15 Beautiful Train Routes in India You Must Experience

(Distances/durations above are approximate and can vary slightly by exact train number; always confirm on IRCTC.)

1. Himalayan Queen: Kalka to Shimla

The ride from Kalka to Shimla is like entering a fairy tale. With each twist and turn, the train passes through pine-covered hilly regions, charming stations, and more than one hundred tunnels. The beauty of the Kalka Shimla toy train route lies in its slow pace, heritage charm, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

• Route Highlights: A heritage toy train journey through pine forests, mountain tunnels, and picturesque hill stations. This route is renowned for its colonial ambience and Himalayan scenery.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares generally start from INR 265 and can go up to INR 475 depending on the train and class. Book early during summer holidays.

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: Jalpaiguri/NJP to Darjeeling

The toy train in Darjeeling is a renowned engineering marvel and also has great historic significance. The journey takes one through misty hills, tea plantations, mountain towns and also gives amazing views of the Kanchenjunga mountains. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway's UNESCO heritage status makes this journey a bucket-list experience for rail enthusiasts.

• Route Highlights: This UNESCO-recognised toy train winds through tea gardens, hillside towns, and the iconic Batasia Loop with stunning mountain scenery.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Expect fares between INR 1,400 and INR 1,740. Heritage and steam services often sell out quickly.

3. Vasco Da Gama to Londa (Goa-Karnataka)

There is no better way to witness the beauty of the Western Ghats than taking a train journey on this route. The dense forest, valleys and waterfalls characterise the entire region, particularly during the monsoon season. Travellers exploring Goa tour packages often include this scenic railway stretch to experience a completely different side of Goa.

• Route Highlights: One of the finest Western Ghats journeys, featuring dense forests, deep valleys, and seasonal waterfalls, especially during the monsoon.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Tickets usually range from INR 505 to INR 1,255. Choose a daytime train for the best views.

4. Mumbai to Goa (Konkan Railway)

This route proves that travelling to Goa is equally exciting as staying there. Due to so many tunnels, rivers and lush green hills, the train journey offers beautiful views throughout the year. The Mumbai to Goa train's scenic view becomes even more memorable during the monsoon season.

• Route Highlights: The journey passes through tunnels, rivers, bridges, and lush green landscapes that become particularly dramatic during the monsoon.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares vary from INR 320 to INR 3,000 depending on class. Vistadome coaches offer enhanced views.

5. Kanyakumari to Trivandrum

This route connects the southernmost point of India to the capital city of Kerala and offers travellers an amazing ride through both coastal and rural surroundings. Travellers are able to enjoy a variety of attractions, including coconut groves, fishing hamlets and the Arabian Sea. It easily ranks among the most beautiful train routes in India for nature lovers.

• Route Highlights: A relaxing coastal route featuring coconut groves, village scenery, and occasional glimpses of the Arabian Sea.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Tickets are affordable, ranging from INR 145 to INR 1,175. Daytime travel offers better scenery. 

6. Matheran Hill Railway 

Although it is short in distance, it is a heritage train that passes through picturesque forests and scenic viewpoints. The slow pace of the train gives the travellers a great chance to appreciate the surroundings. Matheran delivers a delightful experience for travellers looking for a memorable hill train in India. 

• Route Highlights: This heritage narrow-gauge railway makes its way through wooded hills and picturesque spots before getting to the vehicle-free hill station at Matheran.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares generally range from INR 45 to INR 305. Check operational status before planning your trip.

7. Kashmir Valley Railway - Jammu to Baramulla 

The Kashmir Valley Railway Jammu to Baramulla will provide you with wonderful scenes of snow-topped mountains, rivers and valleys during your entire journey.  Many Kashmir tour packages include this scenic train experience, allowing visitors to witness the region's landscapes from a unique perspective. 

• Route Highlights: A spectacular route showcasing snow-capped peaks, valleys, tunnels, and modern engineering across the Kashmir region.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Tickets typically range from INR 400 to INR 3,500. Morning journeys provide clearer views.

8. Desert Queen - Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

The railway track passes through the middle of the Thar Desert, known for its golden landscape stretching endlessly in every direction. The villages and sandstone structures add to the appeal of the region. The Jaisalmer to Jodhpur desert train journey offers a fascinating contrast to India's greener railway routes.

• Route Highlights: The rail journey through this desert presents panoramic views of the sand dunes, remote settlements, and the unique terrain of the Thar Desert.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares usually start around INR 210 and can exceed INR 1,190 in higher classes.

9. Nilgiri Mountain Railway - Mettupalayam to Ooty

The steam engine, the foggy hills, and the endless tea gardens create the ideal combination to make this one a truly memorable train journey. The ascent into the Nilgiris is a gradual process that unfolds with breathtaking views along the way. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty train journey remains one of India's most celebrated heritage rail adventures. 

• Route Highlights: A UNESCO-listed railway known for steam locomotives, tea plantations, mountain tunnels, and mist-covered hills.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Ticket prices range from INR 965 to INR 1,470. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

10. Chilika Route - Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur 

The tourists on this route can experience amazing sights of Asia's biggest brackish water lake. During winter, there are some migratory birds that add charm to this beauty. Frequently featured among the top scenic train routes in India, this journey combines natural beauty with peaceful surroundings.

• Route Highlights: People can see Chilika Lake, wetlands, and migratory birds, especially in the winter season.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares generally range between INR 145 and INR 1,175. Window seats are worth securing.

