Why Travelling By Trains Is Still The Most Underrated Way To See The Country

We are in a rush to get everywhere. Flights, highways and bullet trains are designed to shave off hours. But speak to anyone who has travelled extensively across India, and they will tell you the same thing. Some journeys are meant to be slow. Train travel in India may not be seen as luxurious, but it offers something most flights cannot. A connection to the country. The whistle of the chaiwala in the morning, the blur of mustard fields at sunset, and the way life unfolds on every station platform. Indian Railways offers a front-row seat to the country's soul. For those who think trains are inconvenient or outdated, think again. This is not just about getting from point A to B. It is about soaking in the in-betweens. And sometimes, the in-betweens are the best part.

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Here Are 5 Reasons Why Train Travel Is The Most Rewarding Way To See India:

1. Because The Views From A Train Are A Whole Experience

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Flights may be fast, but they skip everything worth seeing. Train routes like the ones through Kerala's backwaters or Rajasthan's desert towns offer unmatched views. Whether it is the tea gardens in Assam or the coastline along the Konkan Railway, every few hours the landscape transforms. It is like watching the country change seasons in a single sitting. From village kids waving as the train passes to cattle grazing in sun-drenched fields, these are visuals that no in-flight entertainment can match.

2. You Witness Everyday India In Motion

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There is no better way to see real India than from a second-class window seat. You will find all kinds of travellers. Schoolchildren, newlyweds, office-goers, tourists, monks. Everyone shares the same compartments, the same food trays, the same view. The sense of community is unspoken but present. You overhear stories in ten different languages, watch strangers share snacks, and see the country reveal itself. Unfiltered, unscripted and completely authentic.

3. You Carry More Than Just Luggage - You Carry Time

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Modern travel is all about efficiency. But trains slow you down in the best way possible. You finally get the time to read, to write, to stare out of the window without a timeline or deadline hanging over your head. No one is rushing you. There is no fasten seatbelt sign or reminder to switch off your device. You might find yourself playing cards with fellow passengers, chatting with someone from a completely different world, or just enjoying your fourth cup of train chai. And that is the beauty. You have nowhere else to be.

4. It Is Budget-Friendly, But Rich In Experience

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Among all modes of transport in India, trains are still the most cost-effective. But affordability does not mean compromise. From the sleeper class with its earthy, lived-in vibe to AC coaches that bring in a dash of comfort, every type of traveller has a seat here. And some of the most scenic routes in the country, like the Nilgiri Mountain Railway or Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, are also surprisingly affordable.

5. Every Train Ride Becomes A Story Worth Telling

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The most unexpected memories are often made in trains. Someone will offer you their lunch because yours did not arrive. A vendor will remember your exact tea order across stations. Strangers might break into Antakshari or start sharing life advice with you. And before you realise it, those 12 or 24 hours will leave behind stories that you carry for years. Train journeys are not about ticking places off a list. They are about the small things. The pauses, the people, the passing sights that stay with you long after the journey ends.

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So, the next time you plan a trip across the country, do not write off the idea of taking a train. The pace may be slower. But everything else is richer. You will see more, feel more, and maybe even come back with more than just photos. You will return with stories worth telling.