Philosophers pay so much importance to the journey rather than the destinations, so shouldn’t you be doing the same when planning an escape? Besides the vibrant railway system of India, what is a better way of admiring the journey as you zip past dense forests, warm deserts, beautiful cliffs, and shimmering waters? Nothing beats the beautiful train journeys in India!
Let’s go on a trip to discover beautiful train journeys in India to add to your bucket list before the year ends! The goal is to make even the longest train journey in India feel as short as a stay at an excellent vacation spot. Maybe you’ll even find the most beautiful railway route in the world on your vacation!
Jaisalmer to Jodhpur – The Queen of the Desert
Who can say no to riding through the Thar Desert for six hours, with an exotic experience of Rajasthan from the Golden to the Blue cities? It’s definitely faster than any other public transport mode and a great way to introduce you to the colourful flair of the state, with dance performances onboard. They serve delicious local delicacies, including Gatte ki sabzi and Dal baati churma. The Jaisalmer to Jodhpur railway has different classes, from the air-conditioned first class to basic unreserved seats, providing various amenities to fit everyone’s budget.
Glancing outside, you’ll find a continuous view of the Thar Desert, which is far from boring, with captivating dunes, camels walking by, and xerophytic plants. If you travel during the day, you’ll also catch a glimpse of the Mehrangarh Fort and sparkling Rann of Kutch, which you can explore later on as part of your all-inclusive Rajasthan tour packages. Don’t forget to book the best hotels in Jodhpur before you arrive on a budget. You can book cheap flights from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur to reach within 2 hours.
Kanyakumari to Trivandrum – The Island Express
Although a brief journey of 2 hours, the Kanyakumari to Trivandrum train journey is one of the most beautiful train journeys in India, short and sweet! It’s the most picturesque ride between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, passing by carved Temples called Gopurams and the unique architecture of Kerala’s houses and churches, which you can explore more with Kerala tour packages!
The Island Express is one of the most beautiful train routes in South India, offering a clear view of the Arabian Sea foregrounded by swaying palm trees on the coast. You can also enjoy a quick look at the villages on the outskirts while on the train. Ensure to book budget and luxury hotels in Trivandrum for the best experience! You can also get to Tamil Nadu from Assam by riding the longest train journey in India aboard the Vivek Express for 80 hours.
Click here to get the lowest air tickets for Kerala.
Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling Railway- Darjeeling Railway
Starting from the plains of Jalpaiguri, the 11-hour Darjeeling railway moves to greater heights along the slopes of Silguri, Sukhana, and Kurseong before descending towards Darjeeling from the peaks of Ghoom, India’s highest hill station. As you get closer to Darjeeling, you’ll be welcomed by the aromatic fragrance of the lush tea plantations and enjoy a faraway view! You can walk through them later with affordable Darjeeling tour packages once you deposit your luggage at the best hotels in Darjeeling.
This Darjeeling toy train experience is one of the most beautiful train journeys in India and will take a 360-degree loop around a magnificent garden honouring the Gorkha soldiers along the way. The train also stops on the way to admire the towering Kanchenjunga peak and quaint villages, where you can interact with the locals and grab a delicious bite! You can reach Darjeeling by hopping on cheap flights to Bagdogra faster, but you’ll be missing out on riding the UNESCO World Heritage Site railway, added in 1999.
The Maharaja’s Express
Being one of the most luxurious trains offering a spectacular view is challenging, but the Maharaja Express, one of the best train journeys in India from Delhi, does it with ease! The cabins are decorated with rich designs and modern interiors, making the 23-coach train easily distinguishable by all. The train passes by attractions, including the Ranthambore National Park and the Taj Mahal, which you can later explore with exciting Delhi tour packages.
The cultural performances and delicious Delhi-style meals are enough to keep you entertained on board. Remember to book the best hotels in Delhi so your train journey ends with the most lavish staycay! You can reach quicker by booking cheap flights from Mumbai to Delhi, but nothing beats the 6-day and 7-night train experience from Mumbai.
Also read: Top Luxury Trains in India
Mumbai to Goa
Whether you travel by the week-long Deccan Odyssey from Mumbai to Goa or any other affordable train, you will call it one of the most beautiful train journeys in India! The Deccan Odyssey stops at seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Ellora and Ajanta Caves, and other popular destination spots. The regular railways connecting Mumbai to Goa are equally famous, providing the most scenic train rides in India as they cross 2,000 bridges and pass 92 tunnels on the way.
You can enjoy mountain and sea views, with the Sahyadri Mountains on one side and the sparkling Arabian Sea on the other. However, you won’t get to see much of Goa on the train, so complete your online hotel booking for Goa and explore the beachy location with all-inclusive Goa tour packages! If in a hurry, you can opt for 1.5-hour cheap flights from Mumbai to Goa.
Also read: Know Everything About the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat Express.
Matheran Hill Railway
If you’ve been to Maharashtra’s best hill station, you must have seen the fun Matheran Hill Railway, known as the Toy Train, and the only way to get to the top besides on horseback. It provides magnificent views of the vintage colonial-style bungalows, dense forest, and views from the Sahyadri Mountains, ascending 14 km high and is namely among the list of the most beautiful train journeys in India.
