How to Get Around in India Using Local Transportation

Flights within the country. Given the size of India, it's perhaps not surprising that the country's domestic flight network is expanding and becoming more popular. We are not fans of flying and believe that any other mode of transportation is more interesting (as well as more environmentally friendly), but we recognise that there are times when flying is necessary.

Jet Airways was our favourite of the domestic carriers, but it went bankrupt. Indigo is simple but efficient, and Vistara (owned by Taj) provides excellent service. These are two of our favourites; on the other hand, we usually avoid Air India because of their tendency to be delayed...

It's worth noting that you can get to most places by train rather than flying if you have the time. Many people prefer to fly on popular routes, such as Mumbai to Goa, where the train ride takes only 8 hours and passes through beautiful, lush scenery.

If you plan to fly in India, keep in mind that the baggage limit is frequently 15kg (less than for international flights), and remember to bring the debit/credit card you used to book the flight with you to check in, as airlines will request to see it.

Trains. Indian Railways is a huge part of India's infrastructure (as well as the world's third largest employer), and to visit India without taking a train is to miss out completely. Booking tickets can be a time-consuming and patient process, so if you're in a hurry and want to book your tickets from abroad, we recommend using a travel agent. Also check: Best place to stay in coorg

Read this post to learn everything you need to know about train travel in India. Some of our favourite journeys to date include: Mumbai-Pune (take the early morning train for the best view of the sun rising over the mountains); Delhi-Kolkata and the Rajdhani (express trains); Kochin-Goa and Ajmer-Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Buses. Buses, as well as pick-ups and minivans, are an important part of local transportation infrastructure and the best way to get to and from smaller towns without railway access. These are a hybrid of public and private buses. Depending on which state you are in, you can look for "State Road Transport" or buses: For example, the "Kerala State Road Transport Corporation," also known as the KSRTC, operates in Kerala and can provide you with bus schedules and information.

On longer distance routes, there are also plenty of over-night sleeper buses; these are all AC, and many passengers prefer Volvo buses, which are considered high-end and safer. We prefer to travel by train for overnight trips because it is more comfortable, but buses are easier to book and can be a good option if trains are sold out.