Good evening everyone.
I’m so glad VoyageForum is back up and running.
This forum has helped me plan so many trips thanks to all your contributions.
So, I’m turning to you for advice on a trip I’m planning for March 2025, from the 7th to the 21st.
I was thinking of a classic itinerary:
Arrival in Delhi at 12:05 AM on Saturday, then taking a train in the afternoon to Agra.
2 nights in Agra
2 nights in Jaipur
2 nights in Pushkar
2 nights in Jodhpur
3 nights in Udaipur
Then flying back to Delhi.
The trip would mostly be by train (which we love) and bus.
However, after reading various travelers’ comments, some cities seem less interesting, while others I hadn’t included—like Bundi and Jaisalmer—are catching my eye. But traveling by train and bus, I’m worried it might get really complicated.
I’m not sure how to organize my stay anymore, especially since we love nature and peace and quiet… and I’m afraid of too much hassle if everything isn’t planned.
Also, how can I book trains and buses in advance from France?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Magali
I’ll try to help you out—I’ve traveled to Rajasthan five times, most recently this summer (if only I could find the time to finish that darn travel journal...).
What’s "must-see" or "less interesting" is always subjective and will resonate with some but not others. For my part, I’d start by considering how many days you have and not overpack your itinerary, especially since you only have two weeks and want to travel by train and bus, which I totally support. From there, I’d build a reasonable route that lets you enjoy each place without rushing, striking a good balance between "must-sees" and peaceful natural spots.
To me, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer—touristy as they are—are places you’d regret skipping on a Rajasthan trip. I might also add Jaipur and Bundi. Personally, I find Pushkar quite nice but not essential.
For quiet, natural spots, there’s no shortage. In Jaisalmer, you can stay with locals in desert villages. Bundi is relatively calm too. Halfway between Jodhpur and Udaipur, I discovered the Jawai Bandh leopard sanctuary, where you can stay in deluxe tents right in the heart of a stunning natural setting and watch the local wildlife and villagers living in harmony with leopards. Mount Abu is a hill station about an hour away, perfect for easy, scenic walks around the lake or in nature—just avoid weekends when crowds of Indian tourists flood the place and overwhelm it.
Booking buses is the easiest. The day before you leave, just go to a private agency or ask your hotel to reserve a bus for your next stop. There are air-conditioned sleeper buses with little cabins for 2–3 people, which are cheap for us and super comfortable for traveling.
Trains are a bit trickier because you need an Indian phone number to book in advance. Here’s a trick I found: for the first reservation, I messaged the manager of one of the hotels I’d booked via WhatsApp and asked if they could book my train for me. After that, once I arrived at my first stop, I booked my other two trains at the station.
Honestly, though, the bus is often more practical, both for booking and the journey itself. It really depends on your route.
I’d recommend planning just enough to limit your stops and spend at least 2–3 days in each place. That’ll force you to make some tough choices given your time, but you’ll enjoy the places you *do* visit more and won’t spend your trip racing between transports, exhausted and feeling like you’ve only skimmed the surface.
Don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like suggestions for an itinerary, transport connections, or anything else...
I’m not as much of an expert as Pagal, but my trip to Rajasthan was recent, so my take has the advantage of being the second one 😉
I’m not sure how to organize my stay, given that we really love nature and peace....
I’ll jump in here. Rajasthan might not be the best region for what you’re looking for! Sure, you can find a bit more peace in Bundi or Jaisalmer... Bundi is a small town, and the hustle is less intense—probably because the big tour operators don’t focus on it. In Jaisalmer, a desert trip will give you what you’re after.
For Jodhpur, for example, we chose (for the same reasons as you) to stay in a village 30 minutes away by road. Absolute peace! Plus, our host at Chhotaram Prajapat Home Stay organized a little "safari" in nature for us.
and I’m worried about too much hustle if everything isn’t planned
You *will* be, constantly. The stops on your itinerary are super touristy—that’s where the touts are most active. Where you stay makes a huge difference. Check guest reviews to at least make sure you’re sleeping in a quiet neighborhood.
2 nights in Agra
2 nights in Jaipur
2 nights in Pushkar
2 nights in Jodhpur
3 nights in Udaipur
Flight back to Delhi.
I don’t think you need 2 nights in Agra. Jaipur is exhausting. I haven’t been to Pushkar. We loved Udaipur—it’s relatively peaceful, and there’s plenty to do. Jodhpur was great too, but mostly because of our village.
