Rail tours with a fixed plan
IRCTC, the catering and tourism company of Indian Railways, runs tour packages that join train travel with road sightseeing and hotel stays. This page lists trips of this kind. GoldBox Holidays is a private travel company. We are not part of the railways and do not act for them. Our job is to explain each plan in simple words, check dates and seats, and handle your booking and questions.
Train tours suit people who want to sleep on the move, avoid long road journeys and travel at a sensible cost. They work well for senior citizens, families with children and groups of friends.
Popular circuits on this page
Shirdi and Maharashtra temples: Sai Baba's town of Shirdi is often paired with Shani Shingnapur, Nashik, Trimbakeshwar, the Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga and the Ellora caves.
Kerala hills and backwaters: tea gardens in Munnar, spice farms in Thekkady and houseboat country around Alleppey and Kumarakom.
The Nilgiris: Ooty and Coonoor, with Pykara lake and the Mudumalai forest on the Chennai trip.
Temple south: Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari from Bangalore.
Odisha coast: Puri, the Konark sun temple, Chilika lake and the Udayagiri caves near Bhubaneswar.
Example packages
- Hyderabad to Shirdi-Nashik-Trimbakeshwar by train - 2 days, 1 night
- Hyderabad to Munnar-Alleppey by train - 6 days, 5 nights
- Bangalore to Madurai-Rameswaram-Kanyakumari by train - 5 days, 4 nights
- Hyderabad to Ooty-Coonoor by train - 4 days, 3 nights
- Chennai to Ooty, Pykara, Mudumalai and Coonoor by train - 5 days, 4 nights
- Bangalore to Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur by train - 2 days, 1 night
- Wonders of Odisha from Bhubaneswar - 6 days, 5 nights by cab
Planning tips
Train tours run on set dates, and berths in each class are limited. Try to book three to four weeks ahead, and earlier for Dasara, Sankranti and summer holidays. Every adult should carry an original photo ID, as it may be checked on board.
Kerala and Ooty are most pleasant from September to May. June to August brings heavy rain in the hills. The Tamil Nadu temple circuit is easiest from October to March, when the heat is lower. Pack light, since you may need to carry bags up station stairs. A small lock, a water bottle, snacks and your daily medicines are useful on any rail trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is GoldBox Holidays part of the railways?
No. We are an independent travel company. We help you choose and book these tours and stay in touch until your trip ends.
Where can I see the fare?
Fares change with the date, the train class and the group size. Open any package to see the current fare and what it includes.
Can I change my travel date or class after booking?
That depends on seat availability and the tour operator's rules. Please talk to us before you book, and we will tell you what can be changed.