Arrival & Transportation
Flights from Germany
Several airlines fly nonstop or with one stop from Germany to India. The flight time is 7.5–9 hours (direct flight) or 10–14 hours (with a stopover).
Direct Flights
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt → Delhi (7.5h), Frankfurt → Mumbai (8.5h), Munich → Delhi (7.5h). From approx. 500–700 € return.
- Air India: Frankfurt → Delhi (8h), Frankfurt → Mumbai (9h). Often cheaper than Lufthansa (from 400 € return), service variable.
With Stopovers (often cheaper)
- Emirates / Etihad / Qatar Airways: Via Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha. Often the best prices (from 350 € return) and excellent service. Total travel time 11–14h.
- Turkish Airlines: Via Istanbul. Good prices, good service, many destinations in India.
- Oman Air: Via Muscat. Often affordable and good service.
Airports in India
The main international airports:
- Delhi (DEL) — Indira Gandhi International. Largest airport, best starting point for North India. Terminal 3 is modern and efficient.
- Mumbai (BOM) — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International. Gateway to West India, Goa, and South India.
- Bengaluru (BLR) — Kempegowda International. For South India, Hampi, Mysore.
- Kochi (COK) — Cochin International. For Kerala.
- Goa (GOI) — Manohar International (new airport). Direct access to Goa's beaches.
Tipp
Book 2–4 months in advance for the best prices. The high season (December–January) is the most expensive. Use flight search engines like Skyscanner or Google Flights and be flexible with the date — often shifting by a day saves 100–200 €.
Indian Railways — Train Travel in India
The Indian Railways are the backbone of the Indian transport system — the fourth largest railway network in the world with over 68,000 km of tracks and 13 million passengers daily. Traveling by train in India is an experience you shouldn't miss.
Train Classes (from economical to comfortable)
- Sleeper (SL): The cheapest class with berths. Open (no AC), noisy, crowded, but authentic. Delhi–Jaipur: approx. 200 ₹ (~2.30 €).
- AC 3-Tier (3A): Air-conditioned, curtains, bedding. The best compromise between price and comfort. Delhi–Jaipur: approx. 500 ₹ (~5.60 €).
- AC 2-Tier (2A): Wider, more space, only two berths stacked instead of three. Delhi–Jaipur: approx. 750 ₹ (~8.50 €).
- AC 1st Class (1A): Enclosed 2- or 4-bed cabins. Most expensive class, quietest. Delhi–Jaipur: approx. 1,200 ₹ (~13.50 €).
- AC Chair Car (CC): Air-conditioned seats for day trips. Delhi–Agra on the Shatabdi: approx. 600 ₹ (~6.80 €).
Booking Tickets
Indian trains are popular — tickets for popular routes are often sold out weeks in advance!
- IRCTC (irctc.co.in): The official booking site. Registration required (possible for foreigners too). Tickets are released 120 days in advance.
- Foreign Tourist Quota: A contingent of reserved seats for foreign tourists. Available at major stations (International Tourist Bureau, e.g., at New Delhi Railway Station). Passport and visa required.
- Tatkal: Last-minute tickets (1 day in advance), more expensive and quickly sold out.
- Waitlist (WL): If a train is fully booked, you get on the waitlist. Your status (e.g., "WL 15") moves up as others cancel. Possible up to 4–6 hours before departure. An adventure in itself.
Popular Routes
| Route | Duration | Train | Price (CC/3A) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi → Agra | 2–3h | Gatimaan Express | 750 ₹ (~8.50 €) |
| Delhi → Jaipur | 4.5–5h | Shatabdi Express | 600 ₹ (~6.80 €) |
| Delhi → Varanasi | 8–12h | Various Expresses | 800–1,200 ₹ |
| Jaipur → Udaipur | 6–8h | Chetak Express | 400–700 ₹ |
Tipp
Download the "ixigo Trains" app — it shows live status, platform numbers, and delays of all trains. Indian trains are notoriously late (1–4 hours delay is normal). Always plan a buffer and do not book connecting flights on the same day as a long train journey.
Achtung
Be cautious with your luggage in Sleeper-Class trains. Chain your backpack with a bicycle lock to the metal rod under your berth — theft occurs, especially at night. In AC classes, the risk is significantly lower.
Local Transportation
Getting around in Indian cities is an adventure in itself. The good news: there is an abundance of transportation options. The bad news: the traffic is pure chaos.
🛺 Auto-Rickshaw (Tuk-Tuk)
The iconic mode of transport in India. Three-wheeled, open vehicles that squeeze through even the tightest traffic. In most cities, the cheapest and fastest way from A to B.
- Price: 30–100 ₹ for short distances (2–5 km). ALWAYS negotiate the price beforehand or insist on the meter!
- Problem: Many drivers try to overcharge tourists — the quoted price is often 3–5 times inflated. Solution: Use Uber/Ola rickshaws at fixed prices.
📱 Uber & Ola
The revolution of Indian local transport. Both apps work in all major cities and offer auto-rickshaws and cars at fixed prices — no haggling, no scams, GPS tracking.
- Ola: India's own ride-hailing app, larger network in rural areas
- Uber: Reliable in big cities, same prices as Ola
- Prices: Auto-rickshaw 5 km: approx. 50–80 ₹ (0.55–0.90 €), Car 10 km: approx. 150–250 ₹ (1.70–2.80 €)
🚇 Metro
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and other cities have modern metro systems. The Delhi Metro is clean, air-conditioned, punctual, and extremely affordable (10–60 ₹). A blessing in the chaos of the capital. There are reserved carriages for women.
🚌 Buses
For intercity travel, there are state and private buses in various categories:
- State Buses (RSRTC, KSRTC etc.): Cheap (Delhi–Jaipur: from 300 ₹), but often crowded and uncomfortable.
- Private Volvo Buses: Air-conditioned, reclining seats (Sleeper Buses), significantly more comfortable. Delhi–Jaipur: from 500 ₹. Book via RedBus or AbhiBus.
✈️ Domestic Flights
India has a dense domestic flight network. Low-cost airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express connect all major cities. Prices from 2,000–5,000 ₹ (22–56 €) for 1–2 hour flights. Often more sensible than train travel for distances over 500 km.
Tipp
Install Ola and Uber before your trip and link a credit card. This avoids the stressful haggling with rickshaw drivers, especially as a newcomer. In Delhi and Mumbai, the metro is often the fastest option for the main attractions.
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