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Although fares are slightly higher than standard seating, passengers often say the experience justifies the cost. For many, it feels like a little nature vacation inside the train.
Travelers often cite the ghat section as the main attraction. Phones are put away, conversations pause and eyes remain focused on the windows.
After a six-month break, one of South India’s most beautiful train journeys is back on track. Vistadome coaches on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru route have resumed service, giving passengers a chance to experience the Western Ghats the way they were meant to be seen – slowly, comfortably, and through wide glass windows.
The service was earlier suspended due to electrification work on the ghat section. With the work now complete, the return of the Vistadome has been welcomed by travelers who consider the journey less of a commute and more of a dynamic view through the green spine of Karnataka.
It’s more than a train, it’s a journey
For passengers boarding a train in Bengaluru, the experience begins long before the ghat is visible. As the train moves west, the view of the city gradually changes to open land, small towns, and wooded areas. Then comes the moment that travelers wait for – the climb to the Western Ghats.
The Vistadome coach is designed to this exact detail. Large glass windows, transparent roof sections and rotating seats allow passengers to follow every turn of the landscape. Unlike regular coaches where the view goes unnoticed, here the outside world becomes the main attraction.
As the train approaches Sakleshpur and Subramanya Road, the scene becomes dramatic. Dense forests lie close to the tracks, hills rise and fall in layers, and deep valleys open up suddenly after every turn.
There is fog on the slopes in the morning. In daylight the ghats glow deep green. In the monsoon months, waterfalls appear almost without warning, falling from rocky cliffs along the tracks.
Why do travelers like this route?
For many travelers from Bengaluru, this train has become a preferred way to reach the coast. Road trips can be tiring and unpredictable, while flights take the entire experience away. The Vistadome offers a rare middle ground – a comfortable journey that makes the travel time enjoyable.
Travelers often cite the ghat section as the main attraction. Phones are put away, conversations pause and eyes remain focused on the windows. Families point children toward distant hills, couples quietly take photographs, and solo travelers simply gaze at the surrounding scenery.
The train also attracts photographers and nature lovers who view the Western Ghats from some street angles. The slow motion through tunnels, turns and wooded sections gives it an almost cinematic feel.
relaxing with a view
The Vistadome coach offers features that enhance the experience without feeling overwhelming. The seating layout allows passengers to face the windows, ensuring no view is missed. The glass roof adds to the feeling of openness, especially in wooded areas where trees loom overhead.
Although fares are slightly higher than standard seating, passengers often say the experience justifies the cost. For many people, it feels like a short nature holiday incorporated into a routine train journey.
A welcome escape to Bengaluru
For a city like Bengaluru, where daily life is dominated by traffic and screens, the return of this train seems timely. This trip offers an easy getaway without planning a full-fledged vacation. A weekend trip to Mangaluru becomes as much about the destination as the journey itself.
With the growing interest in slow travel and nature-centric experiences, Vistadome fits perfectly into what urban travelers are looking for – comfort, peace and connection with the landscape.
Tickets and timings:
The Vistadome coach of Gomateshwara Express from Bengaluru to Mangaluru generally departs from Yesvantpur Junction around 7:00 am in the morning and reaches Mangaluru Junction by around 4:35 pm, after a scenic journey of approximately 9 hours and 40 minutes through the Western Ghats.
The service runs on select days of the week, allowing passengers to experience the ghat section during daylight hours. Vistadome coach tickets generally cost between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 per person depending on demand and season, reflecting the premium experience of the panoramic glass windows and glass roof. Due to limited seating space, passengers are advised to book tickets in advance through the Indian Railways Reservation System.
back on track
With the resumption of service, demand is expected to remain high, especially during weekend and holiday periods. Passengers are advised to plan and book early as seats in the Vistadome coach are limited.
As the train once again winds through tunnels, hills and forests, it reminds passengers that sometimes, the most memorable part of the journey isn’t where you get to – but everything you see along the way.
December 17, 2025, 13:07 IST
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