Real experience of people from chats on «Transport» in India — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
For early morning airport transfers in India (e.g., Varanasi, Delhi), booking a taxi through the hotel reception is often more reliable than relying solely on ride-hailing apps like Uber, which may have low driver availability at night. It is advised to book the evening before and confirm with the reception staff before the departure time to avoid communication gaps during shift changes.
Local train fare in Chennai (e.g., Velachery to Marina Beach line) is a flat rate of 5 INR. Women can travel on local public buses in Chennai for free.
Toll roads in India are common and typically incur separate charges from the vehicle rental or driver's fee. The cost of tolls is usually indicated when selecting a toll route. Clients are often expected to pay for these tolls separately. While it's possible to negotiate with transport agencies or drivers to include toll fees in the overall package, it's more common for them to be an additional expense. It's advisable to clarify whether toll charges are included before finalizing arrangements, especially when booking with companies or drivers.
At Delhi Airport (DEL) for international flights to Moscow, check-in and baggage drop typically open 4 hours before departure. General lounge access is available via Priority Pass or similar programs, though airline-specific lounges may vary.
For transit through India (e.g., Mumbai), some travelers apply for a free tourist e-visa as an alternative to a paid transit visa. The India e-visa application process can be challenging: the website is prone to hanging (save application ID), phone numbers must start with '8', and passport scans may require compression. Applicants need to specify a random hotel address. Approval times range from 10 minutes to 24 hours, potentially longer if submitted on a Sunday. Note: User experiences vary on the necessity of a passport scan; some reported recent approvals without it.
Travelers can get help purchasing flight tickets for their departure from India. These tickets are often necessary for immigration and passport control checks, ensuring compliance with exit requirements.
Contrary to some rumors, renting a motorcycle in Delhi and riding it to Ladakh is generally not an issue regarding permits. Travelers have reported completing extensive trips (around 4000 km, including Umling La) on bikes rented in Delhi without facing significant issues at checkpoints. The concern that such rentals might be turned back might be spread by local rental agencies in Ladakh to encourage using their services. While there might be occasional curious questions about the origin of the motorcycle (e.g., if brought from Manali), it doesn't seem to constitute a barrier to travel.
The official website for booking train tickets in India is irctc.co.in. It is the primary and legitimate portal for Indian Railways reservations.
If a passenger holds a single (interline/codeshare) booking for a flight with a layover in Doha (DOH), the operating airline is responsible for rebooking the passenger on the next available flight in case of delays that cause a missed connection. Always verify that both flight segments are under a single PNR (Passenger Name Record).
A round-trip taxi service from the Gurgaon/Delhi area to Agra, including stops at the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, typically costs around 8,000 INR.
In India, taxi fares can vary significantly. Hotel-arranged taxis might cost around 800 INR to the airport, while Uber could be around 500 INR for the same route. Local recommendations often favor ride-sharing apps like Uber or Ola over street taxis, which may overcharge. Some drivers of non-app-based taxis might attempt to reroute or demand extra payment. Features like trip tracking and sharing with a contact are available in some apps for safety. Cheaper taxi options might be available through guesthouses compared to luxury hotels.
Some services in India can assist travelers in purchasing train and bus tickets, particularly for routes where general availability might be limited. This can also be helpful for securing tickets under a 'tourist quota' if such a system is in place for specific bookings, potentially aiding in accessing tickets even when they appear sold out on standard platforms.
Munnar is not accessible by train. Route recommendation: Travel from Madurai to Munnar, then proceed to Kochi. Transport options: Local buses (~350 INR) or private taxi (4,000-5,000 INR). Taxi is recommended for comfort due to serpentine mountain roads.
In Indian Railways 1st Class bookings, seat numbers are often not assigned at the time of purchase. Seat assignment typically occurs approximately 4 hours before the train's departure. Passengers should check their PNR status closer to the departure time to confirm seat details.
Advise travelers flying to India about the mandatory online 'Air Suvidha' form. Key facts: 1. It must be filled out online only; no paper forms are distributed on board. 2. Airlines may deny boarding without a completed form/QR code. 3. It can be filled up to 3 days before departure. 4. It is required for all international arrivals, including Indian citizens. 5. The form includes health declarations and an undertaking not to travel if ill. 6. It was recently reintroduced, reportedly due to concerns over Ebola.