AIRWAYS

Indian Airlines is the national carrier and its network covers a large number of places in the country as well as some of the neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and others.

Many private airlines have also come up, which although having comparatively smaller fleets, give good service and fly to select cities on popular sectors. Some of these include Jet Airways, Air Sahara etc.

 
RAILWAYS

Indian Railways has been categorized region wise into Northern Railways, Eastern Railways, Southern Railways, Western Railways and so on. The railways provide one of the cheapest mode of travel, as well as some of the most expensive and luxurious trains in the world. So you can traverse the length and breadth of the country at minimal fares or you can enjoy a smooth, fast, almost non-stop journey in comfortable air-conditioned chair cars or sleepers.

Some of the comfortable express trains are the Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis, which run between major cities. In the most of trains meals are included in the fare. There is the unimaginable luxury - at a commensurate price - which such experiences as the Palace On Wheels and the Royal Orient luxury trains provide. These are primarily tourist trains with their own special itineraries covering about seven days. These tours cater to a variety of places, such as places of historical, cultural or religious significance, hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries etc.

Another unusual feature of the Indian railways is the toy trains. These are small trains running on narrow gauge tracks in hilly areas. Toy train services provide access to Darjeeling in the East, Shimla in the North and Matheran near Mumbai, in the Western Ghats.

The regular trains usually have the following classes of accommodation :

1st Class (Air-conditioned)

2-Tier Sleeper (Air-conditioned)

3-Tier Sleeper (Air-conditioned)

Executive Chair Car (Air-conditioned)

Chair Car (Air-conditioned)

3-Tier Sleeper Class

Ordinary Class

ROADWAYS

Despite the enormity of the country, travel by road is a common choice. Many small, out-of-the-way places are accessible only by road. The State Transport Corporations run regular bus services, as well as tourist buses, deluxe coaches and package tours. Private Tour Operators also offer comfortable, air-conditioned coaches. Taxis are also available for hire, including a variety of luxurious, air-conditioned, imported models in the large cities.

In India, Hire-and-drive, Rent-a-Car services are also easily available, in large cities and other important tourist places. Chauffeur-driven cars are easy to hire.

WATERWAYS

Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are accessible by ferry by air from the mainland, while the Sundarbans area in West Bengal is accessible only through narrow creeks and water channels. In such regions, there are regular tourist services Goa is another destination which can be reached by sea from Mumbai, though it can also be accessed by land and air. In Kerala the backwaters serve not only as regular means of transport for the local inhabitants, but are now also being offered to tourists as a novel experience.