Chennai to Bangalore options
#1
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Chennai to Bangalore options
I need to travel Chennai city centre to Bangalore city centre, and I see that there are two viable options. Which one would you take with a large suitcase and why?
5 hours by train, Shatabdi Express in 1A for Rs 995 (downside: leaving at 6am)
or
4 hours by air for Rs 2500 including taxi fare:
(Assuming no delays,
30 min city to MAA
1 hr wait for flight
1 hr flight including wait for checked baggage
1.5 hr to BLR to city)
5 hours by train, Shatabdi Express in 1A for Rs 995 (downside: leaving at 6am)
or
4 hours by air for Rs 2500 including taxi fare:
(Assuming no delays,
30 min city to MAA
1 hr wait for flight
1 hr flight including wait for checked baggage
1.5 hr to BLR to city)
#3
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I need to travel Chennai city centre to Bangalore city centre, and I see that there are two viable options. Which one would you take with a large suitcase and why?
5 hours by train, Shatabdi Express in 1A for Rs 995 (downside: leaving at 6am)
or
4 hours by air for Rs 2500 including taxi fare:
(Assuming no delays,
30 min city to MAA
1 hr wait for flight
1 hr flight including wait for checked baggage
1.5 hr to BLR to city)
5 hours by train, Shatabdi Express in 1A for Rs 995 (downside: leaving at 6am)
or
4 hours by air for Rs 2500 including taxi fare:
(Assuming no delays,
30 min city to MAA
1 hr wait for flight
1 hr flight including wait for checked baggage
1.5 hr to BLR to city)
#4
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Maybe I should have clarified, those are the only options that work for getting into Bangalore for lunchtime on the day I want. The other trains only arrive later in the day.
The flights leave after 10am which means I don't have to wake up at an unreasonable time, but I can sleep on the train as well. Decisions, decisions...
Will go google the bus services now.
The flights leave after 10am which means I don't have to wake up at an unreasonable time, but I can sleep on the train as well. Decisions, decisions...
Will go google the bus services now.
#5
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KSRTC (karnataka state road transport corp, the state bus service) runs about two dozen buses daily between Madras and Bangalore. They get you from city center to center. Consider the Airavata or Mercedes Benz Buses. Here's the daily schedule. Take your pick. Cheap in comparison to the train or air. Here's the KSRTC fleet detail. There even seems to be a bus with "sleeper" berths (Corona AC sleeper)!
There are also private bus operators between the two cities. I have never taken them.
Of course, the Bangalore Airport is way out and the drive into the city can take between 90 and 120 minutes (similar time heading back to the airport). THat's caused a surge in people taking the train or buses or simply driving down to Madras.
If you want to get to Bangalore by lunch time, you will have to leave Madras by 0600 (Shatabdi) or 0630 (KSRTC Airavat). The flight options are really unviable imo given the Bangalore Airport's location.
There are also private bus operators between the two cities. I have never taken them.
Of course, the Bangalore Airport is way out and the drive into the city can take between 90 and 120 minutes (similar time heading back to the airport). THat's caused a surge in people taking the train or buses or simply driving down to Madras.
If you want to get to Bangalore by lunch time, you will have to leave Madras by 0600 (Shatabdi) or 0630 (KSRTC Airavat). The flight options are really unviable imo given the Bangalore Airport's location.
#6
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I'd take the Shatabdi just for the experience. And of course, its a convenient and comfortable option. And you'll get to see parts of the country you wouldn't otherwise.
#8
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The Shatabdi is indeed nice. You are pretty much by the city center around 11:00AM or so.
I have done the 10:25 9W flight as well. I could get in to BLR city center by 12:30 or so.
Never taken the bus (except many years ago as a child).
I have done the 10:25 9W flight as well. I could get in to BLR city center by 12:30 or so.
Never taken the bus (except many years ago as a child).
#9
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#10
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I think I'm going to go with the 10:10 9W flight.
When did India get awesome buses like this though?
http://www.superluxurybuses.com
12007 leaves Chennai at 6am.
When did India get awesome buses like this though?
http://www.superluxurybuses.com
12007 leaves Chennai at 6am.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
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They just started, within the last year or so. I took the bus to Chennai in Jan and it was pretty neat! Two downsides: pickup and drop off points were not exactly convenient (IMO).
When did India get awesome buses like this though?
http://www.superluxurybuses.com
http://www.superluxurybuses.com
#12
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They just started, within the last year or so. I took the bus to Chennai in Jan and it was pretty neat! Two downsides: pickup and drop off points were not exactly convenient (IMO).
I am not well versed with BLR.
#14
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Do remember that's the "final dropoff point". Chances are they'll pull in at one or two convenient spots along the OMR (or at the Madhyakailash signal, where the OMR starts and that's a major bus station + has a metro) before they go all the way to Sholinganallur.
#15
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Ah yes. You have a point. So, one could get off somewhere reasonable.