across its territory. Excursions offered by travel agencies do not cover even a hundredth part of its sights and places with nature, which has preserved its originality since ancient times. For the same money you can really see much more, get to know the local life and its traditions, soak up the spirit of love and the magic of centuries-old history. Of course, moving "on foot", it is impossible to cope with such a task.
Long distance routes: trains and buses in India
at Jhansi station on the road from Khajuraho to Delhi
Indian trains
- a great option for an inexpensive and comfortable travel between cities. Such a trip will cost three times cheaper than an analogue of the Russian train. For example, the cost of a ticket on the Delhi-Trivandrum route (more than 2000 km across the country) in a class 2AC carriage(reserved seat with air conditioning) along with meals will be about 4500 rupees. The absence of tickets in this class is a frequent occurrence for the Indian railway. In this case, it is possible to purchase an entrance ticket without a seat. But this is acceptable only for a trip of no more than 3 hours.
FC class cars Suitable for those who prioritize savings over comfort. The atmosphere in them is comparable to our electric trains: merchants, beggars and musicians create the appropriate surroundings. But the fee is almost symbolic 1000 rupees / 1000 km.
Meals at Shatabdi Express
Faster and more expensive
Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express
– modern, air-conditioned trains with soft seats. Shatabdi are focused on day trips. The Rajdhanis operate long distance routes between Delhi and the state capitals. The ticket price for a 2-hour trip over a distance of 200 km is from 370 to 700 rupees, depending on the class of the car.
For example, when traveling to India, we traveled along the Agra-Jansi route on the Shatabdi Express.
Buses in India
in state capitals and major tourist centers there are luxury and deluxe buses that run express between cities in the state and beyond. 
Another option for traveling long distances at night is
slipper bass
They move at a speed of 80 km / h, so they will quickly deliver to their destination.
The disadvantage of such a trip is that it is almost impossible to sleep. High speed combined with Indian roads gives a noticeable shaking. Plus, every 20 minutes, the conductor announces stations “not in his own voice”, running through the cabin. In such conditions one can only dream of sleep. 🙂
Getting around the city: how they travel in India in municipal transport
The most common urban transport in India is
rickshaws.
Rickshaws include several varieties. Ordinary rickshaws that are pulled by people are banned in many cities because of their unaesthetic nature.
Bicycle rickshaws and motor rickshaws are very popular.
Let's ride a rickshaw
TRISHAW It is a regular bicycle with a seat for a passenger.
It is not characterized by high speed, so it is convenient for sightseeing or traveling short distances in pedestrian areas.
The fare is negotiable, within 5 rupees per 1 km.
MOTOR rickshaws- small funny 2-3 local carriages mounted on a three-wheeled motorcycle chassis.
Motor rickshaws on the streets of Delhi
Motor rickshaws are the best option for getting around the city and a good way to save time in traffic jams. The average fare for the trip is 10 rupees / 1 km. But this cost can be considered conditional, because it is almost impossible to persuade the driver to turn on the meter. Therefore, the cost of the trip to the destination must be negotiated in advance.
In the city, you can cheaply travel by
municipal buses.
Traveling in them is pennies even for decent distances.
The Internet is teeming with images of this kind of municipal bus ride: 
In fact, no one “will allow a white man” to drive in this way: they will let you through, even give up your seat to a woman, and no one will deliberately put pressure on you.
We traveled from the Taj Mahal to Agra on such a bus (the Indians tried not to even touch us, shunned and showed their respect with gestures, facial expressions, smiles).
Some then “occupied” the bus as in the first photo, but we didn’t see this anymore, since we were inside 🙂 
Large metropolitan areas have
metro.
With it, you can easily and quickly be almost anywhere in the city. Therefore, if the plans include Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore or Calcutta, then the metro is the fastest and most economical way to travel.
At the box office of the subway for only 100 rupees, you can buy a tourist subscription. It allows you to ride the subway all day without restrictions. For comparison, it will cost almost 10 times cheaper than a rickshaw.
Thus, do not be afraid to move around India on your own. Transport system India is highly developed. Everyone decides for himself which of the ways to move around the city and beyond is suitable for him.
