A Journey Down the Konkan Railway: From Mumbai to Kovalam by Rail and River

Dudhsagar Falls, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If there’s a railway journey in India that captures the very soul of the western coast, it’s the 760-kilometre-long stretch of the Konkan Railway, a feat of engineering that carves through lush green hills, across roaring rivers, and over undulating terrain to connect Mumbai with the southern tip of Kerala. This is not just a train ride, it’s a passage through the heart of the monsoon-drenched Konkan coast, brimming with natural beauty, rich history, and moments of unexpected stillness. Join us aboard as we take a journey down the Konkan railway.

​The Departure: Mumbai’s Gateway
Your journey begins in the thrum and throb of Mumbai, India’s financial capital and a city that never quite sleeps. As your train pulls out of the bustling Lokmanya Tilak Terminus or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, skyscrapers give way to suburban sprawls, and soon, the coastal greens begin to unfold. The air changes, the landscape breathes differently, and you’re on your way.

For train enthusiasts, it’s worth noting that the Konkan Railway is India’s youngest long-distance railway line, inaugurated in 1998 after independence. It was an extraordinary engineering triumph, considering the rugged topography and monsoon-prone geography. The line spans 760 kilometres, crosses 146 rivers and streams, spans nearly 2,000 bridges, and burrows through 91 tunnels, including Asia’s longest railway tunnel, the 6.5-kilometre Karbude Tunnel in Maharashtra.

Tunnel No 91 of Konkan Railway, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Goan Interlude: Sun, Sand, and Slowness​
Next stop: Goa. Whether you're hopping off at Madgaon or Thivim, the magic of Goa is undeniable. While the world knows Goa for its beaches and parties, the train offers a different entry, one that is quiet, intimate, and scenic. From the windows, you spot coconut groves, swaying palms, and the occasional flash of the Arabian Sea.
Take a break from the tracks here. Explore the colonial churches of Old Goa, indulge in spicy prawn curry, and lounge on less-crowded beaches like Cola or Butterfly Beach. But don’t lose track of time, there’s still so much rail to cover.

Northern Kerala: Unexplored Beauty​
As the train chugs deeper south into northern Kerala, the scenery intensifies. Lesser known than its southern cousins, Kasargod, Payyanur, and Kanhangad are full of unspoiled beaches, traditional Theyyam rituals, and the sounds of life moving at a gentler pace. You’re now in Malabar country, where ancient trading ports meet handloom villages and long stretches of virgin coast.

Here, the train rides the edge of the Western Ghats, revealing sweeping views and plunging valleys. With every river crossed and every tunnel cleared, the sheer ambition of the Konkan Railway becomes more tangible.

​Cruising the Vembanad Backwaters​
Disembark at Alappuzha (Alleppey) and prepare to shift gears, from rails to ripples. This is Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest and most iconic backwater stretch. As part of our Konkan Railways and Beyond Tour this October 2025, we slow the pace and shift into serenity with an exclusive night aboard a unique houseboat in Alleppey on the edge of Kerala’s magical backwaters. Board this traditional kettuvallam (houseboat) and drift past villages, palm-lined canals, mirror-still lagoons, and water-bound temples, all while sipping fresh coconut water. You’ll spend a peaceful night on board, with delicious Keralan meals cooked and served fresh, right on deck. There’s nothing quite like enjoying dinner as the sun dips below the waterline, wrapped in tropical stillness.
Nights on the lake are a special kind of quiet. The boat rocks gently, frogs croak in the reeds, and lanterns flicker across the waters. The train tracks feel far away as you float through a landscape as timeless as it is tranquil.

​The Grand Finale: Kovalam’s Golden Curve
Back on the train for one final stretch, you reach the southern end of Kerala: Kovalamcoastal-gems-beaches-from-goa-to-kerala-by-train.html. Famed for its crescent-shaped beaches and iconic lighthouse, Kovalam has long been a magnet for sun-seekers and spiritualists alike. It's the perfect place to reflect on your journey.
Sink your feet into the golden sand, take a dip in the warm Arabian Sea, and watch the sunset melt into the horizon. After the rhythmic clatter of train wheels and the soft slosh of backwater cruising, Kovalam feels like a well-earned reward.

Traversing the Konkan Railway is like turning the pages of a vivid coastal epic. From Mumbai’s urban pulse to the languid backwaters of Kerala, from Goa’s golden beaches to the mystical beauty of the Malabar, it’s a journey both scenic and soulful. And for the train lovers, it’s a marvel in motion, India’s youngest long-distance line that dares to dream through tunnels, bridges, and impossible terrain.

Here's what to expect on an escorted Darjeeling Tours cultural tour down India's Konkan Railway 

• Accommodation in 4 or 5 star hotels.
• Buffet breakfast and dinner daily. Dinner in Mumbai for one night out of three*. Full board (including lunch as well) on the houseboat.
• All transport by deluxe airconditioned vehicles with experienced drivers.
• Train travel in Executive Class or best available as set out in the itinerary.
• Porterage at railway stations on arrival/departure.
• Small tour group and the services of our knowledgeable Darjeeling Tours Ltd Tour Manager.
• Licensed tour guide appointed for city sightseeing.

So, pack light, charge your camera, and book that window seat. The Konkan Railway isn’t just a route, it’s an experience.

Book Your Konkan Railways and Beyond tour here.