India’s Most Beautiful Train Routes to Travel in the Monsoon

By: Swarn Rajhans | onJune 10, 2025

Are you someone who likes the rain and rushes to the terrace as soon as you hear the sound of it? While curling up in the blanket is a nice sounding option during the monsoon, for the adventure spirit in you, I present a better option: exploring India’s scenic train routes.

Train journeys provide the comfort of home along with the fun of travel. Although there are other modes of travel, enjoying the monsoon with Indian Railways, trailing through jaw droppingly beautiful train routes, is a different experience altogether.

Imagine you are on a vacation trip with your friends in the monsoon, light rain pouring outside, a hot cup of chai, handful of crispy samosas and endless conversation filled with laughter. Sounds like a fun way to enjoy this monsoon, right?

Beauty of train routes in Monsoon

Train journeys offer significant benefits over other modes of transport:

Journey through the heart of the country: Other modes of transport use the highways which are often crowded and isolated from the natural wonders. Travel options like flights skip all the natural wonders and fly over them. Rail journeys offer the true experience of going through the scenic train routes like no other.

Comfort: Train journeys are often more comfortable than a car, bus or flight. Ample leg space and the option to move around are available only in a train travel.

More Reliable: During the monsoon, train travel is the most reliable option. Roads are often waterlogged with open potholes. Flights are canceled. Trains are less affected by these changes.

Budget friendly: Travelling on trains is generally more economical than other modes of travel. With different classes of ticket available travellers can choose the seat type that suits their budget the best.

Best for group travel: For people travelling with a group, train travel offers an unparalleled experience. Railway Apps like RailMitra also have the option to order group food in train with huge offers and discounts.

Eco-friendly alternative: Trains have much lower carbon footprint than other travel options.

Top 5 train routes to visit in Monsoon

Now that we have understood the advantages a train travel proposes, let’s dive into the best train routes to explore this monsoon.

Bangalore to Goa: Witness the Western Ghats in Full Bloom

Distance: 465 km

Duration: 12 – 15:30 hours

Popular Trains: Yesvantpur–Vasco da Gama Express (17309), Vasco Express (17316), etc.

We begin our journey with one of the most picturesque train routes, Bangalore to Goa. This trip transitions from the urban landscape of Bangalore to green forests, winding valleys and misty hill tops. Slowly, you will be embraced by the Western Ghat and nature’s beauty.

One of the biggest attractions on the journey is the Dudhsagar Waterfalls. Your train will pass by the scenic location which also happens to be one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Such is the beauty of this natural wonder that a significant chunk of the movie Chennai Express was shot here.

Kalka to Shimla: Toy train Through the Himalayas

Distance: 96 km

Duration: 5 – 5:30 hours

Popular Trains: Shivalik Deluxe Express (52451), The Himalayan Queen (52455), Kalka-Shimla Express (52453), etc.

If you are a mountain person and are excited by those moments when your train passes through a tunnel, Kalka to Shimla must be among the train routes in your checklist. This beautiful exploration through the Himalayas will take you through more than 100 tunnels, 900 curves and over 800 bridges. Talk about adventure.

During the monsoon, nature becomes alive in the most beautiful way and there is no better way to witness this than Kalka to Shimla train journey. Trains go slow here at 20-25 kmph speed. The slow speed helps us to soak in the natural beauty to the full extent. Such is the charm of this place that in 2008, UNESCO declared this train route as a World Heritage Site.

You can check the seat availability as well as live running status of these trains using the RailMitra platform. RailMitra offers a fast and efficient method to check these services without any cost or login requirements.

Pune to Mumbai: Across the Sahyadri Waterfalls

Distance: 120-192 km

Duration: 2 – 5:30 hours

Popular Trains: Pune Ernakulam Superfast Express (22150), Deccan Queen (12124), Hazur Sahib Nanded – Panvel Express (PT) (17614), etc.

This train route connecting two major cities is a lifeline for thousands. However, during monsoon this becomes one of the most stunning routes to explore. As the train winds through the Sahyadri or the Western Ghats, lush green mountains, bustling rivers and clouds of mist welcome you with open hands.

A major attraction of this route is the Bhor Ghat. This is an important mountain pass in between Palasdari and Khandala. During the monsoon this stretch becomes alive, with countless waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs right beside your train seat.

Delhi to Haridwar: Sacred ride through the Shivaliks

Distance: 235-283 km

Duration: 3:30 – 7:30 hours

Popular Trains: Vande Bharat Express (22457), Nanda Devi AC SF Express or Kota Dehradun SF Express(12401), Dehradun Janshatabdi Express (12055), etc.

Delhi to Haridwar train journey can be the most transformative experience this monsoon: both geographically as well as psychologically. Transition away from the noise and chaos of Delhi to the calm and peace of Haridwar.

This is one of the most sought after spiritual train routes in the country. However in the monsoon, experiencing the Shivalik and the overflowing Ganga can be a visual spectacle.

Another plus point of this journey is that two popular destinations: Rishikesh and Dehradun are in close proximity to Haridwar. You can easily reach them through Haridwar in 1- 1:30 hours.

Howrah to Digha: Exploring Bengal’s Gangetic Delta

Distance: 185 km

Duration: 3:20 – 4 hours

Popular Trains: Tamralipta Express (PT) (12857), Kandari Express (22897), etc.

Howrah to Digha is one of the hidden and lesser known train routes to explore this rainy season. Monsoon transforms Bengal like no other state. Two mighty rivers Ganga and Brahmpaputra enter into the Bay of Bengal here. These rivers carry a lot of silt which are deposited here to form Deltas.

These deltas in monsoon make up for a visual delight. The lush paddy fields, swaying coconut trees, overflowing rivers and the gentle drizzle of the rain create a scenic experience you just cannot miss. Add to this scene a steaming cup of hot chai delivered right on to your train seat with RailMitra food delivery app.

What to Pack for a Train Journey in Rainy Season

It is exciting to enjoy the monsoon through scenic train routes. However, without proper planning and packaging everything would go astray.

Hence, here are some of the things you should pack for a train journey in the rainy season:

A light raincoat
An umbrella
Waterproof footwear
Rain covers for your backpacks
Plastic bags and ziploc bag
Clothes that dry quickly

Conclusion

Monsoon and India have a special connection. The earth balloons, the rivers chuckle and the skies pour. Everything comes into life.

While most look for a shelter to let the rain clouds pass through, the brave see it as an opportunity to explore. India is filled with breathtaking train routes that offer a window to the country’s beauty.

So, don’t spend this monsoon sitting around in your house. Pack your bags, venture out and dare to explore.