Planning A Winter Trip? Here Are The 5 Best Train Journeys In India

Winter in India has arrived. Sweaters and Sweatshirts are coming out of the closet and people are rejoicing this relief from the scorching Indian summers. The skies are bluer, the flora greener and the whole climate becomes comforting and relaxing. What better way to enjoy this beautiful season than going on the best train journeys in India?

Train travel has always had a special place in the hearts of the Indian people. This method of transport is the most fulfilling in the winter season. Passengers can comfortably sit on their seats, a blanket around them as they watch the beautiful landscape pass by with a hot cup of tea on their train travel. Seems like an exciting and fun experience, isn’t it?

In this blog we are going to explain the best train journey you could venture this winter season. Apart from this we will also delve on the pros of winter train journey and how to make this train travel even more comfy with your friend on trains, RailMitra.

Why Winter Is the Perfect Time to Experience the Best Train Journeys in India

In India, winter isn’t just a season, but an experience to cherish. The cozy environment of the train during winters is in stark contrast with the hot, humid and sweaty summers. Winter enhances the beauty of the gorgeous Indian landscape. The misty view of the greenery filled with little droplets of fog on the leaves make them seem like a pearl.

Here are some of the reasons that make Winter the perfect time to experience the best train journeys in India:

• Bluer Skies and Misty Flora: In the winters, the skies become clearer and you get to see the blue skies for once. The landscape becomes even more beautiful with the mist of winters. It looks like someone put an Instagram filter over your train window. 

• A Photography Paradise: India is home to many gorgeous natural spots. Winter elevates their beauty even more. This season is perfect for people interested in photography to click some of their masterpieces.

• Comfortable Temperature through the Course of the Journey: Indian Winter is characterised by cold weather and bright sunlight. This is the perfect temperature to go for the best train journeys in India. People even claim this season to be the most romantic one.

• Best Time for Travellers to Explore: Most of the beautiful destinations in  the country are connected by train routes. Travelers can explore tourist favorite places such as Shimla, Darjeeling, Goa, Mangalore and Araku Valley. This is the perfect time to explore new and interesting places. 

5 Best Train Journeys In India to Enjoy this Winter Season

Now, it is time to address the core theme of this blog: the best train journeys in India to explore during the winters. These train routes are handpicked from the biggest metropolitan cities in the country. These train journeys provide a unique opportunity to visit the astonishingly beautiful sceneries.

• Delhi → Kalka → Shimla

If you live in Delhi, then a train trip to Shimla via Kalka might be among the best train journeys in India for you. You need to reach Kalka first, from Delhi. After reaching Kalka, you can then reach Shimla.

Some of the trains running on Delhi to Kalka train route:

• KLK SHATABADI (12011)

• KALKA SHTBDI EX (12005)

• NETAJI EXPRESS (12311)

• SNSI KALKA EXP (22455)

After you reach Kalka, you can then take the world famous Kalka Shimla toy train. You would come across scores of tunnels, bridges and beautiful colonial era railway stations on this train route. Such is the beauty of this scenic journey that it has been added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trains running on Shimla to Kalka train route:

• HIMALYAN QUEEN (52455)

• SHIVALK DLX EXP (52451)

• KLK SML EXPRESS (52459)

Shimla served as the summer capital of British India. When visiting this place, you would come across several areas that make you feel like you are in Europe. If you are lucky, you can also witness the snowfall of Shimla.

• Mumbai → Goa

For all the fun lovers in Mumbai, the journey to Goa is one of the best train journeys in India. Konkan Railway gives the travellers a unique opportunity to witness the gorgeous Western Ghats, beautiful beaches, bridges, waterfalls and the ever present mountains. 

To reach Goa you need to reach Madgaon Railway station. From Madgaon to Goa you can take a cab or bus. The distance isn’t that much and you will reach Goa within an hour. 

Here are some of the trains running on the Mumbai to Madgao (Goa) train route: 

1. MAO VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS (22229)
2. LTT ERS DURONTO (12223)
3. MAO TEJAS EXP (22119)
4. MAO JANSHATABDI (12051)
5. TVC RAJDHANI (12432)
6. PUNE ERS SF EXP (22150)

• Kolkata → New Jalpaiguri → Darjeeling

People living in Kolkata can also enjoy the best train journeys in India this winter. A trip to Darjeeling from Kolkata would be the perfect trip for those who want to make the most of this winter season.

