9 Best Train Journeys in India You Should Not Miss in 2026

The best train journeys in India are the Kalka-Shimla toy train, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Konkan route from Mumbai to Goa, Vasco to Londa past Dudhsagar Falls, Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram, the Dooars line, the Araku Valley route and the new Katra-Srinagar line over the Chenab bridge.

Indian Railways runs one of the largest networks in the world, and some of its routes are reasons to travel by themselves. Here are nine rides worth planning a trip around, with what you will see and a few practical tips.

Quick facts: best train journeys in India

1. Kalka to Shimla

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow-gauge line of about 96 km that opened in 1903. It climbs from the plains at Kalka to Shimla through more than 100 tunnels and hundreds of bridges, and the ride takes around five to six hours.

Also read7 Best Hill Stations Near Delhi for a Quick Getaway in 2026

Trains such as the Himalayan Queen and the Shivalik Deluxe Express run on the route. It is part of the Mountain Railways of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Heavy rain can suspend services in the monsoon, so check the status before you book.

2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

The “toy train” of Darjeeling runs on a two-foot gauge track from New Jalpaiguri up to Darjeeling, crossing roads and village markets on the way. It was the first hill railway in India to get UNESCO World Heritage status, in 1999.

If you are short on time, take the joyride between Darjeeling and Ghum. It stops at the Batasia Loop, where on a clear day you can see Kanchenjunga, and passes tea gardens at a slow, easy pace. Fans of Bollywood classics such as Aradhana (1969) and Barfi! (2012) will recognise the route.

3. Nilgiri Mountain Railway

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs about 46 km from Mettupalayam to Ooty (Udhagamandalam), with Coonoor on the way. The steep section uses a rack-and-pinion system, which is rare in India, and the uphill ride takes close to five hours.

Expect forests, tea estates, tunnels and waterfalls. It joined the UNESCO list in 2005. The Mettupalayam service has limited seats, so book well in advance on IRCTC.

4. Mumbai to Goa on the Konkan Railway

The Konkan Railway runs between the Sahyadri hills and the Arabian Sea, through long tunnels and over tall viaducts. You pass paddy fields, rivers, coconut groves and small stations that look like they are made for postcards.

The ride is best just after the monsoon, from August to October, when everything is green. Since June 2023, a Vande Bharat Express also runs between Mumbai and Madgaon in Goa, which cuts the journey time for day travellers.

5. Vasco da Gama to Londa

This route goes from Goa into Karnataka through the Western Ghats. The highlight is Dudhsagar Falls, where the train passes right in front of the four-tiered waterfall. Goan villages, thick forest and smaller waterfalls fill the rest of the window.

Travel during or just after the monsoon for the fullest falls. Sit on the correct side of the train, and keep your camera ready before the bridge. The falls became familiar to film fans after the train sequence in Chennai Express (2013).

6. Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram

This is a short ride of a couple of hours, but it packs in a lot. You go from the southern tip of India into Kerala past coconut palms, backwaters, Tamil temple towers and Kerala churches.

It is easy to add to a Kanyakumari trip. Early morning trains give you the softest light and cooler weather.

7. Dooars line: Siliguri to Alipurduar

The Dooars route runs through tea gardens, rivers and forest close to the foothills of Bhutan. It passes near protected areas such as Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve, and wild elephants are often seen near the tracks.

The line was converted to broad gauge some years ago, which made it easier to reach. Trains slow down in forest stretches to protect animals, which gives you more time to look out.

8. Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley

A new addition to this list. The line from Visakhapatnam to Araku climbs the Eastern Ghats through dozens of tunnels and bridges, with valleys, coffee estates and small tribal villages along the way.

Some trains on the route carry Vistadome coaches with glass roofs and large windows. This route is popular in winter, so book early.

9. Katra to Srinagar over the Chenab bridge

The newest scenic route in India. The rail link to the Kashmir Valley opened in June 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, and flagged off Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar.

The ride crosses deep gorges, long tunnels and snow-capped peaks. It is now one of the most talked-about train journeys in the country. For more travel ideas, browse our listicles.

Tips for booking scenic train rides

• Book toy trains on IRCTC as soon as the booking window opens, especially in summer and winter holidays.
• Pick a window seat on the side facing the valley or sea.
• Check weather updates in the monsoon, as hill routes can be shut by landslides.
• Carry snacks and water. Small hill stations have few food options.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: UNESCO, Mountain Railways of India, IRCTC, Konkan Railway.