TOP 10 SCENIC TRAIN ROUTES IN INDIA WORTH TAKING

10 BEAUTIFUL TRAIN JOURNEYS IN INDIA THAT ARE WORTH TAKING

• TOP 10 SCENIC TRAIN ROUTES IN INDIA WORTH TAKING
  “The route of my journey is long, but I don’t mind. The view is pleasing.”

You have missed out on a lot of enjoyable experiences if you haven’t taken a train to see the grandeur of
India. These train tracks pass through some of India’s most beautiful areas. Of sure, these railroad routes
are famous, significant, and unquestionably noteworthy. Due to India’s varied landscape, using the train
still provides you with amazing sights and one-of-a-kind experiences. Prepare for these 10 incredible train
excursions if you want to travel back in time and take it easy. You’ll be mesmerized by their beautiful
courses and eager for more.

1. Queen of the Himalayas: Kalka-Shimla

This rail ride by the “toy train” is a need for those of you who enjoy watching movies and getting
“filmy” while travelling. Passengers are treated to breathtaking vistas of dense pine forests, steep
mountains, verdant valleys, milky-white waterfalls, lovely flowers, and tranquil hill stations as the

train ascends 96 kilometres from Kalka. The voyage is impressive as the train passes over 864
bridges, through 102 tunnels, and around 919 curves. The iconic and historic Himalayan Queen train
trip takes you past stunning valley views and meadows that surround Shimla, and it is now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Train route- Kalka – Barog – Kandaghat – Shimla
Train journey time- 5 hours.

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling

One of the most incredible train trips in the nation is the one on the toy train that runs from New
Jalpaiguri (NJP) to Darjeeling. This lovely path passes through a number of breathtaking scenery that
will enthral you. The toy train leaves from Jalpaiguri’s plains and travels through Siliguri, Sukhna,
Kurseong, among other locations, before ascending to Ghoom, the highest point, and finally down to
Darjeeling. The train also travels via the well-liked viewpoint known as Batasia Loop, which provides
breathtaking panoramic views of the whole town. Additionally, in 1999, the Darjeeling Himalayan
Railway was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Train route- NJP – Siliguri Junction – Sukna – Rangtong – Kurseong – Ghoom – Darjeeling
Train journey time- 8 hours.

3. Mandovi Express: Mumbai-Goa

While flying is always an option, travelling by train from Mumbai to Goa promises a completely
unique experience. The Sahyadri Ranges, the Arabian Sea, lush green meadows, tunnels, little rivers,
bridges, lakes, and waterfalls are just a few of the incredible natural wonders that can be seen along
this unusual and picturesque path. You will find yourself marvelling at the splendour of nature along
the entire path because it is so picturesque. You will experience the most breathtaking vistas of the
Arabian Sea together with the picturesque gorges of Sahyadri on the train ride. The Konkan Railways
includes the Mandovi Express.
Train route- Mumbai CST – Thane – Khed – Ratnagiri – Pernem – Madgaon
Train journey time- 12 hours

4. Vasco da Gama route: Hubli-Madgaon

Experience one of India’s most exciting and alluring train experiences as you travel from Hubli to
Madgaon. The railway travels through the enormous and most stunning Dudhsagar waterfalls, which
burst forth vigorously from a height of 300 metres. You will be in awe at the waterfall’s flowing
beauty and force once the train arrives at it, making this one of India’s top train rides.
Train route- Hubli junction – Dharwad – Alnavar junction – Londa junction – Castle rock – Kulem –
Kudchade – Madgaon junction – Vasco da Gama
Train journey time- 10 hours

