I travelled from Delhi to Goa by train expecting nothing more than a long journey. What I didn’t expect was that the train ride itself would become one of the most memorable parts of my Goa trip. Here’s how I planned it, what happened along the way, and everything I learned from the experience.
Introduction
Whenever I told someone that I was travelling from Delhi to Goa by train, the reaction was almost always the same.
“Why don’t you just take a flight?”
It sounded like a reasonable question. A flight would have taken only a few hours, while the train journey was close to 30 hours. But for me, travelling has never been only about reaching the destination. Sometimes the journey itself becomes part of the adventure, and that’s exactly what happened on this trip.
I wasn’t looking for the fastest way to reach Goa. I wanted to experience the excitement of a long train journey, watch the landscape change from North India to the Konkan coast, and begin my vacation the old-fashioned way.
Looking back now, I can confidently say I made the right choice.
The journey wasn’t perfect. I made a mistake that every first-time traveller should avoid, and there were moments when the trip tested my patience. But those experiences taught me lessons that no travel guide could have.
If you’re planning to travel from Delhi to Goa by train in 2026, this article will tell you everything I wish someone had told me before I boarded.
Why I Chose the Train Instead of a Flight
When I started planning my Goa trip, the easiest option was to book a flight.
Flights are faster, more convenient, and often preferred by people who don’t have much time.
But I had a different idea in mind.
I’ve always enjoyed train journeys. There’s something about watching the world pass by through the window that you simply don’t experience at 35,000 feet.
A flight gets you to Goa quickly.
A train lets you watch India change, one station at a time.
As the train left Delhi behind, crowded cityscapes slowly gave way to open fields. Hours later, those fields turned into hills, rivers, and eventually the lush green landscapes that make the Konkan Railway route so special.
Had I taken a flight, I would have reached Goa earlier.
But I would have missed one of the most beautiful journeys I’ve ever taken.
Cost was another factor.
Since I was planning the trip on a budget, travelling by train helped me save money that I could later spend on better accommodation, sightseeing, and experiences in Goa.
For me, that trade-off was completely worth it.
Booking My Train Ticket
The ticket booking process itself wasn’t difficult, but it required a little planning.
I knew Goa is one of the most popular holiday destinations in India, especially during weekends and festive seasons. Waiting until the last minute wasn’t an option.
So, I booked my tickets well in advance.
If you’re travelling from Delhi, my advice is simple—don’t wait until your travel dates are close. Popular trains to Goa fill up surprisingly quickly.
Another thing I considered was the travel class.
Since the journey was going to last more than a day, comfort mattered.
A long train journey becomes much more enjoyable when you have enough space to rest, read a book, look out of the window, or simply relax.
Saving a few hundred rupees isn’t always worth sacrificing comfort during a journey that lasts nearly thirty hours.
Preparing for a 30-Hour Journey
Packing for Goa was easy.
Packing for the train journey took a little more thought.
I wasn’t just travelling between two cities. I was going to spend more than a full day inside a train, so I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed.
Apart from my clothes and travel documents, I packed a few essentials that made the journey much more comfortable.
A reusable water bottle.
Power bank.
Neck pillow.
Earphones.
Light snacks.
And perhaps the most important thing—a fully charged phone with downloaded movies and music.
Although mobile networks worked for most of the journey, there were occasional stretches where the signal became weak. Having offline entertainment turned out to be a good decision.
One thing I didn’t think much about before leaving Delhi was the weather in Goa.
That turned out to be a mistake.
I packed for the destination, but I underestimated how heavy the monsoon rain could be. Looking back, I wish I had packed better waterproof protection for my electronics before even leaving home.
Sometimes the mistakes you make at the beginning of a trip don’t become obvious until much later.
Boarding the Train
The excitement really began when I reached the railway station.
Even though I had travelled by train before, this journey felt different.
Goa had been on my travel list for a long time, and finally seeing the train waiting at the platform made everything feel real.
As passengers found their seats and luggage was arranged, there was that familiar mix of excitement and curiosity that you only experience before a long journey.
Soon after departure, Delhi slowly disappeared behind us.
The noise of the station faded away, buildings became fewer, and open landscapes started appearing outside the window.
That’s one of the things I enjoy most about train travel.
You don’t suddenly arrive somewhere new.
You gradually watch the country transform around you.
The Journey Begins
The first few hours passed surprisingly quickly.
People settled into their seats, conversations started naturally, and the rhythm of the train almost made time feel slower.
I spent a lot of time looking out of the window.
Some people might find that boring.
I never do.
Watching small railway stations, villages, rivers, farms, and distant hills pass by reminded me that India looks completely different depending on where you’re travelling.
Every few hours, the scenery changed again.
That constant change kept the journey interesting.
It didn’t feel like I was simply travelling to Goa.
It felt like I was travelling through India.
First Impressions of a Long-Distance Train Journey
If you’ve never travelled such a long distance by train, it can seem intimidating.
I had the same thought before this trip.
Would I get bored?
Would the journey feel endless?
