Train Journeys in India: Best Routes, Scenic Rides, and Travel Tips

When you think of train journeys in India, long-distance rail travel that connects cities, mountains, deserts, and coastlines across a vast and diverse country. Also known as Indian rail travel, it’s not just a way to get from A to B—it’s a cultural experience, a moving window into India’s soul. Whether you’re crossing the Thar Desert on a slow local or gliding through the Western Ghats on a luxury sleeper, India’s railways offer something no flight ever can: rhythm, randomness, and real life.

What makes these scenic train routes India, rail lines that pass through breathtaking landscapes, from Himalayan foothills to coastal cliffs. Also known as railway tourism India, they turn travel into sightseeing so unforgettable? Take the Kalka-Shimla toy train—a UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge ride that winds through pine forests and colonial-era stations. Or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, where tea plantations roll past your window like green waves. Then there’s the Palace on Wheels, a luxury trains India, opulent, curated rail experiences with butler service, fine dining, and guided excursions. Also known as royal train tours India, they’re not just transport—they’re mobile heritage hotels that take you from Jaipur’s palaces to Udaipur’s lakes without unpacking a single bag.

These journeys aren’t just for tourists. Locals rely on them too—migrant workers, students, families visiting relatives. That’s why you’ll find chai vendors hopping between cars, kids selling homemade snacks, and strangers sharing stories over samosas. The chaos is part of the charm. You don’t just ride a train in India—you live inside it for a few hours, a day, or even a week.

Planning one? Know this: the best routes aren’t always the fastest. The Konkan Railway hugs the west coast with tunnels carved into cliffs and bridges over waterfalls. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway climbs 1,000 meters through misty hills with steam engines from 1908. And the Vivek Express? It runs from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kanyakumari at India’s southern tip—over 4,200 kilometers, four days, and a true cross-country pilgrimage.

You won’t find all these trips on Google Maps. They’re not marketed like flights. You learn about them from travelers, from old railway posters, from the guy at the station who says, "You’ve got to take this one." That’s why this collection of posts exists—to cut through the noise and show you the real, the rare, and the remarkable routes you can’t afford to miss.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve taken these trains—their tips on booking, what to pack, when to go, and which stops to never skip. No fluff. No ads. Just the kind of details that turn a train ride into a memory.