Taxi in India or rental car
ORDER A TAXI directly from the airport in Delhi to your hotel, or from the hotel to attractions, as well as from one Indian city to another, you can use the widget KIWI TAXI:
You can also ride the roads of India in a rented car with a guide and driver as part of a tour that my Indian friend Deepak and I recently began to conduct for tourists from Russia and neighboring countries.
From India to Goa or Sri Lanka
If you need to get from India to GOA or Sri Lanka, then the most fast way movement is an airplane 🙂
Riding in India on trains public buses, motorcycle and bicycle rickshaws
Katya Bashkurova.
But let's take a look at everything that includes the geography of India's transport, and tell you more about how best to travel around this amazing country.
Trains
The most, as in any former British colony, is the railway. It connects almost everything here. settlements and is very cheap.
But, if a tourist decides to use the services of railway workers, it is worth buying tickets at separate tourist offices. Firstly, here you will avoid huge queues. Secondly, although a little more expensive, you will be able to buy a ticket for a carriage with normal conditions and comfortable seats.
In total, there are three main branches of intercity trains.
Express "Shatabi"- goes between the capitals of the states and just large industrial centers.
Rajdhani Express- connects the capital Delhi with the administrative centers of the states.
Other express trains connect non-capital major cities.
In addition to fast trains, there is also a commuter service here, which is extremely different. low level service. In such formulations ordinary tourist it is better not to travel, as there is a risk to life, health and material values.
If you want to see the remotely located cities of India, It is better to purchase a universal Indian Pass ticket. This can be done both at the station and in offices. travel companies. For a week, a class wagon pass A1 (our CB) will cost about 270 dollars, but the price of an AC2 car (first class) will cost 130 dollars.
If you are offered cheap second class tickets (AC3) or a sleeping bag, it is better to refuse. In such cars it is very dirty, crowded and there is always a risk of running into adventures. Although the cost of tickets, with rare exceptions, does not exceed 20 rupees.
Airplane
Now let's talk about what is the air of India. Air traffic between cities within the country itself is developing rapidly. And ticket prices, for the most part, are comparable to those for high-class trains. This allows a tourist to see much more of the country's attractions in a short time.
On average, a round-trip ticket across the country costs 80-100 dollars. Of course, not everyone wants to spend that kind of money. But if there is no desire to waste hours on the train, then to save money it is better use Indian low-cost airlines Indigo or SpiceJet.
Automobile
Tourist who wants to see the real living India, it is better to take a car. It should be noted that this type of transport is suitable only for experienced drivers. Given the chaos on the roads and left-hand traffic, this is quite a dangerous business. Speaking about the price here, a reliable minivan or SUV will cost the tourist about 1800-2000 rupees per day. When ordering a car for a week, the rental price may be reduced by 10-15%. But it depends on the rental.
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to pay a little extra and hire transport right away with a local driver. So, in popular tourist centers of Delhi or Goa, the first 80 km by car or minivan will cost you 1200 and 1800 rupees, respectively. After that, each next kilometer will add 13-15 rupees to the total cost.
A private car will be the best option for a group of tourists, but if you are traveling on your own, the best remedy movement will become a scooter. Its rent will cost only 200-300 rupees per day.
Separately, it should be noted that in rented vehicles Almost always there is no gasoline. The rental company will offer you to refuel with them, but the cost of such fuel can be several times higher than the usual retail price. Therefore, buy a few liters just to get to the nearest gas station.
And in the end, I would like to add -, picking up transport for traveling here will not be a problem!
For many tourists railway resembles a nightmare. But it's not so scary if you buy tickets in good trains(not shared wagons). There are also others means of transport in india- rickshaws, taxis, scooters. Many of them are actively used by tourists.
- this is a separate story, there is chaos on the roads, everyone honks, drives fast, does not follow traffic rules, and in general there can sometimes be three-way traffic on a two-way road. 🙂 Therefore, when crossing the road, it is better to look in both directions many times.
