the tickets are non-refundable.

Payment policy- 100% of the booking amount for the preferred ferry slot is to be paid in advance.

Mumbai to Alibaug Ferry FAQs

The Mumbai to Alibaug ferry service is open all year except during bad weather and monsoon season.

Mumbai to Alibaug ferry services is operational the entire year from 7 am to 6 pm on all days of the week. To make the most of the ferry journey, the summer and winter seasons are a perfect time.

The Mumbai to Alibaug ferry travel is entirely safe. All the ferries are well-maintained and checked regularly to ensure the safety of the travellers. The ferry timings are scheduled accordingly as per the climatic conditions.

It takes almost 50 to 55 minutes to reach Alibaug from Mumbai. However, slight changes can depend on your choice of ferry service agency and package.

Thus, above, we have comprehensively discussed the Mumbai to Alibaug ferry travel. By following the above article, you can get in-depth knowledge about the ferry service from Mumbai to Alibaug, from where to board the ferry, their timing, service, etc.

Travelling by ferry from Mumbai to Alibaug is a perfect breakout from routine life. You can not only relax on the beaches of Alibaug but also indulge in various adventure activities and thus have a memorable time and eliminate all the stress and worries.

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The Essential Guide to Ferry Travel

Traveling by ferry is one of the oldest forms of travel. While the logistics have improved over the years, the essence of hopping on a ferry to be transported to your destination hasn’t changed in the past few centuries.

While airplanes and cars usually transport the bulk of vacationers these days, ferry travel comes with its own set of advantages you can’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re considering taking a ferry on your next-day trip, weekend getaway, or summer holiday, this article will help you feel more prepared before you step on the boat. Read on to learn everything you need to know before you make it to the port and how to make the most of your trip once you’re on board.

How to Plan Your Ferry Trip

Fortunately, the process is much simpler now if you search with us. On FerryGoGo , you can search for routes based on the country you want to visit, the port you’re leaving from, or the ferry line you want to sail with. It’s a convenient way to find a ferry crossing that suits your travel plans.

You can for instance navigate by different maps on different pages / guides:

All ferries in the UK . (a complete overview)
All (direct) ferries from UK to France .
Just the Dover-Calais Route .

How far in advance should you book a ferry?

Booking airline tickets well in advance is a prime way to cut travel costs when you’re planning a trip. The same is true when it comes to reserving ferry tickets. If you already know when you'll be traveling, aim to book your ferry ride three to six months in advance. This is usually when you’ll be able to get the best price on your passage fare.

If possible, the latest you should book your ferry is one month before you plan to travel. Once you get into the days or weeks before your trip, ticket demand usually increases. As a result, prices often increase, as well. This is especially true if you plan to visit a destination during its high tourism season, like the Greek islands during the summer.

However, if you have a last-minute trip coming up, you may still be able to snag a deal. To do this, though, you’ll probably need to wait until you’re at your destination to reserve your ferry crossing. Sometimes, smaller ferry operators will sell discounted tickets for next-day or day-of passages so they can still turn a profit.

There’s no guarantee, but it’s worth visiting your ferry line’s main office to ask in person for any last-minute deals they might have. India Amos Tweet

Can I bring my car on the ferry?

If you’re going on a long holiday, having your own vehicle could add a level of convenience and comfort to your stay in an unfamiliar destination. Some ferries allow you to drive your car onto the boat so it can be safely transported to your destination. If you need your vehicle for your trip, this can be an efficient way to make sure it gets there safely.

Regardless, remember that bringing your car onto a ferry doesn’t come without a cost. In fact, it can add significant charges to your passage fare. If you plan on spending a few weeks or months at your destination, bringing your car on the ferry could be cheaper than renting a car in the city or town where you’ll be staying.

Before you decide whether to take your car on your trip with you, make sure you find out if it’s possible on your ferry and whether it’s a good financial decision to do so.

How do I prepare for a ferry trip?

Now that you’ve booked your ticket, it’s time to get ready for your ferry trip. If this is your first time riding a ferry, there are some basic steps you can take to make sure your voyage is as comfortable as possible.

1. Figure out the type of ferry you’ll be on.

Not all ferries are created alike. Bigger vessels are usually ideal for first-time ferry tourists because they absorb more of the motion you would otherwise feel from the waves. Conversely, you’ll probably feel every ebb and flow of the water if you’re on a smaller vessel.

There are many ways you can avoid seasickness on a ferry . However, you can reduce your chances of having a rocky ride by booking passage on a larger boat.

2. Decide if you want to reserve your seat in advance.

Depending on your ferry route and line, you might have the option of reserving a specific seat on the vessel. Some ferries require you to select a seat assignment when you book your ticket. Other ferries only require it if you choose to purchase a premium or higher-status ticket. In other situations, ferries don’t offer seat selection at all.

When the option to select a seat assignment is available to you, you may want to take advantage. There are pros and cons to both options.

On one hand, choosing to forego seat selection can usually save you money. Plus, if you have a ticket on the ferry, you’re guaranteed to get on the boat and travel to your destination. However, you run the risk of having to sit in a noisy part of the ferry. If you’re traveling with friends or family members and aren’t one of the first people on board, there's also a good chance you won't be able to sit with your party.

On the other hand, selecting your seat assignment in advance can give you peace of mind on your travel day. It usually costs more, but it might be worth it if you loathe feeling rushed or prefer a specific seat on the vessel. For example, if you absolutely want a window seat for your ferry crossing, consider reserving it in advance.

3. Make sure you have the necessary documents.

The types of identification you’ll need to bring on the ferry with you depends on where you’re coming from and where you’re going. If you’re going from Boston to Salem , Massachusetts, for example, you’ll only need to bring your driver’s license or government ID because you’re staying within the United States.

However, if you want to sail across the Strait of Gibraltar and go from Spain to Morocco , you’ll need to provide a valid ID. (In 99% of the cases a passport).

Check with your ferry line to determine the specific documentation you’ll need for your voyage. Depending on your trip, you might need:

Proof of vaccination.
Customs declaration form.
Printed travel confirmation.

Make sure to check out our article about the ultimate ferry packing list as well:

What to Wear on a Ferry

As you get closer to your ferry departure date, it’s important that you consider what you’ll wear on the passage. Many ferries are equipped with AC and heaters so your voyage is comfortable no matter ‘when' you go.

However, hiccups can occur. To make sure your trip is enjoyable, there are certain items you should wear on the ferry. In general, you should wear:

Closed-toed shoes with socks. This is especially true for longer voyages. You never know if the ship will be cold, so dress accordingly.
Layered shirts and jackets. Temperatures might change on the boat, so you need to be prepared. Dressing in layers will help you be ready for whatever temperature you encounter.
Comfortable pants. When you’re on the ferry, you’ll need to do some walking or standing before you board and then a lot of sitting. Dress so you feel cozy.

What can I bring on a ferry?

As you prepare for your upcoming ferry trip, you’re probably wondering how much luggage you can bring with you and what you can pack in your suitcase. If you’re only used to traveling by airplane , you might be surprised how much more relaxed baggage rules for sea travel can be.

Generally, ferry luggage size requirements and bag limits vary by the line and voyage type. For longer international trips, you’ll probably be allowed more baggage than if you were going on a local day trip.

It’s not uncommon for some ferries to allow you to bring an unlimited amount of baggage. However, other lines cap you at one carry-on and two large suitcases. Some might allow you to store it in the boat like a checked bag in an airplane, while others might require you to always keep your luggage with you.

Avoid confusion on your departure date by confirming this information before you arrive at the port.

Next, be aware of the types of items you pack in your luggage. Unlike with air travel, you can bring liquids on the ferry with you. Additionally, specific rules regarding the types of weapons or sharp objects you can bring on the ferry vary by country and ferry line. Make sure you check your destination’s government website to determine what you can legally transport into the country.

How do I board a ferry?

Now that you’ve made your preparations, it’s time to finally get on the ferry.

Boarding for an International Ferry Trip

For international passages, the boarding procedure is similar to what you’d experience at the airport. Because of this, plan to arrive at the port at least two hours before your boat is set to sail. There might be unexpected changes to your check-in procedure, so make sure you have enough time to pivot before you board.

You’ll then pass through a check-in counter. Here, you’ll need to show your ticket and identification. If your ferry line allows you to store your luggage under the boat, you might be able to drop it off here.

Next, you will pass through security. Usually, you’ll need to put your belongings through an X-ray machine. Then, you will need to walk through a metal detector. Unlike at the airport, they probably won’t ask you to remove your shoes.

