The Best Ways to Travel Across India
The best ways to travel across India is India’s Best Transportation Network. Chaojie Ni / Unsplash
India has one of the world’s largest and busiest transportation networks, moving over a billion people daily. What many travelers miss is this: the magic of India doesn’t just lie in where you go, but in how you get there. Choosing the right mode of transport is like choosing the right lens—you see the country differently each time.
A train ride shows you the soul of India through its people, sounds, and scenery. A road trip lets you pause at roadside temples or unexpected festivals. A flight skips the chaos but also the charm. Whether it’s hopping on a cycle rickshaw in Delhi, Yellow Taxi’s in Mumbai or a shikara in Kashmir, every ride has brought you happiness.
Indian Railways ranks fourth globally, with over 67,000 km of tracks and 13,000+ passenger trains. The road network is the second largest in the world, covering 6.3 million km, where national highways—just 2% of roads—carry 40% of the traffic. India also ranks as the third-largest domestic aviation market, with 140+ airports, including major hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. In states like Kerala and Assam, ferries and waterways are key. Here the best ways to travel across India.
Travelling in the Trains feels like all turns bend into a postcard moment. Evgeny Matveev / Unsplash
1. Ride the Rails: Exploring India by Train
India’s trains, like the Palace on Wheels, give royal-style luxury with elegant interiors and curated cultural stops, perfect for those seeking a regal experience. Vista Dome coaches with their panoramic glass roofs give travelers a front-row view of India’s most scenic landscapes of lush Western Ghats. Then there are the beloved toy trains like the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway, where slow travel turns into magical moments as they chug through tea gardens and tunnels, often with clouds brushing past your window.
Train travel in India is also about the classes—Sleeper Class, where you meet everyday India up close; AC classes, giving comfort and quiet; and luxury trains, which feel like moving heritage hotels. But some of the real joy lies in the little things: sipping chai from a clay kulhad, grabbing snacks from platform vendors, or watching the platform buzz with porters, families, and wanderers. Traveling by train in India isn’t just about covering distance—it’s become the best way to travel across India.
the Diamond Quadrilateral Project was introduced to create a high-speed rail network connecting the Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata with fast and modern trains.
With their bright green body and buzzing energy, auto rickshaws are the lifeline of short city rides. Sid Dalal / Pexels
2. Auto Rickshaws and Shared Cabs
Zipping through traffic, squeezing through narrow lanes, and stopping at a hand signal—auto rickshaws and shared cabs are the true lifelines of Indian cities. They’re not just modes of transport; they’re a slice of local life. Riding in an auto means catching city sounds up close: honking horns, street vendors calling out, Bollywood songs playing from the driver’s radio. But using autos wisely takes a bit of street-smart and the best ways to travel across India.
In many cities, bargaining is a skill—unless you’re in a place like Mumbai or Bengaluru where meters are common. In other places, it’s smart to ask locals for a fair price beforehand. Better yet, use apps like Rapido, Ola Auto, or Uber to skip the hassle and get transparent pricing. Shared cabs, especially in cities like Kolkata, Chennai, or Guwahati, offer a unique chance to rub shoulders with locals.
If You might squeeze in next to a college student, a daily office-goer, or a chatty aunty with shopping bags—and end up hearing personal stories, political opinions, or even life advice during a short ride. These rides may be short, but the connections they spark often leave a lasting impression.
Here special kind of freedom that comes with riding a scooter or bike through India’s winding roads. Chrisjohn / Pexels
3. Two-Wheel Thrills: Rent a Scooter or Bike and Feel the Wind
There’s a special kind of freedom that comes with riding a scooter or bike through India’s winding roads. Whether it’s the breezy coastal lanes of Goa, the French-inspired streets of Pondicherry, or the high-altitude passes of Ladakh, two-wheelers are the best way to travel across India. You’re not just sightseeing—you’re feeling the place, with the wind in your hair, the smells of roadside food stalls in the air, and a thousand spontaneous stops along the way. But with that thrill comes responsibility.
The best part is? Bikes often lead to unplanned connections. A chai stop can turn into a conversation with a local mechanic or a fellow rider sharing secret routes. In India, a two-wheeler isn’t just a ride—it’s a bridge to the unexpected, where the road takes you places maps can’t.
The Laal Pari, or old red bus of India, is a nostalgic symbol of affordable travel. Divy films / Pexels
4. Local Buses & State Transport
If you really want to experience India the way locals do, hop on a state-run bus. Whether it’s the HRTC buses winding through Himachal’s misty mountains or KSRTC buses cruising past Kerala’s lush greenery, these buses go beyond the tourist trails, taking you to hidden villages, hilltop temples, and serene lakes you’d otherwise miss. Sure, it’s not luxury—seats may be cramped, luggage might end up on your lap, and you’ll probably share space with a sleeping child or a chicken in a box—but that’s part of the charm.
