TRIP REPORT: Aman, Oberoi, and Taj resorts in India
Sep 12, 2012, 4:21 am
#46
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: ny,ny
Posts: 396
this is what they told us but we elected to take the train back to Delhi. Our train was delayed by ~3 hours, time that we spent at the station. The driver from the Oberoi dropped us off at the station and made sure we were with a decent porter, which was the only saving grace. When delayed, Indian train travel is difficult to say the least.
Sep 12, 2012, 4:29 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Sep 12, 2012, 5:42 am
#48
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
We had Aman and Oberoi drive us quite a bit while in India and never regretted it. The drivers take very good care of you....little snacks in the car, clean potty stops, etc. The one train we took was delayed a bit but we had our i-khas batman with us so no worries.
Jan 9, 2013, 7:37 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 246
An update from Aman India..
We're planning to combine Aman India Journey with two nights at Oberoi Amarvilas in the coming Mar/Apr.
Regarding the transfer option from Delhi to Agra, we are debating between taking the Aman car ($360 per way) or train ($150/person with transfer to/fro train station) as we read from Groombridge's report that the road condition is horrible. But Aman told us a new highway has been just been opened in Aug 2012 to shorten the travel time to 3 hours and road condition has much improved. Has anyone tried this new highway?
Another thing is the Chatri dinner is available for booking for both lunch/dinner, so we're looking forward to our pre-Holi dinner in the local offsite Chatri
Regarding the transfer option from Delhi to Agra, we are debating between taking the Aman car ($360 per way) or train ($150/person with transfer to/fro train station) as we read from Groombridge's report that the road condition is horrible. But Aman told us a new highway has been just been opened in Aug 2012 to shorten the travel time to 3 hours and road condition has much improved. Has anyone tried this new highway?
Another thing is the Chatri dinner is available for booking for both lunch/dinner, so we're looking forward to our pre-Holi dinner in the local offsite Chatri
Jan 9, 2013, 7:42 am
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
We're planning to combine Aman India Journey with two nights at Oberoi Amarvilas in the coming Mar/Apr.
Regarding the transfer option from Delhi to Agra, we are debating between taking the Aman car ($360 per way) or train ($150/person with transfer to/fro train station) as we read from Groombridge's report that the road condition is horrible. But Aman told us a new highway has been just been opened in Aug 2012 to shorten the travel time to 3 hours and road condition has much improved. Has anyone tried this new highway?
Another thing is the Chatri dinner is available for booking for both lunch/dinner, so we're looking forward to our pre-Holi dinner in the local offsite Chatri
Regarding the transfer option from Delhi to Agra, we are debating between taking the Aman car ($360 per way) or train ($150/person with transfer to/fro train station) as we read from Groombridge's report that the road condition is horrible. But Aman told us a new highway has been just been opened in Aug 2012 to shorten the travel time to 3 hours and road condition has much improved. Has anyone tried this new highway?
Another thing is the Chatri dinner is available for booking for both lunch/dinner, so we're looking forward to our pre-Holi dinner in the local offsite Chatri
Taj Mahal hotel Delhi to train station: 20 minutes and <300 Rupees (< 5 EUR)
2 X 1st Class Shatabadi train: <2 hours and less than 35 EUR
Pickup from Oberoi at train station: IIRC it was <25 EUR and 20 minutes
$150 per person sounds very odd for this transit if I understand what youare posting.
I still wouldn't mess around with the road- the train is fine as long as you don't mind a 6 AM departure.
Jan 9, 2013, 8:26 am
#51
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Amex Plat, FHR, SPG
Posts: 107
We just got back from this exact trip. (Trip Report to follow.)
We did the train transfer. Due to fog it took our train close to 4 hours to arrive. That being said, after all the driving we did, I'd much rather be on the train than in a car... even on a highway. Driving in India is nutty. At least on the train you can read and relax.
Delhi train station is pure chaos. Aman New Delhi (actually by then it will be the Lodhi) will escort you on the train so it's mostly controlled chaos.
I believe that's the same quote we got as far as pricing. I'm not sure why they charge so much. We had four people so it was still cheaper than taking the car...
We did the train transfer. Due to fog it took our train close to 4 hours to arrive. That being said, after all the driving we did, I'd much rather be on the train than in a car... even on a highway. Driving in India is nutty. At least on the train you can read and relax.
Delhi train station is pure chaos. Aman New Delhi (actually by then it will be the Lodhi) will escort you on the train so it's mostly controlled chaos.
I believe that's the same quote we got as far as pricing. I'm not sure why they charge so much. We had four people so it was still cheaper than taking the car...
Jan 9, 2013, 8:32 am
#52
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 246
I guess we will probably go for the train then... I also wonder why Aman is charging so much for the train as I recall the train ticket only costs about USD 20, but I guess they are providing a staff to escort us at Delhi and Agra station to keep the hassle to a minimum...(also probably they want to push the car service?)
cjthekid, did they charge you USD150/person as well for the train?
cjthekid, did they charge you USD150/person as well for the train?
Jan 9, 2013, 9:41 am
#53
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Amex Plat, FHR, SPG
Posts: 107
I guess we will probably go for the train then... I also wonder why Aman is charging so much for the train as I recall the train ticket only costs about USD 20, but I guess they are providing a staff to escort us at Delhi and Agra station to keep the hassle to a minimum...(also probably they want to push the car service?)
cjthekid, did they charge you USD150/person as well for the train?
cjthekid, did they charge you USD150/person as well for the train?
Jan 9, 2013, 2:10 pm
#54
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,432
Jan 9, 2013, 8:29 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Posts: 391
We took the new highway from Delhi to Agra in Nov 2012. It was great. Brand new, no traffic, comparable to any highway in USA. We had a private car and driver and the trip was very comfortable.
I would probably not take a train in India, controlled or not, chaos is still chaotic.
I would probably not take a train in India, controlled or not, chaos is still chaotic.