Ability to use various modes of transport in India. Transport in India: types, features, tips for tourists. Road Transport India

Transport India

International message

India has a well-developed network of international air services operated by Air India and other airlines. Indian Airlines provides domestic and nearby flights. In addition to air, there are sea and land routes to countries: Sri Lanka (ferries from Rameshwaram (line not served during the monsoon); Pakistan (currently the only route ground transportationconnecting Amritsar and Lahore); Nepal (the most practical and popular route is the railway, to Raksaul (Bihar), and then by bus to Kathmandu; there is a train to Nantanwa (Uttar Pradesh), and then by bus to Kathmandu / Pokhara or from Bhairava to Lumbini in transit to Pokhara; you can get there by bus through the southern valleys from Darjeeling to Kathmandu); Bhutan (by train to Siliguri, then by bus to Puntsholing; there are also flights from Calcutta to Paro (Thimphu) operated by Druk Air); Bangladesh (by train from Calcutta to Bangaon (West Bengal), rickshaws across the Bengal border with a change in Kulne or Jessore to continue to Dhaka or from Darjiding via Siliguri, then by train or bus to Haldibari); Burma (no ground connection); China (no ground connection).

Air transport

India has the 4 most large airportOf which two are international - Delhi and Bombay.

Delhi (Delhi International), 21 km southwest of the city. There are charter buses from the airport to Konat Place and taxis (at a fixed rate, ordering inside the airport).

Mumbai (Bombay), 29 km north of the city (travel time 40 minutes). Charter buses to the Air India office and major hotels. Taxis to the city at a fixed rate.

Calcutta, 17 km northeast of the city (travel time 20 minutes). Charter buses go to the Indian Airlines office and major hotels. The city can also be reached by taxi.

Chennai (Madras), 16 km southwest of the city. The charter bus meets all flights from 09:00 to 23:00. Train every 20-30 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Regular bus every 35 minutes from 05:00 to 22:00. Taxi.

Indian Airlines serves one of the world's largest domestic flight networks - about 70 cities. Indian airlines also operate regular flights to neighboring countries - Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Maldives.

If you travel to the peak tourist season (September-March), then book tickets in advance, because at this time flights are very busy. You must arrive at the airport 2 hours in advance for check-in and special control at the airport. Some cities have airports, from where buses will take you to the airport.

Passengers departing for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including children, will be charged at least 50 rupees; from passengers departing to other countries - from 100 rupees.

The flight service is of international standards, but alcoholic drinks are served only on international flights. An adult passenger can carry 20 kg of luggage, and in business class - 30 kg.

The return fee for tickets purchased locally is very high, but this does not apply to tickets for local flights included in a single international ticket.

In India, the Discover India program operates, which involves an unlimited number of economy class flights on all domestic airlines. You can visit the same point only once, with the exception of transfers. Price: $ 750 The program is valid for 21 days, starting from the date of the first flight.

Program "Youth Tariffs of India". At the youth fare, passengers from 12 to 30 years old can travel in economy or business class on domestic Indian flights and India-Nepal flights. 25% discount on the ticket price in US dollars. Validity period 120 days.

The program "Excursion to southern India." An economy class flight between any points in South India - Chennai (Madras), Trichi, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Coimbatore and Bangalore. For single tourists, this program is subject to the purchase of tickets for flights with Maldives or from Sri Lanka to India via Chennai (Madras), Tiruchchirappalli or Thiruvananthapuram.

New domestic airlines

Recently, the Indian government has given permission to operate flights of private airlines, which operate under the name "Air Taxi". Along with state-owned Indian Airlines, nine private companies can offer convenient and profitable programs nationwide.

Private airlines Jagsons, Modiluft, Jet Airways, East-West Airlines, Sahara serve only certain domestic airlines.

Flight schedules are published in the magazines "Divan" and "Excel" and shown in teletexts. You can also find them at travel agencies and at major airports.

