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Grand Trunk Express |
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A great train, popularly known as the Grand Trunk (GT) Express, runs between Chennai and New Delhi. It covers a distance of 2184 kilometers or about 1360 miles in 35 hours. It is one of the oldest trains having been introduced in 1929. It has a capacity to accommodate some 1400 persons and runs daily through the main line that runs from the south to the North-between the two important metropolitan cities, Chennai and the capital of India, New Delhi. This was the only train that served as the blood vein running from North to South for years until the Tamil Nadu Express was introduced. From coal driven this is now electric powered. It has AC class for the rich and unreserved coaches for the poor. India is the heaven for the poor. For a travel which involves some 2200kms or1360 miles, you pay only $85.00; this includes AC travel for two nights and one full day, enjoying the best facilities and service. If a foreigner wants to tour India the best method is to travel by train. The poor can travel this distance, 1360 miles, between Chennai and new Delhi for less than $11.00 in unreserved compartments/coaches. Senior citizens, above 60years, get concessions in fares and women-seniors get more than men.
Any foreigner would find his cab fare and stay in India much costlier than his travel and food. By the way this train boasts a pantry car too.
Find here the tariff for various classes. These include reservation charges but not takkal ('Urgent' reservation charges) or any other charges prescribed by Indian Railways.) For International tourists Indian Railways have special schemes. Fares and timings from Indian railways web site as found in June 2008
Ticket Fare per person (12 and above) (Senior Indian citizens get concessions, 60 and above)
First Class AC Rs.3386/-($85.00approximately) II AC Rs.1997/-($50.00approximately) III AC Rs.1455/-($37.00approximately) Sleeper Rs.435/-($11.00approximately) The timings follow.
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