Car Shifting Services by Train India – Complete Guide

Moving a car from one city to another can be difficult, especially when the distance is long. Driving the car yourself can take several days, while road transport may involve higher costs depending on the route and service. For this reason, many vehicle owners search for Car Shifting Services by Train India as an alternative way to move their cars over long distances.

Indian Railways has systems for carrying goods and luggage, but the exact availability and procedure for transporting a car depend on the railway station, route, train, booking arrangements, and applicable railway rules. Indian Railways states that luggage entrusted for carriage must be properly addressed and securely packed where applicable.

What Are Car Shifting Services by Train India?

Car Shifting Services by Train India refers to transporting a car from one railway station to another using the Indian Railways network and applicable parcel or vehicle transportation arrangements.

This option can be considered when you need to relocate your car over a long distance and do not want to drive it yourself.

Depending on the railway arrangement, the vehicle may be handled as a railway consignment rather than as ordinary passenger luggage. Availability is not necessarily the same on every train or at every station, so checking with the relevant railway booking or parcel office before planning is important.

Can You Transport a Car by Train in India?

Car transportation by train may be possible through railway freight or parcel arrangements, depending on the service available for the particular route.

The Indian Railways passenger information system provides separate information for luggage and freight-related services. Railway rules also distinguish between luggage entrusted to the railway administration and parcels entrusted for carriage.

Because car transportation involves a large and heavy vehicle, you should not assume that every passenger train can carry a car. The originating and destination stations, train type, loading facilities, and available vehicle-carrying arrangements need to be confirmed in advance.

How Does Car Shifting by Train Work?

The general process can include the following steps.

1. Check Route Availability

First, check whether your source and destination stations have an appropriate railway vehicle transportation facility.

For example, if you want to move a car from Delhi to Mumbai, you should confirm the available railway route and vehicle booking arrangements before taking the car to the station.

2. Visit the Railway Booking or Parcel Office

Contact the appropriate railway office and ask about the procedure for transporting your car.

You can confirm:

• Available train or service
• Source and destination station
• Booking requirements
• Vehicle documents
• Applicable charges
• Loading procedure
• Expected delivery arrangements

3. Submit Vehicle Documents

Keep your car’s documents ready. Depending on the booking process, you may be asked for documents such as:

• Registration Certificate (RC)
• Valid insurance
• Government-issued ID
• Vehicle details
• Sender and receiver information

The exact requirements should be confirmed with the railway office handling the booking.

4. Prepare the Car

Before handing over the car, remove personal belongings and valuable items.

It is also useful to inspect the vehicle and take photographs from different angles. These photographs can provide a record of the vehicle’s condition before transportation.

5. Complete the Booking

Once the railway staff verifies the required information, the applicable charges can be calculated and the booking formalities completed.

Make sure you keep the receipt or consignment document safely.

Car Transport by Train Charges

There is no single fixed price for Car Shifting Services by Train India.

The final cost can depend on several factors, including:

• Distance between stations
• Type and weight of the car
• Applicable railway rate
• Origin and destination
• Type of railway service
• Loading and unloading arrangements
• Applicable additional charges

Railway luggage and freight charges are governed by applicable railway rates and rules rather than one universal car-shifting price.

Therefore, it is better to ask the railway booking office for the current applicable charges for your specific route.

Documents Required for Car Transportation

Having the required documents ready can make the process easier.

Commonly requested documents may include:

1. Car Registration Certificate
2. Valid vehicle insurance
3. Government-issued identity proof
4. Sender’s contact details
5. Receiver’s contact details
6. Vehicle booking or forwarding information

Requirements can vary depending on the railway service and booking arrangement.

Preparing Your Car for Train Transportation

Proper preparation is important before handing your vehicle over for transportation.

Remove Personal Belongings

Take out luggage, electronics, documents, accessories, and other valuable items from the car.

Check the Fuel

Follow the railway or transport operator’s instructions regarding the fuel level before loading.

