🚆🌧️ 17 Best Scenic Train Journeys in India to Experience During the Monsoon
There is something magical about travelling by train during the monsoon. As the rain transforms the landscape, mountains become greener, rivers overflow, waterfalls tumble down rocky cliffs, and clouds drift through valleys, turning an ordinary journey into an unforgettable experience.
While many travellers plan road trips during the rainy season, some of India's most breathtaking views are actually best experienced from a train window. From the lush Konkan Railway and heritage toy trains of Darjeeling, Shimla, and Ooty to hidden routes through the Northeast and the Western Ghats, the monsoon brings these railway journeys to life.
Here are 17 of the best scenic train journeys in India to experience during the monsoon:
🌿 1. Konkan Railway – Mumbai to Goa or Mangalore
One of India's most spectacular monsoon train journeys. The route passes through lush green hills, countless waterfalls, rivers, bridges, and tunnels.
During the rainy season, the Western Ghats become incredibly green, and every tunnel seems to open into another beautiful landscape.
🚆 Best for: Waterfalls, mountains, bridges, and coastal scenery
🌄 2. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling
The famous UNESCO World Heritage toy train slowly climbs through tea gardens, forests, mountain towns, and misty Himalayan landscapes.
The monsoon makes the tea gardens beautifully green, while clouds and mist create a magical atmosphere across the hills.
🚆 Best for: Heritage railway experiences and mountain views
🏔️ 3. Kalka to Shimla – Himalayan Queen
This UNESCO-listed railway route passes through hundreds of bridges, tunnels, curves, and lush mountain forests.
During monsoon, the hills become beautifully green, small streams appear along the slopes, and clouds drift through the valleys.
🚆 Best for: A classic Himalayan train journey
🌳 4. Neral to Matheran – Matheran Light Railway
A small, slow, narrow-gauge train that climbs through dense forests to the peaceful, vehicle-free hill station of Matheran.
During monsoon, waterfalls appear beside the tracks and the entire route becomes covered in lush greenery.
🚆 Best for: A short and peaceful monsoon escape
🌧️ 5. Guwahati to Haflong – Assam
This scenic route passes through forests, valleys, rivers, bridges, and tunnels in the beautiful hills of Assam.
During the monsoon, the hills become incredibly green and waterfalls appear along the slopes, making this one of Northeast India's most beautiful train journeys.
🚆 Best for: Offbeat travel and untouched landscapes
💦 6. Dudhsagar Falls Route – Goa
The train route near Dudhsagar Falls is one of the most spectacular railway experiences in India.
During monsoon, the waterfall is at its most powerful, the surrounding forest is lush and green, and the mist from the falls adds to the experience.
🚆 Best for: Waterfalls and dramatic monsoon scenery
🍃 7. Nilgiri Mountain Railway – Mettupalayam to Ooty
Another UNESCO-listed heritage railway, this route climbs through forests, tea plantations, valleys, and the beautiful Nilgiri Hills.
The monsoon brings mist, clouds, and deep greenery to the entire route.
🚆 Best for: Heritage railway lovers and hill station travel
🌿 8. Sakleshpur to Subrahmanya Road – Karnataka
Often called The Green Route, this is one of the most beautiful railway journeys through the Western Ghats.
Expect mist-covered hills, dense forests, roaring waterfalls, streams, tunnels, and dramatic bridges.
🚆 Best for: Nature lovers and photographers
🌴 9. Kottayam to Kollam – Kerala
This peaceful train journey passes through paddy fields, coconut groves, rivers, canals, villages, and Kerala's famous backwaters.
The monsoon makes the countryside even greener and more beautiful.
🚆 Best for: A relaxing journey through Kerala's countryside
🌧️ 10. Agartala to Lumding – Northeast India
A long and offbeat train journey through forested hills, valleys, and rivers.
The monsoon brings misty landscapes and lush greenery, making this a wonderful choice for travellers who enjoy slow and less touristy journeys.
🚆 Best for: Exploring lesser-known parts of Northeast India
🏜️ 11. Jodhpur to Jaisalmer – Thar Desert
The monsoon transforms parts of the Thar Desert in a surprising way. After rainfall, patches of green appear across the sandy landscape.
This is a completely different kind of monsoon train journey and offers views unlike the lush mountain routes.
🚆 Best for: Unique landscapes and desert travel
🌲 12. Lumding to Sabroom – Northeast India
This railway line passes through forests, tea gardens, valleys, and remote landscapes across Assam and Tripura.
The misty monsoon atmosphere and lack of crowds make this a peaceful journey for anyone looking for something different.
🚆 Best for: Quiet journeys and offbeat exploration
🌾 13. Coimbatore to Pollachi
A peaceful route through green countryside, farms, paddy fields, and the beautiful Anamalai Hills.
During monsoon, the hills are often covered in clouds and mist, making this a lovely short journey in South India.
🚆 Best for: Slow travel and countryside views
🍵 14. Kolkata to Siliguri – North Bengal
This route passes through wetlands, green countryside, and tea garden regions before reaching the gateway to Darjeeling and Sikkim.
The monsoon makes the landscape vibrant and green, making the journey enjoyable even before reaching the hills.
🚆 Best for: Combining a train journey with a Darjeeling or Sikkim trip
🌄 15. Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley – Vistadome Train
One of India's most underrated scenic train journeys.
The route passes through the Eastern Ghats, dense forests, tribal villages, waterfalls, bridges, and numerous tunnels. The Vistadome coaches offer excellent views of the surrounding landscape.
🚆 Best for: Panoramic views and a unique monsoon experience
🌿 16. Pune to Kolhapur – Maharashtra
The journey through the Sahyadri region becomes especially beautiful towards the end of the monsoon.
By September, the hills remain green, rivers and streams are still full, and the landscape is much calmer than during the peak rainy season.
🚆 Best for: Exploring the Western Ghats and southern Maharashtra
🌧️ 17. Khandala – Lonavala – Karjat – Bhor Ghat
One of Maharashtra's most famous monsoon railway routes.
As the train travels through Bhor Ghat, you can see mist-covered hills, waterfalls, deep valleys, dense forests, tunnels, and dramatic curves.
This is one of the easiest scenic train journeys to experience from Mumbai or Pune.
🚆 Best for: A quick monsoon getaway
🌧️ Why Travel by Train During the Monsoon?
Train journeys allow you to enjoy India's changing landscapes without worrying about traffic or driving through heavy rain.
During the monsoon, mountains become greener, waterfalls come alive, rivers fill up, and even familiar landscapes look completely different. From the Western Ghats and Himalayan foothills to the tea gardens of North Bengal and the remote landscapes of Northeast India, every route offers a unique experience.
🚆 A Few Tips Before You Travel
Book your tickets early, especially for heritage and Vistadome trains.
Try to reserve a window seat.
Choose a daytime train if sightseeing is your priority.
Carry a raincoat or umbrella.
Keep your phone, camera, and power bank protected from water.
Check train running status before leaving, as heavy rain can cause delays.
Keep some extra time in your itinerary during the monsoon.
Always check the latest railway updates before travelling.
✨ The journey can sometimes be just as memorable as the destination.
So, reserve a window seat, listen to the sound of rain against the glass, watch the landscape change outside, and let the train take you through some of India's most beautiful monsoon scenery.
🚆🌧️ Which scenic train journey would you love to experience first?