Rail transport in India: trains
Most cheap way to travel in India is trains. Therefore, it is the most popular transport in India, which is used by all local residents. The prices are very democratic.
- Train ticket from Rishikesh to Patankot (seated) - 145 rupees
- Train ticket from Mumbai to Udaipur (reserved seat) - 250 rupees
I can tell you a lot about railway transport India, because have used it many times. In India, there are several classes of carriages, ranging from shared carriages where people sit everywhere, even on the upper luggage racks and on the floor, while drying socks on fans, ending with comfortable air-conditioned carriages. In order to take seats in the common car, people sometimes jump into the car on the go, or through the windows, preventing those leaving from getting out normally! We traveled in Indian reserved seats, which are called Sleeper class here.
Before traveling in India, we were a little frightened by the stories of our foreign friends about Indian reserved seats, everyone advised buying tickets only for the upper shelves, because everyone always sits on the lower ones, preventing you from lying down. Sometimes they even try to touch you, and one American even said that someone from the top shelf cut his nails, which fell right on him. But these people simply never traveled in Ukrainian or Russian reserved seats! After all, we also have everyone sitting on the lower shelves, sometimes early in the morning or until late in the evening. Maybe that's why I reacted normally to reserved seats and railway transport in India.
But there are still differences. For example, rail transport in India uses 3 shelves for sleeping, unlike Russian trains, and on the sides there are also 2, only without a table. Fans hang from the ceiling, and some trains even have sockets. There are 2 toilets on each side, and you can use them at any time, no one closes them at the stations. Also go sellers of various things and a lot of beggars. And, which is normal in India, trains rarely arrive on time! In our case, there were delays of 1, 2 and 3 hours, and one train actually arrived an hour early, so we missed our stop.
Motorcycles in India
Second means of transport in india- motorcycles. Sometimes it is convenient to move around the city by auto rickshaws. They drive like everyone else in India, like gods. There were many times when it seemed that the accident could not be avoided, but the driver turned so skillfully, and not even a single hair on his head stood on end. Interestingly, in Mumbai and Kochi, auto rickshaws are equipped with a counter, this was not even in Bangkok. 🙂
Taxi in India
Third means of transport in india— taxi. Once in Calcutta, they even took a ride in a yellow retro taxi. It was one of the most extreme trips of my life. The cars do not have side mirrors, so they are very nimble between buses, other cars and rickshaws. There is always only one question: “How do they do it???”. It's definitely true that if you learned to drive in India, you can drive everywhere.
Buses in India
From Dabolim Airport in Goa, you can take a bus to Margao, Mapusa or Panaji.
At first we avoided them, and then we saw how many white people ride in them. From our Arambol to goa tourists half the bus could be full. The fare costs ridiculous money 15-20-30 rupees, depending on the distance. The main thing is not to drive in the morning and evening when the locals go to work. Buses are very crowded, and there is even a special person who places people on the bus, tells who where to go to accommodate 10 more people. You have to whistle to make the bus stop. The local conductor whistles, of course, he needs to talk about stopping. We should have seen his face when our friend whistled the same way and the bus stopped. 🙂
Another time we were driving from Mapusa to Arambol. Near the bus there is a "barker" and collects people. Until the bus is packed to capacity, it will not go. So, we got on the bus, we are waiting for departure for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes. It's hot, I want to go as soon as possible, but the bus is not yet full of people. Barker works very sluggishly, like everything else in India. Our comrade comes out and begins to gather people with all the breadth of the Russian soul. Assembled in 5 minutes. 🙂 Let's go.
Page 3
8. Development of the transport complex.
India is one of the largest railway powers in the world. The length of its railways is about 62 thousand km.
Railways account for 55% of India's land transportation, which is 800 thousand tons of cargo and 9 million passengers daily. In terms of cargo transportation - 173 billion tons / km per year - India ranks 5th in the world. By the year 2000, the volume of traffic on the railways of India should almost double compared to 1985. The main increase in traffic is expected on the railway lines connecting the four largest cities - Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Currently, it is planned to electrify more than 10 thousand km. Railways in India are profitable. In 1984/85 they generated Rs 14.57 billion in revenue for the Indian central government.
