Was it very warm if you didn't have air con? Wouldn't want to do this on a 2 week holiday but certainly sounds worth considering if we ever get chance to go to Goa for longer :-)

Gemma

The non-A/C compartments have fans and you can open the windows.

The windows in the A/C compartments don't open (I think).

Not sure if hoolibubba caught the 06:55 departure from Mumbai as we did in December, but we found it to be a very pleasant journey.

You get a pillow, sheet and blanket too.

Hoolibubba, glad you enjoyed the journey - did you try the samosas?

We did this journey in November 08, what a great way to soak up the atmosphere, the variety of food sold was excellent and very cheap. The different sellers selling everything from toys,nuts to you name it,its certainly not FIRST CLASS but there is loads of things to savour.

Wow thats great! I have done this journey too and loved every minute of it. We were in 2nd class a/c sleeper and it was too cold lol!

Sorry for the late reply,, yes it was warm for a couple of hours but the morning and the evening temperatures were fine, yes Gemma a whole day out of a two week stay would be a bit of a waste of your time, Pretty pollycat you are correct about the open windows, I didnt ventur through to the ac cars but as AC doesn't work with open windows I guess they stay closed, plus they are darkly tinted so you get no view, we did catch the 6.55 am tran and it got us into Madagoan at 6.45pm, I paid ten rupes for pillow hir but the man took it back an hour brfore Madagoan, didnt buy any samosas only some sandwiches and lots of Chai to drink,, the views from the train were breathtaking, the landscape and scenery will stay in my mind forever, not to mention the hundreds of men naked from the waist down sqatting for their morning ablutions by the rail track, only downside was the constant barking from the food vendors on the train. no chance of sleeping. all in all I would recommend the journy to anyone.

Sounds like a great experience hoolibubba. OH was most impressed when I told him it only cost about £10 for both of you. Definitely something I'd like to do in the future.

Gemma your OH will be happier to know that there is a cheaper fare that would cost about a fiver betwen you .

He wasn't interested until I told him that price was for a sleeper! When I first mentioned the train he said he'd seen what Indian trains were like with everybody hanging off the side - he doesn't do ''very basic' lol.