If you’re looking for a new adventure to embark on this summer, check out these trains in India that have vistadome coaches, complete with stunning views, the ultimate comfort, and the experience of a lifetime. By Anushka Goel
Train journeys are reminiscent of fond childhood memories of hours spent looking out of the train windows, station halts bringing chai and snack vendors onboard, the scent of paranthas and sabzis our mothers often tirelessly packed for lunch (and dinner) and the crinkling of packaged snack wrappers we, as kids, would munch on as we ran up and down the train coaches, laughing away with other kids our age undertaking the same journey like ours.
Train journeys continue to remain special to date, with the variety of new, luxury chair and sleeper cars hitting the tracks to offer the ultimate comfort as you embark on your travels, specialised trains for pilgrimages, and more. Among these trains in India are the vistadome coaches, complete with huge glass windows, a glass ceiling, and rotating chairs that allow you to get a 360-degree view of your journey. As the train traverses through some stunning landscapes that India, as a country, is home to, these coaches allow you to soak in the cascading waterfalls, lush green hills, pristine beaches, and a lot more, adding a whole new charm to your train experience in India. What’s more, these coaches come complete with digital entertainment systems, WiFi, and an observation lounge, ensuring that your travel is complete with adventure and wonder.
According to reports, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) planned to roll out 90 vistadome coaches by March 2022. As of now, over 45 trains in India are equipped with vistadome coaches, and several others are set to be equipped with them soon. Check out the full list of trains that have these coaches below!
Trains in India that have vistadome coaches
According to the IRCTC website, these are the trains in India that have vistadome coaches at the moment.
Central Railway Zone
A Panoramic View of the Western Ghats: Wide window panes & glass rooftops of the first ever Vistadome Coach in Pune-Mumbai Deccan Express provide passengers with a unhindered, unique and unforgettable travel experience.
Come, experience the Western Ghats as never before! pic.twitter.com/vr2coDAq7h
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 26, 2021
The Central Railway zone consists of six trains plying on three routes, taking travellers through the vast expanses of India’s Western Ghats, beaches, rainy forests, and the Deccan Plateau. The stunning sites are a visual delight, and will be sure to energise you even before you reach your destination – be it through the waterfalls, age-old tunnels you cross, or the actual destinations themselves! The routes part of this journey are:
- Train Number 11007/08: Mumbai – Pune Express
- Train Number 12051/52: Mumbai – Madgaon Express
- Train Number 12123/24: Deccan Queen Express
East Coast Railway Zone
As of now, there’s just one train route in this zone in India that has the vistadome coaches. The journey takes one through the Eastern Ghats, traversing through stunning forests, flower valleys and tunnels. The journey is sure to be as scenic as it’ll be memorable! Check out the train below:
- Train Number 18551/52: Visakhapatnam – Kirandul Express (up to Araku)
Northeast Frontier Railway Zone
Now, enjoy the natural beauty of the Dooars area in the foothills of the Himalayas in Vistadome Coach.
Shri John Barla, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Minority Affairs, Govt. of India today flagged off a Vistadome Tourist special train between New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Jn. pic.twitter.com/jdilQLOgeF
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) August 28, 2021
The Northeast houses stunning natural beauty, complete with mountains, greenery, cloudy skies and a lot more. Traversing through the region is an experience in itself, especially via trains, and the region is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Indian Mountain Railways – the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. So, if cool, ambient weather and stunning scenery is what you are looking for, opt for a journey on one of the below-mentioned trains in India that have vistadome coaches, which will make your ride all the more special! Here are the routes:
- Train Number 15777/78: Alipurduar – New Jalpaiguri Express
- Train Number 15887/88: Guwahati – Badarpur Express
- Train Number 15907/08: Tinsukia – Naharlagun Express
- Train Number 12087/88: Naharlagun-Guwahati Shatabdi Express
- Train Numbers 52593/95/98/44, 52541, 52540 and 52556: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (NG)
Western Railway Zone
One of the trains being flagged-off tomorrow is the Jan Shatabdi Express between Ahmedabad and Kevadia. This train will have Vistadome coaches.
Sharing some glimpses. pic.twitter.com/ihsZoxOo8S
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 16, 2021
The Western Railway Zone takes one through the picturesque Western Indian landscape, covering Maharashtra, Gujarat, and other western cities. The views on these routes are filled with hills, plateaus, vast plains, children playing cricket, and vast fields, allowing one to explore the length and breadth of India in its glory. Here are the train routes:
- Train Number 20947/48: Ahmedabad – Kevadiya Express
- Train Number 20949/50: Ahmedabad – Kevadiya Express
- Train Number 52965/66: Mhow – Patalpani – Kalakund (MG)
- Train Number 09501/02, 09071/72: Billimora – Waghai (NG)
South Western Railway Zone
Now, enjoy the beauty of coastal #Karnataka through #Vistadome Coaches:
Train No 06211/12 (running b/w Yesvantpur-Mangaluru Jn) is restored to run upto Karwar
from 16.8.21 (journey from Yesvantpur) &
17.8.21 (journey from Karwar).@KonkanRailway @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/MHXjPVE4aw
— South Western Railway (@SWRRLY) August 13, 2021
South India has some of the most beautiful views, and these can be explored via the trains in India, especially through the vistadome coaches. The routes are filled with hills, waterfalls, beaches and more, making for a relaxing and stunning journey. Check out the routes below:
- Train Number 16539/40 Yeswantpur – Mangaluru Express
- Train Number –06211/12 (running b/w Yeswantpur-Mangaluru Jn, restored upto Karwar)
- Train Number 16515/16 Yeswantpur – Karwar Express
- Train Number 16575/76 Yeswantpur – Mangalore Express
- Train Number 16579/80 Yeswantpur – Shivamogga Express
Northern Railway Zone
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The vistadome coaches are part of the Kalka-Shimla Express, which is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The journey takes one through the Himalayan terrain, forest floors carpeted with fallen leaves, beautiful blooms and views of the mighty mountains. And the addition of vistadome coaches in this train in India only adds to the adventure and charm of the journey! The train routes ate:
- Train Number 52453/54 and 52459/60 Kalka – Shimla Express
North Eastern Railway zone
The Mailani-Bichiya special takes one through the state of Uttar Pradesh, with views comprising of stunning green fields and the vast plains in India. Check out the trains on this route with vistadome coaches below:
- Train Number 05319/20 Mailani – Bichiya Special (MG)
Hero and Featured Image: Piyush Goyal/Twitter
Related: Travel To These Indian Destinations In Vistadome Coaches
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: Vistadome coaches have huge glass windows and glass ceilings to allow travellers to get a 360 degree view of their journey.
Answer: You can book a vistadome ticket via the IRCTC website. Select Executive Chair Car (ECC) while booking the ticket to book your seats.
Answer: The number is at 45 at the moment, but more trains will soon have vistadome coaches attached.
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
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