The romance of travel journeys resonates so deeply with some travellers, they’ll grab any opportunity at hand to set off for enriching experiences anywhere in India. India has long been notable for having the world’s most extended rail network—thus providing linkages to a galaxy of destinations scattered across urban spaces as well as rural landscapes. What’s added that extra allure to this mode of travel is the availability of several luxury train tours and the piquant delight of travel by heritage toy trains in favourite hill towns.
That said, a new chapter in India’s rail travel has been opened with the launch of the air-conditioned Vistadome coach trains that are equipped with massive picture windows and glass-topped ceilings. The facilities includ 360° rotatable seats and pushback chairs, an observation lounge with huge glass windows on three sides, a passenger information system, a digital entertainment system as well as bio-toilets, multi-tiered steel luggage shelves, snack tables, and a tourist-friendly lounge.
Vistadome coaches are available on select trains. The first of these facilities was launched on the Jan Shatabdi Express on the Mumbai-Madgaon (Goa) run way back in 2018. The uninterrupted views of the verdant Western Ghats the train was passing through was a mind-blowing experience— hailing a fabulous new experience for travellers on a well-oiled route, but never with such a memorable offering.
The huge success of this offering resulted in the launch of the second Vistadome coach on the Mumbai-Madgaon route, then attached to Tejas Express in September 2022, for superb experiences of the natural beauty of the Western Ghats and the stunning Konkan region. Today passengers can also savour the mesmerising spectacle of valleys, rivers and waterfalls which opens up on the Mumbai-Goa route and the gorgeous vistas of Western Ghats on the Mumbai-Pune route.
The Ahmedabad – Kevadiya Express offers amazing experiences of the little-known Kevadiya city, now world famous for the Statue of Unity the world’s tallest statue searing the city skyline at 597 ft. The Vistadome coaches on the Yesvantpur – Mangaluru Jn. Weekly Express offer the most awesome spectacles from IT city Bengaluru to the coastal hub of Mangalore. An unforgettable experience of the superb panoramas of the rural expanses of Kashmir valley is yours to enjoy from the newly launched 40-seater glass-topped coaches on the Banihal Vistadome Special. Srinagar, Awantipora, Anantnag and Qazigund are important halts along the 90-kilometre route.
So, there you have it! Who’s up for a spectacular Indian rail experience? And that’s just half of it. If you’ve got the bucks there’s an alluring range of luxury train tours on offer as well, which allows you to travel like royalty to some of India’s most iconic heritage and history-infused destinations.