Check the Vehicle

Inspect the tyres, mirrors, lights, body panels, and other visible parts.

Take Photographs

Photograph the car from the front, rear, both sides, and other important areas. Keep these photographs until the car reaches the destination.

Keep Important Documents With You

Avoid leaving original personal documents or valuable papers inside the vehicle unless specifically required by the transportation procedure.

Benefits of Car Shifting by Train

There are several reasons people consider train transportation for long-distance vehicle relocation.

Suitable for Long Distances

Train transportation can be considered when moving a car between distant cities.

Less Driving Required

The owner does not need to drive the vehicle across the entire route.

Useful for Relocation

People moving to another city for work, business, education, or personal reasons may consider railway transportation.

Alternative to Road Transport

Rail transportation provides another option when comparing different methods of moving a vehicle.

Limitations of Car Transportation by Train

Although train transportation can be useful, it also has some limitations.

Limited Availability

Car transportation is not necessarily available on every train or at every station.

Station-to-Station Process

Railway transportation generally involves railway stations. You may need to arrange transportation between your home and the railway station.

Loading and Unloading

Vehicle loading and unloading require suitable facilities and arrangements.

Fixed Railway Schedule

You need to follow the railway’s schedule and booking process rather than selecting any preferred pickup time.

Train vs Professional Car Transport Service

Before selecting a transportation method, compare what each option provides.

A professional car transport company may be more convenient when you require door to door car shifting, because the vehicle can potentially be collected from your home and delivered to the destination address.

Tips for Safe Car Transportation by Train

Follow these simple tips before booking:

1. Confirm route and vehicle availability in advance.
2. Ask for the complete transportation charges.
3. Check which documents are required.
4. Remove personal belongings from the car.
5. Photograph the vehicle before submission.
6. Keep the booking receipt safely.
7. Confirm the destination collection procedure.
8. Ask about expected delivery timing.
9. Check the car carefully after receiving it.
10. Report any issue through the appropriate railway process.

Indian Railways also states that luggage should be properly addressed and securely packed where applicable, highlighting the importance of following the relevant booking and handling requirements.

When Should You Choose Professional Car Transport?

A professional car transport service may be worth considering if you need:

• Door-to-door pickup
• Door delivery
• Dedicated vehicle transportation
• Pickup from your home
• Delivery to your new address
• Assistance with vehicle loading and unloading

This can be particularly useful when the railway station is far from your home or destination.

Conclusion

Car Shifting Services by Train India can be an option for people who want to move their cars over long distances without driving them between cities. Railway transportation works through specific booking, freight, parcel, and vehicle-handling arrangements, so availability and charges should be confirmed for the particular route and stations.

Before booking, check the railway service availability, required documents, charges, loading process, and destination collection procedure. If you prefer a more convenient home-to-home solution, professional car transport services can also be compared with railway transportation.

FAQs

1. Can I shift my car by train in India?

Car transportation by railway may be available through applicable railway freight or vehicle transportation arrangements. Availability depends on the route, stations, train/service, and railway facilities.

2. What are Car Shifting Services by Train India?

It refers to transporting a car between suitable railway stations using applicable Indian Railways transportation arrangements.

3. How much does car transport by train cost?

There is no single fixed price. Charges depend on factors such as distance, vehicle details, applicable railway rates, and other booking or handling charges.

4. What documents are needed to transport a car by train?

Documents may include the vehicle’s RC, insurance, identity proof, and sender/receiver details. Confirm the exact requirements with the railway booking office.

5. Can I get door-to-door car delivery by railway?

Railway transportation generally involves railway stations. If you need home pickup and doorstep delivery, a professional car transport service may be more suitable.

6. How should I prepare my car for railway transportation?

Remove personal belongings, follow the railway’s fuel and preparation requirements, inspect the car, photograph its condition, and complete the required documentation before booking.

7. Is car transportation by train available from every railway station?

No. Availability depends on the facilities, route, train/service, and railway arrangements at the relevant stations. Always confirm before taking your car to the station.