The Matheran toy train takes passengers from Neral, situated at the bottom of the hills, to Matheran, which is Asia’s only hill station without any vehicular traffic, and this narrow-gauge railway track climbs up from 39 meters to 800 meters or more in about two hours. The two facts every visitor should be aware of about the Matheran toy train are that it does not operate during the monsoons from Neral to Matheran; however, a short shuttle continues to operate. Tickets for this train are booked quickly in high seasons.

Matheran Toy Train Timings: The Short Version

Here is the core of it. Matheran toy train timings include Neral to Matherán ride of nearly two-two and a half hours apart from frequent small shuttle between Aman Lodge and Matheran. Below is the ‘pattern’ for this heritage railway in Maharashtra. Always check the up to date timetable as the full line is suspended in monsoon.

Detail	At a glance
Starts from	Neral Junction (NRL), at the base, near Karjat
Reaches	Matheran station (MAE), the vehicle-free hill station
Distance and time	About 20 to 21 km, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours
Via	Jummapatti, Water Pipe, and Aman Lodge
Shuttle	Aman Lodge to Matheran, about 18 minutes, frequent
Runs	Roughly mid-October to mid-June, suspended in monsoon
Fare (Neral to Matheran)	Around Rs 75 second class, Rs 300 first class

Where It Comes From and Where It Reaches: The Route

This is where the ride begins. The toy train starts its ride from Neral Junction, which is the railway station of the Central Railways track at the foothills and is around 11 kilometers from Karjat and easily accessible from Mumbai. From here, it runs along the hills and reaches Matheran Hill Station, covering a distance of 20 to 21 kilometers from there.

The toy train halts at some scenic stations on the route. Hence, the order of the stations from the bottom to the top is Neral, Jummapatti, Water Pipe, Aman Lodge, and Matheran. The important station is Aman Lodge, which is the station beyond which no vehicles can enter; it is situated near Dasturi Parking Lot.

Station	Position on the line	Note
Neral Junction (NRL)	The base, start of the climb	Reached from Mumbai and Karjat by regular trains
Jummapatti	First main halt	A pause-point in the forest before the climb steepens
Water Pipe	Mid-route halt	A small forest station where the train slows
Aman Lodge	Near the top, by Dasturi	Where cars must stop, gateway to the town
Matheran (MAE)	The summit terminus	The heart of the vehicle-free hill station

So in short, it comes from Neral at the bottom and reaches Matheran at the top, winding through Jummapatti, Water Pipe, and Aman Lodge on the way up.

Timings: The Neral to Matheran Service

The full toy train travels a few trains a day in each direction between Neral and Matheran in such a way that you will be able to ascend in the morning and descend either in the afternoon or evening. Since the schedule is updated in every season, consider the schedule presented below to be the guidelines and check out the up-to-date one at the station or Indian Railways.

• There are departures from Neral in the morning and during the day which take visitors to Matheran and the journey lasts about two-two and a half hours.
• There are also departures from Matheran in the afternoon and at early evenings which bring visitors back to Neral, for instance there is a late afternoon train that arrives at Neral in the evening.
• The number of services increases on weekends and holidays due to the rush of people.
• It should be noted that the train is intentionally slow, therefore you have to arrange the journey according to your plans.

The counter at Neral works 45 minutes before departure and starts queuing after eight o’clock in the morning in peak season.

The Aman Lodge to Matheran Shuttle: The Year-Round Option

Apart from the entire journey in Neral to Matheran, there is also the short shuttle train from Aman Lodge to Matheran which is mostly used by travelers. The journey in this train lasts for around eighteen minutes and there are many departures during the day, usually at every forty-five to sixty minutes.

Most importantly, unlike the whole journey from Neral, this shuttle is available during the monsoon season when the line from Neral to Matheran is closed down. Travellers have been increasingly taking the shuttle train to Matheran from the Dasturi car park which is near Aman Lodge, instead of the whole Neral trip.

Monsoon Suspension: When the Train Does and Does Not Run

It is important to know this before booking a trip. Each year, the entire train journey from Neral to Matheran is not available in the monsoon period, which can stretch from mid-June till mid-October, due to the slippery condition of the narrow mountain path due to heavy rains.

• The train journey between Neral to Matheran takes place from mid-October to mid-June, which is the dry season.
• The journey by toy train is suspended during monsoon months, which usually is between mid-June and mid-October.
• The shuttle journey from Aman Lodge to Matheran is operational during the monsoon months.
• The exact dates when the train is suspended or resumed are declared each year by Central Railway.

Hence, if you are traveling in the rainy months, it will be better to reach Dasturi or Aman Lodge by road and take the shuttle service.

Fares: The Ticket Prices

The toy train is inexpensive for the experience it offers. The fares below are indicative and revised over time, so confirm at the counter.

Ticket	Adult	Child
Neral to Matheran, second class	Around Rs 75	Around Rs 45
Neral to Matheran, first class	Around Rs 300	Around Rs 180
Aman Lodge to Matheran shuttle	A modest fare, around Rs 55	Lower
Vistadome or special coaches	Higher, premium rates	Higher

However, there is one Vistadome coach with huge windows and roof panels for the views and a new AC saloon coach for private parties for one way trip only, both of which are provided at a higher cost. The chances of getting first class tickets are usually higher because their demand is lesser.

