Our India railway holidays & tours
This has to be one of the most interesting railways on earth. Serving eight billion annual customers, and run by a million employees, India’s railways connect thousands of stations on the fourth largest network of tracks in the world. All of human life can be seen at its stations, and on its trains. Sleeper services shunt along over dreamlike spans of time, and historic narrow-gauge railways transport you to a different era as they climb the hillside. On our India railway holidays you can get all around the country whilst forgoing internal flights and meet fascinating people in the carriages and on the platforms. All in all, they’re a fantastic way to embrace everything that’s best about slow travel.
Our top Rail holidays in India
Rajasthan tours by rail, India
From
£1042 to £1495
15 days
ex flights
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
Small group2025: 27 Dec, 30 Dec, 2026: 4 Jan, 11 Jan, 13 Jan, 16 Jan, 20 Jan, 3 Feb, 6 Feb, 8 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 22 Feb, 24 Feb, 26 Feb, 3 Mar, 6 Mar, 8 Mar, 10 Mar, 12 Mar, 17 Mar, 19 Mar, 20 Mar, 22 Mar, 26 Mar, 29 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 12 Apr, 17 Apr, 21 Apr, 26 Apr, 8 May, 5 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 25 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 6 Sep, 11 Sep, 13 Sep, 18 Sep, 20 Sep, 25 Sep, 27 Sep, 1 Oct, 2 Oct, 4 Oct ...
South India tour by bus & rail
From
£835 to £1045
16 days
ex flights
Head to the beaches and backwaters of southern India.
Small group2026: 3 Jan, 9 Jan, 16 Jan, 30 Jan, 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 4 Mar, 13 Mar, 27 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May, 5 Jun, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 31 Oct, 4 Nov, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 27 Nov, 4 Dec, 19 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec, 2027: 2 Jan, 8 Jan, 12 Jan, 15 Jan, 19 Jan, 22 Jan, 29 Jan, 5 Feb, 12 Feb, 17 Feb, 19 Feb, 26 Feb, 5 Mar, 12 Mar, 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug ...
South India by rail holiday
From
£3330
19 days
inc UK flights
Rail trip visiting Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Tailor made
South India & Kerala holiday
From
£1305 to £1720
15 days
ex flights
Fishing villages and seaside communities plus iconic train journeys
Small groupDeparts Fridays and selected Tuesdays throughout the year
Indian Himalayas tour, toy trains and hill stations
From
£2860
15 days
ex flights
A train through rural India & hill stations of the Himalayas
Tailor made
Northern India culture and wildlife holiday
From
£1435 to £1925
15 days
ex flights
Northern India cultural and wildlife highlights by rail
Small group2026: 17 Jan, 21 Feb, 28 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 28 Mar, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 16 Nov, 18 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
Maharajahs Express luxury rail holiday in India
From
£2995 to £3450
5 days
ex flights
The Maharaja Express travelling in style to a new level.
Tailor made
Rail holiday in Rajasthan, India
From
£3360
18 days
inc UK flights
Explore the fascinating state of Rajasthan by train.
Tailor made
Off the beaten track holiday in Central India
From
£3950 to £5500
20 days
ex flights
Central Indian architecture, wildlife and culture by train.
Tailor made
See all our Rail holidays in IndiaContact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
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What does an India railway holiday entail?
An extraordinary opportunity to travel across India exploring so many different cities. We used local guides, hotels, transport and no flights.
– Catherine Harriss, a customer on one of our India rail trips
Booking tickets and porters
Train tickets need to be booked in advance as they can sell out on India’s busy rail network. You’re most likely to be booked into AC class on one of our trips. These are air-conditioned carriages with windows. On Indian sleeper trains, you’ll usually be in carriages with four beds per compartment. Since windows are often tinted and can get dirty, don’t expect a perfect view, but you can stretch your legs on the train and find a better viewing post (taking your valuables with you) whilst en route.
Whilst you’ll be booked into second class as much as possible, sometimes when you’re travelling in a small group on sleeper trains it’s not possible to get everyone together in the same carriage due to how the online ticketing system works. Some travellers might be in third class.
