by Nayab Naseer

Created on: February 07, 2009   Last Updated: February 12, 2009

India is a vast country, stretching from the mountains of the Himalayas in the North to Cape Comorin in the South (2500 miles), and from the salt plains of Kutch in the West to the Burmese forests in the East (2500 miles). One remarkable feature is the diversity. The landscape, people, culture, food, and the way of life in North India are completely different from that of South India, and East India is completely different from the West. Yet, there is a sense of unity in spite of such diverseness. Traveling in such a diverse land, through the scenic and varied countryside, and negotiating the tumultuous multitudes in the towns is an experience in itself.

The impression of India being a land of elephants, snake charmers, and tigers is far from the truth. For starters, the international airports at Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi (Cochin) are at par with any other developed nation.

The best way to travel within India is by train, wherever available. Most express trains have AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, and general sleeper class accommodation, besides a few unreserved coaches. Trains are the most inexpensive method of moving from one city to another. However, this also means that most trains are crowded, and getting a confirmed berth means booking the tickets well in advance. www.indianrailways.gov.in contains comprehensive information regarding train timings, fares, and accommodation availability. www.irctc.com allows you to book tickets and accommodation near the stations online.

Another way to travel between the different places in India is via Road. All States have their own State Transport Corporations that runs busses between the different cities and towns in the state, and to the neighboring states. Private bus operators offer luxury coach services, usually overnight between important cities. These services however do not operate from the main government controlled bus stands, and would start from some nearby area.

Hiring your own vehicle is possible, but difficult. Self-driven taxis are not easy to find. Chauffer driven taxis are easily available from the airports, railway stations and private operators in all cities, but they are a costly proposition.

If you plan to backpack, all major railway stations, and some bus terminals have cloak room facilities where you can deposit your luggage for a few days. Traveling within the city can be a Herculean task though. Public transport busses would invariably be

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