5 Exclusive Mountain Railways To Experience In India

Since the British introduced trains to the country, India has become fond of the train journey. They have introduced many styles of trains since then, like luxury trains, super-fast trains, semi-luxury trains, mountain trains, and others.

The best way to experience the craggy terrain of any mountain region is by taking a slow mountain train along the loops and tunnels to spot extreme landscapes that are dotted with natural beauty and untouched serenity. While you are in India, here are the top five mountain-range trains to enjoy.

1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Darjeeling is rich with meadows of lush grass, glorious tea gardens, and the freezing beauty of Kanchenjunga in the background.

No wonder it has been considered a romantic summer retreat spot for the past few centuries. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway runs for 78 km between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

The train covers many hairpin bends, bridges, tunnels, switchbacks, and others as it runs through the serpentine tracks. There are two types of trains running on this route based on the fuel it uses - diesel and steam.

Price of ticket: INR 800 – INR 1,300

Best time to visit: October to March

2. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway

This railway track covers the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty. This 46 km long train track route runs between Mettupalayam and Ootacamund (Ooty). This is one of the few toy trains with heritage status in the country.

Do you know that the tracks of this route run up to 7,228 ft above sea level? This engineering masterpiece adds more beauty to a trip to the mountains, which is already the queen of beauty. The train covers many landscapes like tea estates, deep ravines, rocky terrain, thick forest, and others.

Price of the ticket: INR 15 – INR 205

Best time to visit: October to June

Read More About the Maharajas' Express Train

Maharajas' Express Information
Maharajas' Express Facilities
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Maharajas' Express FAQs
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Maharajas' Express Schedule

3. Kalka Shimla Railway

Unlike most of the other mountain trains, this is considered the economic way to reach Shimla. This breathtaking train route covers many beauties along the ranges of the Himalayan route.

This narrow gauge runs for 97 km connecting the plains of Kalka with the gorgeous mountain kingdom of Shimla. This toy train runs through 103 tunnels and 800 bridges, apart from other landscape beauties. The entire train route will be a journey through scenic spots.

Price of the ticket: INR 70- INR 500

Best time to visit: March to June

Read more about Palace On Wheels Train :

Luxury train Palace on Wheels
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Palace on Wheels train route

4. Kangra Valley Railway

This is another toy train of the country, and it connects Pathankot with Jodinder Nagar. The train covers 164 km and reaches the peak altitude at 4,000 ft above sea level, covering more than 950 bridges.

The entire journey is a collection of mountainous vistas. This is the last narrow gauge that was built in the country.

Price of the ticket: INR 27

Best time to visit: March to June

Luxury train tour packages :

Deccan Odyssey luxury train
Heritage Odyssey
History of the Deccan Odyssey train
Schedule of Deccan Odyssey train
Cost of the Deccan Odyssey train
Book the Deccan Odyssey train

5. Matheran Hill Railway

Connecting Neral and Matheran, this is an incredible route with tunnels, sharp turns, and switchbacks. The best of all is the thrill you get when the train moves through a tunnel named ‘One Kiss’.

This train is yet to get its heritage status. The entire 21 km of this train journey is marked with awe and sighs.

Price of the ticket: INR 65 – INR 1325

Best time to visit: March to May

The prices change from time to time, and the departure time, too. It is best to check with IRCTC or other official sites for booking and other details. Unfortunately, many mountain trains do not have a booking option. You need to physically visit the station to get tickets and hope for the best seats.

Types of Luxury Trains in India

Maharajas Express
Deccan Odyssey
Palace On Wheels

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