5. The Deccan Odyssey: Mumbai – Delhi

Experience the opulent Deccan Odyssey and take in the best of Goa and Maharashtra. Mumbai is the
starting point of the Deccan Odyssey, which continues through Sindhudurg, Goa, Goa-Vasco,
Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Nashik, and eventually Delhi. One of India’s few luxury trains, this 7 night
trip from Pune to Delhi and back provides passengers with a library, an Ayurvedic massage centre, a
beauty salon, steam rooms, a gym, a business centre, conference rooms, air-conditioned coaches, and
luxury suites.
Train route- Delhi- Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambore National Park- Agra- Jaipur- Udaipur-
Vadodara- Aurangabad- Ellora Caves- Mumbai
Train journey time- 7 Nights/ 8 Days

6. Kanyakumari to Trivandrum (Island Express)

One of the most beautiful train rides in the nation is from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum. The most
stunning areas of Trivandrum and Kanyakumari are traversed by this route. Along the trip, you can
view several villages, ornately decorated temples, and stunning churches in addition to coconut and
palm trees, rice fields, and densely forested places. You travel through coconut groves and glide
through classic Keralite and Tamil buildings on this excursion. To welcome characteristic Keralite
churches and a completely distinct style of architecture, gopurams and elaborately decorated temples
cross over. The most picturesque areas of South India are in fact traversed by this train.
Train journey time- 2 hours

7. Nilgiri Mountain Railway-

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, which connects Mettupalayam and Ooty, guarantees one of the most
picturesque train rides in the nation. The train ride begins on the lowlands, which are bordered on
either side by paddy fields. The Nilgiri Mountain Range is entered by the train after travelling around
7 kilometres. The journey is exceptionally scenic, featuring mighty mountains, deep valleys, tea
gardens, and a diverse range of wildlife. Around 250 bridges, 16 tunnels, numerous twists, and
hairpin turns are all part of the route. Since 2005, this well-known mountain railway, which features
Asia’s steepest track, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Train route- Mettupalayam – Coonoor – Ketti – Ooty
Train journey time- 5 hours

8. Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (Desert Queen)

Make it a point to take the Desert Queen train from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur when you are exploring
the lively state of Rajasthan. You can view everything, including grazing camels and deer, golden
sands, and sand dunes. On the route, you can see inhabitants in their traditional costume in a few
isolated settlements. Therefore, taking the train from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur is more akin to going
on a lengthy desert safari and provides some of the best views of this area. The Rajasthan trip,
which is otherwise full of colour, can take on an additional bright hue if you take the Delhi
Jaisalmer Express from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.
Train route- Jaisalmer – Ramdevra – Phalodi Junction – Jodhpur
Train journey time- 5 hours

9. Jammu to Baramulla (Kashmir Valley Railway)

This 356 km long route from Jammu to Baramulla is among the most difficult and beautiful
projects of the Indian Rail System because it was built through seismically active areas and on
steep terrain. The train provides a window into the lives of Kashmiris as it travels through several
picturesque communities in the Kashmir Valley. Along the trip, you may view approximately 700
bridges, as well as a number of high-altitude mountain passes, tunnels, snow-capped mountains,
and Chenab River.
Train route- Jammu – Katra – Banihal – Baramulla 
Train journey time- 4 hours

10. New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway)

When visiting the hill town of Darjeeling, one must take the train trip, which is now a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. It travels through Siliguri Town, Siliguri Junction, Sukna, Rangtong,
Tindharia, Mahanadi, Kurseong, Tung, Sonada, Ghum, Rongbul, Jorebunglow, and Batasia Loop.
The Darjeeling Toy Train must have been a hot topic of conversation for you. The one is this. To
enjoy the greatest hill view, take a short joyride from Darjeeling to Ghum.
Train route- NJP – Siliguri Junction – Sukna – Rangtong – Kurseong – Ghoom – Darjeeling
Train journey time- 8 hours

Aren’t all of these gorgeous Indian train trips really breathtaking? Make sure to visit the one that
strikes you as particularly extraordinary among them. You’ll come to understand that the trip was
nothing more than a dream. There are hills, valleys, rivers, plains, deserts, and any other type of
scenery you can think of.