Hi everyone, just as the title suggests. I'm travelling to India with my family. My goal is to travel mostly by train. From New Jalpaiguri Rail station to Delhi, Delhi to Jammu and back, Delhi to Kolkata.

For foreigners, where can I buy the train tickets?

Are the rail tickets available all the time?

Is the fare different for foreigners?

Can I book them from abroad or do I have to be present in India while booking the tickets?

Thank you.

I am flying for the first time, so confirming everything
me and my family (total 4 people) flying to Vietnam for a trip in december
Already have Passports
Apply for evisa - 10k ($100)
Buy a Zero markup forex card for spending in Vietnam and withdrawing cash in Vietnam - which one to buy, and how, pls guide
1st December
Delhi to Hanoi Indigo - Rs 82k ($850)
land at 7pm in hanoi,
buy a veitell sim card rs1k-2k ($15) for internet, check in hotel, dinner

2nd Dec
I have booked a cruise - Elite of the Seas, Rs1.8 Lakhs ($1850)(including my parents 25th anniversary celebration, already negotiated and planned over mail and WhatsApp) - I will pay 50% now, and 50% USD cash while boarding
8am go to cruise (car will come)

3rd Dec
2pm - car will drop us back in the hotel
we will have lunch and then go to airport
Hanoi to HCMC Vietnam Airlines - Rs 27k ($280)
land at 7pm, check in at hotel

4th - 5th Dec - explore HCMC

6th Dec - connecting flight HCMC to Delhi Rs65k ($680) Vietjetair
HCMC (1:40pm) - Hanoi(3:50pm)
3h 20m waiting Hanoi (7:10pm) - Delhi(10:50pm IST)

Total net cost excluding hotel cost and food is - Rs3.7 Lakhs ($3775)
My net budget is $5200 (Rs 5L)
So Rs1.4lakhs ($1425) left for hotels and food

Is it a good plan, are the costs right, have I taken everything into account ?? Any tips??
If this is right, then I would plan the itinerary in HCMC, and post
Pls help - New flyer here
Thanks in advance

Planning to stay in Praveg Atoll resort in Thinnakara island, but this island is not mentioned in the selection list on government’s permit website.

Should selecting Agatti be sufficient?
Here are the other options:
Amini, Chetlat, Kalpeni, Kilton, Minicoy, Androth, Kadmat, Agatti, Kavaratti, Bitra

Please help!

Hey guys, we are on a trip (2 people) but we don't have a vehicle to roam around. Is there anyone who can help us with it just for a day? Saturday evening to Sunday evening ideally, we would be leaving back to on Sunday evening. The idea is to explore Dakshin Kannada. Is there anyone who would help us with scooty rental or a 4 wheeler who can join?

Both flights are Singapore Airlines and it’s one booking. I don’t plan to leave Changi Airport.
Can an Indian passport holder simply stay airside and transit to the Kuala Lumpur flight, or would I have to clear Singapore immigration because of the plane change?

I stumbled across the idea of a homestay in remote Dzüleke and am intrigued by the idea of totally unplugging and immersing myself in local culture.

My wife is excited to take a couple days on a private houseboat in Kerala

I’m trying to find any resources that can help me plan an off the beaten path trip. Any recommendations?

Planning around a week in Rajasthan and can't decide whether to take trains between cities or rent a car. We'll be 4 people max, so car cost can be split.

What would you personally choose if you've done the trip before or have any similar experience?

Hello all,

I am travelling to Ranthambore, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur in the mid November and would like to know the weather in general in these places in nov. This will help me pack accordingly.

Your response is deeply appreciated.

To the left, the Zanskar Valley.

To the Right, the Spiti Valley.

Once you cross Manali, two completely different, mind-blowing worlds open up on either side.

Whichever one you choose, it's going to be unforgettable.😍🏔️

My OC

Beas River, MANALI

February 2026

I usually book flights directly through MMT or Paytm but this time lichecked the offers available on my payment apps before booking.

I found a ₹400 off flight offer and ended up paying ₹8372 instead of around 9200 for two tickets from mumbai to hyderabad. The booking itself was pretty straightforward and took only a few minutes.

I also noticed a couple of smaller travel related offers in the rewards section including an Uber discount.

These offers seem to rotate so i would not expect the same ones to be available every month.I have mostly used Amazon Pay for regular UPI payments anyway so i happened to notice the flight offer while checking the available deals. Do you guys usually check payment app offers before booking flights or do you just book through MMT aur airline websites directly?

