kuldeepmmt asked:




Train travel in India is the most popular mean of transport in the country. In fact, train travel is the best way to explore India and experience the country’s diversified culture and people at its best. It is said that any trip to India is incomplete without experiencing train travel, which is provided by the Indian Railways. A government body, Indian Railways operates trains to almost every part of the country including big cities and small villages.

Train travel in India is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable and exciting as well. One can reach his or her desired place by boarding a train for the particular destination according to the train schedule. In addition to plains, Indian Railways provides train travel services to hilly areas. Trains operating in the hilly areas are called the ‘Toy Train’ or ‘Mountain Railways’, and they run on the narrow gauge track passing through winding hills.

Indian Railways offers train travel service as per the set train schedule in various classes such as common seating, chair seating, sleeper class and air-conditioned, etc. You can travel on Indian Railways trains as per your choice. The trains have been categorised as passenger, mail or superfast, according to their boggies, route, amenities and speed. For travelling in Indian trains, passengers need to follow the train schedule and book train tickets for the respective destinations.

Information about train schedule is available online on Indian Railways official website. Besides, the information like Indian Railways timetable and train schedule are also available on the website. Every year, in the month of July Indian Railways timetable is fixed for trains running on the different routes and it remains valid till the end of June. Hence, for avoiding any type of last minute train travel chaos, it is better to have the complete information about Indian Railways timetable.

Train passengers can find the information on Indian Railways timetable and train schedule by buying a copy of the book ‘Trains at a Glance’. In addition to Indian Railways timetable, train travel and train schedule, the book carries information like how to book train tickets. Before booking train tickets and for other related information it is advisable to buy a copy of the book ‘Trains at a Glance’, available at all important railway stations. You can also find the guidelines for booking train tickets by surfing the Indian Railways official website.

For train travel in India with ease it is necessary to book train tickets in advance. One can book train tickets from the computerised reservation counters available at almost all the railway stations across the country. In addition, train tickets can also be booked online through the IRCTC official website. Through IRCTC website you can plan your train travel in accordance to Indian Railways timetable and book train tickets.

Madison Foster asked:




There is a new way to travel around Europe, which has become fashionable, and that is by rail. After the European Train Network appeared, trains are growing in popularity as the preferred way of going from one interesting place to another. Trains as a means of transportation are better for those who want to see more places in just one trip.

Travel to any distances – short, medium and long – can be carried out by trains across Europe. There is a wide railway network densely covering not only Western and Central Europe but the whole continent. More than twenty countries and hundreds of cities are included in the European Train Network, which allows tourists on a luxury world cruise to see the most of Europe. These trains are speedy, reliable, their schedule is very convenient with trains arriving and departing almost every half an hour.

Those who go on a luxury vacation usually see trains as a substitute to airplanes. Carriages of trains are more spacious and comfortable inside and in this way make a traveler more relaxed. Trains in Europe will provide you with a splendid opportunity to explore new routes and to discover the beautiful countryside. You will also be free from the necessity to stand in the long line in security. Moreover, railway stations are generally situated approximately in the center of the city, while airports are usually a long way from the cities. Trains are even considered to have something of a romantic feel. Train tickets bought beforehand are also cheaper. Furthermore, if you miss one train, it is easier to take another one in about half an hour.

Taking into account all the above mentioned reasons, it is not difficult to make a conclusion that train travel has turned into a leading way of traveling around Europe for those who go on a luxury vacation. Even if you ignore its romantic touch, you cannot but agree that it is practical and simple. New technologies have made the European Train Network extremely successful, because stops are possible in most European countries and its most prominent cities. Train trips win over air travel because of their availability, prices and comforts.

David Blackburn asked:




Model railroad track plans can vary depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Track plans can be very simple, or they can be very complicated depending on the layout you are building. The majority of track plans start out as just a basic oval and will eventually morph into something more elaborate as the model railroader’s skill level increases. The right planning will allow you to design a track and layout that you can be proud of. It does not take a lot of money, or space to create an effective layout as long as you dedicate the right amount of time to plan out exactly what you would like your layout to look like.

The first thing you will want to decide on is if you are looking to create a landscape or a cityscape with your layout. Your model railroad track plans will depend mostly on the environment you are looking to have your model train travel through. The first thing you will want to do is go to model train clubs in order to get different ideas for how your finished product should look like. You can also go online to look at different train tracks, which exist in reality to try and recreate the effect in your layout. Pay attention to the trees and the buildings you see in order to get an idea of what products you will have to buy. This will help you create a budget you can stick to.

