India tour & travel

Matheran toy train from Neral near Mumbai

Matheran Train at station
This toy train runs between Neral station and Mathran on a narrow gauge track. Matheran is a hill station at a level of 803 meter from MSL. To board this toy train you have to travel to Neral station in up direction ( going towards Matheran )

How to reach Neral Station

This is a Mumbai Sub urban station in Central line (local train) , If you are traveling from CST ( Chatrapati Sivaji Terminal ) or from Dadar, Ghatkopar, Thane side then take a train towards Karjat or Khopoli. If you are in western line ( Church gate, Centeral, Bandra, Borivali, Vasai road, Virar ) then change your train to Central line at Dadar.

If you are in a fast local train then this will also stop at Neral sation as after Kalyan all fast trains became slow and stops in all stations.

If you are coming from Mumbai side stations then you will arrive in Platform Number 1, Use the over bridge to come to Platform Number 2 and you can see the board welcoming you to Matheran railway. If you are coming from Pune or Karjat side then you will directly land on platform number 2.

Neral Station Code : NRL
Matheran Station Code : MAE

By road Matheran is at a distance of 21 KM from Neral. From Mumbai Matheran is 110 Km.
From Pune side

Ticket , Train Time table ,seats and luggage

There is one extra run of train during weekends. No advance booking available for this train, tickets are issued 45 minutes before departure of the train.

Stand in the queue to collect your ticket. Four tickets will be issued to one person. Note that in weekend's traffic to Matheran will increase. There is one extra train at 12.30 PM to clear the rush but that is not enough.

We found that after issuing all tickets only the train started from Neral station.

Ticket Fares

There are three types of tickets.

Ordinary class Ticket Adults 60 child 30
Second class Adults 75 Child 45
First class Adults 300 Child 175


In addition to this there is a Deluxe Saloon 1500/-
Matheran Train Second Class seat
There are 4 seats in a row for ordinary class ( both side door ) and in 2nd class they are 2 seats + 2 seats in a row.

First class will have two rows facing each other in a compartment.
Deluxe saloon will have TV and window curtains.

Carry light luggage as there is a restriction on baggage weight in toy train also. Passengers are allowed to carry 5 Kg of luggage in second class and 7.5 Kg of luggage in first class.
Matheran Train first Class
There is no toilet in this train but in all station stops ladies and gents toilets are available.

Upward Journey from Neral to Matheran

Throughout the journey the train will be moving upward direction. There are two stations in between one is Water Pipe and other one is AmanLodge.

While traveling in upward direction upto Water Pipe station , valley will fall in left side and hill will be in right side. After Water Pipe stations the side changes where valley falls in right side and this part of the journey up to AmanLodge is most thrilling as the train moves in peaks and you can enjoy the journey more. On the way from Water Pipe station to AmanLodge on your right side you can see one Lord Ganesh Statue ( Ganapati ).
Ganapati by the side of the train


There are hanging bells by the side of the track which can be touched from the moving train.

Timing of the Matheran train

From Neral to MatheranFrom Matheran to Neral
Train NoDepArv Train NoDepArv
521116.408.40 521027.208.55
521017.509.50 521049.5511.40
521039.1011.20 5210612.5014.25
5210510.4012.35 52110
(Weekend)
14.1515.55
52107
(Weekend)
12.1014.10 5210815.1516.55
5210917.0519.00 5211216.4518.30
The time table displayed at station says the train will take nearly 2 hours in Up direction ( from Neral to Matheran ) but it takes more time and after selling all tickets only the train starts. In the downward direction from Matheran to NERAL the train will take 2 hours 45 minutes however as per time table it should take one hour 45 minutes.

There are two stations between Neral and Matheran, one is Water Pipe and other one is AmanLodge. From AmanLodge to Matheran is 4 KM and the train passes through jungle with tall trees on both sides.
Matheran Train  on hill
You have to pay an entry tax of Rs 50 while coming out of the station at Matheran. Matheran is a hill station and climate remains pleasant throughout the year. There are several resorts and hotels available at Matheran. You can plan for stay here for one or two days to enjoy the cool climate in pollution free environment, you can also return on same day by traveling early in the day. Traveling by Taxi If you don't want to travel by train then traveling by Taxi ( from Neral to AmanLodge only ) will save time From Neral station you can get share taxi by paying Rupees 70/- per head or book a full taxi for 350 /- . It will take 20 minutes to reach AmanLodge by road from Neral taxi stand ( close to Platform No 2 or Matheran train side). Taxi are available all the time. All vehicles are allowed upto AmanLodge only. From AmanLodge to Matheran ( No vechicle zone )
Matheran to AmanLodge Train
No vehicle , private or personal of any type is allowed to go beyond AmanLodge towards Matheran. This 4 KM stretch you can cover by walking, using horse or by toy train shuttling between Matheran and AmanLodge. Porters are available to take your luggage. There are extra trains runs between AmanLodge and Mathran other than the main trains between Neral and Matheran.

There is no fixed rates available for horse and you need to bargain a lot your ride.

However you can avoid all these hassle by taking direct train from Neral Junction to Mathern

Car Parking is available at Dasturi Naka ( AmanLodge )

History of Matheran Toy train

Late Mr Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy constructed this railway line at a staggering cost of Rs 16,00,000/- during the year 1901 to 07 by taking help from his father Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy (Knight) .

Late Mr Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy was popularly known as Matheran Railwaywala Train station at Matheran


In addition to this there are several other beutiful train journeys passing through some valleys and waterfalls and even passing through some hill stations. However they are not tourist toy trains and not exculisvely used by tourist.

Some of the best train journeys are listed here.

Kirandul and Kottavalasa line or KK line


Do you love traveling by train ? Train journey over some bridges are highly exciting. You can check our gallery about beautiful rail bridges in India.

Post your experience here to help others in planning their trip.

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