You can then explore famous points, like Echo, Porcupine, Louisa, and One Tree Hill Point, with fun Matheran tour packages once you get to the top aboard one of the most scenic hill station train journeys! Book the best hotels in Matheran and cheap flights from Delhi to Mumbai to admire these views away from the noise of the bustling city!
Jammu to Baramulla – The Kashmir Valley Railway
If you’re a daredevil, the Jammu to Baramulla is the perfect journey for you, constructed to navigate the treacherous earthquake-prone grounds! Along the way, you’ll be greeted by the snow-covered landscape and mountains of Kashmir, with dots of scenic villages zipping by. This makes it one of the most beautiful train journeys in India for 13 hours!
You’ll also enjoy a clear view of the Chenab River. To admire other attractions like the blooming Persian-style gardens, you should explore with all-inclusive Kashmir tour packages. Before you take a tour, get some rest at the best hotels in Baramulla, with even better, close-up views of the scenery. If you’re in a hurry to arrive, you can find the lowest air tickets from Jammu to Srinagar to reach within an hour. You can book car rental services to drive to Baramulla from Srinagar.
Have you explored most of the places to visit by train in India? Read: Top 10 Train Journey Routes to Take in Europe!
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Travellers fascinated by engineering will fall in love with the steam locomotive engine of Nilgiri Mountain Railway, connecting Mettupalayam to Ooty! The railway has attracted thousands of passengers since 1885 as it is one of the most beautiful train journeys in India, beginning from the paddy fields. The railway zips past the scenic mountain route, providing serene forest and tea garden views. It is also known for having the steepest rail track in Asia and is the best way to get to Ooty, as the railway was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.
You’ll feel the thrill of one of the best train routes in India as it goes around the hairpin bends and curves, providing the best aesthetic shots. Don’t forget to book exciting Ooty tour packages and find the best hotels in Ooty so your destination is as beautiful as your 4-hour journey! You can also hop on cheap flights from Mumbai to Chennai and book bus tickets online to get to Ooty quickly.
Also read: Top Five Budget Hotels in Ooty!
Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley
The 3-hour Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley is among the most beautiful train journeys in India through the Eastern Ghats, going past coffee plantations! It also visits the highest railway station with a broad gauge at Shimiliguda, after going under tunnels and over bridges with the most captivating views.
It’s famous for showing tourists a raw side of the Eastern Ghats, while the urban areas are better explored in-depth with all-inclusive Andhra Pradesh tour packages. Don’t forget to book hotels online in Araku Valley so you can relax before you set out to explore.
Click here to book cheap Mumbai to Visakhapatnam flights to board this train!
Mandapam to Rameshwaram- Sethu Express
Running along India’s second-longest bridge, the Sethu Express from Mandapam to Rameshwaram has captured the hearts of all, becoming one of the most beautiful train journeys in India! It also offers the best views of the Pamban Straight and the Arabian Sea within the 2-hour travel journey.
Once you hop off the Mandapam to Rameshwaram train and reach the best hotels in Rameshwaram for a stay, take a scenic tour of Rameshwaram’s Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial, Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple, and the quiet beaches with exciting Tamil Nadu tour packages. You can also get to Rameshwaram from anywhere in the world by air. All you need to do is apply for Indian passport online and access online visa services for 180+ countries!
If you’re looking for the best train trips in India with breathtaking views, we also recommend checking out a few other routes, including the Bhubaneshwar to Brahmapur route, Kalka to Shimla route, and the Vasco da Gama to Karnataka train route. Have you travelled on any of these beautiful train journeys in India before? Let us know about your experiences in the comments!
FAQs- Beautiful Train Journeys in India
Which is the most beautiful train route in India?
The Darjeeling Railway from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is the most beautiful train route in India.
Which is the No 1 train in India?
Vande Bharat Express is India’s No.1 train, as it runs the fastest, covering 180 km in an hour.
What is the most beautiful train ride?
You can find the most beautiful train rides connecting Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, Mumbai to Goa, Jammu to Baramulla, Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, and many other locations.
Which is the No 1 luxury train in India?
Maharaja’s Express, starting from Delhi, is the most luxurious train in India.
Which train route is best?
The Kalka to Shimla train route is the best in India.
Which is the beautiful train station in India?
Ghoom railway station in India is the most beautiful and highest on the way to Darjeeling.
Which Indian train is best?
Maharaja’s Express is the best railway in India, providing luxurious amenities, mouth-watering meals, and breathtaking views.
Which is the No 1 longest train in India?
The Vivek Express is the longest train in India.
Which is the No 1 railway junction in India?
Howrah Junction is the best, since it’s the biggest one in India, with 23 platforms at two terminals.
Which is the most luxurious station in India?
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station at Jammu and Kashmir is the most luxurious station in India, with an air-conditioned hotel, elevators, lounge, continental food station, and parking lot.
Which train travels the most in India?
The Vivek Express travels the most, connecting 50 stops in India.
If you like this, you’ll also love:
- Train Travel in India: Helpful Tips for a Worry-Free Trip.
- Looking for Reasons to Travel by Train? Here Are Our Top 6 Reasons!
- Best Scenic Train Journeys in Sri Lanka!
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