Railway

The Indian network of international rail transport is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. It consists of 62300 km of rails, more than 7030 railway stations and more than 11200 locomotives. The fare is relatively inexpensive. A large number of express trains connect major cities. Where the train service is interrupted, you can get from the station to the station by bus.

The categories of travel are different, starting with the most expensive class I air-conditioned (the ticket price is comparable to the fare of a similar class in other countries), and ending with the cheapest option - a shared car with a ticket without a seat. There are also sleeping cars with air conditioning and double coupes, as well as sitting cars with air conditioning (both class II); there are class II cars with fans.

Upon arrival in the country, it is advisable to pre-order train tickets on your route. On many train stations there are computer systems that allow you to reserve tickets for travel from any other cities. In large cities there are special tourist sections, the staff of which speaks English, where they provide tickets to foreigners, but they must be paid in US dollars (traveler's checks or cash are accepted). If there is no way to book a ticket, but there is a great need to go, try talking to the station managers, maybe he will be able to give you a ticket from a tourist reservation or ticket return ticket office.

Tour desk at the ticket office can help with travel planning and ticket booking.

Fans of traveling by rail can purchase a detailed travel schedule - "All India Railway Time-Table" or short but detailed timetables of "Trains At A Glance".

Do not forget to specify from which station your train departs, and come to the station at least an hour - half an hour before the train leaves to find your carriage and location. Lists of passengers with coupe numbers and seats are set an hour before the train leaves. You will be able to help the station employee and the conductor responsible for sending the train.

Trains in India are slower than in Europe, so if you are in a hurry, use the express trains. Train fares are relatively small.

Be careful with luggage on the train. Stock up on locks and chains in advance in order to fasten it below under the seats.

Food can be ordered through the carriage's guide, and on some trains the cost of food is included in the ticket price. Sleeping mattresses are issued for a fee on certain routes in cars of I and II classes, but you can pay the cost even when ordering a ticket. Bed linen is only available in class I air-conditioned cars.

Lounge rooms (only for a short stay) are available at more than 1,100 stations; You can get into them in a live queue, but usually they are all busy. All first-class waiting rooms have couches for passengers, but they will have to use their own bedding. At the stations in New Delhi and Calcutta, lounges for transit passengers have been built; rest rooms can be booked in advance.

Left-luggage offices where passengers can leave their luggage are available at most stations, but be sure to lock your suitcases and bags and do not lose receipts. Check the working hours of the left-luggage office to get your luggage on time.

In India, there is a special program "Pass in India", where a tourist can travel on one ticket without restrictions on any trains during the ticket validity period. This program can be used only by foreigners and Indian citizens living abroad, with a valid passport. "Pass" can be purchased while in India or through travel agencies abroad. Payment is accepted only in freely convertible currency. Children from 5 to 12 years old can travel on the "Children's Pass to India" for only half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel for free. A ticket must be purchased before arriving in the country. Not sold in India. The “pass” is registered and cannot be transferred for use to another person. Travelers must have a passport ready in case of control. Holders of the “Pass” are exempt from paying fees for booking seats and allowances for seats in a sleeping car. Having bought the “Pass”, you are freed from the need to go through all the other formalities or take care of the acquisition of additional travel documents, wherever you go. The “pass” must be used within one year from the date of purchase. The validity period is calculated from the moment the first trip begins and ends at midnight upon the expiration of the date indicated on it. The cost of the “Pass” is not compensated, and it cannot be restored in case of loss or damage. The “pass” can only be returned at the office where it was purchased, and the cost is compensated if the use of the document has not been started, and if the train has not yet been booked. The “Pass to India” can be purchased (it is recommended to do so at least one month in advance) at some agencies in different countries or in India, at the yellow-line tourist bureau of escorting tourists, as well as at a number of official distributors of the “Pass” in New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Also you can get the "Pass" in international airports Delhi, Bombay and Madras.

