Navigating one of the largest and most chaotic countries on Earth can be so overwhelming. I will share everything you need to know about how to get around India by taking trains, buses, taxis and flights to your destinations across India. Ranging from luxury to the not-so-luxurious options.
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India is one of the biggest countries in the world with over a billion people! And that can mean some very long journeys to get across the country. You will also experience the organized chaos that is Indian traffic and drivers honking to get through the bumper to bumper TukTuks and scooters crossing the roads.
There are a few different ways to cover long distances while traveling in India. The means of transport in India range from the lowest of quality to extremely comfortable. There is a budget option for every kind of traveler. And the more you pay, the more comfortable your travel days will be.
After having traveled India for 2 years, I experienced every mode of transport, every level of budget and luxury option and every hassle in between. I was quite confused about the class system of the trains and how to book some of my buses until I learned the ways of the transport. So, I am here to share with you everything you need to know about booking trains, buses, flights and their different classes in hopes that this will help you to understand how to get around India.
TRAINS – INDIAN RAILWAYS
Electing to ride the Indian Railways is an economical, comfortable (or not-so-comfortable depending on the class you book) and efficient way to travel long distances through India. I rode the train many times from the South of India to Rajasthan and up North to Delhi. If you are on a budget, then traveling by train instead of flying is a great way to get around India.
You can reserve train tickets directly through the IRCTC website. Or through apps like 12GO.
If you are struggling to pay with your foreign card on the IRCTC website, you can visit a travel agent in the city or town that you are in who can help you to book your ticket for you. I actually booked most of my train tickets in person at an agency to have peace of mind that I was booking the correct route and the payment was going through successfully.
It is super important that you reserve your train tickets in advance, as the spaces fill up very quickly. And believe me, you do not want to be left sitting in the general class when you are hoping to have your own seat. You very might well be sitting squished with 10 other people and all of their baggage on one bench in the train.
These trains have a number of different classes which range from extremely comfortable to “full-on cultural experience”.
THE MAIN CLASSES OF TRAIN TRAVEL AVAILABLE IN INDIA
AC First Class (1A):
This is the most luxurious way to travel, offering private cabins with locking doors, quality beds, bedding, air conditioning, and even room service. This is typically available on long-distance trains.
AC 2-Tier (2A):
This class has air-conditioned cars with lay-down beds in an open area. Very similar to bunk beds with one bed on top and one the bottom.
AC 3-Tier (3A):
This class is very similar to the AC 2-Tier class, with the only difference being that there are 3 beds in each section, instead of 2. A top, middle and bottom.
Sleeper Class (SL):
This is a non-air-conditioned class with beds in an open area. This class is usually very full with multiple people sitting on one bed. Bedding may or may not be provided, and the windows typically have bars instead of glass.
General Class (GS):
People in this class sit on wooden benches or stand in overcrowded compartments. Tickets are purchased on the spot and it can be quite chaotic and way over-crowded.
Chair Car (CC):
This class is usually for shorter journeys and offer cushioned seats arranged in rows, similar to those in a bus. They usually have air-conditioning but you truly never know.
Second Class Sitting (2S):
This is just a lesser quality, non air-conditioned version of the Chair Car class.
BUSES
Long-haul buses are another viable option for traveling between different regions of India. They are generally reliable when booking with a reputable company, but will likely take much longer than a train or flight. I would mostly book my bus tickets from within India at a travel agent.
Although the buses are mostly reliable, you get some crazy drivers navigating the chaos of the cities or the sharp hairpin bends of the mountain passes. I’m not going to lie, I had a few mini heart attacks along my bus journeys in India but always got to my destinations safe and sound and mostly on-time. But keep in mind that buses do break down and you could have unexpected delays along the way.
You can either book your bus tickets through a travel agent in the town or city you are staying in or you can use 12GO to book your tickets online.
You have a few different options for the style of bus, depending on your preferences.
SOME COMMON TYPES OF BUSES IN INDIA
Standard Buses:
Regular buses with 2 or 3 seats in multiple rows. Some of these buses come equipped with air conditioning while others will not.
Luxury Buses:
These are standard buses that have reclining seats, air conditioning, entertainment systems, and sometimes even Wi-Fi.
Sleeper Buses:
Indian sleeper buses are equipped with actual beds for sleeping. They usually come equipped with a sliding door or curtain for privacy. Many of these buses consider one bed as two seats, so if you only reserve one, there may be a stranger sleeping next to you on a tiny single bed. These buses usually hold anywhere from 20-30 beds. While sleeper buses in India are very common, especially for long overnight journeys, they are not the safest seating if something had to wrong. That being said, we personally used sleeper buses many times.
Semi-Sleeper Buses:
These are the more traditional type of sleeper buses, featuring reclining seats and decent legroom. You may also find features such as air conditioning, reading lights, charging points for electronic devices, and entertainment systems.
FLYING – HOW TO GET AROUND INDIA THE FASTEST WAY!
If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest way to cover long distances, flying is going to be your best option. As India is the size of a continent, you may not want to embark on a 40 hour train from North India to South India. In this case, there are many airlines that offer affordable domestic flights to anywhere you want to go in the country.
