#railrecipe

Traveling by train in India is an adventure like no other—it’s a journey through the heart of the country. While millions travel daily, knowing a few secrets can turn your trip from stressful to comfortable and enjoyable. Here’s a quick guide to master train travel in India.

1. Smart Food

Forget the days of relying on the pantry car. Indian Railways has totally changed the dining experience on wheels. Now you can pre-order fresh, hygienic meals online from top restaurants at major stations. Services like IRCTC eCatering and RailRecipe allow you to choose from a wide range of cuisines—from local to continental—and have your food delivered right to your seat. This one simple step ensures a good meal and a safe one so you can enjoy the view without a growling stomach.

2. Making the Most of Station Amenities

Modern railway stations are more than just transit points; they are becoming travel hubs. Major stations like New Delhi, Pune and Bangalore have plenty of amenities. Look for clean, well maintained restrooms and waiting lounges to wait comfortably. Many stations have food courts, mobile charging points and dedicated shops so a layover is much more convenient. Keeping these spaces clean helps everyone.

3. Station Specific Tips

Every station has its own charm but a few stand out for what they offer.

New Delhi Railway Station: A busy station with a huge variety of food from North Indian to international. Use the digital boards to navigate the many platforms and services.

Pune Junction: Famous for its local Maharashtrian street food. This is the place to get a vada pav or misal pav. The station is also a central point for trips to Mumbai and Lonavala.

Bangalore City Junction: A modern station with great facilities and focus on South Indian and global food. It’s well connected and a good starting point to explore the rest of Karnataka.

Lucknow Junction: A foodie’s paradise. Don’t miss the chance to try authentic Awadhi cuisine like kebabs and biryani from a trusted pre-booked vendor.

4. Final Tips for a Smooth Journey

To make your journey as smooth as possible keep these final tips in mind:

Pre-Book Your Meals: Don’t wait till the last minute. Book your meals a day in advance to avoid any issues with availability or delivery time.

Stay Hydrated: Always carry a refillable water bottle and only consume sealed, bottled water.

Pack Smart Snacks: Bring healthy options like nuts, fruits or granola bars to keep you going between meals.

Hygiene First: Use hand sanitizers and wipes regularly, especially before eating.

Be a Good Traveler: Remember your fellow passengers. Don’t make loud noises or eat strong-smelling food in your compartment.

The Indian Railways (IRCTC) witnessed about 230 % jump in online ticket booking as Indian mostly states have relaxed lockdown restrictions (unlock), according to a report of Authorized IRCTC E-Catering Partner RailRecipe. "According to sources, on May 15, 2021 the total train ticket booking of reserved train travellers was 6.3 lakh, which increased to 17.6 lakh on Thursday (June 10)," RailRecipe reported today.

Meanwhile, in a press conference, Indian Railway Board Chairman and CEO Suneet Sharma said that the increase in demand is expected to remain for the next two to three months. "Depending on the position of the waiting list, we have been trying to meet the demand by operating clone trains. There are 26 clone trains operating right now. We also getting indications that we should anticipate more travellers demand," the Indian Railway Board Chairman and CEO Suneet Sharma said.

Indian Railway Board Chairman and CEO also said that the national transporter is increasing the number of trains as the lockdowns are being eased across the India country. According to Railway Ministry, the national transporter is operating 889 Special Mail Express trains, 479 passenger trains and 26 clone trains of highly-patronised trains. The ministry also said the railways is operating 2,891 suburban services. Moving forward, Indian Railways has decided to run 150+ more special trains from June 15 to June 18. People who are stranded across the India could expect a big relief with this Indian Railways Update. The Indian Railways has allowed resumption of train services from June 15 in a graded manner and 150+ passenger trains will resume services.

Here is the list of trains which will be started by Indian Railways from June 15 to June 18:

Gorakhpur-Panvel summer special train (05063)

Bikaner Jn-Sealdah Duronto special train (02288)

Kanpur Central-New Delhi special train (02033)

Gwalior-Bhopal special train (04198)

Lucknow Jn-Agra Fort special train (02179)

Agra Fort-Ajmer Jn special train (04195)

Jhansi-Agra Cantt special train (01807)

Idgah-Bandikui special train (01911)

Prayagraj-Anand Vihar special train (04127)

Ajmer-Sealdah SF special train (02988)

Magadh Express special train (02872)