A New Era for Wildlife Tourism
For decades, reaching India’s premier national parks often involved a long, tiring road journey after a train or flight. The expansion of the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat network is changing this narrative. These trains offer a comfortable, fast, and family-friendly
alternative, connecting major urban centres to railway stations that serve as convenient gateways to the wild. Passengers can enjoy spacious seating, clean bio-vacuum toilets, and onboard catering, arriving refreshed and ready for adventure. This combination of speed and comfort is making wildlife getaways more accessible than ever, reducing reliance on long car rides and making the journey itself a pleasant part of the vacation.
Gateway to Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Ranthambore National Park, famous for its majestic tigers set against the backdrop of ancient forts and ruins, is now remarkably accessible. Several Vande Bharat trains connect major cities to Sawai Madhopur Junction, the primary railhead for the park. From the station, the main entrance to Ranthambore is just a 10 to 12-kilometre drive, a short 20 to 30-minute taxi ride away. This seamless connectivity allows travellers from cities like Delhi, Agra, and Udaipur to plan weekend trips focused on tiger sightings and exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ranthambore Fort, without the exhaustive multi-hour drive that was previously unavoidable.
Accessing Corbett, Uttarakhand
Jim Corbett National Park, India’s oldest national park and a haven for tigers, elephants, and over 600 bird species, has also benefited. While the Vande Bharat from Delhi terminates at Dehradun, this station serves as a comfortable starting point for the scenic four to five-hour drive to the park. For a more direct rail approach, travellers can take a connecting train from major junctions to Ramnagar Railway Station, which is located just 12 kilometres from the park. The Vande Bharat journey significantly cuts down the initial leg of the trip, making a visit to the Himalayan foothills and Corbett's diverse ecosystems a more viable and less stressful option for families.
The Central India Safari Circuit
Nagpur, often called the 'Tiger Capital of India', has become a pivotal hub thanks to Vande Bharat services connecting it to cities like Pune, Bilaspur, and Secunderabad. This positions Nagpur as a fantastic launchpad for exploring the rich wildlife of Central India. From Nagpur, several world-renowned tiger reserves are within a few hours' drive, including Pench National Park (approx. 90 km), Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (approx. 150 km), and Kanha National Park. By taking a comfortable overnight or day journey on a Vande Bharat train to Nagpur, wildlife enthusiasts can efficiently access multiple parks in a single trip.
Southern Jewels: Bandipur and Gir
The Vande Bharat network's reach extends to the south and west as well. Travellers can take a Vande Bharat Express to Mysuru, which is about 80 kilometres from Bandipur National Park, a key part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The road journey from Mysuru takes about two hours, bringing you to the habitat of tigers, Asian elephants, and leopards. Further west, the Sabarmati–Veraval Vande Bharat Express provides easy access to Gir National Park in Gujarat, the last remaining home of the Asiatic lion. The Veraval station is only 45 kilometres from Sasan Gir, making it a quick trip to the park's main entrance.