The main cities of India are interconnected by national highways, which are constantly being expanded and reconstructed. On these highways, traffic is very busy, and intercity bus service is developed. Total length highways India with a hard, so-called "all-weather" surface for the period from 1950/51 to 19984/85 increased from 157 thousand km. Up to 833 thousand. However, only 1/3 of settlements have access to such roads.
Most Indian roads, especially in the outback, are unpaved. During the rainy season, they become impassable, and thousands of Indian villages are then cut off from the outside world.
With a relatively small number of vehicles (5.2 million including 218,000 buses, 734,000 trucks and 1.5 million cars), India has a high accident rate.
India is a maritime power. It has 736 merchant marine vessels with a total capacity of 6.5 million tons. However, 62.9% of maritime trade is handled by the eight main ports. The largest among them is Bombay.
Achieved significant development in India air Transport– both on international and domestic lines. Bombay, Delhi and Kolkata are India's major international airports, and they also serve a large number of transit flights of foreign airlines from Europe to South East Asia and Australia. International airports also exist in Madras and Trivandrum.
9. Socio-economic development of individual regions. Reasons for the unevenness in their socio-economic development. Aligning the levels of economic development.
Separate regions of India differ significantly among themselves in terms of the level of socio-economic development and economic specialization. Each such region covers several states connected by a single geographical and economic community, less often limited to one state.
The economic-geographical zoning of India is carried out by different researchers - Indian and foreign - in different ways. There are seven major economic and geographical regions in India: Northern (Uttar Pradish), Northwestern (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradish), Eastern (West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa), Northeastern ( Assam, Meghala, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh), Central (Madhya Pradesh), Western (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa) and Southern (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerama, Puttucheri, Lakshadweep). At the same time, the union territory of Delhi is given a special place.
Delhi combines the functions of the political and administrative center of India with transport, industrial, cultural. In the old branches of production - textile and food, precision engineering, metalworking, and the chemical industry were added. There are three universities and dozens of research institutes in Delhi. The northern region is an agricultural state. It has 18.8 million hectares. Irrigated area and is the largest producer of grain, including wheat, rice, barley, corn, potatoes, fruits. The district produces half of Indian sugar cane. Northern India is one of the last places in India in terms of industrial production and economic development.
For the North-West of India, the absence of a large industry is indicative.
The unique combination of mineral resources of East India determines the active industrialization of the region, the main coal and metallurgical base of India.
The North-East is rich in hydropower resources, but due to the remoteness of the region, they are used extremely poorly.
Central India is the largest state in terms of area, the leading center of the cotton industry.
Western India is the main oil-bearing region of the country.
The southern region is important for rice cultivation, a major producer of cotton, oilseeds, and coconuts.
10. External economic ties. Export. Import. Participation in integration economic unions
The share of India in world trade is relatively low, moreover, this indicator tends to decrease: India's share in world exports has decreased from 1.05% to 0.43%. At the same time, the absolute volume of both India's exports and imports is steadily increasing. India's main imports are oil and oil products, machinery and equipment, pearls and precious stones, mineral fertilizers, vegetable oils, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and chemical products.
India's main trading partners: in terms of exports - the USA, Russia, Japan and Great Britain, in terms of imports - Russia, the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Canada.
Main export commodities: tea, iron ore, cotton fabrics, ready-made clothing, jute, leather and leather goods, pearls and precious stones, machinery and equipment.
Name: Economic characteristics of India
Chapter: Geography, Economic geography
Publication date: 2007-04-28 20:30:43
Read: 3256 times
Transport India
international communication
India has a well-developed network of international air transportation operated by Air India and other airlines. The company "Indian airlines" provides flights on domestic lines and to nearby countries. In addition to air, there are sea and land links with countries: Sri Lanka (ferries from Rameshwaram (the line is not served during the monsoons); Pakistan (today the only route land transport connecting Amritsar and Lahore); Nepal (the most practical and popular route is by rail, to Raksaul (Bihar) and then by bus to Kathmandu; there is a train to Nantanwa (Uttar Pradesh) and then by bus to Kathmandu / Pokhara or from Bhairawa to Lumbini in transit to Pokhara; you can drive by bus through the southern valleys from Darjeeling to Kathmandu); Bhutan (by train to Siliguri, then by bus to Puntsholing; there are also flights from Kolkata to Paro (Thimphu) operated by Druk Air); Bangladesh (by train from Calcutta to Bangaon (West Bengal), by rickshaws across the Bengal border with a transfer at Kulna or Jessore for onward to Dhaka or from Darjeeding via Siliguri, then by train or bus to Haldibari); Burma (no land connection); China (no land connection).