Afterward, you will go through immigration. This is where you will show your passport and answer the officer’s questions about your trip. Once you complete this step, you should be able to wait in the port lounge until your boarding number is called.

Boarding for a Domestic Ferry Trip

A picture I made from actually boarding my ferry in Greece © FerryGoGo

Since you are traveling in the same country, your arrival process should be shorter. If you’re going on a day trip, you’ll probably only need to go to a check-in counter. There, you’ll show your boarding ticket and identification. Then, they’ll either let you board immediately or wait until it’s your time to get on the boat.

Make sure you’re on time for your trip. Otherwise, you might get left behind. This could result in your ticket being canceled or the ferry line rebooking you on a later passage.

Tips for Traveling on a Ferry

Now that you know what to expect for your ferry voyage, here are some additional tips for traveling on a ferry to make your experience even more pleasant.

Save money by bringing drinks and snacks with you on board. Most ferries sell food and beverages on board. However, they’re almost guaranteed to be overpriced. By bringing your own snacks with you, you can eliminate this unnecessary charge on your trip.
Keep your valuables with you at all times. This goes for secure documents like your ID or passport, wallet, or phone. Keep them in your purse or in your pocket, and carry them with you wherever you go.
Don’t abandon your bags. It can be tempting to leave your bags near your seat and go out on deck to see the water. Don’t. No matter where you go on the boat, make sure you take your carry-on items with you.
Be proactive about
A picture I made from actually boarding our ferry in Greece
seasickness. Feeling nauseous your whole ferry ride is miserable. Make sure you bring medication or supplements to help with motion sickness before you board the ferry.

If you have any other helpful tips or questions, let me know in the comments!

Use our ferry guides and maps

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Ferries to Scandinavia

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Tags: Africa Global South America

I’m India, a journalist-turned-travel writer-turned-copywriter! Based in Miami!

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Thanks Ferry Go Go, this article highlights the timeless appeal of ferry travel and offers valuable insights on how to plan a ferry trip. We are a family of 5 and are planning a trip next summer, so this has been very helpful.

Good to know! If you have any other questions let me know!

Cheriyapani (IndSri), Ferry Service Between India and Sri Lanka

Reviving the sri lanka and india ferry service.

In a remarkable development, Cheriyapani (Indisri), a passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam, India, and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka has commenced after 41 years. This eagerly awaited resurrection promises to enhance travel and strengthen the connections between these two nations, offering a unique mode of transportation and fostering economic, religious, and cultural ties.

Cherriyapani Website – http://sailindsri.com/ IndSri Ferry

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Cheriyapani Specs

The Ferry is 35 meters long and 9.6 meters wide and it has the capacity to carry up to 150 passengers, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey for all on board. This ferry covers a distance of approximately 60 nautical miles (110 kilometers) between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai, providing travelers with a scenic and enjoyable voyage that takes around 3.5 hours, depending on sea conditions. The twin-hull catamaran-style ferry ensures a smooth and comfortable journey.

Cheriyapani Ticket Booking

The cost of the round-trip service is 13,000 INR (50000 LKR) plus tax, offering travelers an affordable way to explore both Sri Lanka and India. For those seeking a one-way journey, tickets can be purchased for Rs 6,500 INR (25000 LKR) plus tax, providing flexibility for various travel itineraries.

To book your voyage on this passenger ferry, an online booking facility will be available starting in January 2024. Until then, interested parties can secure their slots by calling India / International +91 744 886 3535 at least 24 hours in advance. Additionally, passengers will be required to send their passport copy and visa details via WhatsApp to confirm their booking.

Cheriyapani Schedule

The ferry service from Nagapattinam starts at 7 AM, reaching Kankesanthurai by 11 AM. The return journey begins at 2 PM in Kankesanthurai, and passengers will arrive in Nagapattinam by 5 PM. Each passenger is allowed to carry up to 50 kilograms of luggage, ensuring you can bring your essentials for a comfortable journey.

Cheriyapani will start operating again from 16th of August 2024

for Bookings Refer: Sail Indsri website

Sail Indsri Contact Details

India / International +91 744 886 3535
Sri Lanka +94715356365
[email protected]

Required Documents to Book the Sri Lanka to India Ferry Service

Passengers who are preparing for their upcoming journey have the option to pre-register with IndiSri Ferry service. To complete the pre-registration process, travelers need to submit copies of their passport and Indian visa .

WhatsApp Image 2024-08-13 at 13.53.07 (1)

Economic and Cultural Impact

The introduction of this new ferry service is expected to have a positive impact on trade, religious tourism, and commerce in the coastal regions of both countries. The service’s affordability is also likely to attract tour operators, enabling budget travelers from Tamil Nadu and other parts of India to explore prominent places of worship in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka.

In addition, Sri Lankan pilgrims will now have improved access to pilgrimage sites like Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Nagore, Thirunallar, and beyond, including the historical temple cities of Madurai, Thanjavur, and Tiruchi.

The Man in Seat 61

A beginner's guide to

Train travel in india.

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Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, around india by train.

The best way to see India is at ground level on the incredible Indian railway system, not from 35,000 feet. Experience the bustle of Indian railway stations and a comfortable journey on an Indian express train with the tea seller's cry of Chai, chai, garam chai wafting down the aisle. Forget media images of crowded local trains with people sitting on the roof. In an AC Chair Car or AC1 or AC2 sleeper on an express, all seats & berths are reserved and it’s safe, civilised, inexpensive & comfortable. Even journeys such as Mumbai to Delhi or Delhi to Jaisalmer can be covered time-effectively by overnight sleeper, centre to centre, saving a hotel bill too. Book Indian train tickets online at 12go.asia

Useful country information

Train routes & maps.

India's passenger rail network is the third biggest in the world after Russia and China, with 63,000 km of rail routes and 6,800 stations. In terms of passenger kilometres, it's the biggest in the world. Indian Railways are the world's biggest employer, with over 1.5 million staff.

The trains in India go almost everywhere, and it's generally safe to assume that you can travel between any two Indian cities or major towns by train, the length and breadth of the country.

Most of India's rail network is broad gauge with rails 5' 6" apart, wider than standard gauge (4' 8½") used in Europe, allowing Indian trains to be wider than European trains. Parts of the country such as Rajasthan used to be served by an extensive metre-gauge network, but most metre-gauge routes have now been converted to broad gauge. A few hill railway such as Kalka-Simla and New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling use narrow gauge, either 2' or 2' 6".

For an Indian railways route map see surveyofindia.gov.in/files/Railway map_Eng_C.jpg (please let me know if this stops working).

Also try www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/india-railway-map.htm , or indiarailinfo.com/atlas .

How to check train times & fares

It can be easiest to check train schedules & fares for the main tourist routes at agency website 12go.asia , this can also sell you a ticket, hassle-free.

For train times & fares for any journey in India use www.indianrail.gov.in .

This is one of the various official Indian Railways websites, an amazing site but a little bewildering, not helped by there being another official site, www.indianrailways.gov.in . It's a good training course for your travels in India.

To check train times, look for Reserved Train Between Stations at the top of their home page.

To check fares, first find a train and note the train number, then click Fare enquiry at the top of their home page.

To check availability over various dates, first find a train and note the train number, then click Seat availability at the top of their home page.

Or download an app for your phone. There are many apps to choose from, the official IRCTC apps seem unavailable outside India so try these 3rd-party apps for checking Indian train times on the go. They're ad-heavy, but they work, I find Ixigo the best.

Indian Rail IRCTC for iPhone or Indian Rail IRCTC for Android .

Ixigo for iPhone or Ixigo for Android .

Trains at a Glance

You can buy the famous Trains at a Glance timetable booklet for 100 rupees at any station bookstall - it makes a great souvenir. It shows times in printed form for most major stations on all the main routes. Very useful!

Or download it for a small fee from www.irctctourism.com/gallery/tag.html .

Or download for free at indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,304,366,537 Important: If it says Error 404 Page Not Found, simply set your VPN to India and it will work. This is why people need a VPN !

Tips for checking Indian train times

Which station in which city .

Kashmir originally had no rail connection, but a line to Srinagar and beyond has now been completed with more under construction. The line heads through tough terrain, and features the highest railway bridge in the world. Srinagar's station code is SINA (not to be confused with another smaller Srinagar in Rajasthan with station code SNAR).