11. Sethu Express - Mandapam to Rameswaram

The real magic begins when the train passes through the famous Pamban Bridge, where water seems endless on both sides. This is something that cannot be experienced on any other rail trip in India. This route consistently appears on lists of the most beautiful train journeys in India. 

• Route Highlights: The best part is crossing the world-renowned Pamban Bridge, surrounded by stunning views of the sea.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Tickets usually cost between INR 30 and INR 1,165. Travel during daylight hours for the best experience.

12. Mumbai to Pune (via Lonavla-Khandala)

The Western Ghats present an amazing sightseeing experience on this route. Waterfalls flow through the cliffs and clouds float over the valleys. Widely regarded as a classic scenic railway in India, this journey transforms a routine commute into a visual treat. 

• Route Highlights: The Western Ghats circuit includes waterfalls, valleys, tunnels, and verdant hills, especially during the monsoon.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares generally range from INR 100 to INR 1,190. Book your tickets beforehand as prices rise during peak season.

13. Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley

The train journey slowly moves away from the coast and heads towards the forest-covered Eastern Ghats region. Tunnels, bridges and coffee plantations ensure that the passengers on board remain entertained throughout their journey. Araku is one of the best hill stations in India, and travelling there by train is equally enjoyable.

• Route Highlights: The route passes through numerous tunnels, bridges, coffee plantations, and scenic Eastern Ghats landscapes.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Ticket prices typically range from INR 45 to INR 725. Vistadome coaches are popular on this route.

14. Dooars Voyage (Siliguri-Alipurduar)

The lush greenery, meandering rivers, and tea plantations offer a unique landscape that can be found nowhere else in India. Sights of wildlife make the experience all the more exciting. It is not difficult to understand why this journey is considered one of the most famous train journeys in India. 

• Route Highlights: Dense forests, tea gardens, rivers, and wildlife-rich landscapes make this one of eastern India's most scenic rail journeys.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Fares generally range from INR 145 to INR 1,175. Daytime services offer the best sightseeing opportunities.

15. Kollam-Sengottai Chord Line 

This route offers a stunning transition from the greenery of Kerala to the raw beauty of the Western Ghats. It features historic bridges, tunnels and forest-covered slopes. Travellers exploring Kerala tour packages consider this railway journey a hidden gem that everyone must visit.

• Route Highlights: A beautiful journey through the Western Ghats featuring tunnels, bridges, waterfalls, and dense greenery.
• Fare and Booking Tips: Tickets usually range between INR 145 and INR 990. Monsoon and post-monsoon months offer the most dramatic scenery.

How to Book Tickets for These Scenic Train Routes

Dreaming of taking the most photogenic train routes in India? With some prior planning, your journey can be made easy and simple. The most famous picturesque trains like the Kalka-Shimla train, the Darjeeling-Himalayan train, the Nilgiri Mountain train and trains that run along the Konkan Coast usually attract many tourists, especially during the holiday season. Create and validate your IRCTC account before you begin booking your tickets.

• Book tickets as early as possible, especially for heritage trains and Vistadome coaches.
• Use the train number rather than only the route name to find the correct service quickly.
• Check the journey timing and choose daytime trains whenever possible to enjoy the scenery.
• Look for window seats or Vistadome coaches on routes known for spectacular views.
• Keep alternative travel dates in mind if your preferred train is fully booked.
• Monitor Tatkal availability if regular tickets are sold out.
• Download your e-ticket and carry a valid ID proof while travelling.
• Recheck train schedules closer to your travel date, as timings may occasionally change.
• During peak seasons, plan accommodation and local transport alongside your ticket booking.

Knowing how to book Indian Railways scenic train tickets in advance can help you secure better seats and avoid last-minute disappointment. With the proper preparation in place, it will be easier to concentrate on enjoying rather than the logistics.

Best Time to Take These Scenic Train Journeys (Season-wise) 

India's scenic train routes look completely different as the seasons change. A journey through the Western Ghats during the monsoon feels worlds apart from a winter ride across Rajasthan's desert landscapes or a summer escape into the hills. 

Choosing the best time to travel scenic train routes in India can make a huge difference to your experience, whether you're chasing lush greenery, clear mountain views, or pleasant weather.

Monsoon Routes

The rainy season transforms many rail journeys into spectacular visual experiences. Waterfalls gush down hillsides, forests turn vibrant green, and mist adds a magical touch to the landscape. Popular monsoon train journeys in India include Mumbai-Goa on the Konkan Railway, Vasco Da Gama–Londa, Mumbai–Pune via Lonavala, and the Kollam–Sengottai route.

Winter Routes

Winter is suitable for trips to deserts and lake resorts due to cool weather and clear skies. Routes such as Jodhpur-Jaisalmer, Bhubaneswar-Brahmapur (Chilika Lake), Kanyakumari-Trivandrum, and Mandapam-Rameswaram are particularly enjoyable between October and February.

Summer Routes

During summers, mountain railways become an escape from the heat. Some of the most common routes for summertime include the Kalka-Shimla Railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the Matheran Hill Railway.

Conclusion

If you are someone who is planning a trip but is confused about whether to take a flight or book a train, then give the train a chance. You will be taken aback by the beauty of the journey. The beautiful changing landscape can create memories that can last forever. The above beautiful train routes in India continue to entice tourists who wish to have a memorable and much more rewarding experience.