Motor transport

Inside India, there is an extensive network of bus routes connecting all parts of the country. This is especially true for those areas in which there is no railway connection, in particular for highland territories. Old buses run along most rural roads, but express buses with air conditioning are increasingly appearing on trunk lines. On many routes, even local ones, tickets can be booked in advance. Most of the luggage is transported on the roof of the bus, so the suitcases must be locked, and during stops, check their availability.

Many cities have bus services.

IN big cities Taxis and auto rickshaws, paid by tax, work. They do not always have meters, but if the meter is installed, require it to be switched when you land. Prices for taxi services change from time to time and therefore do not always correspond to the meter, however, the driver must have a copy of the current tariff. Taxis come with and without air conditioning. Prices range from 325 to 450 rupees if the car is air-conditioned. For trips out of town, there is a kilometer-long fare, usually in the amount of 2.30-3 rupees per kilometer in flat terrain (usually 6 rupees per kilometer in mountainous areas), and the rate for a night trip is 100 rupees.

Water transport

Various ships go along the rivers of India - from large ferries to wooden canoes. Bicycles can be taken for a fee.

A regular ferry service connects mainland India with the port of Blair in the Andaman Islands. Travel time is about 60 hours with departure from Chennai and 56 hours from Calcutta. There are separate flights from Visakhapatnam to the Andaman Islands. From October to May, ferries run from Kochi (state) to Lakshadwip. The trip takes about 20 hours.

Hitch-hiking

In Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti, truck drivers sometimes take fellow travelers on board for a fee. Please note that few of them speak English, so communication difficulties may arise. Women alone are strongly discouraged from catching a ride.

Cars and motorbikes

In India, they rarely rent just cars, they often take them with the driver, which is quite affordable and convenient.

You can only rent a car for independent driving in large cities. Due to the rather difficult road conditions, tourists almost always hire drivers. Budget (www.budget.com) and Hertz (www.hertz.com) - these international companies have representative offices in India. To apply for a rental document, you will need an International Driving License.

Motorcycles

Motorcycle travel is very popular in India. Riding a motorcycle on Indian roads is much easier than driving a car. There are several designed hiking trails specifically for motorcyclists.

The classic way to travel around India is with the Enfield Bullet, designed to resemble 1940s models. Such motorcycles are easily repaired, spare parts for them can be found almost everywhere. Of course, they are less reliable than, for example, modern Japanese motorcycles.

Hiking trails start from Delhi. Popular destinations are Rajasthan, South and. It used to be impossible to cross the border with Pakistan on a motorcycle, but perhaps the law has already changed. You can drive to Bhutan, but special documents are needed for this. You can get them at the embassy.

Rental

There are a great many motorcycle rental locations for both small and long trips. Japanese and Indian motorcycles with a capacity of 100-150 hp are cheaper than those whose power is 350-500 hp As a guarantee, you will need to leave your passport, airline ticket or an impressive amount of money.

One of the most reliable long-term rental companies is Lalli Motorbike Exports. 500 hp motorcycle can be rented for 13,000 rupees for three weeks and for 23,000 rupees for eight weeks. The price includes an accelerated motorcycle repair training course.

Insurance

Be sure to take out vehicle insurance - without it, you can incur significant losses. In good companies, third party liability insurance is initially included in the lease.

Motorcycle rental also requires insurance. The minimum insurance cost is 300-500 rupees per year. This amount will cover vehicle repairs and medical expenses. Comprehensive insurance - 500-2000 rupees per year.

Reputable companies where you can buy motorcycle tours:

Blazing Trails (www.jewelholidays.com)

Classic Bike Adventures (www.classic-bike-india.com)

Ferris Wheels (www.ferriswheels.com.au)

H-c travel (www.hctravel.com)

Himalayan Roadrunners (www.ridehigh.com)

Indian Motorcycle Adventures (homepages.ihug.co.nz/~gumby)

Indian Shepherds (www.asiasafari.com)

Lalli Singh Tours (www.lallisingh.com)

Moto Discovery (www.motodiscovery.com)

Royal Expeditions (www.royalexpeditions.com)

Saffron Road Motorcycle Tours (www.saffronroad.com)

Wheel of India (www.wheelofindia.com)

Purchase

If your plans include a long trip to India, then you should think about purchasing your own motorcycle. Second-hand bikes are widely available, and it’s much easier to buy them than a car.

