Top 13 beautiful Railway tours in India - Most scenic train journey in India

List of 13 Most Beautiful Indian Train Tours:

What will you do if you get some freedom from your everyday stressful life? And take you on a beautiful rail journey? India is the home of one of the largest railway networks in the world, with covering 115,000 km of rail tracks. There is such a long track, so it is obvious that this track passes through many beautiful and scenic places. So, we have brought 13 beautiful railway tours in India to you in which the beauty of nature dwells and you must definitely experience it but with your own purchased tickets. So let's see, today you will be on a beautiful journey. You will get an adventure from it and if you are a nature lover it definitely worthful for you.

1. Mettupalayam - Ooty [Nilgiri passenger] (Nilgiri Mountain Railway) :

Steam Toy Train

It's a 1000 mm metre gauge railway line in Tamil Nadu, built by the British in 1908. It is a popular and only toy train which runs on the natural routes of these Indian Railways. There is a distance of 46 kilometers(28 miles) from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam(Ooty) containing 13 stations. This toy train is very famous in South India, it also comes under World Heritage site by UNESCO.

"[A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]."

This train crosses 16 tunnels, 208 curves and 250 bridge in its journey. The uphill journey of this train is around 290 minutes (4.8 hours), and the downhill journey is 215 minutes (3.6 hours) from the beginning to the destination. From 1908, 'Nilgiri Passenger' still runs on the steam engine from Mettupalayam to Ooty. As the train climbs on the Nilgiri mountain it starts spreading its beauty by the lush green forests, curve bends, deep tunnels, thick pine, oak and eucalyptus trees. It runs with the highest shield of 8.33 percent which is one of the fastest track in Asia. It travels through the stations like Coonoor, Adleri, Wellington, Kateri, Rannimedi, Ketti, Coonoor Lovedale and many more for about 5 hours. Do you know that Chaiyya Chaiyya song from "Dilse" movie was shot here? 

2. Mandapam - Rameswaram (Southern Railway) :

Scenic Train Journey 

Pamban Bridge 

There is a distance of 407 km from Mandapam,Tamil Nadu to Rameswaram, which takes time to travel across and at that time you can enjoy your journey. It is also known from the intrusion journey of the ocean from Tamil Nadu to Rameshwaram linked via the highly acclaimed Pamban Railway Bridge. The 2.065 km strait journey of the train over the Pamban railway bridge gives adventures feeling and the beautiful view of the Indian Ocean. A parallel road bridge is also constructed with to rail bridge in 1988. The road bridge is also known as Indira Gandhi Road Bridge.

Pamban Road Bridge parallel to Pamban Rail Bridge 

The journey of train from Tamil Nadu station to the Pamban Island on Rameshwaram gives you calm and peace atmosphere. This is definitely one of the top 13 beautiful Indian train trips. It is also among the most dangerous train routes of India. Beside thrill and adventures this is one of the most beautiful railway routes in India. 

3. Karjat - Lonavala (Central Railway) :

Monsoon Railway Tour

The total distance between Kajrat to Lonavala by train is 28 km. This railroad is in Maharashtra. As the train passes through Karjat, it goes to the area of Western Ghats which are known for their rich biodiversity. During monsoon, this railroad becomes more beautiful with innumerable water springs and many clear streams. The thick green vegetation with hills in the background makes a beautiful view from the window of your train. Before climbing the monkey hill, the train passes through Khandala in Chriscross, via Thakurwadi. The Karjat Rail starts through Khandala and reaches Lonavala. 

4. New Jalpaiguri - Darjeeling (Darjeeling Himalayan Railway) :

Toy Train Tour

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is one of oldest Indian railways, it was built by British in 1880. This journey will be done through the railways, which is a 2-foot narrow-gauge and is based on Loop Line and Zig Zag Technology. This train covers a distance of 88 Km from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling with 12 stations in the entire journey. 

Trains are predominantly set in the day. The oldest toy train across the mountains in India is also a World Heritage Site, which was declared by UNESCO in 1999. The curves (loops) is a special feature of this railway. The most popular is the 'Batasia loop' which gives travelers a stunning sight of hills and forest. The beauty of Mount Kanchenjunga can be seen on a clear day with the city of Darjeeling and the snow. Surely you would like to enjoy this train ride with this cool atmosphere.