Khajuraho (a much-visited temple complex) now has a station, station code KURJ. There's a daily overnight train called the Kurukshetra-Khajuraho Express leaving New Delhi station at 18:20, picking up at Agra Cantonment around 21:35 and arriving in Khajuraho at 08:00 next morning. It returns from Khajuraho at 18:35 arriving New Delhi at 08:45.

Example train times

Example fares from delhi.

£1 = 105 Rupees, €1 = 90 Rupees, $1 = 82 Rupees.

Shatabdi Express = Premier daytime train, special fare payable, meals included.

Rajdhani Express = Premier overnight train, special fare payable, meals included.

Child fares on Indian trains since 2016: Children aged 0 to 4 inclusive travel free. Children aged 5 to 11 inclusive travel at half fare if they do not take up a reserved seat or berth, but as from April 2016 they must pay the adult fare if they travel with their own reserved seat or berth. I do not recommend that any child aged 5 to 11 travels without their own seat or berth in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair car or Sleeper Class, so this effectively means you must now pay the adult fare for children aged 5 and over. Children aged 12 and over pay the adult fare in all cases.

Classes explained

Which class to choose.

Above, a typical long-distance express or mail train with older carriages (not a premier Rajdhani or Duronto express). You can just make out 3 cars in the centre of the train with different windows. These are the AC cars, perhaps one AC1, one AC2 & one AC3 car. The rest of the train is Sleeper class. Courtesy of Albert Höchst.

Types of train

Which train to choose.

Executive Chair (EC) class on a Vande Bharat Express. These are India's most modern trains, capable of 160 km/h (100 mph) & used at up to 130 km/h (80 mph). See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vande_Bharat_Express . Photos courtesy of Nonstop Eurotrip , see video of Varanasi-Delhi Vande Bharat Express .

AVL, CNF, RAC & Waitlist

You need a reservation to travel on Indian long-distance trains, you can't just turn up and hop on. Reservations are fully computerised using the world's largest computer reservation system. Trains get fully-booked weeks in advance, so buy tickets as far ahead as possible.

When do bookings open?

Bookings for most Indian long-distance trains currently open 120 days before departure.

It was 60 days until 2008, when it was experimentally extended to 90 days, then it was experimentally extended even further to 120 days in 2012, reduced again to 60 days in 2013 to make ticket 'scalping' by agencies harder, but restored to 120 days as from 1 April 2015.

Some short-distance inter-city trains may open for bookings less than this, for example Delhi-Kalka & Kalka-Simla may open only 30 days or in some cases just 15 days ahead.

The remarkable Indian Railways system

Indian Railways have a unique system with 4 possible statuses for seats/berths/bookings:

AVL = Available , these are seats or berths that are unsold and available for booking.

CNF = Confirmed . When you book an available seat or berth, your PNR status (Personal Name Record) becomes CNF, confirmed. You're safely booked on the train with a specific seat or berth.

RAC = Reservation Against Cancellation . When all the seats or berths on a train in a given class have been sold, a certain number of tickets in that class are sold as Reservation Against Cancellation, or RAC.

WL = Waitlist . When all the RAC places have been sold, further prospective passengers can buy Waitlist (WL) tickets.

If you go to www.indianrail.gov.in & click Seat availability you can see how many seats remain available in each class on a given train.

For example, today is 26 January, let's say I want to go from Delhi to Kolkata on the best train, the overnight Howrah Rajdhani in AC 2-tier. Tomorrow's train is fully-booked in AC2 and shown as NOT AVAILABLE. I can buy Waitlisted tickets for this train on 28 and 29 January. I can buy RAC tickets on any day between 30 January & 5 February and if I buy those I can definitely board the train and travel with (in practice) maybe a 90% chance of ending up with a berth to myself. The first day on which AC 2-tier is shown as AVL so I can buy a ticket and instantly get a confirmed berth is 6 February. The Foreign Tourist quota would help me here, there are 7 or 8 FT quota places shown as AVL every day from 27 January onwards, but I'll explain that in the quotas section .

Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)

With an RAC ticket, you're allowed to board the train and travel. Whatever happens, you know you're safely booked on that train. So if you're offered an RAC ticket you should take it, even though you won't have a specific seat or berth number at this stage.

In the vast majority of cases, one of the confirmed passengers will cancel or unsold tickets will be left in one of the more obscure quotas on departure day and you'll be promoted from RAC to CNF with a confirmed seat or berth on the train.

Your name will then be shown against a specific seat or berth number on the reservation list pinned on the notice board at the boarding station on the day of travel when the train is charted , or you can check your PNR (Personal Name Record) status online . A waitlisted passenger will be promoted from WL to RAC in your place.

In the unlikely event that nobody cancels, you'll be given a place to sit (but not a berth) in a carriage of the class you've booked. For example, two RAC passengers might be given seats on a bunk that would normally be for one person. In most cases, at least one of the confirmed passengers will fail to show up for the train and the on-board staff will allocate their berth to the passenger holding ticket RAC1. The passenger holding ticket RAC2 will then be left with a berth to themselves, solving two RAC passengers' problems! In the worst case scenario, if there were no no-shows the RAC passengers would have to sit up all night or take turns using the berth to snooze, but in practice this seldom happens. Like I said, if an RAC place is available, you should take it.

A downside of buying RAC tickets as a couple, family or small group is that you might be split up, because you get the places freed up when people cancel or which are left when tickets remain unsold in special quotas. But there's usually only one or two AC2 or AC3 cars on a given train, so in those classes you probably won't be far apart.

Incidentally, RAC tickets exist in AC2, AC3 & SL, but not in AC1, EC, CC or FC. In AC1, EC, CC & FC, passengers are always CNF or WL.

Waitlist (WL)

With a WL ticket you cannot travel, unless you are promoted to RAC or CNF before departure.

Each WL ticket has two numbers at any given moment in time, for example WL10/WL3.

The first number is the ticket's original Waitlist number. In this example, WL10 means you bought the Number 10 Waitlist ticket allocated to this train, 10th in the queue when the train opened for booking. This number won't change, even if you are promoted to a confirmed place (CNF), your ticket will always be WL10 and shown as such on the reservation list.

The second number is your current position in the queue, this number will reduce as people cancel. On websites & apps that show only one WL number rather than two, this is the number it shows. In this example WL10/WL3 means that 7 people have already cancelled and you are now 3rd in line for promotion to RAC. If 3 more people cancel, you'll be promoted to RAC and can travel.

If more people cancel you may even be promoted to CNF with a confirmed seat or berth. With a low-numbered WL ticket you've a good chance of this happening. For example, one traveller reports having Waitlisted places between WL1 and WL10 on numerous trips, and always successfully got promoted to CNF with a confirmed place on the train, usually in the 24 hours before departure as that's when all the movement takes place from tickets in unsold quotas being used to reduce the number of WL & RAC passengers.

Keep checking your PNR status online . Even if you're only promoted to RAC, you can at least travel. If the train is charted and you're still only Waitlisted, then you can't travel and your fare will automatically be refunded, less a minor clerkage fee.

How likely is a given WL ticket to be confirmed?

There are now several websites that claim to predict how likely it is that a given WL ticket will be confirmed and allow you on the train, based on historical data. Try entering your PNR into trainman.in , or use it to see what the current availability of a given train is, and how likely it is that if you bought WL tickets they'd be confirmed by departure.

The Vikalp scheme (ATAS)

There's yet another process to help Waitlisted passengers. When you buy a WL ticket, you may be asked if you want to opt in to the Vikalp scheme, also known as Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme or ATAS. Vikalp is Hindi for option .

If you tick the Vikalp box, you're offered a selection of possible alternative trains and you can choose which of these you'd be willing to take if you can't get a berth on the train you've booked. Then, if you are still Waitlisted (WL) when your original train is charted (so you can't travel on it), and if space is available in the same class on one of your chosen alternative trains, you'll be given a confirmed (CNF) berth on that instead.

An alternative train is one between the same or similar origin & destination leaving between 30 minutes & 72 hours after your original choice of train. For example, a train leaving from Old Delhi or Delhi H.Nizamudin might be considered alternatives to a train from New Delhi.

If there are several of you on one PNR, either all of you will be given places on an alternative train or none of you will, so don't worry, you won't be split up. However, once you opt in to Vikalp, you can't opt out again. And if you are transferred to a CNF place on an alternative train and decide you don't want it, you can cancel but only in line with the terms & conditions of a CNF place, which means a partial refund less the CNF cancellation fees (as an unsuccessful Waitlisted passenger on your original train you'd normally have been refunded almost all of your money).