Sacred India Tours (www.sacredindia.com). Religious tours with elements of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda.

World Expeditions (www.worldexpeditions.com.au). Culinary tours walking tours, bike tours, volunteer trips.

Local transport

Buses, bicycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, taxis, boats and commuter trains all make up the internal transport network of Indian cities. If a fixed tariff is not provided for when paying for a certain type of transport, you can negotiate the price with the driver. Some taxi drivers may refuse to turn on the counter - in this case, you better find another car. Always carry a trifle with you, as in rickshaws and in a taxi there is often no change.

An Indian auto rickshaw is a three-wheeled motorcycle with a cabin, which can accommodate two passengers and luggage. Authorization services, as a rule, are cheaper than a taxi (but not everywhere), although getting a driver to turn on the meter is not an easy but necessary task.

Vikrams are large-sized auto rickshaws for more passengers. They travel on certain routes, taking a fixed fare. A rickshaw is a bicycle with two rear wheels and seats for passengers and a canopy from above (for wet weather).

In large cities, this type of transport is practically absent, but in small towns pedicabs remain a popular means of transportation. The fare is set in advance.

Local residents are charged less than foreigners. Considering the physical efforts that the pedicab driver spends on his work, you are unlikely to regret them a few extra rupees. 20-40 rupees - a fair price for 1-2 km. Tipping is always highly regarded.

Some cities still drive tongas (horse-drawn two-wheeled vehicles) and victorias (horse-drawn carriages). There is a metro in and Calcutta, and trams in the latter. In, Delhi and Chennai operate networks commuter trains.

Air Transport

At three major Indian airlines - Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara - locals pay in rupees and foreigners in dollars. Seats in economy class can be ordered by phone, through travel agents or the Internet. Rates are constantly changing, and you can save only by ordering a ticket in advance.

Check-in for domestic flights starts one hour before departure. A baggage label must be attached to each piece of carry-on baggage. For some flights, for example, to, it is forbidden to bring on board the aircraft carry-on baggage. All electronic devices with batteries removed, be placed in a special chamber. Taking pictures is prohibited, but this rule is not always respected.

Flights of some small airlines may be canceled if there are not enough passengers to cover the costs. For canceled flights, a certain amount is refunded. If you fly in economy class, then you can take 20 kg of luggage (10 kg for small aircraft). 30 kg is required for the business class.

Some time ago online domestic flights violent processes began. The state-owned airline Indian Airlines (www.indian-airlines.nic.in) until recently had the most extensive resource, but it soon began to be crowded by private airlines - Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com) and Air Sahara (www.airshahara.net).

Currently, several companies offer tickets at competitive prices that can be ordered online. However, one should not rely especially on cheapness: tariffs change daily, and there is no guarantee that there will be no recession in this business soon. If you roughly estimate, then one hour of flight will cost you about $ 150.

It seems that new airlines are growing like mushrooms, so we recommend that you consult with local travel agencies about the carrier.

Air Deccan (www.airdeccan.net). Cheap prices and a constantly growing list of destinations, including in Cashmere, Kulu Valley and northeast India.

Air India (www.airindia.com). The national carrier serves a number of domestic flights, usually departing from international terminals.

GoAir (www.goair.in). New company. Connects with almost all major cities in India.

Indian Airlines (www.indian-airlines.nic.in). It has a subsidiary Alliance Air. A major domestic carrier operating flights throughout India, as well as international destinations in 20 countries neighboring with India.

IndiGo (www.goindigo.in). Budget carrier. Plans to expand the fleet to 100 new aircraft.

Jagson Airlines (www.jagsonairline.com). Small aircraft and small runways in Himachal Pradesh.

Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com). Many rate her as best airline India. She serves the whole country, plus Sri Lanka, Southeast asia and the UK.

Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com). Yes, it is the property of a beer company. There are flights to Cashmere, southern India and the northeast.

Sahara Airlines (www.airsahara.net). Domestic and international flights.

Spicejet (www.spicejet.com).

Bicycles

There are no restrictions on importing bicycles to India, but it’s cheaper to buy a bicycle upon arrival or to rent it. The best choice - These are mountain bicycles, which do not care for the pits and potholes that dot the roads of India. We advise you to take spare tires, brake cables, lubricating oil and other spare parts and tools for long trips. Bicycles can be transported for free or for a small fee on the roofs of buses.

Before deciding on an Indian bike trip, read the following books: Rob van de Plas ’Bicycle Touring Manual (Bicycle Books, 1987) and Stephen Lord’s Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook (Trailblazer Publications, 2006). Lot useful information can be found in local bicycle magazines.

Traffic regulations in India are practically not respected. It is especially dangerous to drive on highways and highways, it is better to stick to secondary and country roads. Reasonably evaluate your strengths: an experienced cyclist can ride 60-100 km per day on the plains, 40-60 km on mountain roads, and less than 40 km on dirt roads.

Rental

It is easiest to rent a bike in a large tourist center, for example, at Hamley or Leh. An Indian bike will cost you 30-100 rupees per day. Rental locations may require a security deposit (money, airline tickets or passport).

Purchase

The best place to buy a bike is Jhandewalan's bike market. It sells both Indian and foreign bicycles, new and used, as well as spare parts for them. Prices for bikes of famous brands - Hero, Atlas, Hercules or Raleigh - cost from 2000 rupees. You can easily resell your bike - the details of the sale can be found in bike shops. If the bike is in good condition, then you can help out up to 50% of the price for which it was bought.

This is the main form of transport for traveling in India. Popular destinations are served by a large number of quite comfortable buses, in less popular areas sometimes you have to ride on buses easier. Tickets are sold by the conductor. Passenger baggage is carried on the roof of the bus, as there is usually no space left for it in the cabin.

The trains

The cheapest form of transport in India is rail. IN this case we are talking about tickets to second-class cars, since tickets to first-class are quite expensive. It is recommended to book train tickets in advance in order to avoid inconsistencies. Some tourists, going to India for a long period of time, prefer to book “Pass to India” in special agencies, which allows them to use any trains to travel around the country during the year.

Taxi

A taxi in India has black and yellow colors. Most taxis are equipped with meters, but they do not always turn on. You can also use a rickshaw and a rickshaw as an “exotic taxi,” however, in this case, it is better to negotiate the cost of the trip in advance. The nightly rate in India is 1.5 times higher than the daily rate.

Air Transport

In recent years, air travel has become increasingly popular in India - in the country today there are about 70 domestic airports equipped with everything necessary to make tourists feel comfortable waiting for flights. This type of movement, although it requires certain costs, but allows you to quickly and easily get from one point of the country to another.

Car rent

Renting a car in India is not difficult, but not every tourist decides to take such a step. The reason is simple - poor road conditions and frequent traffic violations by Indian drivers. In addition, the traffic in India is left-hand, which only adds to the problems of tourists.

If you still decide to rent a car, you will need an international driver’s license and a liability insurance policy. You can also rent a car with a driver and, thus, save yourself the need to solve problems on the road.

Total area of \u200b\u200bindia is a little less area Western Europe. For this reason, if you want to not just rest for days on beaches of goa, and to know the country with its rich customs from the inside, you will have to plan your movement around the country in advance. The Indian public transport is characterized by one feature - the lack of punctuality, so it can take a lot of time to move from one point to another. You can find out about the amount of time spent on moving from one place to another on the official websites of a particular type of transport.

