India is a large country with over a billion people! India’s transportation options make it possible for all of these people to get to their jobs, visit friends and family, buy food, see the sights, and join the hustle and bustle of life.
RICKSHAW
A three-wheeled taxi service, called a rickshaw or tuk-tuk, is an excellent way for people to travel quickly in cities. Rickshaws are fairly small and only have one seat at the front for the driver and enough room for two adult-sized passengers in the back. Due to their size, they can quickly weave through the city traffic. They have a front window, but no doors so passengers can quickly jump on and off!
TRAINS
The railway in India is one of the largest in the world, with over 40,000 miles of track around the country. You can travel from one side of India to the other side in three days! Citizens and tourists use trains to travel long distances. Locals and business people also use commuter trains, called local trains, every day. If you’re in a city and want to get somewhere quickly, you might catch a ride on one of the city trains, also called metro trains.
People travel around India and to other countries by plane. Some areas in the country are remote and are challenging to get to by car or train, so small planes make travel to these places possible. India is now the third-largest growing aviation market in the world! It all started in 1932 when the first airline, Tata Air Services, was created by J. R. D. Tata to carry mail and people around the country. In 1946, the airline name was changed to Air India and started flying passengers around the world.
Some people use animals like camels, elephants, horses, yaks, and mules to get around and transport products. Bicycles and motorcycles are also very popular. And of course, walking! An age-old Indian custom called shatapawali states that walking 100 steps after a meal can help you stay healthy.
CARS & BUSES
BOATS
In some parts of the country, India’s rivers and canals offer another way to travel. People use ferries to cross rivers, and in Southern India, there are coracles, small boats made from bamboo. Coracles have curved sides and are lined with animal hides or plastic to make them waterproof. This boat style has been around for centuries, and today, they are used to navigate rivers for fishing, traveling, and tourism.
In Delhi, private vehicles with odd-numbered license plates can only drive on odd-numbered dates, while even-numbered plates can drive on even-numbered dates. If you don’t have a car, a cheap and popular way to get around is by bus. People take them to travel in the city or to take overnight trips to other towns. Buses even travel on rough mountain roads, connecting small villages to the big cities.