There aren’t many trains running from Kolkata to Darjeeling directly. You need to reach New Jalpaiguri from Kolkata first and from there you can reach Darjeeling. You will also get to ride on the iconic Darjeeling toy train from New Jalpaiguri.

Here are some of the trains running on Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri train route:

1. VANDE BHARAT EXP (22301)
2. SHATABDI EXP (12041)
3. SARAIGHAT EXP (12345)
4. KOL SAIRANG EXP (13125)

Here are few of the trains running on New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling train route:

1. NJP DJ PASSENGER (52541)
2. NJP DJ AC PASS (52539)

While travelling from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling, you would get to see the great Mountain Kanchenjunga. In the course of the journey you would also get to see the famous tea gardens of Darjeeling famous for their tea worldwide. 

• Bengaluru → Mangalore

People living in Bengaluru can also take their winter gateway with a train journey towards Mangalore. This route is also famous for the Sakleshpur–Subramanya Ghat section which is a common trek place in the region known as the Green route railway trek.

Here are some of the trains you can take on the Bengaluru to Mangalore train route:

1. KANNUR EXP (16511)
2. SMVB MRDW EXP (16585)
3. YPR MAQ EXP (16565)

If besides mountains, you want to enjoy the beaches and the sea view then Bengaluru to Mangalore is among the most beautiful train routes to explore this winter. Here you would wind across the Western Ghats getting glimpses of dense forests, mist filled mountains and an adventurous descent into the Arabian Sea.

• Hyderabad → Visakhapatnam → Araku Valley

People living in the city of Hyderabad have a great opportunity to visit the Araku Valley. Another bonus for passengers in this route is the Vistadome trains running on this route. Vistadome trains is a special train designed to enhance the view from your train seats. These trains are equipped with large windows, glass roofs and seats that can be  turned.

There aren’t many trains that will take you to Araku Valley from  Hyderabad directly. The best method is to stop at Vishakahapatnam and then take the special  vistadome trains.

Here are some of the trains running on the Hyderabad to Vishakhapatnam train route:

1. VANDE BHARAT EX (20834)
2. VSKP VANDEBHARAT (20707)
3. VSKP DURONTO (22204)
4. GARIBRATH EXP (12740)

While travelling on Vishakhapatnam to Araku Valley train route, here are some of the trains you can take:

1. VSKP KRDL EXP (18515)
2. VSKP KRDL PGRSP (58501)
3. YNK ARK SPL (08556)

How to Make the Best Train Journeys in India even more Awesome

The best train journeys in India are enjoyed best in the winters. But apart from a favorable climate there is another factor that makes the journey comfortable and enjoyable: proper planning.

Here are some of RailMitra’s services that would make your winter train journey an event to remember.

• Check Train Time Table: Before making any booking with the Indian Railways, the most important service is Train Schedule or time table. With this, we get information about  a train’s journey, such as stations on the route, arrival/departure timing, halt duration and much more. With this service you can compare the different trains running on your route and decide which is the best train for your journey.

• Check Train Seat Availability: After you selected the best train for your journey, it is now time to see if the seats are available for booking. RailMitra’s train seat availability checker will display all the related information.

• Check PNR Status: If you made the booking, it is important to see the booking status. You can do so by RailMitra’s PNR Status check service. This service also gives a PNR prediction score for WL or RAC ticket holders. With this they can decide whether they need to wait or look for other train options.

• Check Live Train Running Status: Now that everything is sorted and you are about to come out of the house towards the Railway Station, there is one thing you should definitely check. Check the live train running status and see if the train is delayed or not. This service even provides the Live Station and the platform number on which the train will arrive.

• Order Food in Train: With RailMitra you can also order food in train directly at your seat. Food is tasty and hygienic with all the delivery vendors being FSSAI approved. You get to enjoy a variety of cuisines all around the country.

Conclusion

Winter in India is nothing like a live action bollywood movie. Just like superheroes, sports persons and movie actors have a fan following, so does the winter season in India. People wait for this season as everyone loves to stay and feel cosy in bed.

However this year, I would like you to try something different. Enjoy the comfort of home with an added advantage of a beautiful view, from the Indian Railways. Instead of staying at home why not embark upon exploring the best train journeys in India.

This winter, beat the cold with an adventurous train trip across gorgeous landscapes. Let your best friend on the train: RailMitra, guide you towards making the journey something you will remember even years later.