Scenic Train Routes in India: Best Journeys Through Mountains, Deserts, and Villages

When you think of scenic train routes, rail journeys that offer stunning views and cultural immersion, not just transportation. Also known as heritage train experiences, these routes turn travel into a slow, soulful adventure. India doesn’t just have trains—it has moving postcards. While most travelers rush from city to city, the real magic happens on the rails that wind through Himalayan valleys, across desert dunes, and past tea plantations so green they look painted.

One of the most famous is the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line that climbs from the plains to the misty hills of Darjeeling with steam engines dating back to the 1880s. It’s not fast, but it’s unforgettable—each curve reveals a new valley, every station a village frozen in time. Then there’s the Kalka Shimla Railway, another narrow-gauge marvel that snakes through 102 tunnels and over 800 bridges, connecting the foothills to the old British summer capital. You’ll pass pine forests, colonial-era stations, and locals selling fresh fruit from baskets on the platform. These aren’t just trains—they’re living museums on rails.

Head west and you’ll find the Thar Desert Express, a luxury journey through Rajasthan’s golden sands, where camel caravans dot the horizon and forts rise like ancient dreams. Or take the Konkan Railway along India’s western coast, where the train clings to cliffs above the Arabian Sea, slipping through waterfalls and tunnels carved into green hills. These routes aren’t about getting somewhere fast—they’re about feeling every moment in between.

What makes these journeys special isn’t just the scenery. It’s the people. A grandmother selling hot chai at a station no one else stops at. A child waving from a rooftop as the train passes. A conductor who remembers your name by day three. These are the moments no guidebook can plan. And that’s why people keep coming back—not for the luxury, not for the speed, but for the quiet wonder of watching India unfold from a window.

Below, you’ll find real stories from travelers who took these routes, tips on when to go, what to pack, and which trains still run on steam. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape or a photo-worthy adventure, these train rides don’t just take you places—they change how you see them.