Best Routes for Train Travel in India on a 30-Day eVisa

Exploring train travel in India over a full month is a dream adventure. With a 30-day eVisa, visitors can experience incredible routes across regions—enough to fill your memory with scenic views, local stories, and unforgettable moments. This article will guide you through the best routes for train travel in India, and explain everything you need—from how to plan, to India Visa Online applications and India Visa Requirements.

Why Choose Train Travel in India?

When you arrive in India on a 30-day eVisa, you may wonder: is train travel in India really the best way to move between cities? Definitely. Indian Railways connects every part of the country, from coastal beaches to snow-capped mountains. Trains are affordable, comfortable and offer a glimpse into everyday life. Plus you don’t need to worry about flights or long road journeys once you understand India Visa Requirements, and have used India Visa Online services.

Planning Your Month of Train Travel in India

Start by applying for your India Visa Online. Make sure you know the India Visa Requirements: passport, photo, travel dates, and eVisa fees. Once you receive your 30-day eVisa, plan a rough itinerary: north, east, west, and south. Here are best routes for train travel in India that work well in a single trip.

1. The Himalayan Heritage: Kalka – Shimla & New Jalpaiguri – Darjeeling

One of the most iconic experiences in train travel in India is the Kalka to Shimla toy train. This narrow-gauge line climbs through over 100 tunnels and nearly as many bridges, winding through pine forests on the Himalayan foothills. The pace is slow, but the views are breathtaking. It’s also recognized as UNESCO Heritage.

Similarly, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling takes you through tea plantations, forest curves, and mountain air. This is a slow ride, around seven hours, but the landscapes—especially if the skies are clear—feel magical.

These routes are perfect early in your 30-day journey to acclimatize to hill country and enjoy the nostalgia of heritage rail.

2. Coastal Beauty: Konkan Railway (Mumbai – Goa / Madgaon)

For stunning coastal views, train travel in India along the Konkan Railway is unmatched. Trains like the Mandovi Express run from Mumbai to Goa and pass through the Western Ghats. You’ll see the Arabian Sea on one side and hills on the other. The route has many tunnels and bridges and, during monsoon months, waterfalls like Dudhsagar erupt as you ride past.

This scenic corridor is ideal for the middle of your month, when you want sun, beaches, and peaceful rides.

3. Luxury and Heritage: Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot

If you have room in your itinerary and budget, taking a luxury heritage tour on trains like Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, or the Golden Chariot offers curated experiences. Maharajas’ Express has multiple 3–7 night itineraries across Rajasthan, the Golden Triangle or central India, with fine dining, guided sightseeing and royal comfort.

These journeys count as train travel in India too, especially for travelers who want history, heritage hotels, and hassle-free tours. They make excellent anchors in your itinerary after experiencing simpler daily trains.

4. Wildlife & Spiritual Circuits: Mahaparinirvan Express & Regular Passenger Options

For spiritual or wildlife themed rail journeys, the Mahaparinirvan Express on the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit is perfect. It runs an eight-day tour visiting Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, and Kushinagar—ideal if you want a deeper cultural experience.

You can complement this with regular trains—like Howrah to Varanasi or Delhi to Varanasi—for a mix of spiritual sites, pilgrim towns, and everyday India.

5. Hill Station Charm: Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Mettupalayam – Ooty)

In South India, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty through the Blue Mountains. It’s the only rack railway in India, traveling through 208 curves, 250 bridges and many tunnels—all while climbing steep gradients. The ride takes about five hours up.

This becomes a peaceful south-India highlight in the final week of your 30-day train travel in India plan.

Sample 30-Day Train Travel in India Itinerary

Here’s a suggested itinerary combining these routes:

• Arrive in Delhi → train to Kalka → Shimla toy train
• Return south, then board Deccan Odyssey or Maharajas’ Express for Rajasthan loop
• End in Delhi, then take overnight train to Varanasi and join Mahaparinirvan Express spiritual circuit
• Head east: take Kolkata area routes, then travel north again to Darjeeling via New Jalpaiguri
• Jump down back to Mumbai, catch Konkan Railway to Goa
• Continue by train to Mettupalayam, then ride Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty
• Finish your last days relaxing in South India, returning to departure city

This plan keeps train journeys enriching but paced—without long gaps or rushed segments.

Tips & FAQs to Leave You Doubt-Free

• Booking & Tickets: Use India Rail IRCTC website or app. Make advance reservations especially for scenic/tourist trains and overnight journeys.
• Time & Seasons: Toy trains run seasonally. Hill routes close in winter. Monsoon transforms coastal routes beautifully. Plan around weather.
• Budget Tips: Regular sleeper classes cost ₹500–₹1500 for long journeys. Luxury trains can cost from USD 5,000 and up.
• Safety & Comfort: Keep water, light snacks, and wipes. Use station porters. Guard your belongings at stations.
• Visa & Interlink: Always carry printed eVisa approval. Know the India Visa Requirements: eVisa is valid at designated entry ports, and you must travel within 30 days. India Visa Online portal helps with application and status tracking.

Final Thoughts

Choosing train travel in India on your 30-day eVisa opens up incredible variety—heritage mountain lines, royal luxury tours, coastal vistas, spiritual circuits, and peaceful hill retreats. Each route offers a human story: smiling vendors at station, changing landscapes outside the window, and the slow rhythm of Indian Railways linking it all.

By starting with India Visa Online, meeting the India Visa Requirements, and planning a balanced route, you’ll complete your journey without doubts. In the end, you’ll have seen India not just as destinations—but as a living experience felt through rail tracks, shared meals, and changing scenery.

Enjoy your train travel in India—and may your month be full of discoveries!