Charting is the process of drawing up the final passenger list for each carriage of a given train, allocating names to berths. The list is posted on the reservations notice board at stations or you can check your PNR status online .

During this process, any unsold tickets in quotas such as handicapped, military or parliamentary are released, freeing up places so RAC passengers can be moved up to Confirmed (CNF) and WL passengers to RAC or CNF. So if you have a WL ticket and haven't already been promoted to RAC or CNF as passengers cancel, this is when you discover whether or not you're on the train.

It's also at this point that specific berth numbers are allocated to AC1 sleeper passengers, which is why you can't choose between an AC1 2-berth coupé and an AC1 4-berth compartment when you book.

Charting for trains leaving their origin station between 12:00 & 23:00 takes place around 4 hours before departure from that station.

Charting for trains leaving their origin between 23:00 & 12:00 takes place 19:00-21:00 Monday-Saturday or 13:00-15:00 Sundays & holidays.

How to check your current status

You can confirm your current PNR (Personal Name Record) status as WL, RAC or CNF at www.indianrail.gov.in/pnr_Enq.html or using one of the apps suggested above , by entering the PNR number shown on your ticket.

Remember that things can change even on the day of departure, most movement happens shortly before departure, when the train is charted.

When you buy a ticket, it comes from a specific quota. A quota is simply an allocation of tickets for a particular type of traveller such as senior, handicapped, military or government, on each train in each class. By default, tickets come from the General quota.

General (GN) quota

Remote location (rl) & pooled (pq) quotas, handicapped, senior & ladies quotas.

The Senior quota is only for Indian seniors so don't use this if you're not Indian.

The Ladies quota only exists in Sleeper class & AC3, it gets you berths in one small bay reserved for women, it's hardly worth bothering with.

The Lower Berth quota is for anyone with mobility issues who can't use the ladder to the upper berths, so absolutely needs a lower.

When a train is charted and the final reservation list is compiled, any unsold seats or berths in these quotas will be freed up used to reduce the RAC/Waitlist, promoting RAC passengers to CNF and WL passengers to RAC and (once all RAC passengers are confirmed) CNF.

Foreign Tourist (FT) quota

Many important trains have a small Foreign Tourist (FT) quota of seats or berths available only to foreign tourists. The purpose of the FT quota is to allow foreign tourists to book trains at short notice notice when the General quota is fully-booked.

It's not a foolproof way to travel around India without pre-booking: There's an FT quota on only 200 trains a day out of some 9,000 trains, and the quota might be just 2 places, seldom more than 12, in one or two specific classes, typically AC1 & AC2 or CC. So even using the FT quota, you may have to wait a day or so before there is a berth available to your chosen destination in your chosen class.

For example, today is 25 January, the earliest date for which AC2 tickets available from the General quota on the Delhi-Varanasi Swatantrtwa Express is 11 February. But if I look at the Foreign Tourist quota, although there are no tickets today, there are two tickets available in AC2 tomorrow, and on each of the following few days.

If you buy an FT quota ticket at a ticket office or tourist reservation centre, you must pay in US Dollars, pounds sterling, or rupees backed by an exchange certificate proving they've come from a bank or bureau de change in exchange for foreign currency. Rupees backed by an ATM receipt and foreign bank card are usually sufficient. You can now book tickets from the Foreign Tourist quota when booking online .

Let's be clear, as a foreign tourist, you don't have to book from the FT quota. Anyone of any nationality can book from the General quota whenever it's available. And FT tickets are a little more expensive than tickets from the General quota, too.

Indeed, if there are still seats available in the General quota when you book, you shouldn't use the FT quota . Because later on when the train is fully-booked, some other overseas visitors may urgently need those precious few FT places, desperate to get a train back to Delhi for their flight home. If you used up all the FT places weeks ahead when you didn't need to, those travellers may be stranded!

Tatkal (TQ & PT) quotas

To allow travel at short notice on trains that are often fully-booked weeks before departure, Indian Railways introduced a system called Tatkal (Hindi for immediate ). A number of tickets on key trains are held back and released at 10:00 one day before departure (originally 72 hours before departure, reduced to 2 days back in 2009 and just 1 day in 2011). They are sold with a Tatkal fee of 10% of the fare in 2nd class or 30% in all other classes. There are in fact two Tatkal quotas, regular Tatkal (TQ quota) with fixed fares, and Premium Tatkal (PT quota) with variable fares that increase with demand. Tatkal places can also be booked online . If there are seats available in the Foreign Tourist quota then the Tatkal quota may be irrelevant for you, if not, the Tatkal system can be useful.

How to buy tickets online

Indian trains often get fully-booked weeks in advance as demand usually exceeds supply. So if you have a fixed itinerary and limited time you should buy tickets in advance before you get to India.

I recommend ticketing agency 12go.asia as option 1 for good reason: It's hassle-free, even though it only does the principle trains on the routes usually requested by visitors. It only sells confirmed tickets, it doesn't sell RAC or WL places. It happily accepts overseas credit cards.

However, for complete access to all routes, trains, ticket types & quotas including Waitlisted & RAC , you must face the challenge of registering with the official Indian Railways booking website irctc.co.in, which is option 2. I provide detailed instructions below. Be warned, the process may drive you nuts. Some people give up, others manage it in the end, but once registered you can book anything.

Option 1, buy at 12go.asia

I recommend ticketing agency 12go.asia as the quickest & easiest way to buy tickets for the principal trains and routes used by tourists, it makes booking trains as easy as booking flights.

You can check prices & availability online, pay with an international credit card and get the same e-ticket you'd get if you booked directly with irctc.co.in, but without the frustration of having to create an account and register with irctc.co.in.

Booking opens 120 days ahead , although some short-distance inter-city trains have a shorter booking horizon. You can't buy tickets before reservations open. Indian trains get fully booked weeks ahead, so book as far ahead as you can to be sure of a place.

How it works

12go.asia 's system shows fares & availability in real time, taken from IRCTC's system. You select your train & class and click to buy. Tickets are then manually secured by 12go staff using IRCTC's business-to-business booking system.

You can choose to see prices & pay in Indian Rupees, USD, GBP, Euros & several other currencies.

Limitations

12go.asia sells tickets for all the major routes of interest to visitors, but not between every possible station. For that you need irctc.co.in.

Option 2, buy at www.irctc.co.in

You can buy train tickets direct from Indian Railways at the IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in .

Registering to use www.irctc.co.in is a time-consuming and frustrating process, but once registered you'll have access to all routes, trains, classes & ticket types.

Irctc.co.in has accepted overseas (non-Indian) credit cards since 2016, although it occasionally goes through periods when international cards don't seem to be accepted, just to keep everyone on their toes. You must select the payment option which mentions International cards powered by PayU at the payment stage.

How to register for an IRCTC account

Go to www.irctc.co.in and click REGISTER top right.

Now enter the details to create an account.

Choose a username , some trial and error may be needed.

Enter your mobile phone number - your home country's international dialling code goes in the box marked ISD (this box says '91' until you have changed India to your own country in the box above). The ISD for the UK is '44'. Then enter your mobile phone number without any leading '0'.

Pin code means postcode . Use 123456 as it won't accept UK-style postcodes. Under Post Office , just enter your city & phone number again.

Payment problems paying the SMS verification fee

Just after I test-registered they imposed a fee for sending the OTP to a non-Indian mobile. A few people have had credit card acceptance problems in paying this fee, but others find paying the fee works fine. Again, I don't know why, but it could be problems with your own bank detecting and blocking a 'suspicious' foreign transaction. Give them a call!

How to buy tickets at www.irctc.co.in

When you click to see availability on a particular train, you will see places shown as AVL , RAC or WL , see the explanation of Reservation Against Cancellation & Waitlisting here .

AVL = Available , this means there are tickets available for confirmed seats or berths on that train.

RAC = Reservation Against Cancellation , this means that the train is theoretically full, but Reservation Against Cancellation tickets are available for that train which allow you to board and be allocated a berth by the conductor. So if you only see RAC tickets available, my advice is to go ahead and book, you'll still be able to travel on that train.

Tip: Download the IRCTC app for your phone. Download the IRCTC Rail Connect app for iPhone (if it's available in your region, it may not be) or IRCTC Rail Connect app for Android onto your phone. You'll probably find you can't buy tickets with overseas credit cards using the app, but tickets bought online at the IRCTC website will show up in the app and can be shown to the conductor. You can check train times, and see the current status of your booking if you are waitlisted or RAC. Feedback appreciated . I recommend some other apps that are available outside India in the travel tips section .

