Indian Railways is one of the world’s largest railway networks connecting every nook and corner of India with millions of kilometers of tracks. The long-distance express trains hog all the limelight but some of the shortest and scenic routes in the network are fascinating too. If you plan a railway trip in India then here are some insanely short train routes and destinations that you need to tick off from your bucket list: 1. Nagpur to Ajni: The Shortest Train Journey in India (3 km) The shortest train route in India is just 3 kilometers between two stations: Nagpur to Ajni in Maharashtra. This one is as short as it gets in Indian Railways and records show that it’s the shortest distance between two consecutive stations on any line in the country. Administratively it is part of the Jhansi–Bilaspur Line but as a shuttle service between a station and the maintenance yard the distance is so short that most trains complete the journey in record time. 2. Rameswaram to Pamban Island (10 km) A short distance but one of the most thrilling train journeys in India is Rameswaram to Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. Covering a distance of only about 10 kilometers the main attraction of the short route is that it features the Pamban Bridge. The train literally runs over the sea via this cantilever bridge to cross over from Pamban to the mainland station of Rameswaram giving passengers a once-in-a-lifetime scenic ride over the ocean. 3. Matheran Hill Railway (21 km) One of the most popular heritage short-distance rail routes in India is the Matheran Hill Railway in Maharashtra. Running a distance of about 21 kilometers this is a narrow-gauge toy train line that takes the train through thick forest sharp curves and scenic valleys as it climbs up the Matheran hills. It’s a great way to enjoy a vintage railway experience and some of the most beautiful views en route to Matheran a charming hill station and a refreshing city escape. 4. Bilimora to Waghai (63 km) The Bilimora to Waghai route is located in Gujarat and is a short distance railway route with a distance of around 63 kilometers. The speciality of this route is that it’s often served by just one single passenger train a historic steam train called Bhimavaram Waghai Passenger. A long train journey in India is 63 km isn’t really short per se but the train takes around three hours to cover the distance giving a detailed peek into the local life and rural landscapes of this region of Gujarat. 5. Kalka-Shimla Railway (96 km) This train route is longer than all the other short routes in this list but we had to include it as Kalka-Shimla Railway is a historic short route. The 96-km-long route was built with a narrow gauge and for that reason is sometimes counted as a short-distance line. It was also added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008. The route has more than 100 tunnels and over 800 bridges making this one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Indian Railways is special for its long-distance express trains but these scenic short routes prove that the shortest railway journey is often the most exciting.