Getting around India is one of the great pleasures of travelling here — and one of the great adventures. The country's transport network is vast, occasionally chaotic, and utterly fascinating. Master these options and you will travel with the confidence of a seasoned India hand.
Indian Railways: The Backbone of the Country
The Indian Railways network is one of the largest in the world, carrying over 20 million passengers daily. For travellers, it is the most atmospheric and often the most comfortable way to cover long distances. Waking up to chai served in little earthenware kulhad cups as your train rolls through the countryside at dawn is a quintessential India experience.
Booking via IRCTC: All Indian train tickets are sold through the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website or app. Foreign nationals can register and book directly, though the site has a somewhat clunky interface. Third-party booking sites like Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and 12Go Asia offer a smoother experience and accept international cards more reliably, typically for a small booking fee.
Classes explained:
- 1A (First Class AC): Fully enclosed compartments, 2 or 4 berths, highest comfort and price
- 2A (Second Class AC): Open berths with curtains, 4 per bay — most popular with experienced travellers for value and comfort
- 3A (Third Class AC): 6 berths per bay, slightly less private but perfectly comfortable and significantly cheaper
- Sleeper (SL): Non-air-conditioned, cheap, fine for daytime journeys but hot in summer
- Second Sitting (2S): Seats only, for shorter journeys
For overnight journeys, 2A or 3A are the sweet spots for most travellers.
Domestic Flights
India's domestic aviation market is competitive and often very affordable when booked in advance. IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Vistara cover the main routes. Flying makes sense for very long distances (Delhi to Chennai, for example) or for reaching places poorly served by rail (Leh in Ladakh, Agartala in the Northeast). Book via Skyscanner, Google Flights, or the airlines directly. Domestic flights in India are frequently delayed, so build buffer time into connections.
Auto-Rickshaws and Tuk-Tuks
The auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) is India's short-distance workhorse. In most cities, always negotiate the fare before getting in or insist the meter is used (in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, metered autos are the norm). Apps like Ola and Rapido allow you to book auto-rickshaws with upfront pricing, eliminating the negotiation entirely.
Ola and Uber
Both Ola (India's homegrown ride-hailing app) and Uber operate across all major Indian cities. Prices are transparent, payment can be made by card or cash, and both apps are reliable. In some cities (notably Bengaluru and Mumbai), cabs are significantly faster and only marginally more expensive than negotiating with taxi touts.
Overnight Buses
Private overnight buses cover routes not well served by trains — Manali to Leh, Hampi to Goa, Pushkar to Jaisalmer. Quality ranges enormously. "Volvo AC sleeper" buses from operators like RedBus are comfortable; older state buses are less so. Book through RedBus (app or website) for verified operators.
Hiring a Driver
For regions with complex sightseeing (Rajasthan's fort circuit, Kerala's backwaters and hill stations), hiring a private driver for 3–7 days is extraordinarily good value. Rates typically run to ₹2,500–4,000 per day including fuel and driver accommodation. Your hotel can recommend trusted drivers, or use platforms like Thrillophilia.