Determining the amount of space you have will help you in creating the right model railroad track plans. By scaling down the plans into the space you have, you can decide what size train you will be able to use for the layout. If you already have a train and it is too big for the layout you have in mind, you may want to consider altering the plan to include only part of the scene you have in mind. You can then have the train go through a tunnel which will loop back through the background of the scene in order to start again at the beginning.

Before permanently affixing your track and layout in place, you may want to try a mock up to see how the plan looks when all laid out. This will give you a chance to make any last minute changes before you commit to anything you will not be able to change very easily. You can lay it out with cardboard and tack the train into place while simply placing buildings and other landscape features where you have them planned. You can then see a real life representation of how the finished product will look.

Once you have decided you have the right model railroad track plans, you can set to laying the Styrofoam base for your layout. You can do this on its own, on a tabletop, or on a door resting between two work benches. The best part about using this kind of base is it allows you to easily move your layout from one place to another should you feel it necessary. Many who belong to model railroad clubs will do this in order to bring their layout to meetings or conventions.

Brad Alexzander asked:




Many people try to see Venice in a day. Time and money are often short when you\’re traveling, so you want to get to as many places as you can. You really shouldn\’t see Venice just in daylight…. a day and a night maybe. Or two nights and a day.

Venice really is a small town. You can walk right across it from the train depot to St. Mark\’s Square in less than an hour… but that would be if you were just walking and not looking, and what you really want to do is stroll and SEE Venice…. La Serenissima herself is the main attraction.

The first time we went to Venice, we arrived by train at night and stayed near the train station. As soon as we settled in, we hit the street and started walking. To see Venice by street light is magical. Narrow winding streets…. Blue and red stripped \”barber poles\” holding boats and gondolas on the canals…. Little arching bridges to cross….

Don\’t worry too much about your direction or getting lost…. Follow those signs that say \”Per Rialto\” or \”Per St. Mark\’s\”… (Per Rialto means the direction for Rialto Bridge; Per St. Mark\’s means… well, you get it…). Sometimes the signs \”Per St. Mark\’s\” point in BOTH directions…. isn\’t that wonderful! Wander where you want! All of the day trippers have gone home in the evening, and the narrow streets are all yours and so romantic!

Do what we did and wander all the way to St. Mark\’s Square. If you don\’t want to spring for an expensive drink at one of the cafes on the square, buy a gelato on a side street, then stand in the square and enjoy the dueling orchestras playing sentimental old favorites.

In the morning, try to see St. Mark\’s Basilica and the Doge\’s Palace. You probably won\’t have time to go up the Campanile for the view with only a day, but it\’s your choice…. if you only have a day, you\’ll be back.

Stroll the streets, shopping along the way. There are lots of wonderful expensive things to buy in Venice, but there are some affordable Italian fashions too… and what better, easily packable souvenir could you ask for than some flamboyant Italian creation?

Find a table at one of the restaurants along the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge for lunch. Yes, it\’s touristy… it has been touristy for centuries, so you are in good company.

In the afternoon try to sample some of the art… at the Church of the Frari or the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Or if you\’re interested in the history of Venice, you could venture into the Museo Correr. If you want to see one of the grand palazzi that line the Grand Canal, see the Ca\’ Rezzonico, the museum of 19th century Venice.

When you get all the way to one end of Venice, take a vaporetto to the other end… you\’ll never tire of seeing Venice from the water, watching all those palazzi glide by. It takes on a different look in the morning, in the afternoon, at night.

Choose a romantic canal-side restaurant for dinner… or a wonderful little trattoria down an alley. Take a gondola ride before or after dinner. Who cares if it\’s touristy? Your gondolier will sing for you, tell you where Marco Polo lived… and you\’ll love it.

Go to a concert in the evening… there are chamber orchestras all over vying for your money. Or just go back to St. Mark\’s square and listen to those dueling orchestras again.

Two nights and a day will let you see Venice in the short time you have… and by having one or two nights there, you\’ll be able to savor it with fewer crowds….. how romantic!

 

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C.L. Hendricks asked:




The Schengen Visa Application form is necessary for those who may wish to travel freely in any European Union country. This type of visa was introduced in 1995 and allows visitors to pass freely into and out of many of the small European countries.

Countries: There are 15 countries that acknowledge the Schengen Visa. These include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. With the exception of Iceland and Norway all of the countries are European Union members.

Travel Methods: The Schengen Visa allows people to travel by train, road or inside the country by plane. This special visa put an end to the numerous stops at checkpoints for each country’s borders. Many travelers find the Schengen visa had improved European travel.

