Trains: book on IRCTC, and understand the classes

Indian Railways is the way to travel between cities. Book on the IRCTC site or app (foreigners can register with a passport), or through a licensed agent; tickets open 60 days ahead and popular routes fill. 2A and 3A are air-conditioned sleepers with bedding; Sleeper class is open-window and cheap; the daytime Vande Bharat and Shatabdi trains are fast and comfortable. There's a foreign-tourist quota on many trains, sold at major stations' tourist bureaus.