Have you ever stayed at a railway station? Not the kind where you lie on a hard bench and use your backpack as a pillow and wait for announcements to end. But an actual stay, inside the station itself.
A video that recently surfaced online begins with exactly this question: “Have you ever stayed at a railway station?” And what follows has left many travellers surprised. The woman in the video shares her experience of staying at Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor Railway Station, not outside it or nearby hotel, but right there, within the station premises.
Coonor: A Stay Inside A UNESCO Heritage Railway Station
As she shows the accommodation, she says, “This is Coonoor Railway Station, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Railway line. You can actually book a stay over here in just Rs 750 for 12 hours and Rs 1500 for 24 hours.”
Coonoor Railway Station is part of the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR), one of India’s most scenic and historic rail routes. Known for its toy train journeys through misty hills, tunnels and tea estates, the station itself carries old-world charm.
But what many people did not know is that it also offers official Retiring Rooms and Dormitories for railway passengers.
The woman is honest in her review: “I am not saying that the stay is luxury. Stay is basic, clean and very comfortable. But you can only use this facility if you have a reserved toy train ticket.”
View this post on Instagram
What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Staying At Coonoor Railway Station?
To stay at Coonoor Railway Station, you must meet Indian Railways’ eligibility criteria:
You must have a confirmed or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) ticket for a journey that starts or ends at Coonoor.
A valid 10-digit PNR number is required for booking.
Waitlisted or unreserved tickets are not eligible for advance online booking.
Stay duration can range from a minimum of 3 hours to a maximum of 48 hours.
How To Book?
Online via the IRCTC Retiring Room portal or the IRCTC mobile app.
Offline through spot booking at the station counter, if rooms are available, and you have a valid ticket.
The Real Magic: Silence After 4 PM
What truly made her experience special was the timing. She said, “And the fun part is, es station ki last train 4 PM ko nikal jati hai aur humare pas morning ki first train ka reservation tha, which means raat ko bilkul shaanti, no noise pollution and bas mountains, thandi hawa and sukoon (That meant complete silence at night. No noise pollution, just mountains, cool air and pure peace). Sometimes travel is not about luxury, it’s about discovering magic in the most unexpected places.”
In the caption of her post, she added: “This was one of the best experiences I had during my trip to the South. To be very honest, we ended up staying here while talking to a local. The night was memorable, and we also had the luxury of saving time and effort by being close to the railway station for our 7 AM train ride.”
For early morning travellers, staying right at the station also means no stress about arriving on time.
What Are Accommodation Types And Estimated Costs?
Coonoor, being a hill station, mostly offers non-AC rooms because the climate remains pleasant.
Here’s What Travellers Can Expect
Private Non-AC Rooms: Generally range between Rs 100 and Rs 800 for 12 hours, which depends on the room type and grade.
Dormitory Beds: The most budget-friendly option, usually between Rs 50 and Rs 300 per bed for 12 hours.
Service Charges: IRCTC adds a small fee: Rs 20 for rooms and Rs 10 for dormitory beds.
What About Facilities?
Coonoor Railway Station features 19th-century British colonial architecture. There are wood-panelled waiting rooms, old structures and even a historic maintenance yard nearby.
Other facilities include: Separate waiting rooms for different classes, basic refreshment stalls for tea and snacks, clean toilets and an information desk
From an engineering point of view, Coonoor is also special. It is the point where the train’s diesel engine is often replaced with a steam locomotive for the steep descent towards Mettupalayam. This section is the only operational rack railway in India.
Important Tips Before You Plan
If you’re thinking of trying this stay, planning ahead is very important.
Demand for the toy train is extremely high. It is advisable to book your train ticket and a retiring room 1 to 2 months in advance.
At check-in, you must present a valid government ID (Aadhar, Driving License, etc.) along with your booking receipt.
If you cancel your train ticket, your retiring room booking will automatically be cancelled within 96 hours of the scheduled check-in.
