Air
Air India (international) and Indian Airlines (domestic) are both state-run airlines. Many major international carriers also fly into Delhi – the more popular ones are Lufthansa, British Airways, Swiss Air, Sabena, Air France, KLM/Northwest, Singapore Airlines, Delta and Cathay Pacific. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport is the country’s main international gateway. It’s about 12-and-a-half miles from the city centre. The best way into town is by pre-paid taxi – get a ticket from a booth in the arrivals hall. There are also very cheap, but slow, buses – again bookable before you leave the terminal building. The journey time to the centre is 20-25 minutes. The airport’s website is www.delhiairport.com
Train
Some say the best way to see India is at ground level on the Indian rail system, rather than at 30,000 feet. In fact, no visit to India would be complete without the experience of travelling on Indian trains and negotiating the chaotic stations. Rail travel within India is safe, cheap and, for the most part, comfortable. Long distances such as Mumbai (Bombay) to Delhi can be covered by sleeper trains. The Indian Railways website is www.indianrail.gov.in. If money’s no object, one option might be the ultimate train trip – the Palace On Wheels, which is a seven-day luxury cruise round the state of Rajasthan. Details at www.royalorienttrain.com.
