Are you bored with the usual schedule of monotonous life and yearning to get rid of them for a couple of days? Or would you like to settle down and enjoy a peaceful life in a blissful location? If you’re searching for a serene destination, your quest is over! Travelling to beautiful locations through a train journey makes the experience even more memorable. While undertaking long train trips in India, you can enjoy a comfortable journey if you order food in train online through authorized e-catering partners such as RailRestro and check train running status.

India has a galore of hill stations spread across the country, making it a serene and endearing destination for tourists. It has spectacular hill stations with the highest mountain ranges in the world. From the Himalayas, running north to east, to the stunning Aravali and Vindhya ranges flanking the western and central parts of the country, India offers some of the most mesmerizing landscapes in the world. From the misty Coorg valley to the adventure-filled Manali, India has lots to offer to its tourists.

Kashmir has some of the most beautiful hill stations in India, including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Srinagar and Sonmarg. In Himachal Pradesh, tourists may also find popular options, like Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie. Mussoorie and Nainital are among the most popular hill stations in northern India and Coorg, Ooty, and Kodaikanal in South India.

Darjeeling, West Bengal

Darjeeling is nestled in the northern regions of West Bengal. It is surrounded by endless slopes of emerald-green tea plantations and set against the backdrop of rugged white Himalayan peaks. A ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, known as the ‘Toyline,’ is a perfect way to discover and immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings of this hill station.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Tiger Hill, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Observatory Hill, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and, Rock Garden.

Best Time to Visit: February to March, September to December

Ideal Duration: Explore Darjeeling in 3-4 days.

How to Reach: The nearest railway station in Darjeeling is the New Jalpaiguri Junction railway station (62 kilometres from the main town).

Shillong, Meghalaya

Shillong is located in the centre of the Khasi Hills. One of the most charming hill stations in India, it is renowned for having the highest rainfall in the world and for its dynamic music scene. It is home to the country’s favourite Blues band, Soul mate and India’s most popular bluesman, Lou Majaw.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Nohkalikai Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Umiam Lake, and Lady Hydari Park.

Best Time to Visit: September to May

Ideal Duration: Shillong can be explored in 2-3 days.

How to Reach: The nearest railway station is at Guwahati railway station located at a distance of 104 kilometres from Shillong.

Coorg, Karnataka

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Spread out on the Western Ghats, the misty Coorg valley is surrounded by emerald landscapes and acres of coffee, tea and spice plantations. Fondly referred to as the ‘Scotland of India’ because of its thriving beauty and pleasant weather conditions, Coorg is a major hub for the production of spices and coffee.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Abbey Falls, Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Golden Temple (Namdroling Monastery), Talakaveri, River Rafting in Coorg

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Ideal Duration: Set aside 4 days for vacationing in Coorg.

How to Reach: Mysore Railway Station is the nearest railway station from Coorg which is 120km away. While you are travelling to Coorg, you can order food in train from RailRestro to enjoy your journey to the famous hill station of India.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Ooty exudes simplicity and openness devoid of any boundary so that anyone who visits the place can feel more comfortable with the local culture. The journey to Ooty itself is dotted with stunning sights of the awe-inspiring Nilgiri hills, tea gardens, and serene waterfalls. The calm, peaceful scenery of Ooty is almost film-like winding country lanes that you can spend hours walking on and the beauty of old-world colonial architecture infuses fresh air into the souls of travellers.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Pykara Falls and Lake, Tea Estate Viewpoint, Wax Museum, Hidden Valley, Echo Rock, Emerald Lake, Avalanche Lake, and Ooty Rose Garden.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

Ideal Duration: Visit Ooty for 3-4 days

How to Reach: Udagamandalam railway station is a terminus station in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.

Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

Smaller and quieter than its neighbour Ooty, Coonoor is nestled in the Nilgiri Mountains, surrounded by rolling hills and tea and coffee plantations. The ride on the quaint toy train of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Coonoor to Ooty covers the most scenic spots in the region, including the canton of Wellington.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Dolphin’s Nose, Rallia Dam, The Taj Garden Retreat, Sim’s Park, Lamb’s Rock, Hidden Valley, Law’s Falls, and the shopping markets.

Best Time to Visit: October to March

Ideal Duration: Coonoor can be best explored in a minimum span of 3 days.

How to Reach: Book online train tickets from Coonoor (ONR) railway station. Search availability of seats, PNR status, train schedule, train routes online at RailMitra.

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

With mountain adventures ranging from all directions, Manali is one of the best hill stations in North India for those looking to unwind. Backpackers come to hang out in the villages near the main town and adventure tourists come for hiking, paragliding, rafting, and skiing. Approximately 53 km away from Manali is the famous Rohtang Pass, which offers a breathtaking view of glaciers, mountains and valleys.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, Beas Kund Trek, Hadimba Temple, and Vashisht Baths

Best Time to Visit: October to June

Ideal Duration: A 2-day trip is recommended for Manali.

How to Reach: Jogindernagar Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Manali, which connects the hill station with several major cities of the country.

McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh

McLeod Ganj, the birthplace of Dalai Lama, is a choice for many travellers visiting Dharamshala. You can walk along the Temple road, hop into many colourful shops, spin the Tibetan prayer wheels or simply devour steaming hot momos. The Tibetan town of McLeod Ganj is a perfect place to enjoy a holiday at any time of year. Surrounded by snow-capped hills and a range of beautiful monasteries, this is the ideal spot for a serene trip and one of India’s most popular snowfall hill stations.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang, Tibetan Museum, Bhagsunath Temple, Bhagsu Falls, Triund, Dal Lake and Church of St. Johns.

Best Time to Visit: October to June

Ideal Duration: A 2-day trip is recommended.

How to Reach: Pathankot Railway Station is the nearest broad gauge railhead to McLeod Ganj situated approximately 90 km away.

Munnar, Kerala

Sprawling tea plantations, picture-perfect views and winding lanes make Munnar a favourite among Indian hill stations. Although the city itself is forever alive with activity, if you wander a few kilometres away from the city, you’ll be engulfed in a thousand shades of green.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Dam, Anuamudi, Devikulam, Munnar Tea Museum and Fun Forest.

Best Time to Visit: September to May

Ideal Duration: A minimum of 3 days are required to explore Munnar.

How to Reach: The nearest railway station from Munnar is Aluva railway station, which is at a distance of 110 kilometres from Munnar. The Ernakulam Railway Station is 130 kilometres away.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

A former summer retreat for the British, Nainital is a small town situated in the Kumaon range of Uttarakhand. There are busy town bazaars and a web of walking trails around the forested hillsides that have attracted travellers to the Nainital retreat from pre-independence days.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point and Dorothy’s Seat – Tiffin Top.

Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year

Ideal Duration: Nainital can be explored in 2 days.

How to Reach: Kathgodam railway station is the nearest railway station to Nainital located at a distance of 34 kilometres away.

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Since time immemorial, the scenic splendour of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir has drawn people to this hill station. Srinagar lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River and ranks as one of the best hill stations in northern India, known for its beautiful houseboats, its historic gardens and its mild summer climate.

Top Sightseeing Spots: Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Shikara Ride, Hazratbal Shrine

Ideal Duration: Srinagar can be explored in 4 days.

Best Time to Visit: April to October

Ideal Duration: A 4-days trip is perfect to visit Srinagar.

How to Reach: Udhampur is the nearest railway station to Srinagar.

So which of India’s best hill stations inspired you to visit this holiday? All these stunning hill stations give scenic views and an opportunity to get away from the summer heat. Plan a trip to one of the hill stations for a memorable holiday.