Air transport
India has 4 of the most major airports, of which two are international - Delhi and Bombay.
Delhi ("Delhi International"), 21 km southwest of the city. From the airport there are charter buses on "Konat Place" and taxis (at a fixed rate order inside the airport).
Mumbai (Bombay), 29 km north of the city(travel time 40 minutes). Charter buses to Air India office and major hotels. Taxi to the city at a fixed rate.
Kolkata, 17 km northeast of the city (journey time 20 minutes). There are charter buses to the office of "Indian Airlines" and major hotels. The city can also be reached by taxi.
Chennai (Madras), 16 km southwest of the city. The charter bus meets all flights arriving from 09:00 to 23:00. Train every 20-30 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Regular bus every 35 minutes from 05:00 to 22:00. Taxi.
The airline "Indian airlines" serves one of the world's largest networks of domestic flights - about 70 cities. "Indian airlines" also operate regular flights to neighboring countries- Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives.
If you are traveling during the peak tourist season (September-March), then book tickets in advance, because flights are very busy at this time. You should arrive at the airport 2 hours in advance for check-in and special control at the airport. Some cities have airport terminals, from where buses will take you to the airport.
Passengers flying to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including children, are charged a fee of Rs 50; from passengers flying to other countries - from 100 rupees.
World class in-flight service, but alcoholic drinks are only served on international flights. An adult passenger can carry 20 kg of baggage, and in business class - 30 kg.
The refund fee for tickets purchased locally is very high, but this does not apply to tickets for local flights included in the single international ticket.
In India, the "Discover India" program operates, which involves an unlimited number of economy class flights on all domestic airlines. One and the same point can be visited only once, with the exception of transfers. Price: $750. The program is valid for 21 days from the date of the first flight.
India Youth Fare Program. Passengers from 12 to 30 years old can travel at the youth fare in economy or business class on domestic Indian lines and India-Nepal flights. 25% discount on the ticket price in USD. Valid for 120 days.
The program "Excursion to South India". Flight in economy class between any points in South India - Chennai (Madras), Trichy, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Koyamputtur and Bangalore. For single tourists, this program is valid subject to the purchase of tickets for a flight with Maldives or from Sri Lanka to India via Chennai (Madras), Tiruchirappalli or Thiruvananthapuram.
New domestic airlines
Recently, the Indian government has given permission for the flights of private airlines, which operate under the name "Air Taxi". Along with the state-owned Indian Airlines, nine private companies can offer convenient and profitable programs throughout the country.
Private airlines "Jagsons", "Modiluft", "Jet Airways", "East-West Airlines", "Sahara" serve only certain domestic airlines.
Flight schedules are published in Divan and Excel magazines and shown in teletexts. You can also find them at travel agencies and at major airports.
Railway
The Indian international rail transportation network is the largest in Asia and the second largest in the world. It consists of 62300 km of rails, over 7030 railway stations and over 11200 locomotives. The fare is relatively inexpensive. A large number of express trains connect major cities. Where train service is interrupted, it is possible to get from station to station by bus.
The categories of travel are different, starting from the most expensive I class with air conditioning (the ticket price is comparable to the cost of a similar class fare in other countries), and ending with the cheapest option - a shared carriage with a ticket without a seat. There are also air-conditioned sleeping cars and double compartments, as well as air-conditioned seating cars (both class II); there are class II cars with fans.