On long rides, it’s common to strike up conversations with curious locals—school kids, grandmothers, or friendly conductors who might even become your guide. Bus stands are there—noisy, colorful, and alive, with vendors selling bananas, tea, and mystery snacks wrapped in newspaper. Traveling by local bus may not be glamorous, but it’s raw, real, and unforgettable, giving a front-row seat to India’s beating heart.
The Golden Quadrilateral Project is a massive highway network connecting India’s four major cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata—by road, forming a large quadrilateral. It has improved road travel, trade, and logistics across the country.
Here is Mumbai to Alibaug route, where travelers skip the road traffic for a breezy sea ride. Raj Rana / Unsplash
5. Waterways and Ferries: India’s Floating Routes
India’s waterways are one of the best ways to travel across India. Here small boats and ferries glide past coconut palms, village homes, and floating markets, giving a peek into the daily life of locals living by the canals.
The Andaman Islands depend on government-run ferries that connect the islands, providing not just transport but panoramic views of turquoise waters and untouched beaches. Even in cities, ferries play a role—like the popular Mumbai to Alibaug route, where travelers skip the road traffic for a breezy sea ride. For those seeking something truly unique, river cruises on the Brahmaputra in Assam give a peaceful and immersive way to explore tribal villages, riverine wildlife, and sacred temples along the banks.
These floating journeys are about more than transport—they’re about slow travel, where you sip chai on the deck, wave to kids playing by the river, and watch the world move gently by. It’s India seen from the water—quieter and more soulful than other rides.
6. When to Fly: Domestic Flights That Save Time & Money
While road and rail give charm and connection, sometimes flying is the smartest choice—especially in a country as vast and geographically diverse as India. For far-flung destinations like Leh in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, or the Andaman Islands, flights are often the only practical way to arrive on time.
Thanks to budget airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, air travel has become more affordable than ever—especially if you book 2-3 months in advance and avoid peak travel dates. Look out for flash sales and use fare comparison apps like Skyscanner or Cheap Flights to score the best deals. But be aware of hidden costs: many budget airlines charge extra for checked baggage, seat selection, or even printing a boarding pass at the counter.
Indian airports, especially in metros, can be crowded, so arriving early, using DigiYatra (for quicker security checks), and downloading your boarding pass in advance can save time. In many cases, a well-timed flight can turn a 24-hour train journey into a 2-hour hop, freeing up your time to explore more and stress less.
Exploring India on an old bicycle is happiness over everything. Rishi Mohan / Unsplash
7. Eco-Friendly Travel: Green Ways to Move Around India
As India moves toward a greener future, conscious travelers are finding new ways to explore the country with a lighter footprint. Cities like Mysuru, Udaipur, and Pune are becoming increasingly bicycle-friendly, offering rental services and scenic cycling routes through heritage lanes and lakeside paths.
In urban hubs, electric vehicle (EV) rentals, like e-scooters and e-rickshaws, are gaining popularity—especially in places like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa. For longer journeys, eco-certified tour operators offer sustainable options, including group treks that focus on Leave No Trace principles, eco-resorts, and wildlife tours that support local conservation. Travelers can also lower their carbon footprint by choosing trains over short-haul flights, carpooling, and carrying reusable bottles and cutlery to avoid single-use plastics.
A Family riding and enjoying the golden sands of Rajasthan on a camel cart. Karthick / Pexels
8. Offbeat Transit Tales: Unique Transport Experiences Across States
India is a land where transport isn’t just about getting from point A to B—it’s often a cultural experience in itself. Picture yourself gliding across the Dal Lake in a shikara in Kashmir, with snow-dusted peaks reflecting in still waters, or riding through the golden sands of Rajasthan on a camel cart, the rhythm of hooves echoing against centuries-old forts. In the bustling chaos of Old Delhi, a ride in a cycle rickshaw is a time machine—navigating through narrow alleys, dodging pedestrians, and brushing past spice-laden shops with a soundtrack of honking and hawking all around.
There are the truly unexpected adventures: hitchhiking with truckers in Himachal or Spiti, sharing stories over chai breaks in the middle of nowhere, or being offered a lift by a kind stranger on a scooter in a remote village. These moments are rarely planned, but they become the most cherished parts of the journey—reminders that in India, sometimes the ride is the destination.
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