Cheap Train Travel

kuldeepmmt asked:




Journey by rail has its own charm and glitz in India. And, railway reservation in India is no more a hassle nowadays. You can go by online train reservation services or any outlet for that matter. Despite the coming up of cheap fairs in domestic airlines market, a substantial number of passengers and visitors journey by train. However, a train travel is both safe & comfortable and cheap. Indian people like to travel by train and tourists prefer luxury trains. A journey by train takes you to unearth the otherwise unexplored sites and mysteries of Mother India. As far as the railway reservation in India is concerned, there are myriad options at ones disposal. You can go by online train reservation system or any railway reservation booking outlet scattered everywhere. There many Indian websites now available with Trains Time Table.

However, Indian railway ticket reservation is no more a hassle some job. Just lay your hands on any railway reservation booking outlet around you and make your way to the differing journey. With the onset of online railway reservation system things got much simpler for the passengers to book railway tickets online.

Indian railways are working incessantly to endow simply the best services to the passengers in India. Anyone with a system can have rail reservation instantly with no hassle. However, there are also systems of making railway reservation enquiry from virtually any place with your computer. This is how the whole system of booking railway tickets got easier in terms of accessibility and affordability. You are no longer required to sweat and fret over online train ticket reservation in India. For any inquiry or for that matter any info you require regarding railway reservations just log onto the official site of Indian railways and you will have it.

Sitting at your home in front of a computer can give you all the relevant information on booking tickets in Indian railways. Booking any train on Indian Railways computerized passenger reservation system (PRS) network from any originating station or train passing through system station to any destination is that much easy nowadays. Be it about booking tickets, reservation enquiry, internet tickets (i-tickets), electronic tickets (e-tickets) or cancellation of tickets, things are just in place for the convenience of passengers.

John Parks asked:




 

Traveling by train is an amazing way to see all of the sights in comfort and style. Touring Asia by train gives you the opportunity to see such beautiful places as Singapore, Thailand, China, or even the mystical land of Tibet. The great part about traveling by train is that you don’t miss any of the beautiful scenery along the way to your destination, and you aren’t busy driving so you can actually enjoy it.

Many stops along the way provide the chance to experience the culture, food, and areas of interest along the journey and on the train you have access to all the comforts of a deluxe five-star hotel. It is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime and a great way for families to travel together without the stress or cramped environment of driving.

A few tips to make train travel more enjoyable are:

Be on time for departure: Missing your train can start your whole vacation off on the wrong foot. While it may be possible to ‘catch up’ to your train at its next stop, it will only add stress and aggravation to your enjoyment of the vacation.

Bring any child care items with you and make sure you have travel games for younger children to make the trip more enjoyable for them in between stops.

Bring along a good book or other entertainment. As on any vacation there can be dull spots where a good book, or an MP3 player will come in handy.

If you have special needs for diet bring along any foods you think may be hard to find on the train, or at your destinations.

Above all else, have fun. Traveling by train is rewarding and enjoyable with just a little planning.

For more information on traveling by train, visit http://www.railway.asia.

 

 

Brad Alexzander asked:




Gdansk could be your port of entry in Poland if you take a Baltic States or Northern Europe Cruise. It could also be your first stop if you enter Poland by ferry as we did.

We arrived in Poland after a long overnight ferry ride from Nynashamn, Sweden. It was kind of a fun introduction because we were about the only non-Polish passengers on the ferry. Driving into the center of the town was surprisingly easy… we just followed the signs to the center of the city… \”centrum\”… and even hotels were marked in relatively easy to read signs. That\’s saying something because Polish is NOT easy to read!

Get a hotel near the center of town. There is lots to explore, starting with just looking at the wonderful architecture of the Old Town. It\’s hard to believe that 90 percent of this city was destroyed or damaged in World War II. The buildings and churches have been painstakingly restored or rebuilt.