5. Jammu - Udhampur (Kashmir Railway):

Scenic Rail Journey 

Kashmir Railway is one of India's most beautiful railway lines, which passes through 100 bridges on 20 tunnels and short Himalayas which also hosts the highest Indian railway bridge (under construction). The Kashmir Railway line is the most challenging railway project in the Indian rail system, which crosses the major earthquake zone, high altitude mountain pass and terrain in extreme cold temperatures. In this voyage you will get the pleasure of natural beauty like valley rivers Shivalik Range, which will make you feel like you are traveling to heaven. 

6. Nilambur - Shoranur (Southern Railway) :

Scenic Train Journey 

Nilambur- Shoranur Railway route is under the control of the Palakkad division of Southern Railway. It is one of the lowest broad gauge railway lines in Kerala which is about 66 km. Many passenger trains and an express train currently operate on this scenic and beautiful environment friendly route during the southwest monsoon. It rains in the areas of the hills, valleys and paddy fields. A train trip on this route is one of the best option for enjoying and experiencing monsoon tourism in Kerala. Teak trees are the main attractions of this beautiful route. Rail route passes through eastern region of Malappuram district and can experience the natural beauty and greenery of teak forests on both sides of the track. There are four rivers and many streams on this evergreen route. 

Vegetation :

Nilambur has a major tourist attraction because there is something for everyone like Teak Museum and Bio-resources Nature park, the longest teak tree in the world, the Adyanpara waterfalls, the Canolly's Plot a National forest (the oldest teak plantation), the beautiful hanging bridge connecting Canolly's plot built over river Chaliyar , Nedumkayam(a reserve forest and safari, most famous for its Elephant camps), Banglavu Kunnu(Also known as Bungalow Hill popular for winding road), Koyippara Waterfalls, Vettakkorumakan Temple(of Lord Shiva), Vaniyambalam(a town in Nilambur famous for its fish market) are situated here.

Canolly's plot - teak plantation 

7. Kalka-Shimla [Himalayan Queen] (Northern Railway) : 

Toy Train Journey 

Himalayan Queen 

Kalka-Shimla Rail route is 2.6 feet (762 mm) narrow-gauge railway, covers the distance between Kalka and Shimla. If you want to enjoy the dramatic views of hills, beautiful valleys, amazing paths and blurry grasslands, then you can travel to Shimla in this train. This small toy train, which is now considered as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, starts with Kalka and travels through 102 tunnels including the longest tunnel located in Barog, 988 bridges, the deep valleys, 917 curves and the sharpest is 48 degree, rolling tilt, pass through the things like pine forests and Oak trees. It covers about 96.6 km of distance to reach Shimla. 

The Railway route was built between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, the "summer capital" of British. The journey is really fun, but with slow speed to reach its destination it passes through Dharampur, Barog, Solan, Salogara, Kandaghat, Tara Devi and Summer Hill stations. Snow cutters are also attached to the engine during winter season to clear the snow from the tracks. This is one of the best Indian Railways which travels through nature scenic places This is one of the best North Indian train trips.

8. Koraput - Rayagada (East Coast Railway) :

Scenic Railway Tour

Koraput-Rayagada line or popular KR line is a branch of Kothavalasa-Kirandul line in Odisha. Koraput and Rayagada railway line passes through dark and dense forests, meadows, water fall and valleys in the terrace. It covers 173 km distance between Koraput to Rayagada. 

Rayagada area is known for its beautiful beauty and legacy on the land of tribal Odisha, which is a paradise. While Rayagada is 200 meters above sea level, Koraput is at an altitude of about 800 meters. When the train goes from Koraput to Rayagada, the downhill scene looks beautiful. Charm is added to horse-shaped curves and thick forests.

