All trains in India are operated by the government-run '''Indian Railways (IR)''' [http://www.indianrailways.gov.in].

IR is the third largest rail network in the world, and the rail system is efficient, if not always on schedule. Tracks running well over 60,000 kilometers help connect about 7500 stations, ferrying nearly 20 million people every day. Although distances in India are long and Indian trains aren't the world's best, traveling in them can add a fascinating new dimension to a visitor's experience. There is virtually no better way to make friends with the local people and see the spectacular and diverse Indian countryside. On many routes the railways are the fastest and cheapest way to get around.

Trains

Regular Trains

All regular trains in India are either super-fast, express/mail, fast passenger, passenger or local/suburban trains. The broad hierarchy from luxurious to normal is as follows:

  • '''Rajdhani Express''' — These are fully air-conditioned superfast overnight trains, having only sleeper accommodation, that run between the National Capital (Delhi) and each state capital, reaching there .
  • '''Shatabdi Express''' — These are fully air-conditioned superfast daytime intercity trains offering sitting accommodation (no sleepers). They are the fastest trains in India.
  • '''Jan Shatabdi Express''' — These are superfast daytime intercity trains offering both airconditioned and non-airconditioned sitting accommodation.
  • '''Garib Rath Express''' — These are fully air-conditioned superfast overnight trains, having both sitting and sleeper accommodations, that offer more seats per carriage at a lower fare.
  • <br>''Note: The above are '''fully reserved trains'''. They do not have general compartments (see below).''<br>
  • '''Express''' and '''Mail''' — These trains have both air-conditioned and non-airconditioned carriages, including both sitting and sleeper accommodation, and do not stop at all stations.
  • '''Fast Passenger''' — These trains have only non-airconditioned carriages,including both sitting (mostly) and sleeper (sometimes)accommodation. They stop at almost all stations on their route.
  • '''Passenger trains''' — These trains have only non-airconditioned carriages offering only unreserved sitting (''general compartments'') accommodation.
  • '''Local''' or '''Suburban''' — These trains offer both sitting accommodation as well as standing room and grab rails, and operate within and around big cities.
  • Mountain trains

    Indian Railways operates trains to various hill stations in India. Travelling on them is a delightful experience, with the tiny trains passing through tunnels, over bridges, around curves and loops amid spectacular scenery. The three mentioned below are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  • '''Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)''' [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/dm_hill.html] —Winding its way over the steep and torturous foothills of the Himalayas, the 'toy train' takes six hours to cover the 83km distance from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling. Completed in 1883, the railway follows the road (and mostly shares the same bed) and uses an interesting system of reverses (the trains climbs into a sliding and then goes into reverse to climb up the next section of the hill, sort of like a sideways V) and loops (the track loops around and crosses itself) to navigate the steep climb. '''Batasia Loop''', at a tor point near Darjeeling just beyond the town of Ghoom, is the most famous because of its great views.
  • '''The Kalka-Shimla Railway''' [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ks_hill.html] —The railway from Kalka to Simla was completed in 1903, the final stage in the connection of Calcutta, then the capital of British India, with Shimla, the summer capital. The 96km railroad runs through the magnificent scenery of the Shivalik Hills, up valleys ringed by high mountains, across 864 stone bridges built like Roman viaducts, and through 107 tunnels, the longest over a kilometer (1144m) in length.
  • '''Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR)''' [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/hill_2.html] —The steepest mountain railway in India, the NMR climbs the 6159 feet from Mettupalayam to Udhagmandalam over a distance of 46km, with gradients of 1:12 in some stretches. Completed in 1899, it is the only railway in India to use a rack and pinion system to climb the steep gradient. The train passes through 16 tunnels, over 250 bridges and around 205 sharp curves, with the breathtaking scenery of the Nilgiri Hills visible all along the way.
  • Tourist Trains

    These are akin to five-star hotels on wheels. Operated jointly by IR and state tourism departments, they are a wonderful way to experience the sights of India without having to worry about the hassles of travel and accommodation.

