Best Train Journeys in India: Scenic Routes to Explore

There are two ways to look at a train journey in India.

You can think of it as simply a way to get from one place to another, or you can slow down and actually enjoy the journey. The second option is often much more interesting.

A train takes you through parts of India that you might completely miss when travelling by flight. You see small villages, farms, rivers, forests, mountains, and railway stations along the way. Sometimes the scenery changes so gradually that you don’t even realize you’ve entered a completely different part of the country.

Then there are a few train journeys where the train itself becomes part of the holiday. The toy trains in the Himalayas and Nilgiri Hills are good examples. They move slowly, stop at small stations, and pass through landscapes that you simply can’t appreciate from a highway.

India has plenty of routes like these.

Some are famous, while others are ordinary railway routes that become memorable because of the scenery outside the window. If you enjoy travelling at a slower pace, these are some of the best train journeys in India to consider.

1. Kalka to Shimla Toy Train

The Kalka-Shimla toy train is probably one of the first train journeys that comes to mind when talking about scenic railway trips in India.

The railway line climbs from Kalka into the hills of Himachal Pradesh before reaching Shimla. Instead of rushing through the mountains, the train slowly winds its way through forests, valleys, bridges, and tunnels.

The route is part of the Mountain Railways of India UNESCO World Heritage Site, which also includes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

The slow speed is actually one of the best things about the journey. You have enough time to look outside and enjoy the changing scenery.

If you’re already planning a trip to Shimla, taking the toy train for at least one part of the journey can be much more enjoyable than travelling by road the whole way.

It is especially fun with children because the old-fashioned train, tunnels, and mountain scenery make the journey feel like an attraction rather than just transportation.

Best for: Families, mountain lovers, and first-time toy-train travelers

2. New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is another journey where you shouldn’t be in a hurry.

The famous Darjeeling Toy Train travels from the lower areas near New Jalpaiguri towards Darjeeling, gradually climbing into the hills.

Along the way, you’ll pass through mountain settlements, forests, and tea-growing areas. The scenery keeps changing as the train gains altitude.

One of the most interesting sections is the Batasia Loop, where the railway makes a large loop around the hillside to gain height. On a clear day, the surrounding mountain views make this one of the memorable moments of the trip.

Like the Kalka-Shimla railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is part of the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India.

The journey takes much longer than a normal road trip, but that’s not really a disadvantage here. You’re taking this train because you want to enjoy the journey.

Best for: Tea gardens, mountain scenery, and heritage railway experiences

3. Mettupalayam to Ooty

If you’re looking for a scenic train journey in South India, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway should be near the top of your list.

The train starts at Mettupalayam and climbs into the Nilgiri Hills towards Ooty. As it moves higher, the landscape gradually changes from the plains to forests, valleys, and tea plantations.

There are plenty of curves, bridges, and tunnels along the way, and the slower pace gives you time to enjoy the surroundings.

The railway is also part of the UNESCO Mountain Railways of India.

The journey works particularly well for a family holiday to Ooty. Children usually enjoy the old-fashioned toy train, while adults get to enjoy the scenery without having to concentrate on driving through the winding mountain roads.

If you have the choice between simply driving to Ooty and taking the mountain railway, I’d choose the train at least once.

Best for: Families, hill-station holidays, and heritage railway fans

4. Mumbai to Goa via the Konkan Railway

Not every great train journey in India is a toy train.

The railway journey from Mumbai towards Goa takes you through the Konkan region, and this is one of the routes I’d recommend if you enjoy watching the landscape change outside the window.

The route passes through green hills, rivers, bridges, tunnels, and small settlements. During the monsoon, the scenery becomes especially attractive. The hills turn bright green, and waterfalls appear in places along the route.

There is a catch, though. Heavy monsoon rain can also lead to delays, so don’t plan your trip with a very tight schedule if you’re travelling during the rainy season.

The journey is particularly nice because Goa isn’t the only destination you can visit along this stretch. You can use the railway as part of a longer trip through the Konkan coast.

Instead of thinking of the train as something you have to endure before reaching Goa, make the journey part of the holiday.

Best for: Coastal scenery, monsoon landscapes, and relaxed travel

5. Mumbai to Mangalore

If you enjoy the Konkan route, travelling farther south towards Mangalore gives you even more time to enjoy the coastal landscape.