If you’re traveling by train or bus, I’d skip Jaisalmer (sadly!)—it’s a bit out of the way, and you’ll end up rushing around.
I’m jumping in here. Rajasthan might not be the best region for what you’re looking for! Sure, you can find a bit more peace in Bundi or Jaisalmer...
I don’t really agree—Rajasthan is full of quiet spots, though they’re not always the "must-sees." On the flip side, even in the "must-sees," you can find places that are off the beaten path and peaceful (like that famous village near Jodhpur you mentioned—there are plenty of them). For example, it’s totally possible to plan an itinerary made up entirely of nature stops (mountains, desert, villages, reserves...).
You will be, constantly. The stops on your route are very touristy—that’s where the touts are.
I don’t necessarily agree with that either. Over 3 weeks this summer, we were hardly bothered, even though we took a pretty classic route by bus and train. I’ll admit it might be because I’m used to traveling in India, and it shows in my attitude. Speaking Hindi also helps me shut down tourist solicitations quickly.
I don’t think it’s necessary to spend 2 nights in Agra. Jaipur is exhausting.
Totally agree! For such a short trip, two nights in Agra isn’t useful. Jaipur *is* exhausting, true, but you can end up liking it if you take your time exploring.
If you’re traveling by train or bus, I think you should skip Jaisalmer (unfortunately!)—it’s too out of the way, and you’ll be rushing the whole time.
By taking an overnight train from Delhi right away—or even better, a domestic flight—it’s possible to start your trip in Jaisalmer, then head to Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar or Bundi, and finally Jaipur and/or Agra before returning to Delhi. Or add other stops along the same route. I’ll say it again: I *highly* recommend the Jawai Bandh leopard sanctuary.
Hi there,
Thanks for these great tips.
I’ll revise my itinerary based on them.
We don’t like rushing, so we really need to make some choices and maybe come back later to see what we missed 😉
Thanks for this reply as well.
Everyone’s experience varies from city to city, but travelers’ feedback on Agra or Pushkar is often pretty consistent.
I’ll revise my plans based on the info you shared.
Not really on board with that—the Rajasthan is full of quiet spots, but they’re not necessarily the "must-sees."
I think Richard’s reply took into account the itinerary Magfred had in mind ;)
He didn’t specifically mention any quiet places!
If he’s looking for nature and tranquility, then a "villages" itinerary would be the way to go.
Good evening everyone.
So glad VoyageForum is back up and running.
This is a forum that’s helped me plan countless trips thanks to all your contributions.
I’m reaching out for your advice on a trip I’m planning for March 2025, from the 7th to the 21st.
I was thinking of a classic itinerary:
Arrival in Delhi at 12:05 AM on Saturday, then taking a train in the afternoon to Agra.
2 nights in Agra
2 nights in Jaipur
2 nights in Pushkar
2 nights in Jodhpur
3 nights in Udaipur
Then flying back to Delhi.
Most of the travel would be by train (which we love) and bus.
However, after reading various travelers’ comments, some cities seem less interesting, while others I hadn’t included—like Bundi and Jaisalmer—are catching my eye. But traveling by train and bus, I’m worried it might get really complicated.
I’m not sure how to organize my trip anymore, knowing we love nature and quiet... and I’m afraid of too much hassle if everything isn’t planned.
Also, how can I book trains and buses in advance from France?
Thanks in advance.
Magali
I’d add one more night in Jaipur and take one away from Udaipur if you’re only planning to visit the city.
Hi there.
Traveling by train and bus is really complicated—you waste a lot of time and miss out on quite a bit.
Finding quiet spots? Forget about it unless you rent a scooter, like we did in Udaipur and several times in South India.
In November, we did a Rajasthan tour: 38,000 km in 18 days with Ravindra, a French-speaking driver. He’s an excellent and cautious driver, even in that insane traffic.
We hadn’t prepared much—just trusted his 15-day itinerary, which outlined the stops. He knows all of India, especially Rajasthan, and can find French-speaking guides or recommend audio guides. He takes you to steps off the beaten path, away from overcrowded or completely unknown sites. The hotels are chosen based on your budget, but you can also book them yourself. He knows the best roadside restaurants where you can eat for 2 to 3 €.
