Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Dec 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 672
Taking bikes on Indian trains

Hello folks

I am planning on taking my poorly bike on a train from Gorhakpur to Kolkata to lessen the kms I need to ride with the state the engine is in, (thats another story!)

Please can you offer any tips and advice on when how to do it, where to buy tickets, loading, unloading, etc?

Kindest Regards

Fern
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Dec 2012
dnicoletti's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: milan, italy
Posts: 156
Hi Fern,
i was in Bankura, west Bengal, 200 kms west of kolkata due to gearbox trouble. went to the local station, asking at the ticket desk what to do to put the bike on the train. they've suggested me to find the man who cares about mail wagon and its stuff. he told me to back, with the bike straight on the platform, the next day at 4.00 am, 2 hours before the train left to do all concerning. he booked me the place in advance then, once i was there at the right time, i had to disconnect the battery and get the fuel tank empty. then we put, we were 5 people, the bike on the mail wagon. it wasn't so steepy. i've "payed" the porters with the gasoline i had to left at the railway station...
ah.. i was traveling on the same train of course.
once in kolkata i had to manage the bike unloading by other porters: it wasn't so difficult, but i do not remember if i had to pay something to them, anyway it was cheap for sure. also do not exactly remember how i had to pay for the train transportation but it was something about 20 euro including my fare.
in kolkata you can get in touch with Eastern Bulls wich are a group of enthusiast enfield riders as you, i assume, will need some help on what to do or where to go in case you have to get , if possible, your bike fixed there. they were very helpful: came to pick me up at railway station and carry me to a budget hotel nearby the forwarders area to manage the bike shipping to BKK.
hope this helps you.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Dec 2012
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
I wanted to save time and went to Chennai station to book myself and an Enfield on a train 2 weeks in advance of travelling, I could only book my ticket and the bike had to be booked and paid for on departure date, make sure you have your passport to hand, plenty of small banknotes as you need to tip everyone in sight and pay for the sacking to protect the bike(important, or THERE will be damage!) And most important of all WATCH your bike being loaded onto the correct train, my bike left the holding area but was on the next train to mine! Aircon carriage make a world of difference as well. All the best
Dave
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Dec 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 276
Dang Fern, what's wrong with Kitty now? We just happened to bump into the Kolkata bikers on the road in Meghalaya. They were on the way to Nagaland (not I'm a straight line I assume). I'll hook you up with one of em on FB...xxxooo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Dec 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5
It's not a difficult process. Usually a porter will be present to walk you through every step (fora good tip). You first book your personal ticket, then go to the luggage office. There you book the ticket for your bike. Have the bike packaged by guys near the station (drain all your gas first! It has to be done, and the guys packing the bike won't give you half of what it's worth if you let them do it). Think I paid 500 rupee for that. Then you gotta find the guy who physically puts your bike on the train, and pay him to make sure it happens. I think that was 300 rupee. When you arrive at your destination, get your bike unloaded, and then go to the luggage receiving office. They'll walk you through the rest. It's important to note that everyone will at least attempt to rip you off.

Good luck!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Warning! Why not to rent bikes from Stonehead Bikes - Delhi! WorldlyMaret West and South Asia 23 2 Dec 2021 05:18
Europeans taking Indian registered bike to Sri Lanka mark manley West and South Asia 1 15 Oct 2012 18:36
Leaving bikes in Africa....what about Carnet Leteci Trip Paperwork 1 24 Mar 2012 15:24
3 bikes for sale in Peru Flachschieberli SOUTH AMERICA 0 10 Nov 2011 21:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:01.