Aircraft

Air travel is not yet very common as inland transport in India. However, this industry is actively developing. There are several domestic airlines passenger Transportation. Ticket prices are usually not much more expensive than the rail, but the road takes much less time.

The trains

The most common mode of transport in India continues to be rail. Trains are convenient and inexpensive, but the transport structure is very complicated, and the trains almost do not adhere to the schedule. The state-owned Indian Railways company represents the railway in India. For tourists at large stations, there are separate ticket offices that have a tourist quota. In the presence of empty seats in the car top classthan yours, you can take this place, the difference in the fare in this case should be paid to the conductor. If you took a train ticket to cover a distance greater than 500 km, then in the middle of the way, according to the rules, you can stay on one of intermediate stations no more than two days. In this case, you just need to make the appropriate notes about your ticket with the head of the station or the ticket controller. If you have to travel a lot in India by train, it makes sense to buy an Indiarail Pass ticket at the box office of large stations or at any tourist office. At the same time, you will be asked to offer a receipt from a currency exchange if you pay in rupees rather than US dollars. Tickets are sold for different classes of cars and with different types of action. Trains in India are divided into the following types: Shatabdi Express - express train, plying between the largest and most important cities. Seat cars are divided into air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars. Rajdhani Express - This fast train connects Delhi and the capitals of all states. There are three classes of wagons in it. Express without a name - offers passengers a seated wagon and two classes of sleeping wagons without air conditioning. Suburban train - there are only one class of wagons with wooden seats, which often takes a lot of people, because the ticket does not indicate the place. Toilets and air conditioning are not here.

Buses

Bus transportation is carried out by both state and private companies. This is a very common form of transport, the fare is lower than for trains, if you travel long distances and depends on the mileage. Tickets for buses of state-owned companies are bought at the ticket office of the bus station or in the bus, they go on a certain schedule. The cost of a bus ticket for private companies also depends on the distance. These tickets are sold in the bus lounge or at the tourist office. Private buses have their own timetables. In the mountains or other terrain with difficult terrain, small Shered minibuses usually go. They travel without a schedule, depart when the minibus is completely filled with passengers.

Tuk tuki

A small city scooter with three wheels, covered with an awning. Due to its small size, this is a very mobile form of transport, but it has a speed of not more than 30 km per hour, so it is not very suitable for long trips. Tuk-tuk does not have a main stopping place; you can catch it everywhere. The yen for travel is much lower than for a taxi, but you need to be careful and agree on the cost before the trip, and you also need to make sure you understand each other with the driver so that there are no unpleasant moments at the end of the trip. In central and business areas Bombay tuk-tuki are prohibited.

Taxi

Taxis in India are both public and private. The public taxi service is called by phone, cars come in black and green. A taxi call is more expensive, but the car is served on time and is not fooled by the price. Taxis can also be ordered at the hotel where you live. In addition, there is also a private taxi and private car drivers who want to earn money. Such a taxi can be found right on the street. There is a meter in a taxi, but drivers usually don’t turn it on, and they ask for at least twice as much as they need. At the airport, train station or major city, you can order prepaid taxi by paying the cost of the trip at a special ticket office, the cost of this service is fixed, depending on the distance. The cost of taxi services can also vary depending on the class of car you are driving. And also from the terrain and distance. It is worthwhile to consult with local people about how much a trip should cost about one or another distance.

Rickshaw

Rickshaw is an ancient transport of India. Now on the city streets you can see rickshaws and rickshaws, and even running rickshaws that remained only in Calcutta. Veloriksha - a wagon with a seat attached to a bicycle. Riding a cycle rickshaw is convenient if you are taking an informative walk or a city tour. The driver often does not speak English and may take you to the wrong place. In addition, this transport travels very slowly, although it is the cheapest. Motor rickshaw - in appearance resembles a knock-knock. On three wheels and with a cabin for passengers. Usually a rickshaw ride is half the price of a taxi ride. Some rickshaws have a counter installed. There are motor rickshaws for 6 people, they are larger in size and are called tempo, it is convenient to go here if you are carrying luggage. A running rickshaw is a two-wheeled cart in which a person is harnessed. This type of transport is designed for tourists, as an authentic belonging to the culture of India. Running rickshaws in this moment remained only in Calcutta. Rickshaws usually stand near any sights, they are easy to find here. Traffic in India is a conditional concept, there are practically no rules followed, there are no traffic lights and zebras, and the one who uses the larger transport sets the tone on the road.

