What is the story about?
Travelling by train in India has always been more than a commute—it’s an emotion. It’s the piping hot chai sold at a station just when you need it most,
the rustle of newspapers wrapping crispy samosas, the rush of cool wind when you lean out for a glimpse of a river, and the chance conversations with strangers who somehow become part of your story. For decades, the Indian Railways has been woven into our lives. But every once in a while, it reinvents itself and the Vande Bharat Express is that reinvention in motion. Sleek, fast, and unapologetically Indian, the Vande Bharat isn’t just about speed, it’s about making train journeys exciting again. With more routes being rolled out, these trains are turning ordinary trips into unforgettable experiences. Here are nine routes that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
1. Could Delhi to Srinagar Soon Be the Most Scenic Train Ride in India?
Almost certainly. Expected to launch on 26 January 2025, the Delhi–Srinagar Vande Bharat is already in the limelight. The reason? It crosses the Chenab Bridge. Take a minute, and imagine yourself gliding 359 metres above the river, snow-peaked mountains watching silently as your train hums past. Covering 800 km in 13 hours, this ride isn’t just a journey—it’s history being made on rails.
2. What Makes the Delhi to Dehradun Route Special?
For mountain lovers who dread winding bus rides, this one’s a dream. Zipping through Meerut, Roorkee, and Haridwar, the Vande Bharat Exprees offers fleeting yet breathtaking views of Uttarakhand’s green hills. At 302 km in under five hours, it’s short enough to be comfortable but long enough for a hot cup of tea and a quick selfie with mist curling over the fields.
3. Why Do Travellers Swear by the Delhi to Amb Andaura Ride?
Himachal has always been the stuff of postcards, but this route captures its essence beautifully. From Chandigarh’s urban pulse to Anandpur Sahib’s calm spirituality, and finally to Una, the five-hour ride packs in variety. It’s quick enough for a weekend getaway, yet the landscapes will keep your eyes glued to the window.
4. Is the Pune to Hubballi Journey Worth the Buzz?
Absolutely. If road trips through the Western Ghats are famous for their Instagram reels, the Pune–Hubballi Vande Bharat is their rail rival. The train winds through Satara, Belgaum, and Dharwad, serving up eight-and-a-half hours of cinematic greenery, rolling hills, and endless skies. Except this isn’t a movie—it’s the real deal.
5. Can Mumbai to Goa Get Any More Magical?
Turns out, yes. Cutting through Panvel, Ratnagiri, and Kankavali before reaching Madgaon, this ride redefines the idea of a beach holiday. Normally 7 hours 45 minutes, it runs a little longer during monsoons, but the extra time gifts you misty valleys, cascading waterfalls, and Konkan cliffs shrouded in green. Sometimes, delays are blessings in disguise.
6. How Does Odisha Shine on the Rourkela to Puri Route?
Want to understand Odisha without stepping off the train? This journey does just that. Rolling across 505 km in 7.5 hours, the Vande Bharat Express moves past Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, and Cuttack. It slowly reveals the state’s shifting landscapes and by the time you reach Puri, home to the famous Jagannath Temple, you’ll already feel like you’ve taken a cultural crash course on wheels.
7. Why Is the New Jalpaiguri to Guwahati Train So Special?
Because it marks the Northeast’s first Vande Bharat. Covering 410 km in 6 hours, it threads through emerald tea gardens, forests dense with mystery, and wide, open fields. More Vande Bharat routes are planned in the Northeast, but this one is the pioneer—a stunning start for the region.
8. Is Madurai to Bengaluru Really Worth the Hype?
More than you’d think. This 586 km journey in under eight hours is a whistle-stop tour of southern culture. Passing through Tiruchirappalli, Salem, and Dindigul, the train offers slices of Tamil Nadu’s history, food, and vibrance, before rolling into Bengaluru’s bustle. You’ll step off feeling like you’ve travelled through an entire state without leaving your seat.
9. Why Is the Ernakulam to Bengaluru Route So Popular?
Because it blends practicality with beauty. Launched in 2024, this 608 km, 9-hour ride is already a hot favourite. From Thrissur’s temple towns to Coimbatore’s old-world charm, from Palakkad’s paddy fields to Erode’s commerce, every halt adds a chapter to the story. No wonder it’s one of the busiest routes in South India.
Whether you’re chasing mountains, beaches, or the heartlands of culture, one thing is clear: with Vande Bharat, the destination will always be special, but the journey might just outshine it.
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