Not used to traveling with a driver (we’re more the backpacker type, at 71 years old), we really enjoyed the setup. For example, instead of spending the first day in Delhi, we went straight from the airport to his village—right into the heart of rural India.
His contact: +91 75686 16508
meenaravindra3@gmail.com
Even though it was actually 3,800 kilometers—over 200 every day—it still feels more like a real punishment than a trip. It’s just ticking off stages like in *Pékin Express*...
I’m planning our very first trip to mainland France in January 2027. There’ll be 2 adults and 2 kids, and we’ll mostly be traveling by train.
Here’s our itinerary:
Paris
Rouen (Normandy)
Lyon
Aix-les-Bains (with day trips to Annecy and Geneva)
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (with Chamonix and a day in Aosta)
Back to Paris
Do you think this itinerary is well-balanced? Any tips, must-see spots, or mistakes to avoid for a first-time visit?
I can’t seem to complete the payment for my trip on the IRCTC (Indian Railways) site. No matter which payment method I choose, my Visa card isn’t accepted.
Has anyone here managed to do it, and if so, could you share the method you used?
Thanks in advance!
Charlie
I’m planning a family trip in a year. Our goal: traveling to China (and maybe Hong Kong) by train.
I’m all set with the route up to eastern Turkey.
However, I’m just starting my research for the rest of the journey—namely the Caucasus (no trains as far as I know, so buses and/or ferries), then Central Asia and China.
So, I’d love to hear any info or tips (general and forward-looking at this stage) about the train route through Central Asia and China to reach the east coast.
I’m particularly interested in details on:
- How far in advance to book / any potential difficulties with reservations
- Whether there are PASS systems (or equivalent) between countries and/or if some tickets allow stopovers, meaning you can hop on and off as you please
- Day trains vs. night trains (the latter option lets you explore cities between two legs of the journey)
- A rough idea of ticket costs
...
A huge thank you to anyone who can share some info or experiences. It’s also a great opportunity to chat about adventure after (way too) many years away from this forum.
I’m planning a trip around Italy using only trains or public transport in October (hoping the weather stays nice!).
I’d obviously like to see some tourist destinations, but I also want to get off the beaten path a bit, and I’m hoping to find some help here? I don’t plan to linger too long in the cities.
Starting in the north, I’d like to visit Lake Como or Lake Orta, pass through the Cinque Terre for some hiking, spend a few days in Naples and Rome, then head down to Sicily.
Hi there,
I’ll be traveling to Japan this coming August. We’ve finalized our itinerary and booked our flight tickets. Now I’m at the stage of buying train tickets for the few segments we’ll need to cover:
Tokyo - Hakone
Hakone - Kyoto
Kyoto - Osaka
Osaka - Tokyo
Here are my questions:
a) Is it possible to buy train tickets for these segments from Canada?
b) If so, which website should I use to do this?
c) And if it is possible, will we be able to print our tickets from Canada?
d) If it’s not possible, where in Tokyo should I go to buy these tickets when I arrive?
Hi everyone, I wanted to take the Paris-Berlin overnight train with a sleeper berth, the new service operated by European Sleepers.
24/05/2026 17:45 Paris-Nord (actually 16:00 from Paris Bercy Seine) -> 25/05/2026 9:59 (actually 7:30 in Berlin)
05/06/2026 18:31 Berlin (actually 20:00) -> 06/06/2026 10:00 Paris Nord (actually 12:30)
Part of the journey was operated by bus instead of the promised overnight train.
For 2 people: 340 € round trip
A total disaster. Never again. I was really looking forward to taking the overnight train, but we faced last-minute changes and truly unpleasant travel conditions. Here are the details:
1) 2 days before departure: email announcing a change of departure station for the outbound trip—Bercy Seine bus station instead of Gare du Nord.
2) Change of schedule: 4:00 PM from Bercy instead of 5:45 PM from Gare du Nord.
3) Change of transport mode!! A bus from Paris to Brussels, then an overnight train from Brussels to Berlin. No functional toilets on the bus. No children under 4 allowed on the bus.
4) On the sleeper train at 9:30 PM: no functional toilets in our carriage, so we had to go to other carriages, even in the middle of the night, to find working ones.
5) The onboard staff, though very friendly, were as lost as we were. In particular, they didn’t know how to handle the lower berths, so people using them had less space (armrests and backrests). Berth numbers weren’t respected, so some passengers had to move. The staff also didn’t know who was supposed to join the compartment during the journey.
