There’s a certain magic when it comes to Indian train journeys. Long before you arrive at your destination, the adventure begins with the clatter of wheels against the tracks, the blur of green fields visible from outside your window, and the unexpected but warm encounters with strangers who become companions for a brief moment.
Some routes in India are so beautiful that the destination feels almost secondary, and the real reward lies with the journey itself.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (West Bengal)
This is a UNESCO World Heritage route, and the toy train is more than just a mode of transport; it is a moving postcard. Winding through tea plantations, forests, and misty hills, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway captures the charm of a gentle time. The sight of the Kanchenjunga ranges peaking through the clouds is enough to make you forget about where you are even headed.
Konkan Railway (Maharashtra to Karnataka)
This route is often described as India’s most scenic rail route. Konkan Railway hugs the Arabian Sea while cutting through the Western Ghats. This journey takes you across 2,000 bridges and nearly a hundred tunnels with waterfalls, coconut groves, and glimpses of villagers fishing along the way. It is a cinematic experience which makes reaching Goa or Mangalore feel like an afterthought.
Kangra Valley Railway (Himachal Pradesh)
This narrow railway is the definition of serenity and calmness. Running past terraced fields, apple orchards, and snow-covered peaks, the Kangra Valley Railway offers an intimate and breathtaking encounter with Himachal’s stunning landscapes, which feel like they are straight out of a Bob Ross painting. As the train passes under the shadow of the Dhauladhar range, you come to realise the ride itself is more serene and meditative than the destination.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Tamil Nadu)
Beautiful gradients, sharp curves, and the distinct blue and pale yellow coaches of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway make this ride feel like you’re in a Wes Anderson movie. This train climbs through dense forests, tea estates, and gorges, with every turn revealing a fresh perspective of the Nilgiris, and all this makes this ride unforgettable. This train journey has also been beautifully shown in movies like ‘Dil Se’, and it is nothing short of cinematic.
Jammu-Udhampur Railway (Jammu & Kashmir)
Very few train journeys can compete with this one for sheer drama and adrenaline. As the train snakes through the tunnels and over high bridges, deep valleys and the stunning Chenab river. Waterfalls tumble down the cliffs, and small villages seem like they are clinging to the mountainsides, their rooftops looking like tiny dots in the vast landscape. It feels less like a mode of transport and more like a pilgrimage to nature’s humble grandeur.
Matheran Hill Railway (Maharashtra)
This toy train to Matheran is small but full of charm. It winds through thick forests where sunlight filters through the leaves, and the smell of fresh earth and flowers fills the air. Monkeys are sometimes seen following the train along the track, adding a playful touch. This route twists around sharp bends and climbs steep hills, revealing valleys, streams, and sparkling waterfalls. By the time you reach the hill station, where no cars are allowed, the train ride itself feels like the highlight, slow, peaceful, and magical.