Upon arrival in the country, it is advisable to pre-order train tickets for your route. On many railway stations there are computer systems that allow you to reserve tickets for travel from any other cities. IN major cities there are special tourist sections, whose staff speaks English, where foreigners are provided with tickets, but you have to pay for them in US dollars (traveler's checks or cash are accepted). If it is not possible to book a ticket, but there is a huge need to go, try talking to the station chiefs, they may be able to allocate you a ticket from a tourist reservation or a ticket refund office.
Tour desks at railway ticket offices can assist in travel planning and booking tickets.
Travel lovers railway can purchase the detailed All India Railway Time-Table or the short but detailed Trains At A Glance.
Do not forget to specify from which station your train departs, and arrive at the station at least an hour or half an hour before the train departure to find your car and seat. Passenger lists with compartment numbers and seats are posted one hour before the train departure. You can be assisted by the station attendant and the conductor responsible for the departure of the train.
Trains in India are slower than in Europe, so if you are in a hurry, take the express. Train fares are relatively low.
Be careful with luggage on the train. Stock up on locks and chains in advance in order to fasten it below under the seats.
Food can be ordered through the carriage conductor, and on some trains the cost of meals is included in the ticket price. Sleeping mattresses are issued for a fee on certain routes in class I and II carriages, but you can also pay the cost when ordering a ticket. Bed linen is issued only in class I carriages with air conditioning.
Lounges (only for short stays) are available at more than 1,100 stations; you can get into them on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually they are all busy. All first class lounges have couches for passengers, but you will need to bring your own linens. Halls for transit passengers, rest rooms in them can be ordered in advance.
Luggage storage where passengers can leave their luggage is available at most stations, but be sure to lock your suitcases and bags and do not lose receipts. Check the opening hours of the storage rooms to get your luggage on time.
In India, there is a special program "Pass in India", when on one ticket a tourist can travel without restrictions on any trains during the validity period of the ticket. This program can only be used by foreigners and Indian citizens living abroad, subject to availability valid passport. "Pass" can be purchased while in India or through travel agencies abroad. Payment is accepted only in freely convertible currency. Children aged 5 to 12 can travel on the India Child Pass for only half the adult fare. Children under 5 travel free of charge. The ticket must be purchased prior to arrival in the country. Not sold in India. "Pass" is nominal and cannot be transferred for use to another person. Travelers are required to have their passport ready in case of control. Pass holders are exempt from seat reservation fees and seat premiums. sleeping car. By purchasing a "Pass", you are freed from having to go through all the other formalities or worry about acquiring additional travel documents, wherever you go. The "Pass" must be used within one year from the date of purchase. The validity period is calculated from the start of the first trip and ends at midnight after the expiration of the date indicated on it. The Pass is non-refundable and cannot be restored if lost or damaged. "Pass" can only be returned at the office where it was purchased, and the cost is compensated if the use of the document has not been started, and if seats on the train have not yet been booked. "Pass to India" can be purchased (it is recommended to do it at least a month in advance) in some agencies different countries or in India, at the railway tourist escort offices, as well as at a number of official "Pass" distributors in New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. You can also purchase a "Pass" at international airports Delhi, Bombay and Madras.
Motor transport
Within India there is an extensive network bus routes connecting all parts of the country. This is especially true for those areas in which there is no railway connection, in particular for high mountainous areas. Older buses run on most rural roads, but air-conditioned express buses are increasingly appearing on main routes. On many routes, even local ones, tickets can be booked in advance. Most of the luggage is transported on the roof of the bus, so suitcases must be locked and checked during stops.
Many cities have bus services.
IN big cities there are taxis and autorickshaws paid according to the tax. They don't always have meters, but if a meter is installed, require it to be turned on when you board. Prices for taxi services change from time to time and therefore do not always correspond to the meter readings, however, the driver must have a copy of the current tariff. Taxis come with or without air conditioning. Prices range from 325 to 450 rupees if the car is air-conditioned. For trips outside the city, there is a per-kilometer fare, usually 2.30-3 rupees per kilometer in flat terrain (usually 6 rupees per 1 km in mountainous areas), and the fare for a night trip is 100 rupees.
