Top 5 Tips for Train Travel in India

Train travel is one of the most common modes of transport in India for tourists, pilgrims and business people alike. Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in the world, and is responsible for transporting millions of people across this vast country every day. It is therefore important to ensure that the railways are up to date with the newest technology. From October 3 to 5, the Indian Railways will host the 10^th International Railway Equipment Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, Delhi.

Having travelled extensively on Indian Railways, here are my top 5 tips for train travel in India.

1. Always chain your luggage

I have always chained my luggage to the links provided under the seats and I never thought they really provided much protection, until I forgot my chain one day and my luggage was stolen. It is always better to be safe than sorry and it doesn’t take too much effort to lock your luggage and ensure that it is attached to the train, so that you don’t wake up to a nasty surprise.

2. Pre-order your food

Whilst Indian Railways offer a food service on most trains and admirably cater to a large group of people, there isn’t much choice available. I recently discovered a great online food ordering system called ‘Travel Khana’. You can place your order online in advance of your trip and someone will come and deliver a fresh meal to your seat at the station of your choice. The food is prepared at local restaurants and several meal selections are offered. Choose a thali, dosa or perhaps even biryani.

3. Use the time to yourself

Some train rides can be long, and it can get quite tiring sitting around for long periods of time. Spend this time doing things you don’t normally find time for in your busy everyday life. I usually travel with a big book, and enjoy reading it from cover to cover on a long journey, or perhaps you can finally start penning your memoirs as you make your way to your destination.

4. Carry plenty of snacks

Sometimes train journeys could end up being a little longer than planned, or the train could make an unexpected stop in the middle of nowhere. Just in case things don’t go quite as planned, it may be worth packing an extra bottle of water and some snacks so that you don’t get hungry. I make it a point to keep some nuts and biscuits with me, a great accompaniment to a hot cup of tea.

5. Be prepared for noisy neighbours

I like to get as much sleep as possible when on trains, however my neighbours don’t necessarily feel the same way. One way to block out any noise is to wear ear plugs and use an eye mask to block any light. This will help you with uninterrupted sleep, so that you wake up at your destination refreshed and ready to go.

Travelling on Indian Railways can be one of the greatest Indian travel experiences, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. 

Toy Train Travel

At a time when bullock-carts are used for towing Ferraris (a sequence from the latest Bollywood flick Ferrari Ki Sawaari), imagine if you too had to go on a summer trip to the cities ensconced between embracing rolling hills on bullock-carts, or, for that matter, ponies. So what made the hill stations of India some of the most-visited tourist destinations despite being well-connected?

The introduction of toy trains to destinations like Ooty, Darjeeling, Shimla and Matheran have made getting there a lot more smoother and not to mention, a lot more fun! Besides the thrill of the ride, these trains, which could find a place in any children’s book, have contributed to the boom in tourism numbers. An excursion to hilly terrains is not just a way of escaping the scorching summer heat but, more often than not, these toy trains operating on narrow gauge tracks draw rail buffs in huge numbers for whom the journey offers more excitement than the destination!

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Not meant for the hurried traveller (8 hours approximately), the Darjeeling railway was the first hill railway to start in India. It runs between the plains of New Jalpaiguri and the hills of Darjeeling, while passing through the bustling town of Siliguri. Allowing an uninterrupted view of the Himalayas, sans any tunnels en route, the train chugs up through clouds enveloped in mist. Rail enthusiasts curiously await the encounters with several zig-zag curves, especially ‘agony point’ – a spiral ascend that churns the contents of any stomach. Today, Darjeeling is synonymous with the toy train to the extent that the landscape seems incomplete without it.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Destination: Ooty)
A summer weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days, Ooty, a major tourist attraction, enjoys the reputation of being called the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. The journey to Ooty on its toy train from Mettupalayam (4.5 hours approximately) snakes through rolling forest clad hills with green tea plantations. Amidst the dazzling view of the picturesque surroundings, passengers can watch women picking tea leaves on the way. The enthralling train ride is punctuated by quaint arched bridges, long tunnels and gushing streams. A trip to this paradise is worth the effort, if only for the tantalizing train ride.

The Kalka-Shimla Rail Route
A favourite haunt for summer vacationers, Shimla and its toy train remains a tourist delight. Passing through 103 tunnels and 700 lofty bridges, this train takes approximately five hours to cruise from Kalka to Shimla. The experience of comfortable reversible cushioned chairs, fancy interiors and the view of green stretches from the wide glass windows offer a unique panorama that is unmatched. With two-thirds of its track being curved, this rail route offers the steepest rise in altitude and is featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Matheran Light Railway
Running between sunrise and sunset, this toy train takes about two hours to reach Matheran from Neral. Earlier, this line used to be shut from July to August, with rain gods playing spoilsport as the risk of landslides was high. To the delight of tourists, the Matheran Light Railway runs during the monsoons now. Hugging the hillside, the train halts at a couple of stations and passes through one short tunnel known as ’One Kiss Tunnel’. The best part about this mountain track is that it is out of bounds for any vehicular traffic (even bicycles are banned).

It’s not surprising then that Darjeeling, Ooty and Shimla Mountain Railways enjoy heritage status by being accorded a listing as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. So, get ready to beat the heat and allow yourself a cooling escape with the charm of old-world travel in these toy trains. Book your tickets for the joyride well in advance as there’s no ‘tatkal’ facility!