Walk along the pedestrian walkway along the river front. The Dlugie Pobrerze hugs the Motlawa River bank. See the crane, the Zuraw, the largest medieval port crane in Europe (though this too has been reconstructed). The buildings along the riverfront are impressive and colorful. (Even the buildings that have been turned into a hotel look like individual houses.)

You can view the riverfront best by walking over the bridge that is a continuation of the Long Street. Or take the small pedestrian ferry across in front of the crane. It\’s free if you have a ticket from the Maritime Museum that is housed in the Crane Building.

Leave the river and pass through the Green Gate to stroll the Long Street… the Dlugi Targ and Dluga, its narrower continuation. It\’s also a pedestrian street lined with great buildings.

Highlights are the Artus Court and the Neptune Fountain in front of it. The Uphagen House further down on Dluga has been recently restored, but it\’s 17th century Rococo panelling was not damaged in the war, and it\’s fun to see.

Walk all the way to the end of the Ulica Dluga and go through the Golden Gate (we had to do this since we\’re from the San Francisco area!) and the Highland Gate. If you\’re so inclined, you can check out the Prison Tower and torture museum while you\’re there….. or just pass through like we did!

Browse the amber shops…. they\’re everywhere, but especially along the very pretty Ulica Mariacka. This street (ulica means street) runs parallel to Ulica Dluga. You reach it from a side street, or you can enter it through the Mariacka Gate on the riverfront. Like much of Gdansk, most of the buildings were rebuilt after WWII, but it contains outstanding examples of traditional Gdansk architecture.

There are lots of churches to see. Most are historic, but they\’re comparatively plain inside because they were rebuilt. We didn\’t go to the shipyards, but signs of the Solidarity Movement were everywhere.

You may drive in like we did, or you could take the train to arrive at the central railway station, Dwonec Glowny. It\’s a beautiful old building in its own right… a great introduction to the city\’s architecture.

You may also find yourself arriving by air. The Lech Walesa Airport has become a destination for many low cost air connections from all over Europe. Maybe because Poland is still a bargain to travel in. There are also domestic flights from Warsaw or Krakow. There are transfer buses to the central train station, which is right on the edge of the Old Town, about every half hour.

 

No matter how you arrive in Gdansk, this pretty Baltic city is definitely worth a visit.

David R HUghes asked:




Europe is continent which is rich not only in culture and heritage, but also reigns when it comes to food. European cities are home to various restaurants that are the best not only in Europe, but also across the globe.

The Fat Duck Restaurant in England which is the world’s second best restaurant tops the list of being the best in Europe. The restaurant is renowned for its culinary seduction, and is based on convention with the setting of the restaurant in a cottage.

The Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant in Paris is another great restaurant that is next on the list. It is the best restaurant in all of France. The chefs of this restaurant are renowned for their culinary experimentations which complement the recipes and make them even tastier. The Le Louis XV Restaurant in Paris offers fish that you would not be able to find anywhere else in the world. Also, the fish served in the restaurant is nothing, but true delight. Another great restaurant in Europe is The Nome in Denmark. The restaurant is famous for its martini bars, and Asian food with a native touch.

The Gambero Rosso Restaurant in Italy is famous for its meat dishes and great taste which you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Another restaurant in Italy is the Grand Canal which is in the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal. The restaurant has a very appealing lure with its terrace facing the Church della Salute and gondolas. The great ambience is complemented with Venetian chandeliers which spread dim light into the dining room. It is its enchanting lure that makes the restaurant irresistible. In Florence there is Il Latini to which you should go in case you are craving for a really juicy meat steak. It also offers other Florentine specialties. The Agata-e-Romeo in Rome is another restaurant which is popular for the chef’s creativity with the traditional Roman dishes.

The L’Hotel de Ville in Zurich offers premium quality food. The restaurant is also famous for the sophisticated presentation of its food. The Brasserie Lipp is renowned all over the world for its wide variety of garlic dishes, the parallel of which is hard to find anywhere else.

