Hey guys,
Just wanna ask, will the trains in India be very crowded (to the point where u cant book a seat) during the months of May and June? Ive heard this from some travellers and want to check, cos apparently that period is the Indian school break?
Thanks a lot.
Trains in May and June are full on most of the routes, so if u want to travel during this period ensure that u have reserved ur seats well in advance. Online train tickets can be booked on www.irctc.co.in
Cheers and have a nice trip
Arif
Hi Arif, thanks for your help.
"well in advance" do you mean like a few days beforehand or weeks? 
Quite confused by the train system in India...
Ive heard there are foreigner quotas? So my assumption is that since May, being hotter, will see less tourists and hence it would not be too hard for me to get a ticket?
Thanks again, really appreciate it. 
hey.. i understand ur query abt trains booking.. but i wud rather suggest u travel by plane... specially in a hot month like may.. i dont mean to scare you.. although travel by train will be an experiance.. but not a very pleasant one.. do u want to travel long distance within india?
[ Edit: Edited on Feb 15, 2008, at 12:07 PM by na india ]
I am watching this thread like a hawk, I was about to post the exact same question. I am also travelling in India May/June/July, and by train.
hi Itenerant/Ardy
U have rightly pointed that the foreigner quota, it is infact available in most of the trains but unfortunately it cant be booked online on www.irctc.co.in. Once u reach India, u can book through this quota at most of the major railway stations. Foreign tourists are relatively less in May and june so there is more probability of u getting tickets.
One more thing, if u miss this quota, then there is another quota, called "Tatkal Tickets" which can be booked in any train 5 days in advance at a slightly higher charge, this is available online.
Lot of budget airlines also operate in India on domestic network, so u can also try that option and check for the rates
Do let me know if u need more info
Arif
na India,
yep, thinking of going from Madras all the way down the coast to Kerala, then back up to Goa, Bombay, and then into Rajasthan/Kashmir. So i guess it would involve a great deal of time spent in trains 
Arif,
Thanks. Domestic flights will be beyond my budget though, cos i only have around 1200 USD for 2 months in India 
So train is still the best bet to see the country i guess...
Thanks for the info!
Quoting itenerant
Thanks. Domestic flights will be beyond my budget though, cos i only have around 1200 USD for 2 months in India
I would advice u to take domestic flight when ur travelling long distance, like when ur moving from South to Delhi or Kashmir train travel would take up a lot of ur time.... If u get cheap deals u can have a go at it, just check for the following budget carriers:
spicejet.com
goair.in
airdeccan.net
goindigo.in
Cheers
Arif
itenerant and Ardy- I too will be traveling in India during May and June four weeks, partly alone and partly with my sister. Good to hear others are brave enough for the heat as well as me. I'll be on the train as well.