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With over 60,000 km of track, 14,000 locomotives, and a ridership of 12 million passengers daily, the Indian Railway is a mind-boggling entity. The Guinness Book of World Records claims it is the world's largest employer, with well over 1½ million workers.

We've taken a few rides already and they've been quite pleasant. Express trains usually accept reservations and it's a good idea to book well in advance; with local trains it's first come, first served ... good luck! Given the dire condition of most roads in the country, bus travel is to be eschewed whenever possible.

But now with the advent of many small airlines, there are other, albeit more expensive, alternatives for travel between those cities large enough to warrant an airport.