Surprisingly, it didn’t.
The train became its own little world.
People read books, watched movies, chatted with fellow passengers, ordered tea every few hours, and simply enjoyed the slower pace of travel.
There was no rush.
No airport security announcements.
No long queues after landing.
Just the steady rhythm of the train moving towards Goa.
By the end of the first day, I realised something.
The journey had already become part of the vacation.
And the best views were still waiting ahead.
Life on the Train: More Than Just a Journey
By the next morning, it finally felt like I had settled into the rhythm of the train. The excitement of departure had worn off, and life inside the coach had found its own pace.
Some passengers were still sleeping, while others had already started their day with a cup of railway tea. Every few minutes, someone walked through the coach selling tea, coffee, snacks, or breakfast. It became part of the journey’s background music.
I wasn’t in any hurry.
For the first time in months, I had nowhere to be and no deadlines to meet. All I had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.
That’s something flights never give you.
Watching India Change Outside My Window
One of the biggest reasons I chose the train was because I wanted to experience the journey, not just the destination.
As the hours passed, the scenery kept changing.
The crowded cities slowly disappeared behind us. Open fields stretched for kilometres, followed by small villages where children waved at the passing train. Rivers, bridges, forests, and distant hills came and went as if someone was changing scenes in a movie.
I found myself looking out of the window more than at my phone.
There’s something strangely peaceful about watching places you’ve never visited pass by without knowing their names.
It reminds you how big and diverse India really is.
As we entered the Konkan region, the views became even more beautiful.
Lush green hills, thick forests, waterfalls flowing down rocky slopes, long tunnels, and bridges crossing deep valleys made this stretch unforgettable.
If someone asks me today what my favourite part of the train journey was, I’d say the Konkan Railway route without thinking twice.
Pictures don’t do it justice.
It’s something you have to see for yourself.
Food on the Train
One question many people ask before such a long journey is whether they should depend on train food.
Honestly, I did a little of both.
I carried some snacks from home because I didn’t want to rely entirely on pantry meals. They came in handy whenever I felt hungry between stations.
At the same time, I also tried food available during the journey.
Some meals were simple but satisfying, while others were exactly what you’d expect from railway food—nothing extraordinary, but enough to keep you going.
What I enjoyed the most wasn’t the food itself.
It was drinking a hot cup of tea while watching the rain outside the window.
Sometimes the smallest moments become the ones you remember.
Conversations That Made the Journey Better
One thing I love about train travel is that conversations happen naturally.
Unlike airports, where everyone seems to be in a hurry, trains have a way of bringing strangers together.
Over the course of the journey, I spoke with a few fellow passengers about travel, Goa, and places they recommended visiting.
Some had been to Goa several times and happily shared their favourite beaches and restaurants. Others were first-time visitors just like me, excited about what awaited them.
Listening to different stories made the journey feel shorter.
By the time we were nearing Goa, it almost felt like everyone in the coach was travelling together rather than simply sharing the same train.
The Excitement Started Building
As Goa came closer, I could feel the excitement growing.
I had spent weeks planning this trip.
I had booked hotels, made a rough itinerary, watched travel videos, and imagined what Goa would be like.
Now it was finally happening.
The weather outside had changed completely.
Dark clouds covered the sky, the greenery had become even more vibrant, and occasional rain showers reminded me that I had arrived during the monsoon.
Everything looked different from Delhi.
It felt like I had entered another world.
The Mistake I’ll Never Forget
After almost 30 hours on the train, I thought the difficult part of the journey was over.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
When the train reached Thivim Railway Station, I got down, believing it was the right place to end my journey.
Only after stepping onto the platform did I realise my mistake.
My original plan was to get off at Madgaon Railway Station, which was much closer to where I needed to go.
For a few minutes, I just stood there wondering how I had managed to make such a simple mistake after planning the trip so carefully.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a major disaster.
But it did mean changing my transport plans, spending extra time on the road, and learning an important lesson that every first-time traveller should remember.
Always double-check your destination station before getting off the train.
One careless moment can easily add unnecessary stress to your journey.
Looking back now, it’s something I laugh about.
At that moment, though, it definitely wasn’t funny.
My First Moments in Goa
Despite the small setback, the excitement quickly returned.
The moment I stepped outside the station, I noticed something different.
The air felt fresher.
Everything around me looked greener than I had imagined.
Rows of coconut trees lined the roads, colourful houses stood quietly among the greenery, and the relaxed atmosphere immediately made me feel like I was far away from Delhi’s fast-paced life.
Even though I had just spent almost thirty hours travelling, I wasn’t tired anymore.
I was excited.
This was the beginning of the trip I had been dreaming about for months.
Little did I know that over the next few days I’d be riding a scooter through rain-soaked roads, exploring both North and South Goa, meeting interesting people, enjoying the Nirvana Dinner Cruise, and creating memories that would stay with me long after the trip ended.
The long train journey had officially come to an end.
The real adventure was about to begin.
Ticket Cost: Was Travelling by Train Worth It?