If you want to indulge yourself in cheese and bacon extravagance, go to the Hof van Cleve in Belgium on the country side. This cuisine does not only have great food, but also offers a truly rustic appearance and a beautiful overall ambience. If you want to dine in a place that is chic and sleek, go to the Vogue in Turkey where you would find not only a great décor, but also a fusion of Oriental and Turkish cuisine.

If you are a fruit lover, you should go to The Oud Sluis in Netherlands where many different recipes of fruits are prepared. The Cracco Peck Restaurant in Milan is the best restaurant, and offers great Italian dishes. Some other great restaurants in Europe are in Spain, Cyprus, Barcelona, and several other European cities.

Florin Costache asked:




Travelling to Europe can be a wonderful and life-changing experience, but many people don’t enjoy it the way they could and should because of the little annoyances that pop up during the trip.

Here are a few tips to ensure you can make the most of your travel through Europe:

1. Instead of taking a taxi to your hotel it might be a lot better to share an airport shuttle with a few other travellers. Airport taxis are usually more expensive and some unscrupulous drivers will take side routes or even mess with the meter just to get more money out of your pocket.

With an airport shuttle you save money and you don’t have to worry about directions or finding the hotel; plus, you can get picked up again at the end of your stay and dropped off at the airport.

2. Take your time when travelling! Some people go on vacation doing a speed tour of every city and location they can think of, and this really is not the way to travel anywhere. Travelling this way will only exhaust you and you won’t get to enjoy each city the way you should.

Remember this: it’s good to plan ahead but don’t stick to it if you feel that you haven’t spent enough time somewhere. It’s better to go back another time and pick up where you left off than to go home tired and disappointed with the experience.

3. Are you sure you have enough time to visit all the places you want? Make sure that you reserve 2 or 3 days for each location and half a day or a full day for travelling from one place to another.

Given this reasoning for a 10 day trip you should plan to visit 3 or 4 places at the most, and a 15 day trip would be suitable for 6 destinations.

It is also helpful if you plan ahead for a route that will take you less time to travel from destination to destination - saving on travel time will give you more time to do other things.

4. Rent a car or go by train? Both options have pros and cons, so it’s worth thinking which is suitable for you.

Renting a car can give you freedom that a train can’t: for example in France there are a lot of vineyards that offer free wine tasting or dairy farms with free cheese tastings. Just pop out of the car and enjoy!

On the other hand, trains are best when you are short on time and money - unlike the United States, train fares are cheaper here and the distances are not that great. Also, if you stick to major cities you’ll most likely get there faster than in a car. If you plan on visiting smaller towns or even villages chances are that a train runs through there, so going by rail is always a good choice!

5. Gas Prices - if renting a car you should also be aware of the higher gas prices in Europe. While the average price per gallon in the United States is hovering around $2.50 in Europe you won’t find it cheaper than $4 per gallon, and that’s at best. Some European countries have it at around $7 per gallon.

That train ride sounds better and better, huh?

6. Bring batteries and power adapters - if you’re from Asia or the United States be sure to bring batteries and power adapters for every electronic device that you have with you.

Although you can find them in Europe too, they are cheaper in your country and you wouldn’t want your camcorder dying on you when you really need it!

Keep these tips in mind and your trip to Europe will be the best one in your life!

Kim Chambers asked:




Many of us have dropped the train in favour of going by plane with advent of cheap air travel through the no frills airlines. There are many flight options available to us now because the increased demand has brought significant investment into airline travel however trains are something you should certainly try again.

The technology invested in trains has changed considerably in recent years and you may well be surprised by what the train can offer you now. Especially for the business traveller, not only can you find internet connections widely available so you can stay connected and continue working you can also use your mobile phone so you have all you need to keep in touch the whole time and maximise the use of your time.

For personal trips there are power points through most trains so you can keep in touch with the girlfriend or boyfriend and never have to experience the inconvenience of a dead battery again. For the family they can keep the kids amused if they have portable game consoles or mini TVs.

Train ticket prices are a lot more competitive than they used to be as they look at to offer a viable alternative to the plane as well as often less hassle than a plane as they normally go to the centre of a city whereas you still have to travel from the airport and when you add in check in times and waiting for luggage, the train can look like a great option.