6) Arrival at 7:30 AM in Berlin instead of 10:00 AM. No arrival announcement. Passengers had to search for staff to get breakfast and ended up with just a coffee (breakfast = 15 €, not bad for just a coffee).
7) Return trip: drastic schedule change announced by email on 26/05/2026—departure at 7:30 PM instead of 6:30 PM, with arrival between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM in Paris instead of 10:00 AM. No change in transport mode announced.
8) Change in transport mode announced by email on the same day (05/06/2026)!! Overnight train from Brussels to Berlin, then a bus from Paris to Brussels. No functional toilets on the bus. Children under 4 banned from the bus, and families in this situation were asked to find another way—after being notified the same day.
9) The overnight train arrived at Berlin station with a 30-minute delay on top of its initial delay (scheduled for 6:31 PM, then 7:30 PM, finally arriving at 8:00 PM). The heating was blasting in the compartment with no way to turn it off. No functional toilets in the carriage. From that point on, customer service stopped responding to my messages.
10) Woken up at 5:00 AM with an announcement in all carriages about arrival in Liège.
11) Woken up again at 6:00 AM to be told we’d arrive in Brussels at 7:00 AM.
12) Arrival in Brussels at 7:00 AM and a one-hour wait for the bus to Paris. No functional toilets on the bus.
13) Arrival at Paris Nord at 12:30 PM, so 2.5 hours late compared to the originally scheduled time.
14) The overnight trains used are very old—I recognized the carriages from 20 years ago!! No functional power outlets, no Wi-Fi, no air conditioning. Five people per compartment is a bit cramped, but I consider these conditions expected (especially the air conditioning), so I’m not complaining about that. There’s already plenty to gripe about with the travel conditions.
I have little hope of getting even a partial refund. Customer service emails acknowledge the discomfort but only offer to reimburse the cost of a coffee on board if we send them the receipt... a bit weak.
I’m sharing this experience in the hope it might help others.
Hi there,
I’d like to take the Train of the Clouds from Lima to Huancayo.
I’ve heard it only runs during certain periods.
Does anyone have info on this?
Thanks!
HuancayoHuancayo
As part of my professional thesis, I’m conducting a study on the evolution of long-distance rail transport in France, particularly since it opened up to competition.
I’ve put together a very quick (about 5-minute) and completely anonymous questionnaire. Your answers will help me better understand users' expectations regarding pricing, frequency, and environmental impact.
We’re planning a 15-day trip to Uzbekistan in March—classic independent itinerary: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. We’d like to take the train between each city, but I don’t want to lock down the whole trip before we leave.
So, my question is: is it absolutely necessary to book train tickets before departure, whether for the high-speed trains or the regional ones? Is booking really essential for the regional trains?
Hello,
We’re traveling as a family with two boys aged 10 and 12 to Cairo in February. During our trip, we’re planning to take an overnight train (with or without a sleeper) for the Cairo-Aswan route.
Do you know how I can book this remotely?
Also, I’m looking for:
- A local contact to sail the Nile by felucca for 3 days from Aswan
- A contact to guide us in Cairo
Looking forward to your tips, and thanks in advance!
Marie
Hi everyone,
I first traveled solo to Japan in 2019, exploring the Kyushu region (28 days), and I’m planning to return with my daughter (she’s an adult and it’ll be her first time in Asia) from April 25 to May 9.
I’m reaching out on this forum to ask for route ideas—this time north of Tokyo, but without heading to the Sapporo island (I’m saving that for a future trip).
I’d love to take advantage of the cherry blossom season and its festivities.
I’m looking to create a route that’s a little off the beaten path while staying within 5-6 hours by train from Tokyo to avoid spending too much time on transfers.
Thanks in advance for sharing your suggestions and experiences!
Michael
I'm heading to MEXICO IN NOVEMBER 2025. Since private guides and drivers are really expensive—over 300 € per day—I'm thinking of exploring the Yucatán by train. CAN YOU SHARE ANY INFO ON THIS? Thanks
Hi there!
We’re planning to visit Serbia (1 week) and then Montenegro (2nd week) with our kids from April 18 to May 4. We’d prefer to travel by train (overnight if possible), but we’re not sure which platform to book on or when to do it (is it too early?). If anyone has any tips, I’m all ears!!
