Page 758 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

756  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Travelling by Bus, Coach and Ferry

India has an extensive bus and coach network, offering organized by them tend to
excellent connections to most cities as well as to the include a guide, so you are also
remotest parts of the country. Buses refer to the ordinary less likely to be surrounded by
transport corporation-run vehicles, which are cheaper “freelance” guides or touts when
you reach your destination.
and ply interstate or within cities. Coaches are usually
much more comforatble, with air conditioning. These are
often hired out for guided tours and also shuttle between Private Operators and
Package Tours
cities. The advantage of travelling by bus or coach rather
than by train is that you have a wider choice of timings, Private tour operators and
travel agencies also offer a
stops and itineraries. A busy network of passenger ferries wide variety of coach trips for
serves places along India’s east and west coasts, and luxury visitors. These are good value for
cruises link the mainland to the Lakshadweep Islands money, especially if you have
as well as to the Andamans. a tight budget and limited time.
Agencies usually use either
18-seater or 35-seater super
State Transport to find the stand from where deluxe air-conditioned coaches
Corporation-Run Buses your bus will depart. Finally, with pushback seats. Tariffs
The various state transport be prepared for a lot of jostling, depend on the quality of service
departments in India run as passengers tend to push and the itinerary. The ticket price
extensive interstate bus to get the best seats. will often include a guide as well
services. The Interstate Bus as an overnight stay at a hotel
Terminus (ISBT) in Delhi is the State Tourism-Run as part of the package. Most
main point of departure for travel agents have a partnership
Punjab, Haryana, Hima chal Coaches and with luxury coach companies,
Package Tours
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and who pick up tourists from
Rajasthan. Buses for Agra leave Some of the best guided designated hotels. Reservations
from Sarai Kale Khan, near tours, both within cities and can be made either through the
Nizamuddin railway station. to neighbouring towns, are hotel’s reception desk or from
Mumbai’s Central Bus Stand offered by the Government of one of their recommended
provides information on the India Tourism Department local agencies.
Maharashtra Road Transport and the various state tourism
Corporation that runs services departments (see p737). The Bus and Coach Tickets
to all major cities within the Government of India Tourist
state, as well as to Goa, Offices in most cities offer the and Fares
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, latest information on schedules, Bus or coach fares are cheaper
Mangaluru, Indore and routes and pick-up points. It than train fares and depend
Hyderabad. Kolkata too is a good idea to buy tickets on the kind of transport you
has an extensive network in advance, though they can opt for. Travel by “ordinary” bus
throughout West Bengal also be bought on the spot. is not advisable for tourists.
and the neighbouring states Coach operators can also Deluxe buses are somewhat
of Bihar, Odisha and Sikkim. customize itineraries keeping better, but, if you are travelling
Guwahati is the main entrance in mind the size of the in summer, the best option is
point for visitors to the group and the destination. the deluxe air-conditioned (a/c)
northeastern states. The Assam Coaches run by the tourism coach. Many deluxe coaches,
State Transport Corporation departments are, by and known as “video coaches” blast
runs buses within the city large, clean, uncrowded and loud music and Hindi movies
and to the neighbouring states. comfortable. Coach tours through the night. If you have
The Paltan Bazaar Bus Stand
provides the best information
on these services.
Computerized advance
bookings can be made on
websites such as www.redbus.in
or at the Government of India
Tourism Offices in the four
metropolitan cities.
Most interstate bus terminals
are chaotic places, so do arrive
early to book tickets. Next,
check at the enquiry counter A luxury coach, run by Rajasthan Tourism

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