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Date of the journey:- January 2020
Distance travelled:- 490 miles
Whilst relaxing in Chennai, we took the opportunity to book onward train tickets to Secunderabad, our next destination. A lengthy 12-hour run and if done on the overnight sleeper meant middle of the night train change. Therefore the decision was made to break the journey with an overnight stop at Vijayawada.
Train tickets were booked at the tourist counter of the Chennai Central railway station. Also known as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station.
The first leg of the journey was from Chennai Egmore station to Vijayawada junction. On train number 15119, the RMM MUV Express. Tickets costings 690 Rupees each for sleeper class and booked under the premium Tatkal quota as the general allocation had sold out.
The last leg of the journey from Vijayawada junction to Secunderabad junction, was booked at the same time on train number 18645 the East Coast Express. Tickets cost 395 Rupees each for sleeper class booked under the Tatkal quota.
See our India travel tips & advice page for more information on travelling by train.
A short 10 minute tuk tuk ride got us from our accommodation, Taj Club House Hotel, to Chennai Egmore station. The train departure was at 1255 hrs, for the 7 hour and 5 minute journey to Vijayawada junction station. Arrival was an hour late, although there didn’t seem to be any delay on route.
We befriended a local on the train, who offered to drop us at our hotel, the Red Fox. A journey of only 5 minutes. The hotel was very modern and clean. We ate in the restaurant and the food was excellent, as was breakfast in the morning.
Back to the station in the morning, this time in a tuk tuk. Our train was departing at 1110 hrs for the 6 hour journey to Secunderabad Junction station Leaving on time the train route was through flat open country, passing the cotton plants and rice fields amongst other agriculture.
Arrival at Secunderabad junction was 30 minutes late, for no apparent reason. Transfer to our accommodation, Hotel Incredible One, booked through Booking.com, took about 10 minutes in a tuk tuk.