Left-hand drive.

The total length of the country's roads is 3,316,452 km, of which 200 km of expressways (2006).

Airports: 345 (as of 2008). Airports - with runway cover: 251. With unpaved runway: 94. Helipads: 30 (2007).

Waterways: 14,500 km. In India, the lower reaches of the Ganges, Krishna, Godavari, Kaveri are navigable.

The territory of India is covered by an extensive network of railways. Total length of railways: 63.327 km. Wide gauge: 49820 km - 1.676th gauge (17786 km electrified), narrow gauge: 10621 km - 1.000th gauge (135 km electrified).

Last changes: 27.01.2013

Public transport

There are three types of taxis in India: taxis, rickshaws and rickshaws in fact. Rates for the trip are usually extremely low. It is customary to round the amount to a larger value. It is necessary to agree on a price in advance when landing and in no case to change it. At night, tariffs are one and a half times higher.

New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai have their own subway. Trains and metro stations are equipped with powerful air conditioning and a reliable fire safety system.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Air transport

Airlines are served by fairly modern aircraft.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Railway transport

The general rule for all classes is rather dirty. Dirt is slightly less in higher grades.

Mountain areas are served by many lines built by the British, so the rolling stock is far from new, and the track is often of different widths, hence the low speed and frequent transfers during the trip.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Water transport

Maritime traffic exists between Port Blair, Calcutta and Madras (only during the tourist season), and between Calcutta and Madras. A more modern line is between Cochin and the Lakshadwip Islands.

Regular passenger ships run along the coasts of Kerala, several voyages, including a real wheeled steamer, link Allapuja and Kovalam.

Between Mumbai (Bombay) and Goa runs a modern catamaran with air-conditioned salons.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Car rental

To rent a car you need a liability insurance policy and an international driver’s license. Rental offices are located at most hotels, at airports and business centers in large cities.

Bad roads, lack of necessary infrastructure and massive non-compliance by the Indians with traffic rules lead to unusually high car rental rates.

Last changes: 04.06.2010

Useful

Indian drivers do not comply with the minimum traffic rules, the technical condition of vehicles is appalling, ox-carts often move in the general stream, elephants, cows sacred here regularly come to the canvas (when they appear, the cork will stand until the animal itself leaves roads) and other representatives of the local fauna.

Drivers are talking among themselves with conventional signs and signals that may not be understandable to a tourist driving. Oncoming transport, having notified the traffic participants with a pipe signal, begins overtaking in the oncoming lane, forcing those traveling towards to pull over to the side of the road. Motor rickshaws that do not have turn signals show that they are about to turn with a quick wave of their hand. A vehicle in front can easily stop in the middle of the road without warning other traffic participants. People often walk along roadsides, and great care should be taken.

Plus, driving in India is left-hand.

Most airline flights are either delayed or canceled. At the same time, the rights of air passengers, as a rule, are not respected.

According to the rules, taxi drivers and motor rickshaws are required to turn on the counters when boarding, but they rarely do this, especially when they see a tourist in front of them. Cases of cheating and calculation of tourists are widespread, and you should be pretty persistent in bargaining with taxi drivers and rickshaws. In addition, without your knowledge, attempts may be made to bring to a souvenir shop or to “your” hotel, where the taxi driver has a commission.

In some Indian states (Goa, etc.), the so-called "taxi driver's days" officially exist (for example, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). These days, only buses are allowed to the hotel grounds that transport tourists to or from the airport. All other transportations, including excursions, are exclusively entitled to taxi drivers.