Toy Trains of India

The toy trains of India, famous for their attractively adorable appearance and intelligent engineering, offer a magical trip over bridges, up forest-covered hills and through vivid green valleys to reach the previously unreachable mountain towns.

Why go on a toy train ride in India?


Charming, scenic and impressive, the three most famous toy trains of India are a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason. The ingenuity and courage behind the construction of the toy trains make a trip worthwhile; combined with the beauty of the surroundings, it really is a journey of a lifetime. Unsurprisingly, the toy trains of India inherited their name from their petite size. A narrow gauge, engine and track was necessary in order to loop their way up the steep mountainous terrains to reach the hill towns of India once occupied by British colonials, making for a smaller (and cuter) train than usual. The construction of these trains overcame an incredible feat to ensure that visitors could witness the beauty of the dramatic and luscious surroundings and connect towns that were once only reachable with carts or on foot. Each Indian toy train journey is unique, offering distinct scenery, the charm and culture of colourful local towns and a sense of adventure as you zigzag up the green hills.

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)

Once the summer capital of the British rulers and now a popular hill resort, the cool town on the hill, Shimla, has always attracted visitors. For fans of colonial architecture, there are many colonial British-built buildings such as the Rothney Castle and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, giving visitors a glimpse into the colonial past of this beautiful town. One such building is the Viceregal Lodge, built in 1888 as the official summer residence of the British viceroys and later the scene of two conferences, in 1945 and 1946, crucial  for the dissolution of India as a colony.


However, the journey from Kalka to Shimla is an attraction in itself and is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque toy train trips in India. The steep route constructed in 1903 has to be negotiated at a slow pace. As the train climbs up rugged mountains and pine forests, you’ll be grateful for the leisurely speed as it gives you time to appreciate your surroundings. With 103 tunnels, 800 bridges and 900 curves, although the journey is long, it is always a delight.  

Darjeeling (Bengal)

Perhaps the most famous of the toy train routes, the journey to Darjeeling, is not only India’s most revered toy train but also its oldest historic mountain railway. Completed in 1881, this scenic train ride passes through local markets, towns and bridges, with epic views of lush green hills, jungles and the emblematic Darjeeling tea estates. A trip on what was once India’s most important mountain transportation link is the perfect way to enjoy the picturesque Himalayan slopes.

The adventure doesn’t end upon arrival at Darjeeling. Here you can explore the Buddhist monasteries, colonial architecture and the vibrant bazaars on the steep and winding roads. For a magical morning, take a jeep to Tiger Hill and enjoy the sunrise above the snow-covered Himalayan horizon, including four out of five of the world’s highest peaks. And, needless to say, you cannot leave without trying a Darjeeling brew.

Ooty (Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu)

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was not completed until 1908 but was the ‘original’ toy train in the sense that it was the first to be proposed, back in 1854. The rocky terrain and thickly forested hills along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway add to the beauty of the toy train trip, but they also made the construction of the tracks difficult to negotiate. Thankfully, they eventually succeeded and now we can reap the benefits. Thought to be the steepest track in Asia, this toy train trundles from 1,069 to 7,228 feet above sea level, winding up forested hills and tea estates, ambling past waterfalls, through tunnels and over bridges to reach Coonoor and Ooty, both famous for their tea.

The Nilgiri Hills are part of the Western Ghats, designated a UNESCO bio-diversity hotspot, and Ooty, nicknamed the ‘Queen of hill stations’, offers some cool relief from the Indian summer heat thanks to its high altitude. With its history as the summer headquarters of the Madras government, as established by the British in the early 19th century, Ooty offers a fusion of British-style gardens and golf course, with Hindu temples and the usual Indian bustle. A visit to nearby Coonoor is necessary to experience its tea factories and luscious green hills.

Check out our tours with these unique experiences below

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