The Vistadome Train allows passengers and tourists to get up close to nature and see natural wonders in all their grandeur while on the move. Vistadome coaches with glass ceilings on Indian Railways provide passengers with an exciting train trip. Currently, 45 trains featuring Vistadome carriages are operating across the Indian Railways network. The trip is made more comfortable by the luxury coach’s wide glass windows, roof panels, and rotating chairs, which allow you to appreciate nature in all of its grandeur.
The Vistadome train journeys’ routes are chosen for their natural scenic splendour. Vistadome coach allotment is based on a number of considerations, including the availability of Vistadome coaches, their operational feasibility, the train’s daytime route, load constraints, and passenger demand.
Background
Vistadome trains were established by the Indian Railway to encourage tourism through the railway. These trains help in connecting various tourist spots throughout the country. The train’s modern features are designed to provide passengers with comfort and convenience. The carriage was first inaugurated on the Mumbai-Madgaon route of the Jan Shatabdi Express in 2018 to allow passengers to appreciate the scenery of the Western Ghats.
Features of vistadome train coaches
Integral Coach Factory in Chennai manufactures Vistadome coaches on the LHB (Linke-Hoffman-Busch) platform/technology. Glass roofing with anti-glare screens provide great views of the sky in these coaches. CCTV monitoring, fire safety systems, LED display, oven, and refrigerator, mini pantry, multi-tiered steel luggage storage, mobile charging port on each seat, and “content-on-demand” viewable by passengers are all included in the coaches. Vistadome coaches are European-style coaches with innovative features including large glass windows, glass roofs, observation lounges, and rotatable seats for passengers that can turn up to 180 degrees.
They have automated sliding doors as well as bio-toilets. Seats have foldable snack tables, similar to those used on planes. To aid Divyang (physically challenged) passengers, the coaches have a GPS-based public address system and Braille signage. At the far end of the coach, there is also an area, similar to a lounge, with a large viewing window.
Unlike the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, meals are not included in the ticket price. At an additional cost, there is a well-stocked pantry with fresh snacks and meals such as Vada, samosa, biryani, pulao, upma, and packed food such as water bottles, biscuits, chips, and cold drinks. You can also take your food with you.
There is no space in the overhead compartment for your bags or handbag. Luggage storage is located at the end of the carriage and is easily accessible.
Vistadome train booking
- You can book tickets on the IRCTC website irctc.co.in . Log in with your login name and password. The Captcha should be entered in the given column.
- Enter your From and To stations, as well as the date, journey and category.
- For Vistadome Coach bookings, only select AC Chair Car or Exective Chair Car, and deselect all other classes. There is no specific Vistadome category; instead, you must book a ticket in the ECC (Executive Chair Car) category on the trains specified.
- Then you’ll be able to see all of the fare details.
- To book tickets, go to the availability option and click the “Book Now” button.
- Passenger Details, Review Booking, and Payment options are available on the following pages.
You will receive a confirmation SMS and email from IRCTC after the payment has been processed and the booking has been completed successfully.
The fare is comparable to that of the Indian Railways’ Shatabdi executive class. The vistadome train ticket prices for different routes can be found on the website
( https://www.irctchelp.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Fare-Structure-of-AC-Vistadome-Coaches.pdf ). The AC vistadome coach fare will be 1.1 times of the EC of Shatabdi express cost. Other fees, such as the supercharge, goods and services charge, and so on, will be assessed separately.
Vistadome train list
On the 11th of February 2022, the Indian Railways announced that Vistadome coaches are currently in use in 45 trains operating on Zonal Railways.
The zone-wise list of trains with vistadome coaches is given below:
- Central Railway zone: Train Number 11007/08 Mumbai – Pune Express, Train Number 12051/52 Mumbai – Madgaon Express and Train Number 12123/24 Deccan Queen Express.
- East Coast Railway zone: Train Number 18551/52 Visakhapatnam – Kirandul Express (up to Araku).
- Northeast Frontier Railway zone: Train Number 15777/78 Alipurduar – New Jalpaiguri Express, Train Number 15887/88 Guwahati – Badarpur Express, Train Number 15907/08 Tinsukia – Naharlagun Express as well as Train Numbers 52593/95/98/44, 52541, 52540, 52556 Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (NG).
