I am attempting India on my own. If I book my internal flights and train travel with an Indian Tour operator what should I expect? Do they mail the tickets or have them waiting in India? Has anyone booked on-line directly? Any one with experience doing India on there own, I would appreciate help. Thanks

You should expect the tour operator to have everything ready when you arrive. My wife and I booked with Compass Tours in Delhi for a private tour in February 2005. We e-mailed back and forth many times for about a year prior to our trip.

I'm doing as much as possible on my own for a trip in about three weeks but I've had to rely on travel agents twice for hotel reservations and train reservations. The train tickets are to be delivered at our hotel the day we arrive in Delhi. I've made one internal flight reservation online. I enjoy doing the research and making the contacts. I'll let you know how it goes.

thanks tdean. It sounds like your approach is similar to mine. although I'd like to do it on my own, it seems a bit difficult. most travel agents want to book the whole trip. i only need transport and hotels. please share any success you have with booking.

I've booked internal flights and some hotels online without any problems. For train reservations, I've had to rely on friends living in India. I'm not sure if you can do train reservations online.

If you do use an agent, they usually have the reservations waiting for you in India (delivered to your hotel).