This has gone slightly biased to the train but I think what I wanted to get across is what the train now offers that may have been missing before, its better value, there are more luxuries and for some is a better use of their time.

The one thing a train can offer over a plane is the view. Most of the time from a plane all you will see is the sun or clouds whereas you can experience the beautiful east coast and other amazing sights from the train. Go on give a train a go and see if it wins you over, get train tickets for your next journey.

Jim Mark asked:




Luxury Travel on Wheels

The lush green valleys of Himachal Pradesh are unparallel in offering the most picturesque view to the tourists who visit the state from far flung places all the year round. This place is at an easy access from the plains of northern India, the striking Shivalik valleys which are situated in Kalka-Shimla are worth admiring.

The Government of India is into collaboration with the Himachal Tourism Department to promote the concept of integrated tourism development.

The Kalka Shimla Rail Route

 

Kalka-Shimla rail route is 96-km long and this narrow gauge railway track is a perfect combination of modernity and antiquity this is a blend of glamour and pilgrimage. Another tourist’s delight here is the rail motor car of the year 1927the which had brought Mahatma Gandhi to Shimla for conversation with Viceroy Wavell in the year 1945, here they discussed about the plans of the British for leaving India. This rail is the great attraction among the tourists. The Barog railway station which is of Gothic-style has become a favorite spot of Bollywood stars. 

 

The Kalka-Shimla road is a great piece which shows the amazing work done by the engineers. It was in the year 1903, the work began here, there are 103 tunnels and more than 700 non-girder bridges just in the distance of 96-km. The longest tunnel of this route is at Barog and it is 3,760 feet long. Around two- thirds of the whole track is on curves, and some of them are as sharp as 48 degrees.

 

The train takes the break at some of the stations namely Dharampur, Jabli, Barog, Salogra, Kandaghat ,Solan and Taradevi. The Shivalik Deluxe Express, which is also known as the narrow-gauge Shatabdi, caters to the clientele properly. The Shivalik Deluxe Express was started in the year 1996 in the month of July, this Shivalik Deluxe Express runs regularly nine months during the year and gives lots of pleasure to the passengers. 

 

The Inside Appeal

The train is beautifully designed with glass windows, there are reversible cushioned chairs, designer electrical fittings, modern washroom, wall-to-wall carpeting, separate cabins for couples, arrangement for music system, facilities of communication with the guard. This train is liked by the tourists in large number because of the services provided in the train. The striking view which one can have of the surroundings makes it an unforgettable journey.

kuldeepmmt asked:




 

One of the finest ways to travel through India is through the Indian Rail, as one can get close to the Indian-ness of travel. In fact a visit to India will be imcomplete without a train travel experience.

Train travel in India is a safe, cheap and comfortable (only in AC classes) for even long distances as in India there is a huge network of long distance trains operating day and night. A traveler can visit almost any part of India through this vast network. For visitors coming to India for the first time, train travel can be a thrilling and exciting experience. India train network being the second largest train network in the world provides a certain reason to travel through it. The experience, when the train passes through cities, suburbs and lush green fields in villages with the local kids waving in excitement to the train passengers, is an experience worth having.

To travel comfortably one should keep in mind certain things, some of them are given below:

Ticket booking:

Always buy a train ticket before boarding the train as train tickets cannot be bought after you have boarded the train.

Coaches and Comfort

There are many coaches that an intercity train offers starting from first class to the waiting category (tatkaal class). Always prefer first class and second class AC seats for extreme comfort levels. A second class though not providing food and bedding services but will surely be comfortable in terms of travel, but one must cater to his needs of food and bedding before boarding. Students generally prefer this class to travel.

Toilets

Toilets in trains is a state of art in itself, being usually clean it is an experience in its own manner. A brilliant experience is when one uses a toilet when the train is chugging at its full pace as being balanced on the seat is a challenge. The style of toilets is generally Indian and also because of the fact that one would never be keen to sit on anything in the toilets. Keep your valuables outside at a safer place of with your co traveler before using toilets as anything slipping out will test your luck to get back.