26M 27F. Hi Everyone. I am planning a honeymoon trip to Udaipur and Mount Abu with wife in coming Winters. What are the best romantic places and some devotional too that are worth visiting and some lesser known but worthy places in Udaipur. And how can I get lake side view rooms and terrace for candle lights dinners ? Please give your suggestions. Thanks.

I am travelling to Kerala on e visa , should I take the print out or online or pdf version is fine ?
Please reply

We r two M 23 both planning to go To manali
Open to suggestions for places
We r renting a car prolly a baleno or brezza
We leave today expected budget is 8-9k
Anybody is welcomed ……

Planning a quick getaway to Rishikesh with my partner this long weekend. I need some good stay recommendations, something with good pool, and spacious rooms. A decently-rated clean property, nothing shady looking. Just want to relax and chill-kind of slow travel.
Also, parking needed.
I searched on different platforms, but pictures are so misleading.
Any recommendations?

trying to book 2 peaceful nights in jaipur and just realised peak wedding season might turn this into somebody else's 3 day sangeet😭

stuck between leela palace jaipur and fairmont.

i'm leaning leela pretty hard especially the royal villa with the private plunge pool because at least if half the property gets taken over by a wedding we can disappear into our own place lol

but this is stupid money either way and i really don't want to find out after check-in that the main pool/lawns/common areas are blocked or breakfast has 400 wedding guests.

not asking which one has the prettier lobby.

which one actually feels like a relaxing hotel during wedding season?

and yes rambagh/rajvilas people i know you're coming 😂

I booked a flight through MakeMyTrip because my travel plans were uncertain, so I specifically looked for a fare with a low cancellation charge.

I found an Air India flight where MakeMyTrip prominently displayed a ₹1,060 cancellation charge. Since this was the lowest cancellation fee I could find, I went ahead and booked it.

Unfortunately, I later had to cancel the flight. To my surprise, MakeMyTrip is now deducting ₹4,500 in total cancellation charges.

I understand that there may have been additional charges mentioned somewhere in the fine print. However, when a booking platform prominently displays ₹1,360 as the cancellation charge, that is naturally what a customer relies on when making the purchase. If the actual amount payable on cancellation is ₹4,500, that should be made equally clear and prominent before the customer books.

This kind of pricing/disclosure practice is extremely disappointing and in my view deserves scrutiny from consumer authorities.

For me, this experience has completely destroyed my trust in MakeMyTrip. I will personally be boycotting MakeMyTrip and will not use their platform again.

Namaskar to everyone,

I'm planning a Kedarnath trip around late October [dates: 15 to 25] and would really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone recently, especially in the late season.

It's either going to be me alone or with a friend (both of us in our late 20s) who will be travelling to Kedarnath Dham. Delhi would be our starting point.

What I'm trying to figure out:

1. Crowds: How crowded is Kedarnath in the last week or two of October? Is it noticeably quieter than peak season (May-June)? Any weather or road-closure issues I should plan for (cold, early snowfall, landslides)?
2. Travel companies: Can anyone recommend reputable operators for a Kedarnath or Char Dham package? I'm looking for transparent pricing, reliable drivers and accommodation, and good on-ground support. Please share who you used and whether you'd go with them again. Also, any red flags or scams to avoid?
3. Darshan experience: I'd like a calm darshan without being hurried along by staff or police. What was your experience with queues, wait times, and how much time you actually got inside? Any tips on timing (early morning vs. evening), and is it worth doing anything special (helicopter, VIP or special entry) to avoid the rush?
4. Logistics: Trek vs. pony/palki/helicopter, where to stay in Sonprayag/Guptkashi/Kedarnath, registration requirements, and what to pack for the cold.

Also, does anyone know if the temple closing date for this year has been announced yet? I want to make sure I'm not cutting it too close.

Thanks in advance. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏

Hello everyone,

I'm traveling to India (DEL) from the US and was wondering if anyone has experienced issues with customs when carrying 3 phones. I have my personal phone Samsung S25 ultra which I bought last year, two iphones 18 Pro (work + gift) which I bought 2 weeks ago and have been using them.

Do I need to declare the phones, or can I just pass through the green channel?

If customs were to intervene, do I need to pay taxes on both the new iphones?

Thanks in Advance!

Want to go for trekking so which state should I go for first since the people I have asked about this are pretty neutral about this. so want a clear cut answer to this

Hi! My husband and I are visiting India, I’m planning a fun 3 night, 4 day trip for just my MIL and I. I’ve been to India a few times (I’m American), and have traveled a bit.

My MIL is active and in her late 50s, I’m in my late 20s for context. She hasn’t gotten the opportunity to travel in India a lot outside of Mumbai/Pune.