  • '''Palace on Wheels''' [http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Attractions/PalaceOnWheels.aspx]— This train does an eight-day loop from New Delhi with stops and tours in Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur, and Agra. Prices range from US$320/person/night (twin sharing) in ''low season'' to US$420/person/night (twin sharing) in ''peak season''. It is advisable to make bookings on this train well in advance as the train is sometimes booked out months ahead.
  • '''Deccan Odyssey''' [http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/mtdc/HTML/DO/DefaultDO.aspx?strpage=/mtdc/HTML/DO/About_DeccanOdyssey.html]— This luxurious train transports its guests on a weeklong journey through some of the best places in Maharashtra and Goa. It does an eight-day loop from Mumbai and has been ranked among the best luxury trains in the world. Prices range from US$320/person/night (twin sharing) in ''low season'' to US$390/person/night (twin sharing) in ''peak season''.
  • '''Golden Chariot'''[http://www.thegoldenchariot.org.in]— This train named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site, takes travellers on a weeklong journey through Karnataka and Goa. It does an eight-day loop from Bangalore and traverses through Mysore, Srirangapatna, Kabini, the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur, Halebidu, Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole and finally the beaches of Goa. Prices range from US$250/person/night (twin sharing) in ''low season'' to US$350/person/night (twin sharing) in ''peak season''.
  • Classes

    Long-distance

  • '''AC First (1A)''', the most comfortable class to travel in, includes lockable four-berth and two-berth (coupe) compartments. The carriages are clean (and carpeted) and the toilets are much cleaner than any other toilets you get to see on Indian trains. Sheets, pillows and blankets are provided (an attendant makes the beds at night). AC First Class carriages are usually found only on important overnight trains and are the most expensive class.
  • '''AC 2 Tier (2A)''' is easily the most cost-effective way to travel on Indian Railways. Passengers sleep on four berths in an open cabin or on two berths that are positioned lengthwise along the side of the carriage. Each cabin has a curtain for privacy and each side berth has its own curtain for privacy. There are four toilets, two at each end of the carriage, and usually include a mix of western and eastern style loos, spottily provided with toilet paper. An attendant brings around blankets, sheets and pillows.
  • '''AC 3 Tier (3A)''' is similar to 2 Tier, the significant difference being the additional middle-bunk in the cabins (but not on the sides). This can make it uncomfortable to sit up straight during the morning if the person in the middle-bunk is a heavy sleeper. An attendant brings around sheets, blankets, and pillows in the evening. Because there are more people around, AC 3 Tier tends to be noisier than AC 2 Tier.
  • '''First Class (FC)''', the way the Raj traveled, has mostly disappeared from Indian Railways in favor of Air Conditioned carriages. Like AC First Class, berths are arranged in four-berth and two-berth (coupe) lockable cabins but the similarity ends there. No bedding is provided unless booked in advance (there is an extra fee for bedding), and the carriages, not sealed from the heat and dust of India, can be quite grubby.
  • '''Sleeper Class (SL)''' is the way most Indians travel and is an inexpensive way to get around the country. Berths are arranged in the same pattern as AC 3 Tier, six berths in a cabin and two along the side of the carriage, but there is no air-conditioning. The downside is that it can be hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable inside. The toilets are sometimes dirty and, in some parts of India, you'll find yourself sharing your cabin with passengers without a reservation. Still, for the adventurous, this is the way to see India. Chai-wallahs and hawkers selling all kinds of food (with the accent on local) roam the carriages and you'll find yourself sharing food and life-stories with the lower middle class families that travel on this class.
  • Short-distance

  • '''AC Executive Chair Car (XC)''' is only available on some Shatabdis. It is extremely comfortable, and is the most comfortable way to travel during the daytime.
  • '''AC Chair Car (CC)''', found on most daytime intercity trains, is also quite comfortable, but the seats are not as wide as '''XC'''. It is advisable to travel on this class wherever possible, as '''2S''' (''see below'') can get quite crowded, particularly on busy routes.
  • '''Second Class Chair Car (2S)''', available on most daytime intercity trains, is reserved seating in carriages without airconditioning. Chair car seats are comfortably padded, but the heat and dust outside can make it an uncomfortable ride in summer.
  • Unreserved

  • '''General compartments (GS)''' have uncomfortable wooden bench seats and the carriages are often packed with people sitting on the aisles and luggage racks. Not an advisable way to travel, even for short distances, except for the exceptionally tough and the curious travelers that are in it for the experience alone.
  • Fares

    {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="right" ! Distance !! Class !! Total Fare in Rs

    Despite the numerous types of trains and classes, the fare system is quite logical.

  • Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Jan Shatabdi and Garib Rath trains have fixed point-to-point fares. The fare one-way may be slightly more or less than the reverse-fare, due to different catering charges.
  • Express and mail trains have standardized fares based on the distance travelled.
  • Super-fast trains are charged the same base fare as other mail/express trains, but a super-fast surcharge is added to it.
  • Fast-passenger trains as well as Passenger trains are extremely cheap.
  • Schedules

    Before booking a ticket, pick up a copy of '''Trains At A Glance''' [http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/Tag0809/index.htm], the national rail timetable, from any railway station. This is updated every July and remains valid until the end of the next June. It allows you to choose the best train for your needs, and find the name and number of the train for your destination. However, this is a general guide and does not contain a detailed list of all stations, neither does it contain all the trains that ply. A more specific guide depending on the "rail zone" is available at important stations on that zone. For example, a detailed guide on trains plying in West India (i.e. the Western Zonal Timetable) will be available at all major railway stations in West India. You can also get the whole schedule online at [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_trn_num.html]. A list of trains operating between a given pair of stations can also be obtained online [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/src_dest_trns.html].

    Ticketing

    It is necessary to reserve tickets in advance in order to travel by any of the classes listed above (except '''GS'''). Tickets an be booked in two ways:

    Internet booking

    There are two different types of tickets that can be booked online:

  • An '''i-ticket''' (short for ''internet ticket'') is a ticket that is booked online, printed at an IR office and couriered to your (Indian) mailing address within 48 hours of booking. The procedure for booking an i-ticket is as follows:
  • *Log on to the '''IR Online Passenger Reservation Site''' [http://www.irctc.co.in].
  • *Login with your username and password. If it's the first time you're using the site, you need to sign up first, by providing your name, email id, mailing address, telephone number and occupation.
  • *Type the station codes of the originating and destination stations, the date of journey and the class into the box in the centre of the screen, and select the 'i-ticket' check box.
  • *Click on the '''Find Trains''' button. A list of trains operating between the given stations will appear.
  • *Select the train of your choice from the list and click on the '''Book Ticket''' option. Before you do this, you can also check the fare, schedule etc. by clicking on the respective buttons.
  • *A '''Ticket Reservation''' form will open on the page. Fill in the details and preferences of all the passengers (a maximum of six in a single booking), check the appropriate address box and click on the '''Go''' button.
  • *A copy of your ticket with the details will appear on the screen. Click on the '''Make Payment''' button.
  • *A list of banks opens up in a new window. Select your bank and give the details of your card (PIN number etc.).
  • *A message confirming the booking will appear on the screen. The ticket will be delivered to the mailing address specified within 48 hours.
  • An '''e-ticket''' (short for ''electronic ticket'') is a ticket that is booked online and printed instantly. Valid proof of identity (voter ID card/ PAN card/ passport/ driving license) of any of the passengers should be produced along with the ticket on the day of the journey. The procedure for booking an e-ticket is as follows:
  • *Log on to the '''IR Online Passenger Reservation Site''' [http://www.irctc.co.in].
  • *Login with your username and password. If it's the first time you're using the site, you need to sign up first, by providing your name, email id, mailing address, telephone number and occupation.
  • *Type the station codes of the originating and destination stations, the date of journey and the class into the box in the centre of the screen, and select the 'e-ticket' check box.
  • *Click on the '''Find Trains''' button. A list of trains operating between the given stations will appear.
  • *Select the train of your choice from the list and click on the '''Book Ticket''' option. Before you do this, you can also check the fare, schedule etc. by clicking on the respective buttons.
  • *A '''Ticket Reservation''' form will open on the page. Fill in the details and preferences of all the passengers (a maximum of six in a single booking), check the appropriate address box and click on the '''Go''' button.
  • *A copy of your ticket with the details will appear on the screen. Click on the '''Make Payment''' button.
  • *A list of banks opens up in a new window. Select your bank and give the details of your card (PIN number etc.).
  • *The copy of your ticket with the details will reappear on the screen. Click on the '''Print''' button. Carry the printed copy as well as a valid proof of identity with you on the day of your journey.
  • Counter Booking

    Tickets are also sold at most railway stations and at Indian Railways' 1000-plus computerised passenger reservation centres located across the country. For reservation at a counter, you need to fill in a paper form and submit it to the clerk at the counter (occasionally, after a long wait in a queue) along with the payment in either cash or by credit card. Credit cards are accepted at most important stations. Counters in the metros and other important cities accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx and Diners Card, as well as cards of most Indian banks. There are generally 1 to 3 counters where credit card payment is allowed, depending on the station.

