Travel India Info

Travel Benefits - Incentives for Tourists Visiting India Regardless of the city tourists initially arrive in India. Many of them will most probably travel to different cities in India as part of their planned vacation or business trip. India is a vast country and for travel within the country to different Indian cities the main options are the Indian Railways or the various airlines that operate in India. Tourists in India have three advantages that can help them plan their visit in India and perhaps also save them some money. There are some benefits provided by the Indian government to tourists, especially foreign tourists that can save them money and also help them avoid long lineups when purchasing railway tickets in India. 1. Priority reservation for train travel. 2. The Indrail Pass for train travel. 3. Visit India Fare for air travel. Are the programs designed for tourists to promote tourism in India.

Priority Reservation For Train Travel

Tourists Foreign tourists have an advantage of getting train reservations on a priority basis if they choose to travel within India on trains. The Government of India has allotted a special quota of seats especially for foreign visitors traveling within India. This ensures that foreign tourists can get reservations for trains even on the day of travel. The cost of these tickets is also the same as what the local Indians pay. however to avail this facility tourists need to show their passports so as to prove they are genuine tourists and not permanent residents of India. Previously there was a requirement that the money paid for reservations under the foreign ticket quota, had to be paid for only in foreign currency. This restriction has now been removed and foreigners can make payment for train tickets in Indian currency if they wish to do so. International Tourist Bureaus are located at various important cities all over India. These provide assistance to the foreign tourists and NRIs regarding inquiries, booking, reservation and travel planning.

Northern Railway Tourist Bureaus are

located in the following cities:

• KOLKATA • CHENNAI • BANGALORE • JODHPUR • VARANASI • AHMEDABAD • SECUNDERABAD • JAIPUR International Tourist Bureau at New Delhi functions from 08:00hrs to 20:00hrs from Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from 08:00hrs to 14:00hrs. Foreign Tourist Rail Reservation Counter is also at the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation office situated at Indira Gandhi International Airport at Arrival Lounge. International Tourist Bureaus issue reserved tickets to the Foreign Tourists and NRIs holding valid passport against payment in US dollars, Pounds, Sterling and in Rupees against Encashment Certificate. These Bureaus also sell Indrail passes which enable a tourist to travel wherever he likes, whenever he likes and whichever trains he likes within the validity period. Indrail pass however, does not guaranty reserved accommodation. (Please be advised that despite purchasing a Indrail Pass, passengers must get a confirmed reservation for the train they wish to travel in. Reservations to Indrail Pass holders are provided free.) The fares of Indrail Passes are in US dollars. Rules are printed on the Indrail passes. The foreign tourists can also purchase Indrail passes from the General Sales Agents appointed abroad and Rail Travel Agents appointed in India. A separate foreign tourist quota has been provided in all classes on almost all trains for the facility of the tourists. A tourist can obtain reservations against Indrail passes from any reservation office over Indian Railways.

Unlimited travel rail pass for train travel

in India

The most economical way to see India is to purchase the unlimited rail travel pass called the Indrail Pass.

Indrail Pass

The Indrail Pass is available for periods of 7 to 90 days. With this pass you can travel on all trains within the time frame chosen. This can be very useful if tourists have plans to visit several cities in India. Indrail Pass holder can also travel on the fast trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi. These trains are air conditioned and perhaps the best trains to travel for tourists. Plan your travels so you can sleep comfortably in the train during the night and arrive in the morning at your destination. The Indrail Pass is much cheaper than the Visit India airlines Pass. The other difference is that while the Visit India airlines pass does not allow traveling the same route twice, the Indrail Pass has no such restrictions. However, please not that the Indrail Pass does not permit travel on the Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Heritage on Wheels or the Fairy Queen train. These passes can only be purchased by foreign nationals and nonresident Indians (NRIs) on payment of U.S. Dollars ($), Pound Sterling (£ ) , Euro. Indian currency is not accepted for the sale of Indrail pass.

Indrail Pass does not guarantee

reservation

Having a Indrail pass does not guarantee that you will get a ticket reservation on a train. While unlimited travel is allowed, there must be a seat vacancy to give you a ticket. It is probably a good idea that before purchasing the Indrail Pass, plan your travel routes and try and get the reservations made at the same time. This will ensure that you have reserved seats for your choice of travel dates. I personally find that it is better to buy the pass in India at the International Tourist Bureau offices where reservations can be confirmed immediately. Price of Indrail pass for unlimited train travel Price of Indrail Pass depends on the duration of your travel. The duration can by from 12 hours (1/2 day) to 90 days maximum. Here is an example of the price of the Indrail pass allowing unlimited travel on Indian railways for a set period of time. The most popular duration perhaps would be the 21 day pass, The price currently as on November 2014 for the 21 day pass for: • AC Class is US$396 for adults and $198 for children. • First Class/ AC 2/3 Tier/ AC Chair Car the price drops for adults to $198 and for children to $99 • Sleeper Class/ Second Class (Non - AC) the price is further reduced, adults $100 and children 50 Check the Indian railways website for prices applicable for other periods of validity that you may be interested in. Prices change periodically and that is the reason I am not posting this information on this page.