10 Scenic and Luxury Train Journeys in India

For scenic train journeys in India, consider the Nilgiri, Darjeeling, Kalka–Shimla, Kangra Valley, Matheran and Konkan routes. Palace on Wheels, Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey and Golden Chariot offer a different experience: packaged luxury journeys with their own itineraries and booking terms.

 

I read in my literature class once, “there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take, no matter where it’s going.” Those lines from Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Travel” struck a chord, as if they were written for me. Maybe that was the time I realised I was truly bitten by the travel bug.

It made me think about all the amazing train journeys I’ve made within and outside India and also made me long for many more such journeys. Real, fictional, magical, all train journeys will work. Maybe one day I’ll find myself at platform number 9 ¾ waiting to board the Hogwarts Express. But I digress. Let’s talk about magic some other day, for now let’s start by talking about some of the best and most incredible Indian Train Journeys.

Do let me know in comments if you have been on any of these train rides in India and how your experience was.

Luxury Train Journeys in India

 

1) Palace on Wheels

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I bet everyone knows about Palace on Wheels—India’s pioneering luxury heritage train. It brings together Rajasthan’s royal settings and the experience of a moving hotel. The official Palace on Wheels itinerary lists a seven-night, eight-day circuit from New Delhi through Rajasthan and Agra before returning to Delhi. Compare your cabin, departure and written inclusions before booking; “all-inclusive” should not be taken to mean that every personal expense is covered.

 

2) Maharajas’ Express

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The Maharajas’ Express offers royal-themed rail journeys through several of India’s cultural destinations. The appeal is still the same: seeing memorable places while travelling in comfort. Routes, journey lengths and departure programmes can change between seasons. Compare the official IRCTC Maharajas’ Express journeys for the actual route, length, dates and inclusions of the departure you choose.

 

3) Deccan Odyssey

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What started as a way of promoting luxury train tourism in Maharashtra has grown into a wider set of journeys. The Deccan Odyssey combines comfortable cabins with excursions, but the route depends on the itinerary selected; the old list of destinations was not one journey that every departure covers. Check MTDC’s Deccan Odyssey information and obtain the complete dated programme from the authorised booking provider.

 

4) Golden Chariot

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This is South India’s answer to Palace on Wheels. Golden Chariot lets you enjoy the region’s heritage in a royal setting, with interiors inspired by southern Indian design. IRCTC’s current information describes routes such as Pride of Karnataka, Jewels of South and Glimpses of Karnataka; they do not all follow the old seven-night circuits or cover the same states. Start with IRCTC Tourism’s Golden Chariot section and check your chosen departure’s nights, boarding station and included excursions.

 

Most Scenic Train Journeys in India

 

5) Nilgiri Mountain Railway

 

source: flickr.com/photos/siddhi/5498938338

The Chaiyya Chaiyya train! Cinema fans may remember the Nilgiri line from the song in Dil Se. The railway links Mettupalayam—not Coimbatore city itself—with Udagamandalam (Ooty), via Coonoor. Its steep lower section and hill scenery are the attraction. A short Coonoor–Ooty ride is a different experience from the full mountain ascent, so compare the actual boarding station, destination and service when booking.

 

6) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

source: flickr.com/photos/theabbott/3082605880

Bollywood’s romance with trains and mountains continues. Fans of Aradhana may remember the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from Mere Sapno Ki Rani. The historic route connects New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, while the popular Darjeeling–Ghum–Darjeeling joy ride is a shorter return trip. Do not confuse the two bookings. Check whether your selected departure is steam or diesel, and whether the full section you want is operating on your date.

My every train journey has brought a new sense of excitement to watching the landscapes unfold outside the window. For me, the journey has always been as meaningful as the destination.

7) Kalka-Shimla Railway

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Constructed during the British Raj, the Kalka–Shimla Railway traverses the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, offering memorable views along the way. This is a journey to enjoy slowly. Check the current trains and coach classes rather than relying on the former Shivalik Queen reference. Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Kalka–Shimla Railway together make up the UNESCO-listed Mountain Railways of India. That listing does not mean every Indian hill railway is part of the same World Heritage property.

 

8) Kangra Valley Train

source: flickr.com/photos/karunakarg/2536837056

The historic Kangra Valley Railway connects Pathankot in Punjab with Joginder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh, passing through the wider Kangra and Palampur region. Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj require an onward road transfer. Forests, hills and mountain views make this a fairy-tale setting, but closures have affected sections of the line. Kangra district’s railway guide notes sectional resumptions; it should not be read as confirmation of a through train for your dates.

 

9) Matheran Hill Railway

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The Matheran Hill Railway climbs from Neral towards Matheran through the green Western Ghats. The line is more than a century old. Full-line trains and the shorter Aman Lodge–Matheran shuttle are different services. Operations and journey times can vary, especially around the monsoon. Check which section is actually running before planning your arrival, and leave time to explore Matheran on foot.

 

10) Konkan Railway

source: flickr.com/photos/cajie/5555383233

Go from Mumbai towards Goa along the Konkan route, preferably choosing a journey whose scenic section falls in daylight. Rivers, tunnels, paddy fields, coconut plantations and the hills of the Western Ghats make this a journey to watch from the window. Compare the actual times of the Mandovi Express, Konkan Kanya Express or other available services: an overnight departure may pass the landscape you want to see in darkness. Seasonal timetables matter; Konkan Railway’s 2026 monsoon notice sets its monsoon timetable from 15 June to 20 October 2026 and asks passengers to recheck train timings.

So which is the best and most unforgettable train journey you’ve taken?

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TrodlyBird

This post was published on Trodly travel blog.

 

How to book the right train journey

• Choose the route first, then check the actual train, section, class and boarding station for your date.
• For hill railways, leave a buffer between your mainline arrival and the onward train. Check closures before relying on a through service.
• For luxury trains, compare cabin occupancy, taxes, excursions, transfers, drinks and cancellation terms in the written quotation.
• For scenery, check where the train will be in daylight rather than choosing by the departure city alone.

Use IRCTC train search for bookable services and the Indian Railways passenger enquiry portal for official enquiry resources. Our heritage railways guide explains UNESCO status and ride choices; the Indian rail journeys article has current passenger planning resources.

Scenic train journey questions

Are toy trains and luxury trains booked in the same way?

No. Hill-rail services are individual train journeys, while luxury trains are sold as multi-day packages. Match the ticket or package to the experience you want.

Is a Darjeeling joy ride the full New Jalpaiguri journey?

No. The popular joy ride is a shorter return journey from Darjeeling towards Ghum. Check the itinerary and locomotive type for your departure.

Do all hill railways run throughout the monsoon?

Do not assume so. Seasonal suspensions, weather damage and sectional operations can affect the line you plan to use. Recheck close to departure.

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Last updated: 17 October 2026. Luxury-train itineraries, route descriptions, heritage status and booking guidance reviewed. Schedules, fares and availability should be checked for the selected departure; original photographs and credits retained.