    Booking Tips

  • Avoid travel agents, touts, or anyone else who offers to book your tickets for a fee. It is usually much easier (not to mention cheaper) to do it yourself.
  • If you are booking from abroad, the easiest is to use the online service and print e-tickets at home. i-tickets can also be sent by local courier to addresses in India (not abroad) and most hotels willingly accept delivery if notified in advance.
  • Train tickets are in high demand, especially during the '''summer''' (April-June) and '''winter''' (December-January) breaks. This means that without careful planning, it may be next to impossible to get tickets for long distance travel (for example from New Delhi to Mumbai). You can book up to '''90 days''' in advance, but during the busy season, the tickets may get sold out quickly. So plan your journay well in advance.
  • Foreign nationals can get tickets from a quota reserved for them. In big cities, you have a specific counter or even a special office for them.
  • If you plan to travel in '''1A''' or '''XC''', tickets should be easier to get - they are generally in less demand. Although, in view of increasing tourist population, even those seats are hard to get unless booked atleast 5 days in advance.
  • Non-confirmed accommodation

    If you do not get a '''Confirmed (CNF)''' ticket, you may get one that is '''Waitlisted (WL)''' or in the '''Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC)''' status. If you've booked your ticket in advance, it will probably move from ''WL'' to ''RAC'' status or even to ''CNF'' status as time goes by (because of cancellations), so it is a good idea to check it periodically and keep your plans dynamic. Use the 10-digit '''Passenger Name Record (PNR)''' number, printed on the top right-hand corner of your ticket, to check the status of your ticket at any point of time, either on the website [http://www.indianrail.gov.in/pnr_stat.html]or by phone (dial '''139''', from any landline telephone in India).

    You cannot get on to a reserved compartment if your ticket is waitlisted (you can only enter a General Compartment). But if you have an RAC ticket, you are allotted 'sitting' berths - i.e. in a Sleeper Coach, you and a fellow RAC ticket-holder share a berth so that both of you can travel sitting instead of sleeping. The Ticket Examiner then allots you a CNF sleeping berth as and when one is available due to last minute cancellations, no-shows etc. Depending on the train, the route and the season you are travelling in, the RAC ticket may get upgraded to CNF either as soon as the journey begins, mid-way through the journey or not at all.

    Tatkal

    Many trains keep a small quota of seats known as '''Tatkal''' (meaning 'immediate' in Sanskrit or regional languages) for sale five days before the departure date. There is an extra charge for these seats. This option is also available at the time of booking online. Even with this extra quota (about 4% of the seats on a train) it can sometimes be difficult to get the train you want when you want it.

    IndRail Pass

    The IndRail Pass is valid for all visitors to India. It is a pass which allows unlimited travel on all of IR's trains except:

  • Metro/Suburban Trains
  • Hill Railways
  • Luxury Tourist Trains
  • IndRail passes automatically expire 1 year from the date of issue. However, prior reservations are necessary. The IndRail Pass is generally not good value for money if you are staying for a month or more. However, if you choose to travel in Executive Chair Car for 2 or 3 journeys over a couple of days, it is indeed worth purchasing.

    IndRail passes are available for sale in railway offices at the following stations - Agra City, Agra Cantt, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bangalore City, Howrah, Chandigarh, Chennai Central, Gorakhpur, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mumbai Central, Mumbai CST, Mumbai Churchgate, New Delhi, Puttapurthi Town, Rameswaram, Secundarabad, Trivandrum Central, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vasco da Gama and Vijaywada. '''General Sales Agents''' are authorised to sell the IndRail pass at a 3-5% surcharge in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Dhaka, Durban, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Kuala Lumpur, London, Muscat, New York, Paris, Port Louis, Sharjah, Sydney, Tokyo and Toronto.