The railway passes through parts of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, with plenty of greenery, rivers, and hills along the way.

The scenery is particularly beautiful around the monsoon and just after it. The Western Ghats are covered in greenery, and the countryside can look completely different from what you see during the dry months.

This is a long journey, so it isn’t for someone who wants to reach the destination as quickly as possible. But if you enjoy long train rides, there is something satisfying about settling into your seat and watching the landscape slowly change.

You can also use this journey as part of a larger coastal Karnataka trip.

Best for: Long-distance train lovers, Konkan scenery, and coastal Karnataka

6. Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

Rajasthan has a completely different kind of train scenery.

The journey from Jodhpur towards Jaisalmer takes you deeper into the Thar Desert. As the train moves west, the landscape becomes increasingly dry and open.

It isn’t dramatic in the same way as a Himalayan train journey. There are no huge mountains or waterfalls. Instead, you get long stretches of desert landscape and small settlements.

And that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

If you’re visiting Rajasthan, travelling by train between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer can be a much more enjoyable way to see the region than spending several hours inside a car.

You can sit by the window, have some tea or snacks, and watch the scenery slowly change.

The route also fits naturally into a Rajasthan itinerary because Jodhpur and Jaisalmer are both popular stops for travelers.

Best for: Rajasthan trips, desert scenery, and slow travel

7. Delhi to Rajasthan by Train

If you’re planning a longer Rajasthan trip, you don’t necessarily need to fly between every destination.

Trains connect Delhi with several major cities in Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Ajmer, and Jodhpur.

The scenery isn’t spectacular for the entire journey, but it becomes interesting because you can see the landscape gradually change as you move away from Delhi.

You start with the busy surroundings of the National Capital Region and eventually reach the drier landscapes of Rajasthan.

The bigger advantage is convenience. You can use the train to connect several cities without having to spend your entire trip on the road.

For travellers visiting Rajasthan for the first time, this is also a nice way to get a glimpse of everyday life outside the main tourist areas.

Best for: Rajasthan itineraries, budget-conscious travelers, and longer holidays

8. Guwahati to New Jalpaiguri

The Northeast is one of the parts of India where travelling by train can be particularly rewarding.

The route between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri takes you through parts of Assam and the surrounding region. Much of the scenery is green, with fields, villages, and open countryside passing outside the window.

It may not have one famous landmark that everyone waits to photograph, but that isn’t really the point.

The journey gives you a chance to see a quieter side of India and can easily be included in a larger Northeast itinerary.

For example, you could explore Guwahati and Assam before continuing towards North Bengal and Darjeeling.

If you’re someone who enjoys looking out of the window and watching ordinary life go by, this is the kind of train ride you’ll appreciate.

Best for: Northeast India trips and travelers who enjoy slow travel

9. Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam

The eastern coast is another part of India that is easy to overlook when planning scenic train journeys.

The route between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam takes you through Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with a mixture of green countryside, villages, and stretches of the Eastern Ghats.

The journey can be combined with a larger trip through eastern India.

You could visit Bhubaneswar’s temples, spend some time around Puri or Chilika Lake, and then continue towards Visakhapatnam.

What I like about journeys like this is that they don’t feel like tourist attractions. You’re simply travelling through the region and getting to see places that you would probably miss from an airplane.

Best for: Eastern India trips and travelers who enjoy longer journeys

10. Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram

For a relaxed train ride in South India, the journey between Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram is worth considering.

The landscape is very different from northern India. You can see coconut trees, green fields, villages, and the tropical countryside as the train moves through the southern part of the country.

This isn’t a luxury tourist train or a famous heritage railway. It is simply a regular train journey through a beautiful part of India.

And sometimes that’s exactly what makes a train trip enjoyable.

If you’re planning a longer South India itinerary, taking the train between destinations can save you from spending hours on the road while still allowing you to see the countryside.

Best for: South India trips, families and relaxed travellers

11. Kashmir Railway

Travelling through Kashmir by train offers a completely different experience from India’s older mountain railways.

The railway through the Kashmir Valley passes through mountains, valleys, tunnels and bridges, and the route itself represents a major engineering achievement.

The Chenab Rail Bridge is one of the most impressive features of the wider railway project. The bridge spans the Chenab River gorge and has become an attraction in its own right.

