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Our top train travel experiences in India

  • Nov 19, 2025
  • 4 min read

Anyone who has taken train rides through India will be bound to tell a tale or two. One of the team members at ETG remembers the muddy legs dangling from her window — belonging to one of the many youngsters who sat on the roof while they cruised across the country. Another recalls sitting with a man who did a David Bellamy impression for the whole three hours. Yet another describes how she was enticed by a teenager to sit on her suitcase while they listened to music with one earbud each as they waited for their bus. And through all of these stories, it’s hard not to think about checking the current train status — knowing exactly where your train is and whether it’s on time adds a layer of comfort to even the wildest journey.


The train system is fascinating in its own right. The railways of India's state-owned railways employ over 1.4 million employees. At the moment when this article was written, it is the 7th largest employers in the world. However they are making impressive progress in the area of environment policy. In 2018, Guhawati railway station located in Assam was fully powered by solar energy. Therefore, a journey through railways on Indian railways is a great method of getting acquainted with the modern India as you discover its many faces as you move and move. Take home the wonderful guidebook, Around India in 80 Trains to embark on an unforgettable journey.


There is absolutely no doubt that you'll witness some amazing sights on your train journeys in India and the stunning scenery that you see from your window is only the beginning. In this article, our India experts share the top train travel experiences in India to take in the beauty of India and its people. Return home with your personal train trip to remember...


The Mountain Railways of India

Three narrow-gauge railway lines that were constructed in the northern mountains of India have been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the Kalka-Shimla Railway and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The last two lines travel through spectacular scenery, however each has its own distinct character and can make your trip more enjoyable.



The Island Express

One of the most effective methods to experience Southern India, the Island Express takes you through the ocean and a beautiful Keralan hills. The journey is a journey between Bangalore to Kanyakumari The most dangerous southernmost point of India We recommend that you board at Trivandrum You'll still be able to see the stunning beauty in Kerala's Western Ghats, just in the shorter time of a couple of hours.


The Mandovi Express

The Mandovi Express travels from Mumbai from Mumbai to Goa in a mere 12 hours and a half, the Mandovi Express is a true engineering marvel. The British had the idea of this railway line, but decided to abandon it since construction proved difficult. The Indian engineers to drill through the mountains and traverse over 100 rivers, in addition to create 92 tunnels as well as more than 2,000 bridges (including the Panvalnadi bridge that is among the top viaducts of India and as you can imagine the views from here are quite amazing).



Chilaka Route

A less traveled route takes travelers through Bhubaneswar to Brahmapur through the stunning Chilaka Lake in Orissa. This journey can be taken during a vacation similar to our temples, jungles as well as Trains.


The Monkey Train

It is a popular name due to the number of monkeys who gather on the stations that are not accessible to the public and platforms, the Monkey Train is an excellent way to explore the rough Kamlighat region in Rajasthan. It is a brief one-hour ride which is a great option to enjoy a leisurely time within the Araveli Hills.



The Commuter Train from Luni to Jodhpur

Take a bus from the rural Luni for the one-hour drive to Jodhpur. Although this isn't something you're likely to hear everyday it is a good idea to embrace rush hour. This is the best moment to experience the dynamism of what's happening in the community and you'll probably be traveling with shepherds and villagers - perhaps even cattle!


Hampi to Goa

The journey between Hampi to Goa isn't just practical - it's also the fastest method to travel between two amazing destinations, but also stunningly gorgeous. The journey will take you through lush forests and small villages in addition to the Dudhsagar waterfall that is the second highest in India.



Punjab to Himachal

Take a trip through the stunning Kangra valley, which is full of rivers deep gorges, awe-inspiring waterfalls and lush flora on the way to the foothills of Himalayas. Once you reach your destination you'll be close to the ETG favorite lodge at Wah Wah, the perfect place to relax and enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery.


Dibrugarh - Kanyakumari Vivek Express

The train has its claim as one of the longest single train journeys in India — running over 80 hours. The service runs twice a week from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari, and while such a long trip can be exhausting, travelers are rewarded with an amazing variety of landscapes as they travel from the northeast all the way down to the southern tip. For those planning this epic ride, RailMitra is a handy companion: the app lets you check live train running status, verify seat availability, and plan layovers or stops along the way.


Mandapam to Rameshwaram

From the southwestern coastline it is possible to travel between mainland India towards the Indian island Pamban. The journey will cross the ocean via the second-longest bridge in India The Palk Strait.


 
 
 

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