9. Palace on Wheels - Delhi round-trip through Rajasthan and Agra :

Luxury Train Journey 

Palace on wheels 

If you want to do a Royal journey then this train is for you. The train has 8 days and 7 nights schedule journey departs from New Delhi (Day 1), and covers Jaipur (Day 2), Sawai Madhopur and Chittaurgarh (Day 3), Udaipur (Day 4), Jaisalmer (Day 5), Jodhpur (Day 6), Bharatpur and Agra (Day 7) and return back to New Delhi (Day 9). It is launched by Indian Railway on 26th January 1982. There are 23 coaches in the train which are named after former Rajput states. 104 tourists can travel once in this train. The train has two restaurants 'Maharaja' and 'Maharani'. The train also have its own Wi-fi with 14 saloons and a spa.

Maharaja Hotel inside the train

This train will give you a full enjoy of tour of Rajthan and we all know very well how beautiful Rajasthan is and how many mystic and surprising details of history are contained within it. It is one of the best and first luxury train of India. But apart from all this, let me also tell you that its fare is also much higher than normal.

10. Mumbai - Goa[Mandovi Express] (Konkan Railway) :

Scenic and charming Train Tour

Mandovi Express 

You will have surely thought about visiting this two places and everyone thinks. One is famous for its luxury, development and busy environment and other is for its holiday spirit and enjoyments.

As this two places are equally pleasuring in their fields, but the journey of this two places by train will not bore you. It will give you a lot of pleasurable experience from its beautiful natural scenery and mountains. 

The journey through this train is beautiful because the train crosses through the land where you can see the Sahydari hills on one side and Arabian sea on the other.

The train route crosses through 92 tunnels and 2000 bridges. This journey will give you endless worthful moments every minute through its endless small rivers, seasonal ponds, paddy fields, villages under the shades of palm and coconut trees, lush green forests.

11. Jaisalmer - Jodhpur [Desert Queen] (North Western Railway) :

Luxury Railway Journey 

Desert Queen 

Jodhpur is about 285 kilometers from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Desert Queen is a typical tourist train. This glorious train runs in Rajasthan shows every culture of its land like - the beautiful soil of the desert, the camel, the fort of Jaisalmer, the market, the old mansions and the way of living of the people, the fort of Mehrangarh and etc. 

Indian Railways announced this wonderful rail network in August 2000. This train looks really beautiful but especially from inside it is decorated very well like King's palace style. The food is also served in the style of the king. And like the king, travelers are served here. It passes through the Thar desert and through the Aravalli Range.

12. Ratnagiri - Mangalore (Konkan Railway) :

Scenic Train Route

This is also among one of the most scenic train journeys of India. This train route will sure mesmerize you by its mighty Western Ghats, rivers, bridges innumerable seasonal water streams, dense forests, deep tunnels, sharp bends. This beautiful views often make travelers hypnotized.

Must read : Nature - The biggest religion

13. Vasco Da Gama - Londa (South Western Railway) :

Scenic and Monsoon Railway Journey 

The journey from Vasco De gama in Goa to Londa in Karnataka gives a satisfaction journey with its beautiful biodiversity. You can watch through your window and enjoy the amazing view of nature. If you are a nature lover then this tour is definitely worth you. In fact, it's my personal favourite among my top 13 Railway tours of India. It is a journey to the Western Ghats with the scene of lush green forests and mountains. 

Don't disappoint when the vegetation decrease because after that Dudhsagar waterfalls will steal the show by sprinking water on your face because the force of water is very high gushing out from 300 meters. 

Dudhsagar waterfall near Londa, Karnataka

It is among one of the beautiful places of India. Do you remember Chennai Express movie? In that movie you can see the beauty of this place, but to feel it you have to go there. If you want to enjoy this waterfall closely then you've to quickly get down to Londa junction which is nearest station of it.

These are the top 13 beautiful Railway tours in India that you should make plan to travel once in your entire life. Comment and tell us which railway tour you liked the most, or which of these railways you've travelled.

Some Facts related to Indian Railway : 

• 'Gatimaan Express' is India's fastest train, attaining a speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra.

• 'Vivek Express' is the longest distance traveling train in India, connects Dibrugarh in Assam with Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. The train takes about 79 hrs to complete the journey of 4234 km.

• The 'Vembanad Rail Bridge' is the longest rail bridge in India, connects Edappally and Vallarpadam in Kochi, Kerala. The bridge is 4.62 km long.

• 'Howrah Junction' in Kolkata, West Bengal is the largest junction of India, consisting of 23 platforms.

Thanks for reading.