On my first train journey in India, I traveled from Kochi to Goa, a trip that took over 15 hours in total. It made me realize that being born in Taiwan, an island nation, comes with its own convenience.
If you're planning to travel to India, you might be wondering whether you should book train tickets in advance. The answer is definitely yes! Since locals, European, and American backpackers often use trains for intercity travel, air-conditioned express trains (AC Express) and sleeper compartments on popular routes tend to get fully booked quickly. It's advisable to book online at least a month and a half in advance.
If you decide on your next destination only after arriving in India, you can go to the local train station and purchase tickets there. However, whether you can get the seat you prefer will be left to chance.