Personal Safety

This is regarding the personal safety of the traveler as the traveler should not try to demonstrate any of the acrobatic movements that most people seem to be doing with perfection. Some of such activities include swinging out of the train when it is about to reach the platform and jumping from the train while it is still in motion or standing in the doorway half outside without holding any of the iron bars along the doors.

Baggage

Do not forget to lock your baggage’s with little padlocks which are even available at the station or at any general store outside the station. The baggage’s must be tied with small round metal hooks located below the seats and should never be left unattended. After getting down if a traveler wants to freshen up or explore the city and leave the baggage then there are safe cloak rooms available at every station at affordable rates

Food

Most of the top trains like Shatabdi or Rajdhani, provides food onboard but for the rest it is said that the food quality is not upto the mark. One can have packaged food or products but do not forget to check the expiry date of the same. It is always advisable that carry your food with you and have it onboard or buy it from a good place outside the station and have it after getting boarded on train.

With the above suggestions a traveler can have full fun and frolic during course of the journey and is for sure to get memories worth remembering for the rest of his life.

Robert Trains asked:




Whether it’s your daily commute or your annual holiday, we all take the train to travel. In the UK, trains are notoriously unpunctual, overcrowded and often smelly. Yet despite these factors, more and more passengers are taking to the rails.

Train journeys are for relaxing. For staring out of the window into the countryside. For playing travel Monopoly. For putting the world to rights over a drink of tea. If you get time, spend a long time on a train and you’ll see what I mean.

In the UK you can travel between London and Inverness without changing trains. Not bad going for a 448 mile trip.

Crossing into the continent, you can buy a Eurostar ticket which – as of December 2007 - now connects 68 major cities and towns in the UK to France, Belgium and beyond.

In your looking for a winter journey, the longest direct Eurostar train journey connects London to Bourg St Maurice, the end snow train station for ski resorts in the heart of the French Alps. If you prefer warmer climates, the longest direct Eurostar journey connects London to Perpignan, close to the Spain border in the South of France.

But if that still doesn’t whet your appetite, why not hop on board the Trans-Siberian Express. Holding the title of the longest train journey in the world, the Trans-Siberian Express connects the Sea of Japan to the Kremlin in Russia, covering a staggering 6,135 miles.

And the ironic part? The condition of trains in the UK are probably much better than those in Russia, but we still want better for our 30 minute commute.

Michael Gleason asked:




Booo… chooo… chooooooo… there’s an eerie express on the horizon… it’s a haunted Halloween train ride… trolling down a track near you!

Halloween train rides are super, natural choices for celebrating the year’s spookiest season. Trains are as varied as the ghosts that haunt them, from quaint narrow-gauge steam trains to diesel-powered streamliners. Pumpkin trains head out into sun-baked fields, their passengers in pursuit of the perfect jack-o-lantern. Party trains assemble a masked mob of witches, warlocks, super heroes and storybook characters to compete for best costume prizes. Night trains venture down isolated rail beds and through shadowy landscapes lit only by the light of the moon.

Among the range of Halloween themed trains, trick-or-treating and haunted house excursions are favorites. Unique rides featuring on-train dining and murder mystery performances are not uncommon. And pick-your-own-pumpkin excursions are always full. In any event, costumes are always encouraged.

Conjuring up a Halloween train ride event in your area doesn’t require a lot of hocus pocus. Scenic and heritage railways offering hosting Spook-tacular celebrations can be found in dozens of states. The 2009 guide to Halloween train rides (http://www.traintraveling.com/events/halloween-trains), posted on TrainTraveling.com, features an extensive list of such railways.

Western U.S.A.

Hollywood-style magic cranks up the Halloween mojo at railways across the Western U.S.

Among the country’s dozens of pumpkin trains, Peanuts™ The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Train events are standouts. Both, the Texas State Railroad and Colorado’s Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad host Great Pumpkin trains. Highlights include meet and greet opportunities with Peanuts stars Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy — plus train rides and the chance to choose a pumpkin straight from the patch (the Peanuts crew makes an additional appearance in North Carolina, see below).

