Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around India.

Book early on IRCTC — Use the Indian Railways official website (irctc.co.in) to book tickets 120 days in advance. Sleeper and AC classes fill quickly on popular routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Chennai-Bangalore.
Download RailYatri app — This app shows live train status, platform numbers, seat layouts, and even food ordering. It's more reliable than station announcements for real-time updates.
Tickets are non-refundable within 4 hours of departure, and cancellation charges increase as travel date approaches. Refunds take 5-7 business days.
Tatkal booking for last-minute travel — If regular tickets are full, Tatkal opens 24 hours before departure with a premium (10-30% surcharge). This is legitimate but expensive.
Occasional strikes by railway unions can cancel services without notice. Check news sites and railway announcements before booking critical journeys.

Metro systems in major cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai have modern metro networks. Download city-specific apps (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation app, Mumbai Metro One) for maps and real-time delays.
Rechargeable metro cards — Buy a contactless smart card at any metro station and load it with ₹100-500. This is faster than queuing for tokens and accepted on buses too.
Women have reserved cars (first and last) on metros during peak hours; men risk ₹500+ fines for entering these. Harassment incidents do occur, so travel in groups when possible.
State and private buses — State transport corporations (APSRTC, MSRTC, BMTC) run cheap intercity buses. Book via redBus or ixigo apps to compare prices and reserve seats.
Private bus operators sometimes drive recklessly at night. Daytime journeys are safer; avoid buses without seatbelts or operated by unknown companies.

Uber and Ola dominate rideshare — Both apps operate in major cities and most towns. Ola is slightly cheaper in smaller cities; Uber is more reliable in metros. Always request via app—don't flag taxis on street in unfamiliar areas.
Use UberGo or Ola Lite for budget rides — These economy options are 30-40% cheaper than regular sedans. Drivers are rated and have police background checks.
Share rides (UberPool, Ola Share) with strangers carry higher risk. Avoid late-night shared rides, especially alone; solo UberX or Ola Select are safer.
Prepaid taxi booths at airports — At Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore airports, use official prepaid taxi counters rather than unmarked taxis. Fixed fares prevent overcharging.
Some drivers may claim meters are 'broken' or demand inflated rates. Refuse and use ride-sharing apps instead, which charge by algorithm and are non-negotiable.

Indians drive chaotically—no lane discipline, high speeds, and poor traffic rules enforcement. Unless you're experienced with aggressive traffic, avoid self-driving.
Hire a driver through agencies — Zoomcar, Avis, and Hertz offer self-drive rentals, but hiring a local driver (₹1,500-2,500/day via OLX or travel agents) is safer and more practical.
International Driving Permit required — Foreigners need an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus passport and visa. Local licenses are not valid.
Fines for traffic violations (speeding, no seatbelt, wrong lane) are strict—₹500-5,000. Police may demand on-the-spot payment; always ask for a receipt.
Night driving on highways is dangerous due to speeding trucks, poor lighting, and stray animals. Avoid traveling after 8 PM.

Book domestic flights early — IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and GoAir compete heavily. Prices drop 4-6 weeks before departure; booking 2 months ahead often saves 30-50%.
Use Skyscanner and Google Flights — These aggregators compare all airlines and show price trends. Direct airline websites sometimes have flash sales but lack price comparison.
Budget airlines charge heavily for baggage, seat selection, and changes. Read fine print; ₹1,000-2,500 fees for 1 kg excess luggage are common.
Arrive 2 hours early for domestic, 3 for international — Security queues can be long, especially during peak hours (7-10 AM). Delayed arrival risks missing flights.
Baggage limits and restrictions — Domestic flights allow 20-23 kg checked + 7 kg carry-on. Liquids over 100 ml, sharp objects, and lighters are prohibited; violations result in confiscation.

Mumbai to Goa ferry service — Cordelia Cruises and similar operators run scenic overnight ferries (₹3,000-8,000). Book via their websites; this beats driving 12 hours and includes meals.
Backwater tours in Kerala — Houseboats and public ferries navigate Kochi and Alleppey backwaters. Public ferries are cheap (₹50-300) but slow; private tours cost ₹5,000-15,000 and are more comfortable.
Ferries operate on weather-dependent schedules. Monsoon (June-September) often causes cancellations; confirm sailings 24 hours before departure.
Island ferries in Andaman — Inter-island ferries connect Port Blair to Havelock and Neil Island (₹300-800). Book through shipping operators or travel agents; seats fill quickly in peak season.

Multi-day metro passes — Most metros offer 1-day, 3-day, or weekly passes (₹100-500) that save money vs. single journeys. Calculate your trip count before buying.
IRCTC tourist passes for train travel — Non-Indian residents can buy Indian Rail Passes (7-90 days, ₹7,000-25,000) for unlimited train travel. Available only at international airports or before arrival.
Tourist passes exclude premium trains (Rajdhani, Shatabdi); book those separately. Coverage varies by class and duration.
Cashless payments for tickets — Most ticket counters, apps, and machines accept cards and UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm). Carrying small change is still wise for rural areas.
Refund policies vary by operator. Train refunds are slowest (5-7 days); flights and buses refund within 2-3 days if claimed immediately.

Buy prepaid SIM at airports — Jio, Airtel, Vodafone, and BSNL have counters in all major airports. Airport SIMs cost ₹500-800 but include ₹300-500 talk time and instant activation.
Identity verification required — Passport and visa are sufficient for foreigners buying SIM cards. Keep copies handy; activation takes 1-2 hours.
Jio offers best data deals — Jio's prepaid plans (₹155-699) include generous data, calls, and SMS. Validity is 7-84 days; auto-renewal is enabled by default—disable if staying short-term.
4G coverage is excellent in cities but patchy in rural areas and mountains. Download offline maps (Google Maps, OsmAnd) and cache routes before traveling.
Use eSIM if available — Some operators (Jio, Airtel) offer eSIM activation via app—faster than physical SIM cards. Requires compatible smartphone.