If you have extra wiggle room in your budget, I highly recommend booking a flight to your next destination to save you time and a couple of uncomfortable frustrations on your journey. The biggest perk of flying instead of taking a 24 hour train ride is that you have more time to explore your next destination instead of sitting on transport.
TOP AIRLINES THAT OFFER DOMESTIC FLIGHTS IN INDIA:
- IndiGo
- SpiceJet
- Air India
You can book flights and compare prices through SkyScanner or Trip.com.
short-haul distances – how to get around india within your destination
Now that we have explored the long-haul transportation options, let’s look at getting around within your destination.
TUKTUKS & TAXIS
Typically, you will rely on TukTuks and taxis for local transportation. A TukTuk is a three-wheeled motorcycle with a seating bench in the back. These are found commonly throughout Asia and are the most affordable way to get around.
Taxi cars are another good option for local transport, but they usually come at a higher cost compared to TukTuks.
RENTING SCOOTERS, MOTORBIKES AND CARS
It is very easy to find rental agencies along your India travels. You will most likely rent a car or scooter in each place that you visit, unless you are going on a motorbike road trip across states. You will probably rent a car straight from the airport that you are landing in when you arrive.
The only times we got asked to show our driver’s license when renting a scooter/motorbike was in the state of Kerala, when we crossed the Atal Tunnel and in Ladakh when we rented a Royal Enfield. You never know when someone will ask you so always carry your driver’s license with you.
If you downloaded my free North and South India map guides, I have pinned a few scooter, motorbike and car rental places on the maps for you! Alternatively, you can book rentals straight through BikesBooking.com or Booking.com.
Renting a scooter in India is really the easiest and most efficient way to get around the area you are staying in. It also makes for easy exploring and going on adventures. I had a scooter in every region and it made exploring the surrounding villages and nature views so easy and so much fun.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR DRIVING IN INDIA – SAFETY FIRST!
Scooter rides are the ultimate freedom in India, but you really need to be careful in between the chaos…
Having the freedom to explore India with your own car or motorbike is a complete game changer for the type of experience you will be able have.
I recommend getting around the different regions of India via flight, train, bus or taxi. Once you’ve arrived in your destination, consider renting a motorcycle or scooter for local travel. Renting a scooter in India can be extremely budget-friendly, with prices varying based on the duration of the rental and type of vehicle. I found that scooter rentals in North India were higher prices than in Goa and Rajasthan, with Rajasthan being the most affordable!
Driving in India can be quite an experience to say the least. When witnessing the uncontrolled yet organized chaos from the outside, it can seem like a daunting and scary thing to do. But the reality is that driving in India is safer than you think but to always be done with caution and complete awareness on the road. It just takes some getting used to and a few insightful pieces of knowledge to be aware of.
Again, it is important to note that your driving experience can vary significantly depending on your destination. Driving through cities can be incredibly stressful. Alternatively, opting for drives through mountain roads, rural or natural areas can give you a level of peace and tranquility that you would not believe.
PATIENCE
Even if other drivers lack patience, it is important for you to maintain yours. The safest approach to navigating busy Indian streets is to stay in your lane, allow others to pass you safely and focus on your own route. However, there are occasions when you must embrace the craziness and confidently navigate through a busy intersection. While it may feel intimidating the first few times, you will soon realize that everything falls into place like poetry (just with a lot of hooting in between!)
UNEXPECTED OBSTACLES
When driving in India, you’ll face many obstacles that go beyond just traffic. From cows and monkeys to goats, dogs, and even camels, the roads can always be unpredictable. It’s not uncommon to find a group of cows lounging in the middle of the road, seemingly careless to your attempts to pass. In these situations, you may need to patiently navigate through them to continue your journey.
USING YOUR HORN FOR SAFETY:
Wherein many countries honking your horn can be considered rude, in India this as common as breathing. One of the best ways to ensure your safety while driving around the streets of India is to use your horn CONSTANTLY. This allows whatever obstacles are in front of you to become aware of your presence and therefore pass with safety.
It is also wise to use your horn anytime you are going around a blind turn, as not everyone will respect your side of the road. Just remember that there is no such thing as too much honking!
NO RULES APPLY!
This does not mean you should not follow road rules just because they are not implemented in India, but there are truly no rules when it comes to driving around certain parts of India.
In most cases there is no such thing as lanes, a speed limit, streetlights, crosswalks or signaling a lane change. To put it simply, the people drive wherever they want.
This is why we recommend keeping it simple while driving in these areas. The best strategy is to simply ride along the edge of your lane and let the drivers pass you. As long as you keep a steady line there should be no stress.
While this all may sound daunting, in my two years of living and driving in India, I can count the number of accidents we’ve witnessed on one hand. Despite the chaos, there is a real method to the madness. And overall, driving in India is safe.
MY FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE…
ALWAYS ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET!
So many tourists ride without a helmet and the possibility of what could happen is just not worth the risk. It doesn’t matter how experienced of a driver you are. You never know what can happen and wearing a helmet ensures your safety greatly. Just because almost every other tourists isn’t wearing a helmet, doesn’t mean you should follow their lead. Because a helmet can be the difference between surviving and losing your life.
Be safe out there my friends!
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