Application: Schengen applications are available from every country. These specialty visas are confusing. Having your itinerary in hand when contacting the embassy of your point of entry country is helpful. If you are planning to visit many countries on your trip to Europe, your application must include them. Schengen applications are available online at no cost.

Fees: Each country sets its own fees for this special visa. Additional fees may be required depending on how many countries you will be visiting. All fees must be paid in full prior to receiving this visa. Contacting the embassy or consulate will help you pre-plan and avoid last minute problems and fees.

Documentation: In addition to documents like a valid passport that has a minimum of three months before expiration, financial disclosure and employment information may be required. You may also be asked for your itinerary. You may also need confirmation of your motel or hotel reservations. Providing this information ensures that you will not become a burden to the country you are visiting.

Photographs: A Schengen Visa requires two photographs. Like passport photos they must be two inches by two inches of just your head and shoulders. All persons traveling with you are required to have a Schengen visa. Take extra photographs with you just in case.

The Schengen Visa Application Form may be a bit overwhelming at first, but help is available through many sources. The country embassy or consulate as well as the State Department have individuals ready to assist you.

Marissa Smith asked:




Backpack in hand, you are ready to head to Europe for some fun and sun. Here is some advice for backpackers from someone who has done it multiple times and made the mistakes.

Advice For Backpackers Going To Europe

In my personal opinion, spending a few weeks or months backpacking in Europe should be a mandatory task for every person. Admittedly, it canít really be called a task since you will love every minute of it. Having backpacked Europe more times than I can count, here are some of the lessons I learned which can help you.

The first piece of advice is to limit the number of things you take. Europe is not located on a far away planet. If you can buy it here, you can buy it there. This includes items such as soap, socks, toothpaste, disposable digital cameras and guidebooks. I guarantee that you will take too much junk with you. Donít. One or two pairs of shoes, shorts, one pair of slacks [to get into museums and churches] and a couple shirts is all you need. If you need anything else, you can just buy it there.

There is a lot to see and do in Europe, so most people want to maximize their time. One way to do this is to travel and sleep at the same time. Yes, I am talking about the night trains. When moving from one location to another, try to take the latest train and sleep during the trip. You only have a set amount of time. Taking this approach will keep you from wasting valuable daylight hours on the road.

One of the key pieces of advice I can offer you is to use your common sense. If you wouldnít walk down that alley or into that establishment at home, why the heck are you going to do it in Europe? Europe is very safe and the people are friendly. That being said, every location has its rough spots. Avoid them. Particularly in the Eastern European countries. Trust me on this one!

To maximize your experience, it is best to get off the beaten path. When you visit a city, spend at least a day in a town outside of the city limits. You will discover the real nature of the country. Tourists are fewer, so people tend to be interested in talking with you. There are always a group of older men sitting in a cafÈ. Join them and you will be laughing for hours. I did this in Austria and ended up speaking a week in a little village called Halstatt. One of the best times I ever had.

When it comes to tips backpackers and Europe, this final piece of advice is very important. Do not try to see everything. Stick to one country for two weeks, but no less than one week. This lets you get the most out of the visit.

Yes, there are other countries, but you will just have to come back again to see them. Poor you.

Graeme Lanham asked:




Is it possible to see the best of this beautiful country in the heart of Europe, in 4 days? If you’re adventurous and have a reasonable level of fitness, it can be done. Read on to discover how.

Your time in Europe is limited and there’s so much to see. However to miss this tiny country would be a great pity. The people are courteous and friendly, the lakes breathtaking and the mountain scenery the most spectacular in Europe.

The booking clerk at the Zurich Bahnhoff looked at me with surprise when I presented him with my 4 day Swiss Pass and told him of my travel plans.

“I hope you are fit “, he said. Fortunately Switzerland is compact and its travel system is smooth, punctual and efficient.

Zurich is an ideal starting point because of its transport access to the rest of Europe. Most international airlines fly to Zurich and travelers from London can go by Eurostar to Paris and then by express from Paris to Zurich. Lausanne, just east of the border with France, is a convenient finishing point with its TGV high speed rail connection with Paris. I chose a Swiss pass (which must be purchased before you leave) because it offers cheap unlimited travel on all trains, buses and ferries and discounts on most mountain railways and cable cars.

DAY ONE. ZURICH TO SPIETZ.

An early morning departure (7.30AM) from the Zurich Bahnhoff was followed by a short ride south through undulating countryside to Lucerne and the first change of trains. Because of the regularity of trains, it is worthwhile taking a 2 hour stop at this beautiful little city on Lake Lucerne. If you have time, four optional excursions spaced over 2 days are worthwhile.

