Each to his own - I enjoyed meeting the locals in 2AC. All AC classes should have meal service - I ate the veggie thalis without ill effects, but he should take bottled water.

If you go to http://seat61.com/India.htm you will find photos and descriptions of all the classes.

He's 17, remember.

But if he's managed to get to Varanasi, I guess he'll manage to get to Kolkata. Thursday is correct, well kinda - I HAVE been on an Indian train, for a week and I do know about railway stations. I spent that same week sleeping in them - but err... on a de-e-eluxy train. lol lol lol.

http://theluxurytrains.com/version/1....yes/index.htm

So, yup - what would I know! Thursday is the acknowledged train buff in here. All I know is, if I can avoid it, I will.

Actually, mostly because the thought of being a tourist attraction for the locals for 12 hours is too much to bear.
As thursday would acnowledge, from the second one arrives at a railway station till the moment you bludgeon a cab driver to get you out at the other end, you WILL be the subject of intense observation, chat and enthusiastic interest.

I get tired of it. As I've said before, if I could get a single sleeper cabin, I'd be zooming around India on trains till I die.

Well, actually, not so much. Maybe because I wasn't traveling on a "de-e-eluxy train". Especially in 1AC, which was usually full of large men in white pajama-type clothes who showed very little interest in me at all. The families and couples in 2AC were much friendlier. Leaving the train the only people interested in me were the taxi touts, lol, everyone else was busy with their own affairs.

lol well obviously you are not a fascinating, charismatic, twinkly-eyed loon-tourist like myself. India is just one long conversation to me. It never stops until I barricade myself in my hotel room. But then, <i>I'd</i> talk to me, too. I'd look at me and say to myself 'what an interesting man...'

thursdaysd is right on....if you have the time, train travel is the best way to travel in India....still.

My wife still remembers our first visit and we took the train from Mumbai to Agra, overnight in SL. She and I have fond memories of conversations with fellow travellers about EVERYTHING. When you are in the same car for 14 hours, AND you meet some friendly people, what else is there to do but talk, share food (hot tea, whole fruits and avoid tiffin food), and jokes etc. My wife remembers going thru the Nagpur region, and it happened to be the season for fresh oranges so we bought some from platform vendors, and the size of oranges got bigger and bigger as we got closer to the prime orange growing region. Back then, we could buy 5 or 6 large oranges for Rs 1 (about 2 cents).

We were both 24 then, not a worry about travel or anything. Ofcourse, we always protect our passports and important papers everywhere we travel, not just in India. We use moneybelts around our waist....never had a problem.

So JJ, if your son can make it at 17 to Varanasi on his own, he should be able to make it to Kolkata as well, by train. AC would be recommended since it is July you are talking about. In my opinion, 2AC or SL is better for conversation and the common people are much friendlier. As is the case anywhere, train travel is usually more complicated than air travel...so be aware of this.

dogster - just shows that older women are invisible everywhere, lol. I don't run into Jimmies, either.

But then you probably don't wear your pink tiara, thursday...

Lol, Marija - purple at my age, and yes, it stays at home. Definitely subfusc. I don't travel with a shiny suitcase, either.

A suite of shiny suitcases, actually - Rimowa. Mmm, very juicy. But new - I realised very, very quickly at Kathmandu airport that my shiny suitcases marked me as 'a man of substance'. Vroooom - every airport hustler, and there are many, came to my aid. Small children were trampled in the rush.

'I saw a film about the President of the United States and HE had the same luggage!'

Expensive shiny suitcases are good for expensive shiny hotels and airports. As I usually arrive looking like I've slept in my clothes, I need all the help I can get.

While my black convertible backpack is good for train stations. Different appearances, different experiences.

Now I think about it, if you show up for the inaugural trip on a luxury train, with a pile of shiny suitcases, interviews with the national press and a send-off by local big wigs, don't you expect to be stared at?

Now would anyone know a driver in the Kathgodam area? Again for my son! Should I post this as new topic or just on this thread?
JJ

I found my drivers - when I used them - when I got there. Asking your hotel, stepping outside and finding a travel agency, or stepping outside and picking a taxi driver all work.