The Most Scenic Train Routes You Can Experience In India

We have scanned train routes across India to bring you a list of seven of the most scenic rides you can take. From lush tea plantations to snow-capped mountains, the views from these train rides across India are guaranteed to please every passenger.

Goa (Vasco Da Gama – Londa)

Through beach towns, dense forests, past frothy waterfalls, mysterious tunnels and lush green fields, this stretch of rail takes you through the best of the Konkan Coast and the Western Ghats Mountains. The train also passes by one of India’s tallest waterfalls, Dudhsagar at the border of Goa and Karnataka.

Darjeeling Toy Train

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway or “Toy Train”, India

Kashmir Valley Railways

Offering an unbelievable ride through the snow-capped mountains of northernmost India, the Kashmir Valley Railways is among India’s most special rail journeys. The Jammu – Udhampur route passes through 20 major tunnels and 158 bridges, giving passengers breathtaking views of rivers, valleys, mountains and forests. Another stretch, the Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla passes through snowy valleys and steep mountains giving you glimpses of Kashmir’s most beautiful peaks.

Tea Fields of Assam (Guwahati-Lumding-Silchar)

Cutting through the lush green tea fields of Assam past rivers and valleys of unimaginable beauty, the Guwahati-Lumding-Silchar rail route is a uniquely memorable experience. Framed by silhouettes of distant hills, the tea fields do not just form a pretty sight but also lend a distinct aroma to the air – making this ride almost therapeutic with its beauty.

Guwahati-Lumding-Silchar rail route, India

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Built in 1908, this stretch of rail from Mettupalayam to Ooty in Tamil Nadu passes through 16 tunnels and across 250 bridges in the Nilgiri mountain ranges. The route is said to have the steepest rail track in Asia and offers among the most picturesque views one can imagine. Dense and hilly forests, tea gardens, rocky hills, steep cliffs and all sorts of stunning natural views grace this historic rail route which has recently been marked a World Heritage Site.

Desert Queen (Jaipur – Jaisalmer)

Passing through the arid desert of Thar in Rajasthan, the Jaipur to Jaisalmer rail route is nothing short of magical. Stretches of desert, stray camels, villages filled with mud huts, and clear, open skies form views during this scenic ride between two of Rajasthan’s most historic cities.

Kerala (Ernakulam – Kollam – Trivandrum)

Passing through the coast of Kerala from Cochin or Ernakulam to Trivandrum, this rail route is utterly unique in the range of scenic views it offers. From Kerala’s cherished backwaters to paddy fields and endless coconut trees, the very best of the southern state is at offer during this breezy, calm ride.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.