A steamer trip to the eastern end of Lake Lucerne alighting at Fluelen is recommended. The mountain scenery on the south side of the lake is breathtaking. A quick train journey back to Lucerne completes this half-day excursion.

Two mountain trips are within easy reach of Lucerne. The closest is Mt Pilatus, and my suggestion is to take the cog railway up the south face and return on the cable car as you descend the north face. The views north to Lucerne are some of the finest in Europe. Further afield is Mt Titlis. This requires a bus journey to Engelburg, then a series of cable car rides to the summit with its permanent snow cover. Spectacular views of the main mountain peaks in Switzerland await you. The fourth major attraction in Lucerne is the transport museum: reputed to be the finest in Europe.

The next part of the journey is over the top of the Brunig pass. A cog railway is necessary because of the steep gradients ascending and descending these mountain passes. It is worth taking an hour’s stop at the pretty village of Brienz on the north shore of Lake Brienz, before continuing on to Interlaken and the next change of trains.

Interlaken is an ideal base to explore the magnificent mountain scenery of the Bernese Oberland including Jungfrau, one of the highest peaks in Switzerland. A rapid train journey to Thun is followed by a walk down to the harbour to join the ferry for a 1-hour voyage to Spietz, the overnight stop. I would strongly recommend this late afternoon ferry journey on one of the prettiest lakes in Europe.

DAY TWO. BRIENZ to LOCARNO.

This spectacular journey includes 2 of Europe’s major tunnels: Lotschberg and Simplon and travels south through high alpine scenery to Ticino, the southernmost and warmest canton in Switzerland. The descent to Brig with views of the Rhone Valley on the right is particularly spectacular. At Brig, following another train change, we travel through the Simplon tunnel into Italy.

Leaving the train at Domodossola, the journey continues on a quaint little privately owned railway to the overnight stop at Locarno. This journey on the Centovalli railway is strongly recommended because of the spectacular gorges and ravines en route. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views.

Locarno has a beautiful location at the top end of Lake Maggiore and a visit to the Madonna Del Sasso church, a short funicular journey from the heart of town, will reward you with magnificent views over the lake.

DAY THREE. LOCARNO to St MORITZ.

An early morning train journey to Lugano will be necessary for a connection to the Palm Express: a bus trip over the Majola pass to St Moritz. These Swiss postal buses negotiate terrain which is too steep for trains and the winding journey to the top of the pass is breathtaking. To my surprise, particularly as I was told that bookings were essential, I was the only passenger. The joys of off season traveling resulted in the driver stopping at my whims. He even asked where I wanted to stop for coffee!

St Moritz is the starting point for two of the most outstanding train journeys in Europe: the Bernina Express and the Glacier Express. Most overseas travelers board the Bernina Express and travel to Tirano in Italy but as my time was short and acting on advice from the station master at St Moritz, I left the train at Alp Grum (the top of the Bernina Pass), enjoyed a coffee and the spectacular Alpine views at the summit, before boarding another train an hour later for the return trip to St Moritz.

The Bernina Express journey is on the highest non cog railway in Europe and the high alpine glaciers and snow-capped peaks viewed on both sides of the train completed a memorable day.

DAY FOUR. St MORITZ to LAUSANNE.

The final day of my Swiss pass took me on a 7 hour journey through some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe. The Glacier Express journey from St Moritz to Zermatt is one of the most popular in Europe and is almost always fully booked. For the first time, I did not have to change trains, enabling me to sit back and enjoy the high alpine scenery of rural Switzerland with its meadows, tiny villages, the sound of cowbells, the distant sound of church bells and the brilliant clear bracing mountain air. Every bend and every tunnel exit presented different vistas, but probably the most spectacular was the descent from Oberalp Pass to Andermatt. The views were unforgettable. The Glacier Express arrived in Zermatt in the late afternoon and unfortunately the Matterhorn was covered in cloud. I reluctantly had to cancel a cog railway ascent to Gornergrat, a high plateau just below the summit of this spectacular mountain. It was here that I wished I had more time. The mountain walks around Zermatt are some of the finest in Europe. Another day perhaps!

So it was down the mountain to Visp to join a mainline express through the Rhone Valley for an overnight stop at Lausanne. Sadly most of this journey was at night. It did however give me peace of mind knowing that I would not miss my early morning TGV connection from Lausanne to Paris. Maybe next time, I’ll take the 8-day pass!

A Swiss Pass for 4 consecutive days first class costs US$278. Longer travel days are available. If you wish to combine travel in Switzerland with a number of other countries, a Eurail Pass gives you a number of flexible options.

