Top 10 Train Journeys of India I read in my literature class once "My heart is warm with the friends I make, and better friends I'll not be knowing, yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take, no matter where it's going." It struck a chord within me, as if these lines were written for me. Maybe that was the time I realized that I was truly bitten by the travel bug.

1. Top 10 Train Journeys of India You Should Not Miss

2. Luxury Trains

3. Palace on Wheels
I bet everyone knows about Palace on
Wheels – India's first ever luxury train.
It has everything – exotic locales, the
desert, being treated like royalty and a
unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The all-inclusive journey of 7N/8D will
cover most of Rajasthan's highpoints
and will even take you to see the Taj
Mahal in Agra. Besides being decked
up with all the splendour of
Rajasthan, the train also has all the
modern amenities, such as attached
bathrooms, wifi, air conditioner,
restaurants, and so on. Royal
Rajasthan on Wheels is another
popular luxury train tour that focuses
exclusively on Rajasthan.
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunpreet28/3162936989

4. Maharaja Express
Newly opened, the Maharaja
Express gives you 5 different pan
India travel itineraries to choose
from. The shortest being 3N/4D and
the longest one at 7N/8D, the
journeys cover some of the culture
capitals of Northern and Central
India. Palace on Wheels started the
trend and some of these royal-
themed train journeys follow it,
treating you like a royalty that is. The
train operates only during the
months of October to April.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/14589121@N00/4808584361

5. Deccan Odyssey
What started as promoting luxury train
tourism in Maharashtra soon fanned
into something bigger. They now offer a
pan India package that starts and ends
at either Delhi or Mumbai and the
duration is of 7N/8D. Travelers enjoy
their journey in comfort by relaxing in
luxuriously designed cabins and also
partake the onboard services that are
managed by the Taj Group of Hotels.
The itinerary covers Sindhudurga, Goa,
Kolhapur, Ajanta and Ellora, Sawai
Madhopur,Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/14589121@N00/4150727668

6. Golden Chariot
This is South India's answer to Palace
on Wheels. Operating on two
different tour circuits (each for
7N/8D), Golden Chariot lets you enjoy
royalty the South Indian way. The
Pride of South takes you to forts and
palaces, tiger reserve and UNESCO
World Heritage sites. And the
Southern Splendour takes you on a
temple trail of South India and also
covers Pondicherry and Kovalam. Each
tour departs from Bangalore and the
train interiors are tastefully designed,
inspired from Hoyasala style
architecture. Each cabin is fully
furnished with all the latest
amenities.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/arunkatiyar/6619793371

7. Scenic Train Journeys

8. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
The chhaiya chhaiya train! Before
Shahrukh Khan got on the Chennai
Express and after he eloped with
Simran in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le
Jaayenge, he created history by
dancing atop a moving train with
several other dancers and swayed to
the beats of 'chhaiya chhaiya'. This
was that train! The Nilgiri Mountain
train runs on steam engines and runs
between Coimbatore (Mettupalayam)
and Ooty.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/siddhi/5498938338

9. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Bollywood's romance with trains
and mountains continues. Guess
where was 'mere sapno ki raani'
filmed? In Aradhana, Rajesh Khanna
serenaded a coy Sharmila Tagore
who was riding this train. More
recently, Barfi and Parineeta also
featured this train. This train, also
known as 'toy train' runs
between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeel
ing and meanders through cities,
towns, hills and highways.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/theabbott/3082605880

10. Kalka-Shimla Railway
Constructed during the British Raj, this
train traverses through the mountains
of Himachal Pradesh, offering the most
breathtaking views along the way. The
96 km journey from Kalka toShimla can
also be done through a luxury coach
offered on this line – the Shivalik
Queen. Interestingly, Nilgiri Mountain
Railway, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
and Kalka-Shimla Railway are
collectively known as Mountain
Railways of India and are designated as
UNESCO World Heritage site!
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/8293801@N07/9116722536/

11. Kangra Valley Train
It covers a distance of 164 kms
from Pathankot, Punjab to
Jogindernagar, Himachal Pradesh and
passes
through Kangra and Palampur. Dharamsh
alaand McLeodGanj are close from
Kangra station. This fairy tale like train
journey passes through forests, hills and
all that nature has to offer. The train
moves at a relaxed, easy pace, giving you
plenty of opportunity to take in the
snow-capped Himalayas and the
beautiful scenery of the mountains.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/karunakarg/2536837056

12. Matheran Hill Railway
This 'toy train' runs from Neral
to Matheran and passes through the
lush green forests of the Western
Ghats. It will soon complete 100 years
of operations. Pretty remarkable! The
journey of 21 kms takes about 2 hours
and 20 minutes, and gives you an
opportunity to slow down your pace.
Consider departing from Neral station
in the morning so that you have rest of
the day to explore the pollution-free
environment of Matheran at your
leisure.
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/himanshu_sarpotdar/3297650328/

13. Konkan Railway
Go from Mumbai to Goa on Konkan
Railway, preferably take the day
journey and enjoy the breathtaking
views enroute. There are several trains
to choose from, Mandovi Express,
Konkan Kanya Express and Jan
Shatabdi express. The train goes
through a remarkable 92 tunnels,
crosses 2000 bridges over numerous
rivers and streams and takes you on a
picturesque journey through paddy
fields, coconut plantations and hills of
the Sahyadri ranges.
So which is the best and most
unforgettable train journey you've
taken?
Source: www.flickr.com/photos/cajie/5555383233