Our preferred train journeys in India

Any visitors who have taken train trips in India are sure to have a story or two. One member of the ETG crew recalls the dusty legs that dangled outside her window, owned by one of the many youths sitting atop the roof as they zipped through the countryside. Another describes sitting next to a man who performed a David Bellamy impression for the entire 3-hour journey. Yet another remembers how she was invited by a teenage girl to sit on her suitcase and listen to music — one earbud each — as they waited for their ride. Moments like these are part of the charm of Indian train travel, but it’s always wise to check live train status to avoid long, uncertain waits and make the most of your journey.

The train community itself is quite charming. India’s country-owned railways have over 1.Four million employees – at the time of writing, it's far the seventh biggest enterprise within the international. At the same time, it's far making exciting strides in phrases of environmental policy – in 2018 Guhawati train station in Assam became completely sun-powered. As such, a ride at the Indian railways is a great way to get in touch with contemporary India, revealing its many faces as you trundle and pace. Complete the journey with a copy of the notable e-book, Around India in 80 Trains, and you’re onto an unforgettable journey.

We haven't any doubt in any respect that you will see something fantastic in your very own train rides in India – and the incredible landscapes out of doors your window will simply be the begin. Here, our India experts percentage the first-class train trips in India for soaking up the united states’s scenery and spirit. Come domestic together with your very own train journey to tell…

The Mountain Railways of India

Three slender-gauge train lines built within the mountains of northern India had been collectively declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The latter two bypass through specially top notch surroundings, even though every is full of man or woman and could greatly enhance your journey.

The Island Express

One of the quality ways to see Southern India, the Island Express traverses past oceans and plush Keralan hills. The route runs from Bangalore to Kanyakumari, the scared southernmost tip of India, however we advocate boarding at Trivandrum: you’ll nevertheless see the beauty of the Western Ghats, simply in a shorter 2-3 hour journey.

The Mandovi Express

Traversing Mumbai to Goa in 12 hours, the Mandovi Express is a real engineering marvel. The British conceived of this railway line but abandoned it as creation became proving too tough. This left the Indian engineers to bore through mountains and pass over one hundred rivers, as well as build ninety two tunnels and a couple of,000 bridges (such as the Panvalnadi bridge, that's currently the best viaduct in India – as you may imagine, the views from here are quite outstanding).

Chilaka Route

An off-the-overwhelmed-music option, this route will take you from Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur past the remarkably beautiful Chilaka lake in Orissa. You can journey this adventure in a holiday like our Temples, Jungles and Trains.

The Monkey Train

So-known as because of the monkeys that congregate at the far flung station structures, the Monkey Train is a high-quality manner to find out the rugged Kamlighat area of Rajasthan. This is only a brief one-hour adventure that is the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon in the Araveli Hills.

The Commuter Train from Luni to Jodhpur

Board in rural Luni for the one-hour adventure into Jodhpur. Though this isn't something you listen each day, here we’d suggest embracing rush hour. It’s the great time to get a sense of the local movement and also you’ll probably be journeying along villagers and shepherds – maybe even farm animals!

Hampi to Goa

This adventure from Hampi to Goa is not only sensible – the fastest manner to get between two fantastic locations – but additionally breathtakingly stunning. You’ll travel thru lush jungles and small rural villages, not to say the Dudhsagar waterfall, that's the second-maximum in India.

Punjab to Himachal

Pass via the stunning Kangra valley, complete of river bridges, deep gorges and plush plant life, en path to the foothills of the Himalayas. At your destination, you’ll discover your self delightfully close to an ETG favourite Lodge at Wah, the suitable destination to unwind and soak up the wonderful mountain landscapes.

Dibrugarh – Kanyakumari Vivek Express

This train can stake the proud declare of the longest single train route in India, which totals an outstanding eighty hours. The adventure which runs once a week from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari may be gruelling, but guests may be rewarded with an first rate variety of scenery and encounters as they journey from the united states of america’s northeast to the southernmost point.

Mandapam to Rameshwaram

Off the southwestern coast, you may journey from mainland India to the island of Pamban. This journey will take you throughout the sea on the second one-longest bridge of India, the Palk Strait.