I wanted to know if it’s possible to go from Tashkent to Almaty by train without passing through Kyrgyzstan. I’ve heard the border is often closed 😕 between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Thanks in advance!
Olivier
Hi there!
We’re planning to head back to Istanbul next year—obviously by plane—and then take the train from Istanbul to Antalya. Has anyone here already made this trip by train with TCDD?
I’d love any tips or info that could be useful for us!
I'd like to go to Montserrat on my own from Barcelona. Share your suggestions with me.
Which train should I take, where to get off, what to see once I arrive, etc.
I need to take a sleeper train from Bangkok to Vientiane in January.
I found some ticket options on 12Go Asia, but booking doesn’t seem possible at the moment. I’ve tried simulations for several dates, but no luck.
I’m wondering if it’s already fully booked, if they’ve stopped selling tickets… yet 12Go still features it every day 😕
Has anyone else run into this issue?
Can I find tickets on another site? (I tried Baolau, but no sleepers left for January 8th.)
Hi there,
I’m a bit late to be worrying about this, but hopefully someone can help me before I leave.
Tomorrow afternoon, I arrive at Lyon Part-Dieu on the TGV at 5:50 PM and take the TER to Mâcon at 6:16 PM. Is a 26-minute transfer doable? Are the TGV and TER on the same departure board? And are they on the same platforms too?
I’ve been to Lyon before but never had to make a connection after arriving.
Thanks
Starting November 15th, I’ll be arriving in Thailand, and during my stay, I plan to visit the north, around the Chiang Mai area, then head south to the Krabi region.
After Krabi, I’m planning to take an overnight train to Bangkok. I was wondering if there’s a train that leaves from Krabi or Trang, or if I absolutely have to go to Surat Thani?
Also, which official website can I use to book my ticket?
Next, since I’ll be arriving at dawn in Bangkok, I’ve planned to spend 2 days in Kanchanaburi. What’s the most convenient way to get there—bus or train? And if you know any companies or websites, that’d be great.
Hi there,
Does anyone know if there’s a bus from Luang Namtha to Boten to catch the train coming from China to Vientiane? If so, what’s the name of the company? Also, how long does the bus take to cover that distance? What’s the condition of the road like?
Thanks for your help!
Tom
I just realized there’s only one payment method accepted for booking the Mombasa-Nairobi express train ticket online: M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer service used in Africa. Would it be impossible to book as a European?
I’d love to know if any of you have recently eaten on the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
We’ve always ordered food on the train, and it was really good (and super convenient).
But in 2022, we ended up feeling like total idiots (with our 4-year-old daughter...) when we boarded the train only to find out that this service was no longer available... (It was the first time we’d traveled right after COVID.)
That’s also when we saw once again how kind Thai people are—they all offered to share their food with us, even though we were mortified. In the end, we managed to buy some instant noodles, which was better than nothing. Anyway, that’s the little story behind it.
In the following years, we’ve always brought our own meals.
I’ve read online that meal trays are back in service (could you confirm this, please?), but that the quality is really poor. I’ve also seen multiple reports that, even though you can eat well everywhere in Thailand, the train meal was the worst food travelers had during their trip...
Could you give me a recent opinion on this?
We’ll be departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station—do you know if there’s anywhere to buy a meal there before boarding the train?
Thanks so much for your help,
and have a great Sunday!
We’re heading to Thailand in February 2026 and we’d like to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Can we book two first-class tickets? I’m only seeing second-class options.
Hi everyone,
For traveling in Rajasthan by train and bus, could you give me some info: where to buy tickets, cost, purchase locations, websites, etc.?
Any tips you have would be super helpful.
Thanks
We’re traveling to Java on October 23, just the two of us.
I’ve read that it’s best to book train tickets in advance on tiket.com.
Is that true, and how far ahead do you recommend?
Are the tickets changeable?
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to travel from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk by train this summer but I’m a bit worried about crossing the borders. How does it work? Could anyone share their experience? (I’ve found quite a few accounts of people going *from* Russia *to* Mongolia, but entering a country is never the same as leaving it—especially in this context!)
Can anyone tell me how to book train tickets online? We're planning to travel from HANOI to HO CHI MINH CITY by train, making several stops along the way. I'd also like to find the schedules and the stations where the trains stop.
There are four of us, and we've already planned stops in HANOI / DONG HOI / HUE.
