Train Journeys in India: A Traveller’s Review
I have always believed that the true essence of India lies not in airports or highways, but in its trains. The Indian Railways stretch across every landscape—from the deserts of Rajasthan to the lush green valleys of Kerala, from the snowy hills of Himachal to the beaches of Goa. When I step onto a train platform, I feel as though I’m entering a moving city, one that promises stories, flavors, friendships, and surprises. Over the years, I have boarded countless trains across the country, and each journey has shaped my perspective as a traveler.
The Anticipation at the Station
My experience begins the moment I enter a railway station. The chaos feels strangely comforting. Porters rush with luggage balanced on their heads. Vendors shout about samosas, tea, and bottled water. Families huddle together, some arguing over seats, others sharing snacks. Children wave excitedly at passing trains. The scent of fresh chai mixed with the metallic tang of the tracks always makes me smile.
I never feel bored on a station platform. Instead, I observe people and imagine their stories. A soldier hugging his mother, a newlywed couple laughing together, an old man carrying a worn-out suitcase—everyone carries a different emotion. And when the announcement crackles over the speakers, my heart races. My train is here.
Settling Into the Compartment
Once I step inside the coach, the real adventure begins. Sometimes I book an AC compartment for comfort, but most of the time I choose sleeper class because it connects me with real India. I climb onto my berth, arrange my bag under the seat, and stretch my legs. Immediately, conversations spark around me. Strangers rarely remain strangers on an Indian train.
I once met a farmer traveling to sell his produce in the city. He shared homemade parathas with me, and in return I gave him a packet of biscuits I had bought at the station. Another time, a group of college students played the guitar and sang old Bollywood songs through the night, and we all clapped and joined in. That spontaneous sense of community defines train journeys here.
Food: A Journey Within the Journey
Food on trains deserves its own chapter. Vendors hop in at every major station, carrying baskets of delights. I always keep some space in my stomach for local specialties. At Agra, I taste hot bedhai and jalebi. In Nagpur, I buy a packet of juicy oranges. Passing through Howrah, I never miss the fish cutlets wrapped in paper. Each station brings a new flavor, a new story.
I remember one winter evening on the way to Amritsar. The train stopped at a small station, and a vendor boarded with a kettle of steaming chai. The air was cold, and the hot tea tasted heavenly. I stood at the door of the train, holding that little clay cup, watching fields roll by as the sun dipped into the horizon. That moment felt priceless.
The Views From the Window
If you ask me why I love train journeys, I’ll say this: no other mode of transport gives me such uninterrupted views of India’s landscapes. I sit by the window and watch rivers flow, mountains rise, fields stretch endlessly, and villages pass in the blink of an eye.
One of my favorite rides was on the Konkan Railway. The train curved through tunnels, bridges, and lush green hills drenched in monsoon rain. Coconut palms swayed by the tracks, and little waterfalls gushed down cliffs. The rhythmic sound of wheels on tracks mixed with the sight of raindrops racing down the glass made me forget time.
In contrast, the ride across Rajasthan felt like entering another world. Sand dunes rolled under a blazing sun, and camels appeared like shadows in the distance. The landscape felt harsh yet beautiful, and the stations looked like desert outposts waiting to welcome weary travelers.
The Sleeper’s Magic: Nights on the Tracks
Sleeping on a train in India feels different from sleeping anywhere else. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels becomes a lullaby. I slide under a thin blanket, place my bag under my head, and listen to the quiet chatter fading into snores around me. Outside, the world rushes by in darkness, but inside the compartment, life slows down.
I wake up at odd hours and peek out of the window. Villages sleep under starlit skies. A solitary lantern glows in a distant field. The train whistles, long and haunting, and disappears into the night. Those moments make me feel both small and infinite at once.
Meeting People: Stories That Stay
Trains in India never fail to introduce me to fascinating people. On one journey from Delhi to Varanasi, I shared a seat with a professor who taught Sanskrit. He recited verses and explained their meanings while I scribbled notes like an eager student. Another time, on my way to Chennai, I met a mother traveling with her little boy. The child laughed at everything, from the chai vendor’s calls to the passing cows outside, and his joy became contagious.
I realize now that trains break down barriers. A software engineer, a farmer, a monk, and a traveler like me can share a meal and conversation in the same space. No one asks about status; instead, we exchange stories, songs, and snacks. That democracy of experience makes train travel unique.
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, not everything about train journeys feels perfect. Sometimes trains run late by hours, testing patience. The bathrooms, especially in sleeper class, can get messy. Vendors sometimes overcharge. Noise can disturb sleep. Yet, despite these flaws, I never lose my affection for the experience. I accept these challenges as part of the journey, like small bumps on a long, beautiful road.
Special Journeys: Luxury on Wheels
Not all train rides in India follow the same script. I once experienced the Palace on Wheels, one of India’s luxury trains. That journey felt like stepping into a royal past. Interiors gleamed with polished wood, meals arrived on fine china, and attendants treated us like royalty. From Jaipur’s palaces to Udaipur’s lakes, every stop added grandeur.
Yet, even while I enjoyed the luxury, I realized something important. The heart of Indian train journeys doesn’t lie in chandeliers or plush cabins. It beats strongest in sleeper coaches, crowded compartments, and chai-filled nights. That’s where the pulse of the country lives.
Why Trains Matter to Me
Airplanes cut across distances quickly, but they skip the journey. Buses feel cramped and restless. Cars move too privately. Trains, however, embrace you in their vastness. They allow you to share, to observe, to slow down, and to feel the land beneath you.
Every time I ride a train in India, I reconnect with the country’s soul. I see farmers in the fields, vendors at stations, children waving by the tracks. I hear stories, taste local flavors, and witness landscapes changing mile after mile. Trains remind me that India is not just a destination; it’s a continuous journey.
Conclusion
As I look back on my many train rides, I realize they shaped me as a traveler. They taught me patience, curiosity, and openness. They showed me that beauty lies not only in grand monuments or luxury hotels but also in the simple joy of sharing a meal with a stranger, sipping chai at a small-town station, or watching the world pass by from a moving window.
Train journeys in India are not just about reaching a destination. They are about living the in-between—the laughter, the stories, the landscapes, and the moments that make travel memorable. For me, the train is not transport. It is an experience, a teacher, and a companion that carries me closer to the heart of India every time I step aboard.
