We’ve all been to the train station, bought a dozen periodicals, comics, and snack packs, and fought for the window seat. For train fans, the Lifeline of India has compiled 12 of India’s most beautiful rail excursions.

We always appreciate a few things in our lives from childhood to adulthood. Train rides are what most Indians & people who have lived and grown up in India associate with. The Indian Railways serves 30 million people across the culturally and geographically varied subcontinent.

Here is a list of India’s most attractive rail routes:

1. Himalayan Queen (Shimla to Kalka)

This rail ride by the “toy train” is necessary for individuals who adore movies and feel ‘filmy’ while travelling. The trains along this line look like toy trains and will bring out your inner child. This 96-kilometer-long route, which began in 1903, runs through 102 tunnels & 82 bridges and has been granted a world record by the Guinness Book of World Records for the steepest climb in altitude in a 96-kilometer period. On this charming miniature train, you will pass through breathtaking scenery throughout your 5-hour journey. 

Everything from pine woods to oak trees, valleys, Deodar and Rhododendron forests, and a road that rises upwards till you reach Shimla will leave you speechless. All this and more await you on this ride, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The Indian Railways’ Toy Train on this route is a visual treat. The rail trip from Kalka to Shimla may be slower but more scenic than the destinations.

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Darjeeling to Jalpaiguri)

Another thrilling toy train excursion is the one from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. The trip takes you through a succession of landscapes, altitudes, and climate changes; Jalpaiguri is a plain, while Darjeeling is a hill station serving India’s greatest tea. Prepare for a journey framed by the Himalayas via tea plantations and forests, with the possibility of seeing the beautiful Kanchenjunga if the skies are clear. 

The tour takes you as close to the tea gardens as possible, where you can smell the intoxicating aroma of tea. It’s worth noting that this train travels on meter gauge and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

3. Londa to Vasco Da Gama

The ride from Vasco Da Gama in Goa to Londa in Karnataka provides the satisfaction that only viewing pristine Goan villages zooms by your window can provide.

The view changes to lush foliage and mountains as it ascends to the Western Ghats. Waterfalls steal the spotlight as the flora fades, splattering water on your face due to the force it gushes. The greatest time to go on this excursion is after the rain when the clay soil is a brilliant red colour.

4. From Mumbai to Goa

These two locations are frequently mentioned! One for its glitzy and hectic lifestyle, and the other for the vacation vibe it creates!

The train that connects you to these destinations is equally beautiful, running between the Sahyadri highlands on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. This route, which passes through 92 tunnels and 2000 bridges, provides postcard-worthy views every five seconds, with infinite expanses of water, paddy fields, and communities beneath the shade of coconut trees.

5. Trivandrum-Kanyakumari

This brief train ride among coconut trees and gliding past classic Tamil and Keralite architecture is packed with exquisite sensory ticklers. Gopurams and ornately decorated temples cross over to welcome traditional Keralite churches and a completely other architectural style. This train excursion takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of South India.

6. Matheran Hill Railway 

Matheran, Maharashtra’s only heritage railway, is still a favourite among Mumbai residents and visitors for its serenity and tranquillity. Akbar Peerbhoy constructed this small gauge rail line between 1901 and 1907. It travels through extensive swaths of woodland territory and is 20 kilometres long. Whether travelling alone or with family and friends, this excursion will undoubtedly take your mind off problems for the short time it takes.

7. Dooars Expedition (Siliguri-New Mal-Hasimara-Alipurduar)

It is without a doubt one of the best train lines in India because it runs through so many forests and wildlife sanctuaries. It includes Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Chapramari Forest, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, and Buxa Tiger Reserve, as well as several stream crossings. The train track was recently converted to broad gauge, so there is little traffic, but it is worth every minute for the fascinating amounts of flora and fauna found there.

8. Mandapam, Pamban, and Rameswaram

This route is fascinating and a must-try for people who like adventure. It is known as one of the most challenging routes in India because it runs on a thin bridge. This bridge is renowned as India’s second-longest bridge. The path connects Mandapam in Tamil Nadu to the island of Rameswaram and will instantly captivate you.

9. The Deccan Odyssey of the Indian Maharaja

On its 10-night voyage from Pune to Delhi and back, this luxury train gives its passengers a library, an Ayurvedic massage centre, a beauty parlour, steam baths, a gymnasium, a business centre, conference rooms, air-conditioned coaches, and luxury suites. It stops at major tourist attractions ranging from the Ajanta Ellora caves in Maharashtra to the Taj Mahal in Agra. The elegance aboard the Deccan Odyssey is breathtaking. Everything about the train and its service screams monarchy and the word “Maharaja,” which makes the voyage worthwhile.

10. Desert Queen

A trek from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer via the Thar desert defies the misconception that deserts are only desolate areas. The tourist is greeted by the sight of the never-ending desert. It both liberates and frightens the mind and is dotted by colourful traditional mud homes and many camels grazing about the site. Sunrises in the desert are something that few people get to see because we favour colder climates. But it is one train route that will challenge your tastes and take you on a ride. It will make you feel like you’re on top of the world, a lone ranger, joyful and pleased.

11. Bhubaneshwar-Brahmapur Chilka Route

A morning ride from Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur is enough for Orissa to demonstrate its majesty. This rail track, nestled between the Eastern Ghats and the Chilka Lake, ensures you see everything. It is worth noting that Chilika is the second-largest lagoon for migratory birds, and this location is a must-see for bird enthusiasts everywhere.

12. Mumbai – Pune

This train excursion is delightful because it passes through many exciting locations. Starting in Mumbai, where you’re all set for the three-hour travel to Pune, you pass through Karjat, famous for its vada pavs. Following that, you will come across Lonavala, Khandala, and other picturesque hill stations that you should take advantage of. Lonavala is famous for its chikki and jelly fruits and other unusual train treats rarely of high quality elsewhere. Travellers are rewarded with stunning waterfalls and Monkey Hill views, but careful monkeys nowadays even adore cell phones.

Conclusion

The picturesque train routes of India provide a captivating journey across varied landscapes, highlighting the country’s rich fabric of culture and nature. The train’s regular chug becomes a lovely tune, complimenting the picturesque landscapes outside. Explore the world’s third-largest railway network and its unique sights. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and enjoy these tranquil vistas.