Connecting trains, dateless searches and more...
Over the last month, we've made several small and large improvements to Cleartrip's train search. As always, user feedback has played a key role in dictating what changes we should make. Here's a brief rundown on the new features and improvements to the train search:
- Connecting trains: one of our top requests, the train search now returns results for searches between stations where no direct trains exist--for instance, Kanpur to Goa has no direct trains, but the Cleartrip train search will get you there by suggesting connections and stopovers

- Dateless searches: You can now search for trains without entering a specific date--the search results show all trains travelling on that route along with the days of the week on which each train is running
- Saved searches: You can choose to save your searches; all your saved searches are available from a "Saved searches" link along the top right hand corner of the page, click any of your saved searches to redo the search

- Flight and hotel prices: if you've ever wondered how much more a flight would cost as opposed to taking the train, you'll be happy to see that we now show you the cheapest flights for your travel along with hotel prices at your destination
There's a lot of other small improvements and changes in the train search as well. We hope you find the new features useful.

Reader Comments (2)
My home station in kerala is a place called ottapalam (otp) where only selected trains stop. The nearest major stations are palakkad (pgt) and shornur (srr). When i search in irctc, the trains to otp from bangalore, its shows only two trains. I always wanted to see the trains from bangalore which would stop at pgt or srr so that i can take a connecting train/bus.
In this case its good enough even if you show me trains which will stop at the nearest station no need to show connecting trains. Could you please think in that direction?
The best online train search I have seen is at www.db.de - the site for the Deutsche Bahn, Germany. You need to just enter the source and destination, the tentative starting time (i.e. all trains from 6.00 a.m. for eg.), type of train travel (regular, ICE/IC etc) and the search will provide atleast 4 options including all connecting routes and the times. This includes options for return as well - you will have to only enter a date, time for that.
The site is amazingly simple to use, and I think caters to almost 80% of the enquiry needs. If you haven't seen it already, please take a dekko!