In California, the “Home of the Movie Trains” stages a blockbuster Halloween bash. The Golden State’s Fillmore & Western Railway rounds out its Headless Horseman excursions with an old-fashioned hay ride and BBQ feast.

Not for the faint of heart, Idaho’s Thunder Mountain Line plays host to the scary Wild West Haunted Express; destination: nowhere! After sunset, Utah’s Heber Valley Railroad disappears into the haunted recesses of Provo Canyon.

Midwestern U.S.A.

Railways across America’s heartland treat Halloween merrymakers to a cauldron of dire delights and frightful fun.

There’s fun for everyone at the Walled Lake Scenic Railway. The Michigan railway’s age-appropriate Halloween calendar features scary Moonlight Ghost Trains for adults and older kids, plus nightmare-free Hobo Halloween Express Trains for the little ones. Across the state, ghosts and goodies are in store for visitors to the Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, in Flint. Doughnuts, cider and more await trick-or-treating train passengers who make their way door-to-door through the 19th century heritage site.

The Midwest Central Railroad’s Ghost Train of No Return shares billing with Old Threshers’ Midwest Electric Railway’s Ghostly Trolley to offer Iowans a night of Haunted Rails. When the Indiana Railway Museum rolls out its Legend of the Lost Train event, goblins chase the French Lick Scenic Railway’s train through a ghostly forest and into a haunted tunnel.

Southern U.S.A.

For Halloween train lovers across the Southern U.S., North Carolina’s Blue Ridge holds the charm, with celebrations hosted by two separate mountain railroads. At the Smoky Mountain Railroad, Charlie Brown and the gang will be on board The Great Pumpkin Patch Express to welcome Halloween merrymakers who come for train rides, hay rides and to take home a pumpkin.

The Blue Ridge is also home to what is, arguably, America’s premiere spooky-season destination: the Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train Halloween Festival. The month-long event attracts enthusiastic crowds with a range of attractions including train rides, a haunted house, a “freaky forest” and much more!

In Kentucky, Big South Fork Scenic Railway runs both Haunted Hollow Express Trains for big kids and Trick or Treat Trains for tots.

Northeastern U.S.A.

Railways in the Northeast U.S. offer up a range of chilling choices.

Big Apple residents and visitors need only hop a Metro North train to Sleepy Hollow where a string of pre-Halloween events celebrate the Headless Horseman. From Boston, Salem-bound MBTA Commuter Rail passengers get to join in the town’s month-long Haunted Happenings celebrations.

Rolling over track that crosses the site of a former cemetery, the Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Rails to the Darkside takes passengers on a scary ride into the night. A daytime Pumpkin Patch Train gives folks the chance to select a pumpkin fresh from the field.

New Jersey’s Black River & Western Railroad is home to the Crazy Train Maze at Pumpkin Junction, a Halloween triple-play that combines a train ride with opportunities to buy a pumpkin and to get lost in a 10-acre pumpkin field maze — accessible only by train. In Maryland, the Walkersville Southern Railroad transforms its popular Murder Mystery Dinner Train into an adult’s only Halloween Costume Party on wheels.

Ready to Go

Halloween events calendars vary with a number of railways limiting Halloween trips to the last weekend in October. Many, however — including those highlighted in the preceding paragraphs — host special Halloween events on selected days throughout the month. The TrainTraveling.com website features a complete 2009 guide to Halloween train rides (http://www.traintraveling.com/events/halloween-trains).

Not all trains are appropriate for all ages and some Halloween events may be deemed too frightening for younger children. Check with individual railways in advance to verify age restrictions and warnings. In cases of inclement weather, train ride events incorporating outdoor activities, may be altered, postponed or cancelled. Advance reservations are generally advisable and required in many instances. Remember to dress appropriately: many Halloween trains operate at higher altitudes or after sunset in conditions where colder temperatures may prevail.