- Western Railway zone: Train Number 20947/48 Ahmedabad – Kevadiya Express, Train Number 20949/50 Ahmedabad – Kevadiya Express, Train Number 52965/66 Mhow – Patalpani – Kalakund (MG) as well as Train Number 09501/02, 09071/72 Billimora – Waghai (NG).
- South Western Railway zone: Train Number 16539/40 Yeswantpur – Mangalore Express, Train Number 16515/16 Yeswantpur – Karwar Express, Train Number 16575/76 Yeswantpur – Mangalore Express as well as Train Number 16579/80 Yeswantpur – Shivamogga Express.
- Northern Railway zone: Train Number 52453/54 as well as 52459/60 Kalka – Shimla Express.
- North Eastern Railway zone: Train Number 05319/20 Mailani – Bichia Special (MG).
Destinations you can explore with vistadome trains
The 360-degree views offered by vistadome coaches elevate your train journey to new heights. Here are some of the stunning places you can visit while journeying in a vistadome train.
Araku Valley
The Vistadome Coach was introduced on the Araku valley route by Indian Railways to guarantee that passengers could enjoy the beautiful scenery outside. The rotating seat makes the ride more pleasant for passengers while maintaining excellent views. If you want to view the countryside in its best light, travel between October and December, when the valley is covered with beautiful flowers.
Shimla
This route is operated by the Him Darshan Express, a unique train with all-new Vistadome coaches. The train, which runs between Kalka and Shimla, can accommodate over 1000 passengers. With transparent roofing, visitors will be able to appreciate nature while seated inside and take in the stunning panoramic views. In addition, if a journey is scheduled during the winter, passengers will be able to see snowfall from the comfort of these glass-enclosed coaches.
Alipurduar, West Bengal
Travel through North Bengal’s lovely New Jalpaiguri-Alipurduar route aboard the elegant Vistadome coach. You’ll pass through Dooars’ beautiful green forests, tea orchards, and rivers, taking in every detail via the coach’s wide windows and clear roof. Chalsa, Siliguri, and Hasimara are among the few places where the railway stops before reaching its final destination, Alipurduar.
Tinsukia, Assam
You can travel to Tinsukia in total comfort and ease by taking the Vistadome Express from Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh. The Vistadome coaches provide passengers with a better viewing experience, with glass rooftops and 180-degree rotatable seats ensuring that they enjoy unending lush greenery and tea garden vistas as they travel through the North East’s picturesque landscapes.
Pune, Maharashtra
Traveling to Pune in Vistadome coaches allows you to take in the breathtaking natural landscapes along the way. The train will go through the picturesque Western Ghats, with views of Songir Hills, Matheran Hill, the Ulhas River, Khandala and Lonavala, as well as the Ulhas Valley. The train has automated sliding doors as well as a dedicated observation deck where passengers may enjoy panoramic views.
Madgaon, Goa
The most popular modes of transportation to Goa are airplanes and roads. However, if you want to have a memorable Goa vacation, you can diverge from the traditional routes and embark on a unique train adventure. Take the Vistadome coaches with glass-top roofs and luxurious seating options on the Dadar-Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Western Ghats and the Konkan shoreline while sitting back and taking in the view.
Mangalore, Karnataka
Take the newly introduced Vistadome coaches between Yeshwantpur and Mangaluru to bask in the panoramic sights of the Western Ghats. The huge windows on both sides of these luxurious coaches, as well as the glass panels on the roof, allow passengers to take in every detail of the scenery. The coaches have mini refrigerators, a microwave, and a GPS-based information system, and the seats rotate 80 degrees.
The Vistadome coach provides a mesmerising travel experience. Close-up views of tunnels, valleys, and waterfalls will urge you to lean forward in your seat as you gaze out the window at them. You may observe clouds floating through the roof-top of your railway coach if you are travelling on a mountainous route. You can try rotating your seat 180 degrees so that you are always facing the window, regardless of which direction the train is moving. All of this, combined with delectable snacks and meals, adds to the Vistadome coach’s overall travel experience. People regard Vistadome train riding as a novel form of tourism. It began as an experiment that quickly captured the attention of passengers, and it is now one of the most well-liked services provided by the IRCTC.
So, what are you waiting for? Prepare to go to stunning locations by booking a Vistadome train ticket, which promises some of the best scenery views you’ve ever seen. Take a window seat, turn on some music, and gaze out the window at the mountains, greenery, ghats, paddy fields, and other sights.