    {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" ! Period of Validity !! AC First/Executive Chair Car !! First Class/AC 2 Tier/AC 3 Tier/AC Chair Car !! Sleeper Class/Second Class

  • ''A month refers to 30 continuous days''
  • ''Discounts for children below 13 are available''
  • * ''For the 1/2/3 months pass, the rate for children is half of the adult fare rounded up to the nearest 5 dollars.''
  • * ''For all other passes, the discount is 50% rounded off to the nearest 1 dollar.''
  • ''Fares have to be paid in US $ or Indian Rs. However, the dollar rate is fixed and the Rupee rate changes according to the exchange rate.''
  • Many important trains also have a '''tourist quota''' available for foreign travelers and holders of an IndRail pass. Payment must be in foreign currency, usually US Dollars or Pound Sterling, or in Indian Rupees backed with adequate proof of foreign exchange conversion (an ATM receipt is usually acceptable). A passport may also be required. There are very few seats available on this quota and, with tourism to India on an upswing, it is best to try for a seat at least two or three days in advance.

    Even if you have an IndRail pass, reservations are compulsory. '''You cannot reserve tickets online using an IndRail pass.'''

    Intracity transport

    The larger cities in India are generally served by more than one railway station. Most trains might halt at only one station, while others may stop at two to three.

    Local rail network in cities

    IR runs suburban railways in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. Kolkata and Delhi have subway (''Metro'') systems as well. The '''Delhi Metro''' [http://www.delhimetrorail.com/commuters/index.html ] is airconditioned. The Kolkata Metro and other suburban trains are not air conditioned. Local rail networks are often crowded, but are generally the fastest and cheapest way to get around cities which have them. Those who are not accustomed to it are advised not to travel in local trains as it might be quite troublesome for them to alight from the train at the correct station after pushing through a large crowd of other commuters.

    Trams

    Tram systems in India were built by the British in Kanpur, Calcutta, Mumbai and Chennai. Only the Calcutta trams remain. Although appreciated for being emissions-free, they are not very popular due to the painstakingly slow speeds. Tram lines are being removed in much of Kolkata. A project is going on to renovate the remaining tram tracks in Kolkata.

    Food

    Hot food is available at mealtimes on almost every train in India. The food is mostly prepared in kitchens at railway stations and then loaded onto the train, either onto a pantry carriage attached to the train (on most important trains), or just brought on board by waiters and distributed directly to passengers. In most cases, a waiter collects orders an hour or two before mealtimes and if you don't place an order, you may be left out in the cold. However, in trains having a pantry car, breakfast is prepared on board the train and you do not have to place an order beforehand. You can tell which trains have a pantry car because there is a '''P''' listed with the classes available in ''Trains at a Glance''. Meals available for lunch and dinner are generally vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis (rice, dal, a vegetable (chicken or fish curries for non-veg thalis), yogurt (often sour), chapatis and occasionally, a sweet dish) or (veg/egg/chicken) biryani. Chilli chicken (sweet and sour chicken wings with chillis) is often available. Breakfast normally onsists of vegetable cutlet (a veggie patty) and bread, or omelet and bread. Pantry car service always includes the sale of tea, coffee, cold drinks and "namkeen" (chips and other salty snacks). Note that while pantry cars mostly re-distribute food, they do have a small kitchen and, if you're sick of the daal/chappati that shows up in the thali, it doesn't hurt to visit the pantry car and see if they can rustle up an omlet or some fresh chicken curry with parathas. The quality of food varies, with the fare being better in the South and West. Moreover, concepts of hygiene, taste, cuisine changes from region to region.

    Most pantry cars and restaurants at stations are now managed by '''Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)''' [http://www.irctc.co.in]). IRCTC provides satisfactory quality and hygienic food aboard trains and at stations. IRCTC kiosks are ubiquitous where one can find snacks/breakfast/packed foods/ biscuits/ cookies/ mineral water etc. IRCTC also operates world class restaurants called '''Comesum''' [http://www.comesum.com] at important stations.

    On the Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, all meals are included in the fare and are served at your seat at mealtimes.

    If you are finicky, bring enough food and bottled water for the journey including delays: bananas, bread, and candy bars are good basics to have. Most important stations will have vendors selling all kinds of edible stuff, but the usual caveats about eating in India apply. Often, snacks and food reflect local specialities and, in the case of cooked food, are quite safe to eat.