One of the main reasons I chose the train was to keep my travel budget under control. Flights from Delhi to Goa can be quite affordable if you book months in advance, but during holidays or peak season, prices can increase significantly. Since I was already trying to manage my overall trip budget, the train felt like the better option.
I booked my ticket in advance, which gave me a comfortable seat without putting too much pressure on my budget. Looking back, I don’t think I would have made a different decision.
Yes, it took almost 30 hours to reach Goa, but those thirty hours never felt wasted. Instead of spending a few hours inside an aircraft, I watched India change outside my window, met new people, and slowly eased myself into the holiday mood.
For me, that experience was worth far more than the time I saved by flying.
Would I Recommend the Train to Everyone?
Honestly, it depends on what kind of traveller you are.
If your priority is reaching Goa as quickly as possible because you have only three or four days, then a flight makes much more sense.
But if you’re someone who enjoys slow travel, doesn’t mind spending a day on the train, and believes that the journey is part of the vacation, then I would definitely recommend travelling by train at least once.
I don’t remember every station we crossed.
I don’t remember every meal I had on board.
But I still remember sitting by the window, watching endless greenery pass by, knowing that every kilometre was taking me closer to Goa.
That’s a feeling a flight simply can’t replace.
Things I’d Do Differently Next Time
Every trip teaches you something, and this one was no exception.
If I travel from Delhi to Goa by train again, there are a few things I’d definitely do differently.
First, I’d pay much closer attention to the railway stations before arrival. Getting down at Thivim instead of Madgaon wasn’t a costly mistake, but it did waste time and changed my original plan.
Second, I’d pack better for the weather. Since I travelled during the monsoon, I underestimated how quickly heavy rain could damage electronics. My phone and laptop paid the price for that mistake. Next time, waterproof covers will be the first things I pack.
Third, I’d carry a few more snacks for the journey. While food is available on the train, having your favourite snacks makes such a long journey much more enjoyable.
And finally, I’d keep one day in Goa completely free without any sightseeing plans. Sometimes we become so busy trying to visit every famous place that we forget to simply enjoy where we are.
Tips for First-Time Delhi to Goa Train Travellers
If this is going to be your first train journey to Goa, here are a few practical tips based on my experience.
- Book your tickets early. Popular trains fill up quickly, especially during holidays.
- Carry a power bank. Charging points are available, but they’re not always convenient.
- Download movies, music, or books before you leave. Internet connectivity can be inconsistent in some stretches.
- Pack light but smart. Comfortable clothes, slippers, basic medicines, tissues, and snacks make a long journey much easier.
- Keep your important documents handy. Don’t pack them deep inside your luggage.
- Check your destination station carefully. Learn from my mistake—make sure you know exactly where you’re getting off.
- Carry waterproof covers if travelling during the monsoon. Goa’s rain is beautiful, but it can be unforgiving.
These are small things, but together they make a big difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to travel from Delhi to Goa by train?
The journey usually takes around 30 hours, depending on the train and route.
Is travelling by train cheaper than flying?
In most cases, yes. If you’re travelling on a budget, trains are generally more economical than flights, especially during peak travel seasons.
Which station should I get down at in Goa?
That depends on where you’re staying. If your hotel is closer to South Goa, Madgaon is often the better option. I mistakenly got down at Thivim, which made my onward journey longer than necessary.
Is a 30-hour train journey boring?
Not for me.
The changing scenery, conversations with fellow passengers, and the beautiful Konkan Railway route kept the journey interesting.
Would I choose the train again?
Absolutely.
Despite the long travel time and a few unexpected mistakes, the journey itself became one of my favourite memories from the trip.
Final Thoughts
When I booked my train ticket from Delhi to Goa, I thought it was simply the cheapest way to reach my destination.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The train journey became the first chapter of my Goa story.
It gave me time to slow down, disconnect from everyday life, and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching India unfold outside the window. It also reminded me that travel isn’t always about reaching somewhere quickly. Sometimes the slower route leaves you with the strongest memories.
Of course, not everything went according to plan. I got off at the wrong station, underestimated the monsoon, and learned a few lessons the hard way. But if someone asked me today whether I’d travel from Delhi to Goa by train again, my answer would still be yes.
Not because it was the cheapest option.
Not because it was the easiest.
But because it made the journey feel just as memorable as the destination.
If you’re planning your own Goa trip and have enough time, don’t dismiss the train just because it takes longer. Pack well, book your tickets in advance, keep an open mind, and enjoy every kilometre of the journey.
Years from now, you may not remember the exact arrival time or the train number—but you’ll remember the feeling of watching the Konkan landscape roll past your window, knowing an unforgettable adventure was waiting just ahead.
Also See related Article The Ultimate Goa Travel Guide (2026): Budget, Itinerary, Hotels, Beaches, Food & Hidden Places, How to Plan a Budget Trip to Goa (2026): My Complete Guide Under ₹25,000, Goa Trip Cost (2026): My Complete Budget Breakdown for 7 Days