We will factor the use of railway porters into the cost of your trip, so there’s no need to struggle with your bag at stations.
Whilst you’ll be booked into second class as much as possible, sometimes when you’re travelling in a small group on sleeper trains it’s not possible to get everyone together in the same carriage due to how the online ticketing system works. Some travellers might be in third class.
We will factor the use of railway porters into the cost of your trip, so there’s no need to struggle with your bag at stations.
What to pack for a railway holiday
Though bedding is provided on sleeper services you may wish to bring a sleeping bag liner – especially since they’re very small and lightweight. Additionally, take drinking water, toilet paper (as this is not supplied) and soap or liquid hand sanitiser. Pack a quick-drying face towel as it helps to stay feeling fresh. A head torch is useful for finding your way around or reading in bed. Slip on sandals are great for wandering around. Earplugs are essential! Pack everything you will need for the journey in a day pack so you can stow your large luggage somewhere out of sight and you won’t have to dig around for anything. Bring lots of books and playing cards.
Food and tea are offered on most trains and it is also possible to get off the train and buy delicious things at the stations – trains hoot loudly before departure so you are given a warning to hop back on. However, you may also consider taking a packed lunch, especially on sleeper trains where there may be less time to buy food at stations.
Food and tea are offered on most trains and it is also possible to get off the train and buy delicious things at the stations – trains hoot loudly before departure so you are given a warning to hop back on. However, you may also consider taking a packed lunch, especially on sleeper trains where there may be less time to buy food at stations.
How to pass the time on board
Don’t lock yourself in your cabin and just emerge at the next destination. Wander the train and be open-minded. Things might not run to schedule, someone might be hard to understand, a friendly person might be trying to get to know you and maybe you just want to read your book. If you’re flexible and open, you’ll get a far more enjoyable experience and you’ll be a far better representative of your home country. Mostly, just enjoy the ride.
Night trains in India
Most people don’t change into nightwear on the sleeper trains; you simply sleep in your clothes (so wear comfortable trousers and a t-shirt). When you are asleep (or away from your berth), you could padlock your luggage to the train; wire hoops can be found under your seat for this purpose. A small chain is useful for this.
When to go on a rail holiday to India
The best time to go on an India railway holiday is whenever you see fit. The trains are always running. Your decision might depend on whether you are going on a small group tour or independently. Most small group tours avoid the summer monsoon months of July to September, when roads and railways can become impassable and timetables are unpredictable, and some also avoid December and January, which are very busy throughout India. Tailor made holidays can go ahead in peak months, but prices are high.
If you want guaranteed sun, then book your rail holiday between October and February, especially if you are heading south. February through until May is also gorgeous, although more humid, so you definitely want to make sure you have an air-conditioned carriage.
Your journey will be lit the whole way if you travel during Diwali, which falls during October or November and lasts a week. March is Holi Festival, the wonderful festival of colour. During festival season trains are busy as people travel to see family, and Indian Railways run extra services.
If you want guaranteed sun, then book your rail holiday between October and February, especially if you are heading south. February through until May is also gorgeous, although more humid, so you definitely want to make sure you have an air-conditioned carriage.
Your journey will be lit the whole way if you travel during Diwali, which falls during October or November and lasts a week. March is Holi Festival, the wonderful festival of colour. During festival season trains are busy as people travel to see family, and Indian Railways run extra services.
Our Rail holidays in India reviews
4.6
27Rail holidays in India reviews
Annette Hamer16 Nov 2025
We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we felt safe at all times, India has surpassed our expectationsread more
Sally Godden25 Feb 2025
The most exciting part was spending a day and night just with our tour group in a real fort and meeting the "king" for an informal chat on the terrace overlooking the fields and mountains as the sun went down.read more
Kristina Mänd19 Jan 2025
The itinerary struck the perfect balance between exciting activities and downtime, with incredible guided tours, stays in heritage properties, village walks, lovely local scenery, and an unforgettable cooking class in Udaipur—truly a gem.read more
Christina West24 Feb 2025
Very good, - it came up to expectations. I loved the colour and excitement of being in an Indian town, - hence visiting Madurai was for me the highlight.
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