    General information

  • Smoking and consumption of alcohol on all trains and at all railway stations is prohibited. There is a steep fine for violation of these rules.
  • Most larger Indian train stations offer a standard set of facilities including '''cloak rooms''' to leave your luggage (slow and bureaucratic but cheap and reasonably safe; you must lock your own bag and show a ticket), '''First class waiting rooms''' (no touts or beggars), a '''computerised reservation office''' for advance bookings and a '''booking office''' for unreserved/same-day tickets. Restaurant facilities vary widely, but the '''Comesum''' [http://www.comesum.com/] outlets found in many tourist hotspots are reasonably priced and hygienic.
  • Several railway stations also have '''touchscreen kiosks''' which help you track your train (real-time running information) and also provide a host of other details regarding bookings, schedules etc.
  • All railway stations in India have signs in English mentioning the station name and details of facilities at the station. If you are still in doubt, asking around might be a bit of a problem because of the language barrier. In such circumstances, and in case of an emergency of any sort, contact the '''station master''' or the '''station superintendent''' for assistance. All station masters and superintendents speak English and will help you out.
  • Always '''watch your bags''', especially in and around train stations. Once on a train, chain and lock your bags to the hooks provided under the lowest bunk, or keep them at your head. Make sure to also lock any exterior pockets (keep your toilet paper, and anything else you'll want on the outside). You can buy chains from chain-and-lock sellers who walk around train stations and trains.
  • The top ('''UB''') and side upper ('''SU''') bunks are best if you are the sort who likes to sleep early or late. The middle ('''MB''') and bottom ('''LB''') bunks are converted into seating area, so you will be forced to stay awake if everyone else in your compartment wants to stay up. Side lower ('''SL''') and middle ('''SM''') bunks are a great idea if you want a window seat, but they are a bit smaller than the other bunks, so don't choose them if you are a tall person. ''Note that '''1A''' and '''FC''' classes do not have '''MB''', '''SL''' or '''SU''' bunks, while '''2A''' does not have '''MB''' or '''SM''' bunks.''
  • Don't just look at a map and assume a short trip, it's best to check ''Trains at a Glance'' before making your plans.
  • '''Restrooms''' on Indian trains are usually of the squat variety (most carriages have two squat-type and two sit-down type toilets). The cleanliness tends to deteriorate over the duration of a journey, but on longer trips toilets are cleaned at intermediate stations. Washbasins are provided both inside and outside the toilets. Shower cubicles are available only on AC First carriages in Rajdhani Express trains.
  • Enjoy the train, and speak to your fellow passengers! You'll meet fascinating, wonderful people.
  • Sleep

    IR runs two hotels in Delhi and Howrah. Passengers can book independant rooms ar dormitories on production of tickets. Known as the '''Rail Yatri Niwas''', the facilities are very basic and the rooms are quite shabby. There is a self-service restaurant.

    There are also two '''Railway Hotels '''in Puri, Orissa and Ranchi, Jharkhand, which offer far better service than the ones in Delhi and Howrah.

    '''Retiring rooms''' are available at most major railway stations across the country. They offer basic facilities including a bed, mattress, blankets, drinking water, closet, restroom (and in the case of airconditioned rooms) a television. One has to produce a reserved journey ticket in order to be able to book retiring rooms.

    '''Dormitories''', both airconditioned and non-airconditioned, are available at almost all railway stations in India.

  • Rail Yatri Niwas Delhi. ew Delhi Railway Station. etro: New Delhi - Line 2. 91 11 2323-3484. orm Rs 145/bed, Single Non A/C Rs 265, Double Non A/C Rs 385/450, Double A/C Rs 850.

  • Rail Yatri Niwas Howrah. owrah Railway Station (''outskirts of Kolkata''). 91 33 2660-1742. orm Rs 100/bed, Double Non A/C Rs 350, Double A/C Rs 550, Triple Non A/C Rs 400.

  • Railway Hotel. uri Railway Station. 91 6752 222-063. 91 6752 223-005. ingle Rs 400/600, Double Non A/C 650/750/1000/1200, Double A/C Rs 900/1500, Triple Non A/C Rs 850/1700.