Lonely Planet is good for many things, but what it lacks is attention to detail; especially when it comes to transportation. One of the most important things to have on a trip through India is a good sense of transportation, and the Indian railway system is your best choice. Providing the vague but helpful “Getting There and Away” sections, Lonely Planet does do its homework, but when you want to get down to doing going or leaving, the traveller’s bible falls short on the “How?”. Here’s the answer to the last part of the Five W’s.

There are two ways to ensure you have legitimate train tickets in India. These are also the easiest way to get them.

A) Online Tickets – To buy tickets online you will need to register for an account – a contact phone number is needed. You can buy tickets within India only. These tickets are called e-tickets or electronic tickets. A very helpful and reliable site to use is ClearTrip. You are able to see a few days after your planned travel date to compare availability and times. You can select your preferred berth/seat type and see the number of people that are wait listed ahead of you. You will need to print your e-ticket confirmation as proof of purchase along with your passport on board. Credit Cards are the only method of payment and purchases online are prohibited. The site is closed between 8am and 10am everyday. There is a Rupee 20 charge for each booking. For cancellation policies please visit ClearTrip Trains for facts about your tickets.

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