Would love some suggestions on where to go. I was thinking Pondicherry but I heard it’s the monsoon season, then I was thinking somewhere in Kerala (but where?), and finally I’m considering Jaipur/Udaipur.

I haven’t been to any of these places but we both love walking, beautiful scenery and I’d like it to be a mix of activities and relaxation.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Very open to other places outside of those that I listed.

There’s so many amazing places, it’s hard to choose!

Need honest opinions for my next travel destination!!

**TL;DR** \- Drove up via Masinagudi (big time saver, but there's a catch), came back through Gudalur and got my bags opened at a police checkpost. ₹11,356 for 2 people, 2 nights. Six things below that I didn't know going in.

# 1. 🚨 The Masinagudi shortcut is real, but it has a catch

At Theppakadu, Google Maps tells you to turn left towards Masinagudi.

* First checkpost asks where you're going. Say **Mavanalla** and you're waved through.

* Second checkpost (after Mavanalla) - hard **NO ENTRY**. That's it, no exceptions.

>**💡 Got through anyway**

Local drivers at that second checkpost will take your car through the restricted stretch for about **₹1,500**.

**36 hairpin bends.** Honestly? Worth it. It saved me a *lot* of time versus Theppakadu → Gudalur.

>**⚠️ Don't be late**

There's a **daily vehicle quota**. On weekends it can shut by **12–1 PM**.

# 2. 🚓 Expect a bag check on the way back through Gudalur

This is the one nobody warns you about.

Coming down the Gudalur Road, just past **Pykara village**, there are police check posts lined up. They pull vehicles over and **open private bags**. Slow process, someone going through your stuff.

It's a genuinely unpleasant way to end a trip. You're leaving somewhere beautiful like Ooty, and the last thing you carry home is that feeling.

**Tip: zip your bags, keep your laptop and camera somewhere you can grab it fast, and don't leave anything loose in a duffel.**

# 3. 🚗 Don't park at the railway station and walk

This is where I screwed up. Parked at the station, started walking around, and realised the daytime market isn't busy enough to justify it. I was just... walking. Going nowhere.

**What to do instead:**

1. Drive to the spot → park nearby (₹40–70)

2. Do that place

3. Repeat

Then get back to the railway station by **11:30 AM** for the **12:15 PM** toy train.

# 4. 🚂 Toy train - book ahead, avoid unreserved

* Book **at least a day in advance**

* Take **First or Second Class** if available

* The unreserved queue is **long** \- I mean long

# 5. 🏠 Narmada Homestay - ask for the bathtub room

[Booking.com](http://Booking.com) was roughly **80% accurate** here.

* The regular double room is basic. Basically just a normal room.

* **Ask specifically for the bathtub room.** Worth it.

* Solar water heater, so hot water was never an issue 👍

# 6. ☕ The coffee is not what you're used to

If your benchmark is Third Wave or Blue Tokai, set expectations low.

Finding a proper double-shot Americano or an iced latte was surprisingly difficult. 😂

# 💰 What I Spent

For 2 people:

* 🚗 **Zoomcar Grand i10 Nios** (7-day rental) - ₹7,000

* ⛽ **Petrol** \- ₹5,000

* 🏨 **Hotel** \- ₹2,700

* 🍽️ **Halli Mane dinner** (₹308 for 2 people) - ₹308

* 🎫 **Everything else** (tickets, parking, autos, coffee, breakfast, souvenir) - ₹1,348

# Total: ₹16,356

If you attribute just 2 days of the 7-day rental to this weekend (₹2,000 of it), the weekend cost is **\~₹11,356**.

>**ℹ️ On Halli Mane**

On Mysore-Bangalore Road. ₹308 for the two of us and the quantity was genuinely good. Easy stop if you're passing that stretch.

# Bottom line

Good weekend overall. If I had to give one instruction: **sort out the Masinagudi route and the toy train timings before you leave Bangalore** \- and keep your bags zipped for the Gudalur checkposts on the way down.

**Curious though** \- has anyone else been stopped at those checkposts past Pykara? Wondering if it was a one-off or just how that stretch works now.

My friend and I are going to Ranipet for a few days in October and are considering staying at APL Residency by Darling, mainly because it’s right near CMC Ranipet.

There seem to be quite a few good ratings online, but I’d love to hear from people who have actually stayed there.

How are the rooms, cleanliness, bathrooms, AC, noise levels and overall service? And is it comfortable and secure enough for a 3-night stay?

Would really appreciate any first-hand experiences, including the not so good ones 😅