Night buses in India – the best way to travel India on a budget

Night buses in India – the best way to travel India on a budget

A complete guide to answer all your questions about traveling by sleeper buses in India. Pros, cons and cheap travel tips to make the most of your trips.

Did you know that there are over 1.6 million buses in India, transporting around 70 million people every day? It's true, bus travel in India is one of the best ways to get from A to B cheaply. With the “Sleeper Class” buses, even budget-conscious backpackers can hop from city to city in comfort.

In this guide, I'll detail everything you need to know about traveling by sleeper bus in India, detail why I think it's the best way to travel on a budget, and provide a few tips worth reading.

The essential travel resource for India

Looking for more travel ideas for your trip to India? Below you will find my most comprehensive resources that will be very useful for planning your trip.

– Ultimate 1 Month India Itinerary – Essential India Packing List

About sleeper buses in India

If you're from America or even Australia like me, then you're probably not that used to long-distance bus travel. In fact, the first time I traveled consistently by bus was on my first backpacking trip in Europe in 2015. I remember thinking to myself how easy and convenient it was, and from the start I was hooked.

Five years later, long-distance buses are still one of my favorite forms of travel. Although you might not expect it, Indian buses are surprisingly efficient, easy to organize (if you know the process) and comfortable - especially if you travel on sleeper buses in India.

Okay, but what exactly is a “sleeper bus”?

Sleeper class buses are those equipped with either 2 or 3-tier bunks or beds where passengers can pull a curtain or partition to get a private bed on board the bus.

In India, sleeper buses usually only operate on long routes. This is why sleeper buses are the perfect way to sleep comfortably, save on accommodation and travel cheaply from city to city in India.
alt=“SLEEPING TRAIN IN INDIA”>A typical bunk in an Indian sleeping bus

Pros and cons of traveling by sleeper bus in India

Whether you're in the planning stages of a trip or are already in India and wondering how to get to your next destination, this should help you make a more informed choice.

Disadvantages

Let's start with the disadvantages.

• Die Buchung kann verwirrend sein (lesen Sie weiter, um zu erfahren, wie man bucht)
• Die Sprachbarriere kann es anfangs schwierig machen, Ihren Bus und Ihre Haltestellen zu finden
• Schlafbusse können manchmal überladen sein (sie quetschen manchmal Leute auf den Boden)
• Busterminals sind ein wenig chaotisch, besonders für Erstbesucher
• Busbahnhöfe befinden sich nicht immer in der Nähe des Stadtzentrums

First of all, buses in India can get a little crazy, to say the least. However, traveling on Indian sleeper buses is not as chaotic as you might expect. Anyone planning their first long-distance bus trip in India will initially feel a bit overwhelmed. Regardless, I firmly believe that if you use the information you learn in this blog post, everything will go much more smoothly.

Advantages

You can probably already get the feeling that I'm a fan of sleeper bus tours in India, here's why.

• Indische Schlafbusse sind billiger als Züge
• Kojen sind normalerweise verdammt bequem (wenn Sie den richtigen Bus wählen)
• Sie sparen Geld für die Unterkunft
• Wenn Sie nachts reisen, haben Sie mehr Zeit, Ihre Tage zu genießen
• Busse sind in der Regel schneller als Züge
• Schlafbusse sind einfacher zu buchen als Züge
• Schlafbuslinien sind sehr umfangreich
• Bustickets können nachträglich gebucht werden (Bahntickets sind oft wochenlang im Voraus ausverkauft)

The main advantage of traveling from city to city in India by sleeper bus is that you save money and time. Buses often cost half as much as a train ticket, can be booked quickly via an app and don't require an agent.
alt=“SLEEPING TRAIN IN INDIA”>

Book the best buses for long distance travel in India

Okay, what about booking night buses in India? The best way to find, compare and book overnight bus routes is to use Bookaway and Redbus.

It used to be the case that you needed an Indian government ID to book a bus. Things have changed in the last few years and have made traveling in India much easier and more convenient.

Nowadays all you have to do is book online through any of the above websites.

These booking websites work similarly to those you may already use, such as Booking.com, Hostelworld or Klook. They act as an online booking platform, listing bus routes and seating options from various travel agencies in India.

This way you can choose your route, compare times and, above all, always get the best price. Trust me when I say you won't get a better deal; Most Indians use these apps instead of haggling.

The rating system in both apps also makes it easy to spot good transportation companies.

Best Sleeper Buses in India: I found that “Jain Travels” and “Mahalaxmi” had the most reliable and high quality sleeper buses in Rajasthan. You can compare alternatives on BookAway or Redbus in other states and regions.

Redbus vs Bookaway

Personally I use Bookaway rather than Redbus. To be honest, most of the better bus routes overlap between the two websites/apps, and both usually have the same price lists. I've been a fan of Bookaway for some time, having used it extensively to travel in Myanmar. However, I usually check both apps to make sure I haven't missed a deal.

How much does sleeper bus ride cost in India?

