How to use trains in India: buying tickets, taking the airport metro and transporting a rental motorcycle

From messages by 4 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 25 days ago

TL;DR

For airport metro travel, plan to pay cash for a token or use a local transit pass, and check the route in Google Maps. Rental motorcycles can be sent on a train if arranged in advance, but inspect them carefully for transport damage on arrival.

What the community said

For rail transport of a motorcycle, ask at the station for the packing requirements and fee; staff can explain the procedure. A traveler reported that the process was not particularly difficult.

42 days ago

For popular trains, especially air-conditioned classes, buy tickets as soon as sales open—reported to be about 59 days before travel—as seats on many routes sell out quickly.

25 days ago About 59 days before departure

For rail transport from Margao to Delhi, rental motorcycles can be handed to the railway luggage service one day before departure, while you travel on the same train. Inspect the bikes immediately on arrival: reported damage included a dented tank, broken tail light and indicator.

Margao to Delhi

The metro entrance is opposite the airport terminal exit. Build the onward route in Google Maps, and carry cash for a token or get a local transit pass to enter the system.

Google Maps; metro token

Booking Indian train tickets with a foreign bank card can be confusing, so work through the booking process in advance rather than leaving it until the last minute.