Rail services and routes in the Kashmir region have developed over time, so the exact journey available to tourists can change. If you’re planning a trip specifically around the railway, check the latest train services before booking accommodation and other connections.

But if you get the chance to experience the route, the combination of railway engineering and Himalayan scenery makes it one of India’s most interesting newer train journeys.

Best for: Kashmir travellers, mountain scenery and railway enthusiasts

12. Pune to Konkan Coast

If you want to experience the Western Ghats and Konkan landscape without taking an extremely long train journey, travelling from Pune towards the Konkan coast can be a good option.

As the train leaves the Pune region and moves towards the coast, the landscape becomes greener and more mountainous.

The journey is especially attractive during the rainy season, when the hills are covered in greenery and streams and waterfalls appear along the route.

You can also use the trip as part of a weekend escape from Pune.

Instead of driving through the same mountain roads, take a train and enjoy the scenery without having to worry about traffic.

Best for: Weekend trips, monsoon travel and Western Ghats scenery

Which Is the Best Train Journey in India?

There isn’t one train journey that will suit everyone.

If you want a classic mountain railway, I’d choose the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

If you’re travelling in South India, the Mettupalayam-Ooty train is one of the most enjoyable options.

For green landscapes and long-distance coastal scenery, the Konkan Railway is hard to beat.

And if you’re travelling through Rajasthan, the train journeys towards Jaisalmer give you a completely different view of India.

Here’s a quick look at some of the options:

When Is the Best Time to Take a Scenic Train Journey?

This depends completely on the route.

If you’re interested in the Konkan Railway, the monsoon can be a beautiful time to travel because the Western Ghats become incredibly green. Just remember that heavy rain can sometimes affect train schedules.

For Rajasthan, winter is much more comfortable. The daytime temperatures are pleasant, and you don’t have to deal with the extreme summer heat.

The mountain railways around Shimla, Darjeeling and Ooty can be enjoyed during much of the year, but weather conditions can affect services, particularly during heavy rain or other difficult conditions.

If you have a particular train journey in mind, check the latest railway timetable before booking. Tourist trains and seasonal services don’t always operate on the same schedule throughout the year.

Tips for a Comfortable Train Journey

A scenic train journey is pretty simple, but a few small things can make it much better.

Try to get a window seat. It sounds obvious, but it makes a big difference when you’re travelling through mountains or countryside.

Don’t spend the whole journey on your phone. You may miss some of the best views.

Carry water and a few snacks. You can always buy food on many trains and at stations, but it’s useful to have something with you.

Take a light jacket. Air conditioning can make long-distance trains surprisingly cold.

Keep your camera ready. You don’t always get much warning before the scenery changes.

Don’t make your itinerary too tight. Trains can sometimes be delayed, so leave some extra time if you have another booking later that day.

And if you’re travelling on a particularly scenic route, don’t worry about getting the perfect photograph every time. Sometimes it’s better to simply sit by the window and enjoy the view.

Why You Should Experience a Train Journey in India

One of the nicest things about travelling by train is that you get to see the places between the destinations.

When you fly from Delhi to Goa, for example, you see almost nothing of the country between the two cities. On a train, the journey itself becomes part of your trip.

You see people getting on and off at small stations, vendors selling chai, children waving at the train and landscapes changing outside the window.

Sometimes you’ll even find yourself looking forward to the next part of the journey more than the destination.

That is particularly true on India’s mountain railways and the Konkan route.

Final Thoughts

India’s railway network is huge, and you don’t have to travel on a special luxury train to have a memorable journey.

The Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling and Nilgiri Mountain Railways are perfect if you want something that feels like a proper travel experience. The Konkan Railway is ideal if you enjoy greenery, rivers and coastal landscapes, while Rajasthan offers something completely different with its dry desert scenery.

There are also plenty of regular train routes across South India, the Northeast and eastern India where the journey itself can be surprisingly enjoyable.

If you’re planning your next trip, don’t automatically look for the fastest way to get there.

Sometimes taking the slower option is worth it.

Find a window seat, get yourself a cup of chai, watch the landscape outside and let the train take you through a part of India you might otherwise never see.

That is what makes some train journeys memorable long after you’ve reached the final station.