Prices for sleeper buses vary depending on quality, schedule and of course distance. However, they are by far one of the cheapest long-distance transport options in India. Typically, prices for shorter trips (6 hours) such as Jaipur to Jaisalmer start at just 450 rupees. For longer routes, prices can go up to 1100 rupees.

However, remember that booking a night sleeper bus means you don't have to pay for accommodation that night.
alt=“BUS IN INDIA”>Local bus (no sleeper)

What to Expect on an Indian Sleeper Bus

Getting the finer details out of the way, what is it actually like to travel on a sleeper bus in India? As I briefly mentioned, quality can vary greatly depending on the company you book with.

After you have booked your bus route online, you will receive a confirmation email. If you booked through the app, the details will be added to your rides. Here you will find information about where to board the bus, a picture of the bus (to make it easier for you to find it) and the recommended boarding time.

Tip: If you have difficulty finding the boarding point or the bus itself, look for the name of the transport company on the virtual booking ticket. Also ask locals. They will often point you in the right direction.

Once you board, show your ticket to the driver and he will direct you to your assigned bunk.

The passenger compartment with a bunk bed is almost always separated from the driver's "cabin" by a door. Take this as a blessing – Indian bus drivers love chatting (shouting) all night long. Bunks in the passenger area are either 2- or 3-tier beds with ladder access and awash in neon lights.

High quality sleeper class buses usually include:

• Wasser in Flaschen (ich bringe sowieso meine Grayl-Flasche mit)
• Decke
• USB-Ladeanschlüsse oder Steckdosen
• Klimaanlage
• Ein Plexiglasschirm oder ein weicher Überziehvorhang

Aside from being able to stretch out horizontally, having a curtain/screen to pull over is probably the best feature of sleeper buses in India. I find that it's much easier to sleep when I know I have some privacy.
alt=“SLEEPING TRAIN IN INDIA”>

READ: 2-Day Overnight Camel Safari in Jaisalmer

My best and worst sleeper bus experience

The best overnight bus ride I've ever had was between Delhi and Varanasi. My bunk had a plastic screen, air conditioning, USB ports, reading lights, pillows, blankets and a full window to look out.

In contrast, the worst sleeper bus had no curtain and I had to share the bunk with a rather large Indian gentleman. To make the situation worse, the electrical outlet had been ripped out, exposing wires that would scare me at night.

On another occasion, the entire front of the bus fell down on the highway during the night, unnoticed by all passengers. We only noticed it during a morning bathroom stop where we discovered the driver had been getting bugs and wind in his face all night!
alt="INDIAN BUS WITHOUT FRONT HOOD">You have to pay a premium for a convertible
Well, another story, right?

Safety tips for bus travel in India

Before you head out, I have also written this section to help you answer your most nagging questions about sleeper bus travel in India. Who knows? You could learn something.

First, are sleeper buses safe?

Although breakdowns occasionally occur, sleeper buses in India are very safe. In general, Indians feel a responsibility to ensure that foreigners have a great time in India. Many will do whatever they can to make sure you are safe and out of harm's way.

Of course, I speak from a privileged position as a male backpacker, and I recognize that women may have different experiences. However, I traveled in India with my friend Haylea for two months and also met many other solo female travelers traveling on the sleeper bus who share my views.

Couples on an Indian sleeper bus

For couples traveling on sleeper buses in India, sleeping in the same bunk is okay and even encouraged. There are usually double bunks in most buses, so it's really great for couples traveling in India.

Do sleeper buses in India have toilets?

Unfortunately (or… fortunately?) night buses in India usually don’t have toilets. As a general tip, walk before you set off as there is no telling when the driver will pull over to the side of the road for a toilet stop. Realistically all buses stop at least every few hours and sometimes stop upon request.

Which seat is better on a sleeper bus?

By far, the best seat or bed on a sleeper bus in India is one on the top level, preferably somewhere near the back of the bus. Having a bed on the top tier prevents someone's feet from disturbing your sleep as they climb up to their bunk. Additionally, the back row beds are further away from the chatty driver and ticket counter.

What about luggage?

All night sleeper buses in India have luggage compartments with running gear. The ticket sellers are usually very trustworthy with your luggage. Still, I always insist on packing my own bags and bring valuables like laptops and cameras with me to the bunk. .
alt=“GOAT SLEEPING ON A MOTORCYCLE IN MUMBAI”>

Which sleeper seat is the best?

Wondering whether you should choose the upper or lower berth on a sleeper bus?

I generally prefer the bottom bunk, somewhere near the back of the bus. This prevents people from climbing over your bed to reach their bunk and also prevents most foot traffic from passing your bed in the middle of the night.

More Indian travel guides and blogs

I hope this quick guide to traveling India by sleeper bus was helpful in planning your trip. If you have any questions, updates, or suggestions about this blog post, please let me know in the comments. Otherwise, why not get more inspirational ideas for your trip to India by checking out some of my other articles and guides below?

I would also like to hear about your experiences traveling on an overnight bus in India. Do you think it is the best way to travel in India on a budget?

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