Option 3, Cleartrip.com, Makemytrip.com , Ixigo.com

How to buy tickets at the station.

The main stations in big cities and tourist centres such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi have an International Tourist Bureau where foreign travellers can book trains away from the crowds and queues at the normal booking office. There is also a 24-hour rail booking office at Delhi International Airport.

For a list of stations with an International Tourist Bureau & opening times, see www.indianrail.gov.in , select Information then International Tourist .

New Delhi International Tourist Bureau ( temporarily closed )

U pdate 2024: The New Delhi International Tourist Bureau remains temporarily closed due to the pandemic and low numbers of tourists. A notice directs tourists to the international tourist counter at the Rail Reservation Centre 300m down the road, see the section below .

When open, the International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi railway station makes it easy for foreign visitors to buy tickets. They could often sell you places out of the tourist quota, even when a train is fully-booked for Indian passengers. Before the pandemic, it was normally open 06:00-23:00 every day, it's now temporarily closed.

How to find it

Enter New Delhi main station entrance on the Paharganj side (shown in the photo below left), veer slightly to the left and go up one flight of stairs to find yourself outside the International Tourist Bureau, as shown in the photo below right. It's above platform 1. If it doesn't look like the photo below, it isn't the real International tourist office.

New Delhi international tourist counter

Mumbai csmt, formerly bombay victoria terminus.

A station to rival London's St Pancras, Mumbai CSMT is an attraction in its own right. Completed in 1887, its full title is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or (officially) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, station code CSMT . Known as Bombay Victoria Terminus until 1996 and still known as 'VT' by many, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus .

Foreign Tourist Counter: At Mumbai CSMT you can easily buy tickets from the foreign tourist quota at the Foreign Tourist counter, counter 4 downstairs in the Reservation Centre at CSMT. It moved from counter 20 upstairs in 2018, please let me know if it changes again.

Tips for train travel in India

Checking your reservation.

The reservation system is very efficient and the days of finding your reserved berth already occupied by several passengers are long gone. Your train, coach & berth number will be printed on your ticket - unless you're travelling in AC1 in which case the reservation list with your allocated berth numbers is only compiled a 2-4 hours before departure.

Reservation lists for each class in each long-distance train are posted on the notice board at each station about two hours before departure, showing the name, age and sex of each passenger reserved in each berth in each coach. The age and sex help the ticket inspector identify that the right passenger is in the right berth. A reservation list for each coach used to be pasted next to the entrance door on the train itself, but this is no longer done.

If you need to check your reservation, you can do so on your phone or laptop by entering your PNR (= booking reference) a PNR status-checking website such as www.railyatri.in/pnr-status or etrain.info/in , or using one of the Indian railways apps.

Download an app

I recommend downloading an app for your phone. There are a bewildering number to choose from, some official, some 3rd party. The official IRCTC apps seem unavailable outside India, so try these:

Indian Rail IRCTC for iPhone or Ixigo for iPhone .

Indian Rail IRCTC for Android or Ixigo for Android .

With these you can:

Check train schedules between any two stations.

Check a train's schedule at each of its calling points. It also shows the train formation and carriage numbering to help you find your seat or berth.

Check your PNR status to see whether a Waitlisted ticket has become RAC or Confirmed.

Check real-time train running to see if your train is on time.

Check the platform for your train using the Live Station Info button, so you won't have to rely on the station departure displays to find your train.

Set a destination alarm to warn you a certain number of kilometres before your destination.

Luggage on Indian trains

Luggage is not a problem on Indian trains, you take your bags with you onto the train and place them on the overhead racks or underneath the lower berths.

The free luggage allowance is generous: You can take to 70 Kg in AC1, 50 Kg in AC2, 40 Kg in AC3, AC Chair class or Sleeper class, 35 Kg in 2nd class seats. Most western travellers are unlikely to exceed that, but if you really need to, you can pay an excess luggage fee and take up to 150 Kg in AC1 or 100 Kg in AC2. However, the maximum is 40 Kg in AC3 or AC Chair class.

Theft of luggage is rare, but for peace of mind take along a bicycle lock or medium-sized padlock to secure your bags. In the sleeping-cars, there are wire hoops hanging down underneath the seats to which you can padlock your luggage while you sleep.

Carriage numbers

The carriage numbers shown on tickets, on reservation lists and on the side of each coach consist of a letter and a number, for example H1, A1, A2, B1, B2, S1, S2, S3 and so on. The letter shows the class of accommodation in that car.

A = air-con 2-tier (2A).

B = air-con 3-tier (3A).

AB = composite coach, half air-con 2-tier, half air-con 3-tier.

C = air-con chair car (CC).

D = non-air-con 2nd class reserved (2S).

E = executive chair class (EC).

G & J are used for AC 3-tier & Air-conditioned Chair class on Garib Rath trains.

GS = General Seating = non-air-con 2nd class unreserved (GN).

H = air-conditioned 1st class (1A).

HA = composite coach, half AC1, half AC2.

M = air-con 3-tier economy (3E).

S = sleeper class (SL).

There's typically just one air-con 1st class sleeper on a given train, so that's usually numbered H1. If there were two air-con 2-tier cars on a train, those cars would be numbers A1 & A2. So if you booked an AC2 ticket you'd expect to be given a car number 'A1' or 'A2', if you booked AC1 you'd expect to be in car H1 or HA1.

You may also see EOG = generator car. PC = pantry car, for catering. SLR = Second class Luggage Rake, a car with luggage space, guard's compartment and limited 2nd class seating.

How to check train formations & seat maps

Go to www.trainman.in/coach-position and enter the train number or name. You'll see a diagram of the train formation, and a seat map for each car.

Food and drink on Indian trains

There are no restaurant or buffet cars on Indian Railways, but on long distance trains an attendant will appear in your coach and ask you if you would like to order food. He will note down your order (usually a choice of 'veg' or 'non-veg') on a bit of paper. An hour or so later he will reappear with some rice and curry in small foil containers from the kitchen car. It is not expensive - you can reckon on £2-£3 per meal. Attendants also regularly pass down each car selling soft drinks, snacks, or excellent hot sweet Indian tea (garam chai) for a few rupees. On the premier Rajdhani Express trains (linking Delhi with Mumbai, Kolkata, etc.) and the premier daytime Shatabdi Express trains (linking Delhi with Jaipur and Agra, etc.), food is included in the fare, served at your seat.

Pre-order your food from a restaurant of your choice. Alternatively, there are now several Indian websites that allow you to pre-book food to be delivered to your seat on the train from various vendors along the way. If you have a confirmed train booking you can go to railrestro.com , enter your PNR, select a vendor you like the sound of who is located at a station where your train calls at a suitable time, and select specific items from their menu to be delivered to you on board the train at that station - reports so far have been very positive, but feedback is always appreciated !

Cleanliness, toilets & crowding

The efficient reservation system means that you can safely forget any pictures you've seen of overcrowded Indian trains with people on the roof or hanging on the side. These these photos show suburban or local trains, or unreserved 2nd class on long-distance ones. On fast long-distance trains in AC1, AC2, AC3, or AC Chair Class, all passengers have an assigned seat or sleeping berth so there's no overcrowding. Don't expect pristine western standards anywhere in India, but you'll find AC1, AC2, AC3 and AC Chair class clean by Indian standards, with both western-style and squat toilets usually in a reasonably sanitary condition, see the train interior photos below. On the other hand, Sleeper Class gets much grubbier than the AC classes and unreserved passengers can sometimes enter the coaches making it crowded. 2nd class unreserved can be incredibly crowded. Toilets in sleeper class or basic non-AC 2nd class seats can leave a lot to be desired.

Safety & security

Indian trains are safe to travel on, even for families or women travelling alone, and you are unlikely to have any problems. As in any busy place anywhere, pickpockets operate at the major stations (for example Delhi and New Delhi), so take care. Oh, and be prepared: If anyone tells you that your train is cancelled, that the ticket office has closed or has moved to a travel agency across the road, or your pre-booked hotel has burnt down or been abducted by aliens, please politely ignore them, even if they look 'official', to avoid ending up in a travel agency paying for a car and driver at vast expense, or booking their 'alternative' hotel which of course will luckily have a room available. These are all well-known scams (yawn...) to get travel agency business, usually obvious to any regular India hand, but first-timers have been known to fall for them.

Do Indian trains run on time?

