Local Transportation: How to Travel India.

Flying domestically. Given the size of India, it may come as no surprise that the domestic flight network in India is expanding and winning over more and more passengers. Although we don't like flying and believe that other forms of transportation are more interesting and environmentally friendly, we do acknowledge that sometimes flying is necessary.

Our favourite domestic airline, Jet Airways, sadly filed for bankruptcy. While Vistara (owned by Taj) offers excellent service, Indigo is a no-frills but typically effective option. These are two of our favourites, but we generally steer clear of Air India because of its penchant for running late.

Remember that you can usually travel by train instead of flying if you have the time. There are well-traveled routes that many people opt to fly on, like Mumbai to Goa, even though the train ride only lasts eight hours and passes through stunning, verdant scenery.

The baggage allowance on domestic flights in India is frequently 15 kg, which is less than on international flights. Also, keep in mind that the airline will ask to see the debit or credit card you used to make the flight reservation when you check in.

Trains. Traveling to India without taking a train is like missing out on the country entirely because Indian Railways makes up a significant portion of its infrastructure and is the third largest employer in the world. If you need to book tickets quickly from abroad, we advise using a travel agent because it can be a lengthy process and requires some patience. Also check: Best place to stay in coorg

Read this post to learn everything you need to know about taking the train in India. To date, some of our favourite trips have been from Mumbai to Pune (take the early train to see the sun rising over the mountains in full effect), from Delhi to Kolkata on the Rajdhani express train, from Kochi to Goa, and from Ajmer to Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Buses. Buses are the best method of transportation to and from smaller towns without access to the railroad, though pick-up trucks and minivans also play an important role in local transportation infrastructure. These are a combination of privately owned buses and state-run buses. You can look up the "State Road Transport" or buses in the state you are currently in: For instance, you can find bus schedules and information by searching for "Kerala State Road Transport Corporation," which operates in Kerala.

On longer routes, there are also many overnight sleeper buses; these are typically all air-conditioned, and many passengers prefer to choose Volvo buses because they are regarded as luxurious and secure. Although buses are more convenient to book than trains and can be a good alternative if trains are sold out, we prefer taking trains for overnight trips because we find them to be more comfortable.