First Indian train journey – Travelling around India by train

After spending a couple of days in Delhi getting acclimatized and planning ahead, it was time to start my train travels around India! This blog post is a brief update about my first train journey in India leaving from Delhi and heading to Calcutta.

Train travel in India

Wed 07/01/04

I checked out of the hotel at lunchtime, and caught a rickshaw into New Delhi train station, where I sorted everything out.

My train to Calcutta wasn't due to leave until 17.00, so I went into the station restaurant for a bite to eat.

Eating and drinking just isn't the same if it's not off a dirty, chipped and greasy plate with a filthy cup! After my stomach problem inviting meal, I checked on the train time again, to find that it had been delayed until 22.40.

Bugger! Just like being in England! Still, it gave me plenty of time to observe railway life.

Life on the Indian railways

The day's observation – It seems to be fashionable for the locals to put camouflage covers on their suitcases!

Got talking to a Canadian, German and Estonian who were also stranded, but got on the train at last. I shared the compartment with a Korean guy who could speak little English, but that was ok, as I could only speak a little Korean (pretty limited to Tae-Kwon-Do fighting stance phrases which were of little use!). I made the bed up, and at 22.40 exactly, the train got going.

Read more about my India train travel adventure

This is a directory to the blog posts in this series.

1. First day in India
2. Second day in Delhi
3. Sightseeing around Delhi
4. First Indian train journey
5. Calcutta
6. Sightseeing in Calcutta
7. Puri
8. Day trip to Konark
9. Bubenishwar
10. Calcutta again
11. Into Darjeeling
12. Darjeeling day 2
13. Darjeeling day 3
14. Train journey from Darjeeling to Varanassi
15. Boat ride on the Ganges
16. Another night on a train
17. Journey to Khajorho
18. Khajorho
19. Amritsar
20. Taj Mahal
21. Waiting at the station
22. Quiet day
23. Jodhpur
24. Jaisalmer
25. Camel Safari
26. Problem day
27. Jaisalmer Festival
28. To Ranthambore
29. Tigerless safari day 1
30. Tigerless safari day 2
31. Another day, another railway station
32. On to Mumbai
33. Mumbai
34. Aurangabad
35. Ajanta
36. Ellora Caves – Day 1
37. Ellora Caves – Day 2
38. Hyderabad
39. Chill out day
40. The end of the India trip