Indian Railways are generally remarkably efficient, but Indian trains do run late, sometimes hours rather than minutes. To get a feel for it, why not go to either www.trainenquiry.com or www.erail.in and see how late yesterday's Delhi-Jaisalmer Express arrived, or last Thursday's Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express? At www.erail.in , select the origin and destination that interests you, and bring up the train list. Now find the train that you want and click on it. Now select a date and click the 'train running status' button. It will show you a table of scheduled times and actual times at each station. Data is only held for the last few days, not weeks or months ago. At www.trainenquiry.com , you simply enter the train number or name, then select from a list of possible trains.

Alternatively, these examples from my own travels may give you a feel for the likely delay: Delhi-Varanasi overnight express spot on time, Bombay-Howrah Mail 1½ hours late, Chennai-Mumbai Chennai Express 40 minutes late, Kolkata-Delhi Rajdhani Express spot on time (Rajdhani Expresses get priority and are pretty punctual), Delhi-Agra Shatabdi Express spot on time (Shatabdi Expresses also get priority and are pretty punctual), Jaisalmer-Delhi Express 2 hours late starting and 3 hours late arriving, Delhi-Kalka-Simla Himalayan Queen spot on time, Varanasi-Agra-Jaipur Marudhar Express 50 minutes late, Chennai-Delhi Grand Trunk Express 1½ hours late.

Recharging mobiles & cameras

There are shaver sockets in most AC1/2/3 sleeper cars and many Indian trains now have power outlets for mobiles and laptops. However, I never travel without an Anker powerbank which can recharge your phone several times over if you're on the move and can't get to a power outlet.

Other Indian train tips

Bring your own toilet paper. You'll normally find one western toilet and one squat toilet at one or both ends of the car. In AC1, AC2, AC Chair Class and even AC3 the toilets are normally reasonably clean by Indian standards, and in full working order. Sleeper Class and 2nd class toilets may be a different matter!

Make sure you research when to visit India carefully - in summer it can be unbearably hot, and you also want to avoid the monsoon rains. And in January & February in Northern India that there can be major disruption to road, rail & air due to thick fog, so bear that in mind.

Finally, forewarned is forearmed

In India, if someone asks which hotel you're going to, then announces that this hotel has been flooded, burnt down, or abducted by aliens, they are of course trying to get commission from sending you to another hotel - that's often painfully obvious and it's almost funny! Smile, ignore them, and persist in walking to your own hotel, which will of course be open as usual. But similarly, especially at big stations such as New Delhi, if an official-looking person (they may even show you a badge) says your train has been cancelled, or says you can't board without a boarding pass (with an e-ticket you can get on the train, there's no such thing as a boarding pass), smile, ignore them, walk past, and persist until you see the actual departure indicators and get your train. If necessary, go and see the station master! Although this has never happened to me, there are occasional reports of travellers being conned into buying new tickets from a nearby travel agency, being sent to a nearby travel agency when they wanted the genuine New Delhi foreigners booking office, or being conned into hiring a private car and driver for hundreds of dollars when they already had trains booked, which of course weren't really cancelled. So smile, ignore, persist, go and see the departure boards with your own eyes, find and get on your train, and have a giggle about it later! If you encounter any of this, feedback (and a good laugh) is always appreciated!

The 11 classes on Indian trains

There are 11 classes of accommodation on Indian trains or at least, 11 different class codes in the system. You can argue that 3E is a variation of 3A, EA a variation of EC and that 2S & GN are the same (both are 2nd class seats, one reserved, the other unreserved). But that's still 8 classes!

Only a small selection of classes is available on any given train, a typical long-distance train might have one AC1 car, one or two AC2 cars, perhaps an AC3 car, then a long line of 6, 7 or 8 Sleeper class cars and maybe one GN or 2S car at the end. But it varies, of course.

Here are the classes, in roughly descending order of cost, together with the usual 2 & 3-letter abbreviations. A request: If you get any clear interior photos of AC2, AC3 or Sleeper class which would better illustrate these classes, please get in touch !

Air-conditioned first class (AC1 or 1A)

Air-conditioned 2-tier (ac2 or 2a).

AC2 is relatively clean & comfortable, with room to spread out. It's the class typically used by middle class Indian families and a good choice for most western visitors. AC2 is found on almost all decent long-distance trains including the premier Rajdhani & Duronto expresses.

AC2 offers padded leatherette seats by day which convert to flat padded bunks at night. AC2 coaches are open-plan with berths arranged in bays of four on one side of the aisle (two upper, two lower, transverse across the car width), and in bays of two on the other side of the aisle, arranged longitudinally along the coach side above and below the windows. If you're tall, you should book a transverse berth.

Each bay is curtained off for privacy, and an attendant distributes pillows, clean sheets and blankets in the evening. Update: Curtains were removed as a Covid-19 precaution and may still be absent.

Click for car plans & berth numbering in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class .

Air-conditioned 3-tier (AC3 or 3A)

AC3 has a similar layout to AC2, but instead of upper & lower berths it has 3 tiers of bunks - upper, middle and lower - arranged in bays of six on one side of the aisle, and longitudinal bays of two - upper and lower - along the wall on the other side of the aisle. As in AC2, an attendant distributes pillows, sheets and blankets in the evening. Berths convert to seats for daytime use.

With 3 people sitting on each bench seat during the day rather than just 2, it feels a lot more crowded than AC 2-tier, and at night there is less height-space between each bunk - the top bunks are significantly higher up near the ceiling. AC3 may lack the privacy curtains and individual berth lights usually found in AC2. As in AC2, you should avoid the longitudinal berths if you are tall. Still, if you find AC2 fully-booked, most western travellers will find AC3 an acceptable fall-back. See car plans & berth numbering in AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class . Photos courtesy of Rachel Poschi.

Air-conditioned 3-tier economy (3E)

Executive anubhuti chair car (ea), ac executive chair class (ec).

AC Executive Chair Class is only found on the high-quality Shatabdi Express , Vande Bharat Express & Tejas Express trains. Seats are arranged 2+2 across the car width, basic pre-packaged food & drink is included in the fare, served at your seat. It's also known as First AC Chair class. Seat numbering plan for AC Chair cars .

AC Chair class (CC)

AC Chair class is a good choice for daytime journeys. Comfortable & air-conditioned, they have seats arranged 2+3 across the car width. AC Chair Class is found on the Shatabdi Expresses, Vande Bharat Express, the several Tejas Express trains and a number of other inter-city daytime trains, for example Delhi-Jaipur, Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Kalka for Simla. Seat numbering plan, AC Chair cars .

Sleeper Class (SL)

This is the way the bulk of the Indian population travels on long-distance trains, but it's also used by many more adventurous backpackers who are prepared to take the rough with the smooth. The majority of cars on a typical long-distance mail or express train will be sleeper class.

Sleeper class consists of open-plan berths, arranged in bays of 6 bunks (upper, middle and lower) on one side of the aisle, and bays of 2 bunks (upper & lower) along the coach wall on the other side of the aisle. Bunks fold away to form seating for daytime use. It's the same basic layout as AC3, but without the air-con and without any privacy curtains. Bedding is not provided, so bring a sleeping-bag.

Sleeper class is found on almost all long-distance trains except for the premier Rajdhani & Duronto services. Sleeper class can be crowded (although in theory all berths must be reserved, so it can't get overcrowded), and it's fairly grubby and basic. On the other hand, you get a better view of the countryside then in AC coaches, where the windows are sealed, tinted and sometimes dirty. In summer, there are fans on the ceiling and a breeze from the windows. In winter, wrap up warm at night and take a sleeping bag and fleece, as it can get cold. Berth numbering system, AC1, AC2, AC3, AC Chair, Sleeper Class cars .

1st class (FC)

Traditional non-air-con 1st class has now almost disappeared, as Indian Railways have progressively phased it out in favour of AC 2-tier. But for the record, ordinary first class consists of non-air-conditioned sleeper coaches with lockable 4-berth and 2-berth compartments, a similar layout to AC1 but without the AC. Bedding is not provided, and it's much grubbier than AC1, AC2 or AC3 as it's not sealed against the dirt .

2nd class seats (2S = reserved or GN = unreserved)

Open plan cars with wooden or padded plastic seats, sometimes reserved and shown online as 2S, sometimes unreserved and shown online as either GN or II. Not recommended for long distance overnight journeys (you'll see the huge scrum of Indians all trying to bag a seat in unreserved 2nd class), but quite acceptable for daytime journeys of up to a few hours if you're on a budget.

IndRail pass es: Discontinued in 2017

Where to go in india.

