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India by Rail
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Traveling by train is without doubt the best way to travel around this huge, beautiful Country. Trains are cheap, clean, safe, efficient, easily booked and a massive part the travelling experience.
Travelling by bus is also fun, but not when travelling 1500km in a glass house crammed full of elbows, swerving endlessly around roadside cattle and the likes. The train has plenty of room, Ac, quiet and lots of locals to mingle with. India's massive rail network of over 60,000km connects over 7,000 stations. You can travel almost everywhere by train & It is fairly safe to assume you an always travel between any major city by train. The trains themselves are separated into classes. 1st AC, 2nd Ac, 3rd Ac and sleeper 1st Ac has a 2 bed private compartment, Toilet on each carriage. 2nd Ac has 4 beds, Unless you are given the side Which has 2 berths, one above the other. 3rd Ac has 6 Beds. Sleeper This class is laid out similar to 3AC but there is no Ac. This is the way most Indian people travel. It is very cheap, but can get hot and uncomfortable, with many people getting in the carriage, reservations don't matter, the toilet is usually shocking after the 1st few stops! You can only enter the carriage you have a ticket for, which is regularly checked. Always try to book a couple of days ahead to get the class you want, sometimes weeks if during a holiday period. There is always some one selling some delicious Chai, veg cutlets, and other snacks along the journey, be sure to try some! 
How Do i get Tickets!!Easy! Cleartrip. With Cleartrip, just go online, put in your travel dates & destination, book, and print out your ticket! Done, easy!! Do have ID with you when you are travelling as the ticket inspector may ask for it. If you cannot prove who you are your ticket might be void so have ID.
When you book our ticket, you will not be given seat numbers straight away. Indians love meticulous charts and paperwork, so they wait until all bookings are done, and then do the seating arrangements. About an hour before the trains departure, a Chart will be pinned up either at the departing platform, or near the ticket office. on the chart will be your name with your seat number and carriage number. If in doubt ask somebody, and after you ask them ask another, to double make sure :D
ItinerariesThe most commonly traveled region of India is Rajasthan. The Land of Kings. This desert state is home to some of the most impressive forts and temples you will ever see. The the train system is perfect for getting around. A sample 3 week Itinerary Delhi-Agra-Jaipur -Jodhpur-Jaisalmer- Udaipur -Delhi. If i was traveling on a strict time frame i would book all the tickets in advance, just incase!
For up to date, detailed train travel info check out Seat61.com
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Indian Rail Map
A balancing act, not to be messed with. You will get browned!
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