Travel asked:




When deciding that you are going to travel to see the many different beautiful landscapes of Europe, the mode of transportation will significantly impact your experience. Ever since the European Union formed, it has made traveling between different countries much more affordable. So whether you are on a romantic honeymoon with your fiancée, on a family vacation or just as a student back packing around, transportation does not have to put a dent in your wallet.

Taking the train through the various country sides is a pleasurable experience. Many different people of diverse economic statuses that you encounter along the way also prefer to travel by train. The appeal of visiting destinations that are completely culturally different from your home are the people that you encounter and the conversations you have along the way. You will find many different types of rail passes for your journey across Europe that will be affected by how many destinations you’d like to visit and the amount of people you travel with. The fares also take into consideration how many days you would like to travel for. Traveling by train can be more appropriate for individuals under the age of 26 because your Eurail Youth Pass will be for a discounted amount of Euros.   

While you will not be able to simply look out the window and admire the various views of Europe, traveling by train at night will be considerably cheaper. When you travel at night, you will find that they have sleeper car accommodations. In these sleeper cars, there are bunks for you to energize in preparation of your day of sightseeing. The sleeper cars are not private, but the plus side is that you will not lose a day traveling and will be able to spend more time sight seeing. Taking the train will also deliver you and the people you are traveling with directly into the center of most cities. You will rarely find yourself in obscure destinations feeling lost and disoriented while trying to make your way back to the destination you actually want to end up in.

Most travelers will choose to travel by train; however what you sacrifice in comfort by taking coach, you will save in expenses. You can travel between many European cities by coach, since many companies will have organized coach routes. Taking coach will most likely be more appealing to students who are looking to save money on their trip. Coach also is more appropriate when your destination is not one of the major European cities, but a smaller town or land mark. Many times once you arrive by train, you will need to find another mode of transportation to get to the smaller location. Coaches will more likely deliver you directly. A few companies will also offer combinations of coach/train packages that ultimately will get you to both the larger and smaller destinations and will provide a cheaper rate altogether.

In the end, it comes down to price and comfort that will affect your decision of whether to go train or coach.

Roger Munns asked:




This ski season, if you’re planning to take a ski trip, skip the long, annoying security checks at the airports and take the train instead.

It’s no secret that air travel is less environmentally friendly than train travel. Eurostar train operators in Europe have decided to compete with airlines to transport travelers to The Alps.

Eurostar is the first operator in the world to offer ‘carbon neutral’ journeys for all its travellers - at no extra cost. Newly opened Ebbsfleet offers seven trains per day to Paris and five per day to Brussels. Trains travel as fast as 186 mph, making your trip as short as possible. And as economically friendly as possible to boot.

Eurostar plans to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions by twenty-five per cent per passenger by 2012 with their ‘Tread Lightly’ plan. A train trip with Eurostar generates ten times less carbon dioxide than an airplane trip. In addition to generating fewer emissions, Eurostar plans to offset the emissions they cannot eliminate. Travellers who travel with Eurostar may not realize it, but they are making the environmentally responsible choice.

‘We know that thousands of travellers want to be on the first trains on High Speed 1. We are expecting heavy demand from customers keen to enjoy even faster, shorter journeys to the Continent, and who want to see the stunning restoration of St. Pancras International Station,’ says Eurostar’s Chief Executive, Richard Brown.

Independent research commissioned by Eurostar has shown that a trip from London to the French Alps generates 24 kilograms of carbon dioxide per passenger. In comparison, a typical return flight London Heathrow-Geneva generates 191 kilograms of carbon dioxide while a round trip between Gatwick and Geneva generates 169 kilograms of carbon dioxide per passenger.

An increasing number of skiers are using high speed rail to ski in the French Alps. Since July 2006, more than 33,000 skiers, an increase of 43 per cent from the previous ski season, have used Eurostar to travel to the Alps.

Not only is it more environmentally friendly, it cuts back on transfer problems and lost baggage associated with flying. Travelling with Eurostar helps avoid lengthy coach rides and transfers travellers have to deal with when flying. Eurostar’s stations, located high in the Alps, require only a short bus ride to resorts.

For skiers convenience, Eurostar has travel packages that include round trips to The Alps. Some of their most popular travel incentive packages include overnight travel on Friday night to arrive Saturday morning, or Saturday trips that allow travellers to take in the beautiful scenery along the way.

Eurostar also offers select packages at a slightly higher rate. These select packages offer slightly more roomy accommodations, meals and drinks served at the passenger’s seat.

This ski season, weigh your options. The plane trip may be quicker, but then you have the worries of lost luggage, coach rides and transfers to and from the resorts. The train trip may take a little longer, but much less hassle.

Whatever mode of transportation you choose, have a safe and happy ski season!