First-time visitors often wonder where to start in such a vast country and they're sometimes told to tour only a small area, for example stick to Rajasthan or perhaps the beaches of Goa. But I suggest a bolder approach. Use the remarkable Indian train network to see a varied cross-section of India's highlights, picking one example from each type of place: A big city, a colonial hill station, a princely city or two in Rajasthan, then Agra of course for the Taj Mahal, and also Varanasi, the classic Hindu holy city on the Ganges. This way, you'll see some incredible highlights and complete contrasts, with overnight trains minimising both daytime travelling time and hotel bills.

A suggested itinerary

Here's what I personally consider the best itinerary around Northern India, taking in an amazing variety of classic Indian cities in as little as 2 weeks. Highlight after highlight in a 2-week itinerary. If you have longer to spare, add an extra day or two here and there and/or add one more Rajasthani city, Udaipur.

Delhi 1-3 days. Contrast the bustling old city with Lutyens' gracious New Delhi.

Take the Swatantrta S Express leaving New Delhi at 21:15 arriving Varanasi Junction at 08:05 next morning. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

Varanasi 2-3 days. Formerly called Benares, Varanasi is the must-see Hindu holy city on the Ganges. Make sure you stay in a local Indian riverside hotel such as the Hotel Alka , with its terrace overlooking the Ganges. Western chain hotels are usually located in the new town, well away from all the amazing riverside action. The Hotel Alka is one of the better hotels in this top riverside location, and eating a Thali on the terrace as the Diwali fireworks went off overhead and Lilly pads with candles drifted down the Ganges was an unforgettable experience.

Take the Marudhar Express from Varanasi Junction around 18:25 arriving Agra Fort at 06:40 next morning. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class. No AC1.

Agra 2 days, remembering to visit the fantastic deserted royal city of Fatephur Sikhri 30km away by bus or car. Agra may be the most touristy place in India, but the Taj is utterly beautiful and well worth the tourist tout hassle. Agra fort and the ‘baby Taj’ are also worth a visit.

Take the Marudhar Express from Agra Fort around 06:45 arriving Jaipur at 11:50 the same day. AC2, AC3, Sleeper class (No AC1).

Jaipur 2-3 days. The 'Pink City' is one of the most wonderful princely cities in Rajasthan, and indeed in India.

Take the daily Raniket Express leaving Jaipur at 10:10 arriving Jaisalmer at 22:30 the same day, with AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

Jaisalmer 2-3 days. This is Rajasthan’s ultimate fairytale city and one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of India, in the desert close to the Pakistan border. For many years it had no airport so only those who made the effort got to experience it, although sadly it may now have flights using the military airbase nearby.

Take the Runicha Express leaving Jaisalmer at 19:00 daily, arriving Old Delhi at 10:35 next day. AC1, AC2, AC3, sleeper class.

Spend a day and night in Delhi.

Take the Kalka Shatabdi leaving New Delhi at 07:40 arriving Kalka at 11:40. AC Executive chair class and AC Chair class, meal included served at your seat. Change onto the waiting narrow-gauge Simla toy train leaving Kalka at 11:55 arriving Simla at 16:45 with (non-AC) 1st class, AC Chair class, 2nd class. The journey to Simla by narrow gauge Toy Train is an absolute delight.

Simla 2-3 days. Cool relaxation and colonial mock-Tudor charm in this lovely Himalayan hill station from the days of the Raj. The ideal final destination for your trip! The upmarket colonial-style Clarkes Hotel is wonderful.

Take the Shivalik Deluxe Express toy train leaving Simla at 17:25 arriving Kalka at 22:05. Change onto the mainline Netaji Express leaving Kalka at 23:55 and arriving Old Delhi at 06:00. AC1, AC2, AC3, Sleeper class.

How to book this itinerary

Option 1 is to arrange it all yourself . First sketch out your itinerary, perhaps using the technique explained here . Then book each train journey at 12go.asia (hassle-free, although naturally they charge a reasonable agency mark-up) or get yourself registered with IRCTC and book as explained here . Then book each of your hotels separately using Booking.com . This is the budget option, if you don't mind the legwork and managing it yourself.

Option 2 is to have it all booked for you, hassle-free . I've arranged for train specialists Railbookers to offer this exact itinerary as a package, with trains, hotels, transfers (and if you like, your flight to India) all sorted for you. This costs more than sorting it all out yourself, but it saves a lot of effort (and possible frustration) and as it's then a package, if anything affects one part of the tour Railbookers will sort things out for you. Their suggested tour can be customised to your own requirements, to spend more or less time in each place. Railbookers is an ABTA member and holidays including flights are ATOL protected.

UK call 0207 864 4600, www.railbookers.co.uk .

us call free 1-888-829-4775, see website ., canada call free 1-855-882-2910, see website ., australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, see website . , new zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or see website ., alternative versions.

Alternatively, just pick on big city, one hill station, a couple of cities in Rajasthan, and a couple of places from the 'other' list below and create your own itinerary. How about: Kolkata - (overnight sleeper train to New Jalpaiguri then the famous Darjeeling Toy Train) - Darjeeling - Varanasi - (overnight sleeper train) - Agra - (daytime train) - Jaipur - (overnight sleeper train) - Kolkata?

The big cities

The royal cities of rajasthan, old colonial hill stations, other places to see, two personal favourites: a ride to darjeeling.

A personal favourite is the ride to Darjeeling on the narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalaya Railway (DHR), and a night or two at the wonderful Windamere Hotel . The DHR is now a UN World Heritage Site.

Travel from Kolkata's Sealdah station to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) on the broad gauge Darjeeling Mail, leaving Sealdah at 22:05 and arriving NJP at 08:15 next morning. The Darjeeling Mail has AC1, AC2, AC3, sleeper class and 2nd class accommodation. Then take the connecting DHR 'toy train' up to Darjeeling, leaving NJP at 10:00 daily, arriving Darjeeling at 17:30. It's a long ride on a narrow gauge train, sometimes next to the hill road, sometimes through jungle, and sometimes through the streets.

You can check the current status of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway at www.dhrs.org/page4.html - it has it's ups and downs, if you'll pardon the expression.

Once in Darjeeling, the place to stay is the Windamere Hotel . Originally a boarding house for bachelor tea planters, it became a hotel in 1939. Meals are served by white-gloved, turbanned waiters and eaten by candlelight to the sound of Cole Porter tunes on the piano. Even if you can't afford it, make sure you come along for afternoon tea - probably the best cup of tea you will ever drink.

The daily Toy Train from NJP to Darjeeling on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Photos courtesy of Nonstop Eurotrip .

For much of the way, the line runs next to the hill road with wonderful views, at one point it runs around a loop to gain height. At Kurseong, the train runs through the streets like a tram. Forget the bus, take the toy train.

The wonderful Windamere Hotel , Darjeeling. Photo courtesy of Nonstop Eurotrip .

...and a ride to Simla.

A little bit more robust than the line to Darjeeling, the similar toy train up to Simla in the Himalayan foothills is the way to reach Simla, once India's summer capital. Take a fast broad-gauge train from New Delhi to Kalka and change there onto the Toy Train up into the hills. The train ride to Simla is one of Simla's highlights on its own. If you get the chance, use the Shivalik Deluxe Express on the way back down from Simla (it connects with the overnight express to New Delhi going forward next day to Kolkata). The Shivalik Deluxe has plush fabric-covered first class armchairs, and a meal is served at your seat, included in the price. Although it gets dark as you descend, at stations without electricity the signalmen hand the single-line token to the driver whilst holding burning torches, the shimmering flames lighting up the side of the train. It's wonderfully atmospheric.

Tours of India by train

The cheapest option is to arrange everything yourself, independently, but this takes time and effort. If you want a customisable itinerary with all your train tickets, up-market hotels and transfers arranged for you, you can do this through train specialists Railbookers. Their website has various example itineraries including a one-week Golden Triangle one visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, but have a look at the suggested itinerary above covering Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Simla as I think it's the best 2-week itinerary around northern India that you'll find, and I've arranged for Railbookers to offer it. Railbookers takes good care of their clients and gets very good reviews.

Tourist cruise trains

There are now several luxury cruise trains catering for tourists and offering sightseeing itineraries around Indian cities. All of these trains are in effect 5 star international hotels on wheels, allowing you to see India in great comfort. They're not cheap, prices are in the $000s.

The Palace on Wheels

See www.palacesonwheels.com and see the Palace on Wheels video . This is India's first and most celebrated cruise train, voted as the world's 4th best luxury train by Condé Nast Traveller magazine. All suites feature private shower & spotlessly clean toilet, TV & CD player, and the train's two elegant restaurant cars offer both Indian and international cuisine.

You can book the Palace on Wheels through recommended train holiday specialist Railbookers who can also arrange flights, hotels and other Indian trains for you.

Other luxury cruise trains

The Palace on Wheels is no longer the only cruise train in India, and it's not even the best. Others have sprung up, though prices are sky-high. Be warned that most of these companies quote a rate per night, not for the whole tour!

Maharaja's Express , see www.the-maharajas.com - See the Maharaja's Express video . Runs various 3 or 7 night tours from Delhi back to Delhi or between Delhi & Mumbai, via places such as Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Khajuraho. This train is run by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), originally as a joint venture with Cox & Kings. Gets very positive feedback, 'ten out of ten' from one correspondent. You can now book the Maharaja's Express through train holiday specialist www.railbookers.co.uk .

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels , www.royalsrajasthanonwheels.com - See the Royal Rajasthan on Wheels video . Offers 8-day (7-night) itineraries with weekly departures from Delhi back to Delhi, stopping at Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur, Khajuraho & Varanasi. Has also had great feedback, and can also be booked through www.railbookers.co.uk .

Golden Chariot , www.goldenchariot.org - see the Golden Chariot video . A luxury train offering weekly departures from Bangalore for a week-long tour to Goa & southern India.

Deccan Odyssey , www.deccan-odyssey-india.com - see the Deccan Odyssey video . A luxury train offering weekly departures from Mumbai for a week-long tour to Goa, Pune, and the caves at Ajanta & Ellora.

Indian Maharaja , www.theindianmaharaja.co.in . Offers 8-day 7-night 'land cruises' between Delhi & Mumbai in either direction on various dates between October & April, with stopovers & tours at Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ellora & Ajanta Caves.

These trains can also be arranged through Railbookers. On their website, select 'Private trains'.

International trains, buses & ferries

There are international trains to Pakistan & Bangladesh, and buses to Nepal. Here's a quick summary:

Delhi - Amritsar - Lahore, Pakistan

Take a train from Delhi to Amritsar, there are lots to choose from. See www.indianrail.gov.in for times & fares.

Take a bus or taxi the 26km from Amritsar to the India/Pakistan frontier at Atari. Walk through the border posts to Wagah on the Pakistani side. You may want to hang around Wagah to see the spectacular ceremony at sunset when the border closes. Indian and Pakistani guards try to outdo each other with their performances, watched by Indians and Pakistani crowds!

Take another bus or taxi the remaining 20km to Lahore. Allow plenty of time for this deceptively short journey.

There used to be a cross-border train, but tension in Kashmir means all India-Pakistan trains are suspended at the moment.

Delhi - Jodhpur - Karachi, Pakistan

A weekly international train called the Thar Express started in February 2006 from Jodhpur to Karachi via the border at Munabao. But it's currently suspended.

Eastbound: The Thar Express leaves Karachi every Friday at 23:00, arriving at 'Zero Point' on the Pakistan/India frontier at around 08:00 next morning. After customs checks, the train goes forward to Munabao on the Indian side, arriving around 11:00.The Indian train departs Munabao at 19:00 after customs formalities, arriving Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi station) at 23:50 Saturday.

Westbound: The Thar Express leaves Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi station, about 4km from the main station) every Saturday morning at 01:00 arriving Munabao at 07:00, leaving Munabao at around 14:30 on Saturdays, reaching Karachi at 02:15 on Sunday morning.

The sleeper fare from Jodhpur to Munabao/zero point is about Rs170, and from Munabao/zero point to Karachi is about Rs230. No more information is yet available, but feedback would be appreciated! The train has one sleeping-car and several economy cars.

Update : Tension in Kashmir means all India-Pakistan trains are suspended at the moment.

Delhi to Kathmandu, Nepal

It's quite easy, cheap, and an adventure to do this journey overland. You take an overnight train from New Delhi to Gorakpur, then a bus. For details, see the Nepal page .

Kolkata to Dhaka, Bangladesh

A new direct train from Kolkata (Calcutta) to Dhaka started in April 2008, see the Bangladesh page .

India to Sri Lanka by ferry

After many years of being cut off from each other (with at least one short-lived attempt to start a ferry service in 2011), a new ferry service started in late 2023, linking Nagapattinam (mainland India) with Kankesanthurai (on Sri Lanka, near Jaffna).

The fast ferry Cheriyapani sails from Nagapattinam (India) at 07:00 arriving Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) at 11:00.

She sails from Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka) at 13:30 arriving Kankesanthurai (India) at 17:00.

Crossing time 3 hours for the 60 nautical miles. Service will be suspended during the monsoon season in November-December.

Fare around 8,000 Indian rupees, luggage allowance 40 Kg.

Online booking will be available starting in January 2024, website not yet known. Until then, call +91 978 987 9971 at least 24 hours in advance. You will be required to send a copy of your passport and visa details via WhatsApp to confirm the booking.

Be careful with e-visas when using this ferry, they will not initially be accepted at these entry points, but may be in future.

India to Burma (Myanmar)

The India/Burma border is closed to foreigners. It is not possible to travel to Burma overland from India. For train and river steamer service within Burma, see the Burma page .

India to China

The direct route from India into China is difficult and mountainous, there are no trains, you need some serious permits to be in that part of India, and most if not all border crossings are closed to foreigners. If you wish to travel this way, do your research before attempting it!

For most practical purposes, you are better off going from India to Kathmandu in Nepal ( see the Nepal page ), then taking an organised tour from Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet ( see the Nepal page ), then a train to Beijing. For train service within China, including Lhasa to Beijing, see the China page .

Europe to India overland

Europe to india via istanbul, iran, pakistan.

It's possible to travel from Europe to India overland by train and bus via Turkey, Iran & Pakistan, along what in the 1960s & 70s was the hippy train. However, these days there are serious security problems affecting this route in Turkey, SE Iran & Pakistan. If you are foolhardy enough to brave these, it takes a minimum of 2-3 weeks and you should consider it as an adventure or expedition rather than a routine way to travel there.

Administratively, the main issue is getting a tourist visa for Iran - see the London to Iran page for agencies to contact to get one. Finally, there are major security issues in southeast Iran to be aware of - see the official travel advice for Iran and Pakistan at the British Foreign Office website, www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice . If you are still interested, see the Europe to India overland page . I'd suggest planning the trip out carefully before you start to book anything - this may help: How to plan an itinerary & budget .

Europe to India via Moscow, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Beijing & Lhasa

A safer though somewhat round-about way is London to Moscow by Eurostar and onward trains to Moscow (2 nights, £300, daily departures), Moscow to Beijing via the Trans-Siberian Railway (6 or 7 nights, £500, two per week), Beijing to Lhasa by train (2 nights, £100, daily), then an organised tour by bus from Lhasa to Nepal (7 nights, maybe $400), then bus and train to Delhi . Again, you may find this helpful: How to plan an itinerary & budget . Trains to Russia are suspended due to Covid-19 and now sanctions .

Hotels in India

Personal hotel recommendations, tripadvisor hotel reviews.

www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels. It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.

Flights to India

Overland travel by train around India is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground! But if you need a long-haul flight to reach India in the first place.

1) Check flight prices at Opodo, www.opodo.com

2) use skyscanner to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines.

3) Lounge passes

Make the airport experience a little more bearable with a VIP lounge pass, it's not as expensive as you think! See www.loungepass.com

For independent travel, the best guidebook to take is either the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide . I gave Sarah the Lonely Planet and Karen the Rough Guide and we road-tested both of them head-to-head across India. The result was a tie, with similarly excellent levels of both practical travel information and historical and cultural background. I personally prefer the Lonely Planet, but Karen preferred the Rough Guide. Just make sure you take one of these two guides with you..! If you buy anything at Amazon through these links, Seat61.com gets a small commission to help support the site.

Buy Lonely Planet India at Amazon.co.uk Buy Rough Guide India at Amazon.co.uk

Alternatively, you can download just the chapters you need in .PDF format from the Lonely Planet Website , from around £2.99 or US$4.95 a chapter.

Also for your reading list

Travel insurance & other tips, always take out travel insurance.

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a mobile data package for the country you're visiting and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM card so you don't need to buy a physical SIM, including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list . Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android . 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing. W hy you need a VPN

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained . ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com .

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