How to Book: Tickets and Counters

• Tickets are purchased from the ticket counters at Neral, and from Aman Lodge for the shuttle service.
• Neral counters open 45 minutes before the train’s departure, and there is considerable demand, so it is best to come early.
• One can also book tickets online through the Indian Railways site using the code NRL for Neral and MAE for Matheran; however, the availability online can be erratic.
• One should make bookings in advance for weekends and holidays and during the peak season since tickets sell out fast.
• First class tickets may be easier to procure compared to second class tickets, if standard tickets are unavailable.

It is best to travel light as the space available in the toy train is not much, and one should carry soft bags.

The Journey and What to Expect

The attraction is the ride, not just transport. The tiny train has been in operation since 1907 and chugs quietly up the mountainside through thick forest, over bridges, around tight hairpin turns with stunning views of the valleys below.

• Best views looking into the valley side up are at left hand side as you go up.
• The train desperately is slow, and those almost three hours are protracted (particularly with children or the aged).
• During monsoon views, the line runs at its fringes with waterfalls tumbling down hillsides but the service is suspended by peak rains.
• No vehicles are permitted in Matheran, so you go either on foot or by horse or hand-pulled rickshaw.

It is a nostalgic, heritage experience to savour slowly, rather than a fast way to reach the top.

Full Ride or Shuttle: Which to Choose

This is the practical decision, and it depends on your priorities.

Option	Best for	Trade-off
Full Neral to Matheran ride	The complete heritage experience and the views	Slow, about 2.5 hours, and monsoon-suspended
Drive to Dasturi, then shuttle	Speed and reliability, and monsoon travel	You miss most of the scenic climb
Full ride up, shuttle or walk down	The views one way, saving time the other	Needs a little planning

The honest verdict therefore is this. Best enjoyed as a full ride from Neral, at least in one direction up for the views. By far the easiest way, for speed or reliability is to drive your car up to Dasturi and then take a shuttle out of Aman Lodge. A lot of veteran visitors nowadays do just that.

Pros and Cons: An Honest Assessment

Weighing both sides helps you plan.

The pros:

• A lovely hundred-year-old heritage train with stunning views of the forests and valleys.
• Incredibly economical and a unique experience by itself.
• The regular service by the Aman Lodge shuttle offers an easy and fast means to get into the town.
• Arrives at a unique hill station where cars are completely banned.

The cons:

• Full Neral service is suspended during the monsoons.
• It is a leisurely journey of almost three hours that could bore children and old people.
• Tickets tend to sell out quickly in the busy months, with long queues at Neral station.
• Online booking does not always work.
• From Aman Lodge, there is more walking or horse riding before you reach the town center.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Planning the whole trip to Neral during the monsoon season when the train stops there.
• If there is a toy train running from Karjat to Neral, 11 km away.
• Reaching Neral Station late during the peak season when queues begin to form around 8:00 am.
• Carrying suitcases, which should be lightweight for a small train.
• Not realizing how slow and lengthy the trip is, particularly if you are accompanied by children or elderly people.
• Not knowing that there are no cars in Matheran; you will have to walk or ride a horse to get to your destination.

Is It Worth Doing? Who It Suits

Yes, the toy train is definitely an attraction for many visitors, and it is suitable for some.

• Ideal for: heritage buffs, rail enthusiasts, and all who enjoy the old style slow journey.
• Great for: families and couples seeking a nostalgic journey and scenic ride, weather and time permitting.
• Good with the shuttle for: time-crunched, monsoon visitors, and those with fussy children or aged relatives traveling along.

For the first visit to Matheran, going by train at least once would be recommended, with the shuttle proving to be the right choice when coming back.

Best Time to Visit and What to Carry

• This is the season from October to May, where the toy train is operational and the weather is pleasant.
• Winter is the best time from November to February, with the valleys visible clearly.
• Avoid the monsoon period as it is a suspended one during this season.
• Make sure to pack some water, food items, hat, and weather-related clothes as you will be visiting the hills.
• Pack your bags lightly and make sure you have some money in your pocket for tickets and the shuttle.

The days when people can visit are weekdays.

How to Reach Neral for the Toy Train

Neral, where the toy train starts, is easy to reach, which is the whole point of the journey beginning there.

Mode	Details and distance
By train	Neral Junction is on the Central Railway line, reached by local and express trains from Mumbai and Karjat.
By road	Neral is off the Mumbai to Pune route, about 11 km from Karjat, with taxis and buses.
By air	Mumbai airport is the nearest, roughly 80 to 90 km away, with road and rail onward.
To Dasturi and Aman Lodge	For the shuttle, drive up to the Dasturi car park near Aman Lodge, then take the shuttle in.

Most visitors reach Neral by train from Mumbai, then board the toy train. For the shuttle route, cars go up to Dasturi, where the road ends and the vehicle-free zone begins.

Things to Do in Matheran: After the Train

• Take a walk or a horse ride to the various lookout points like Panorama Point, Louisa Point, and Charlotte Lake.
• Experience the trails through the red earth forests because the whole town is accessed either walking on foot or riding a horse.
• See sunrise and sunset from the various lookouts, which are some of the best in the area.
• Visit the local market for chikki, the local candy, and other leather items in proximity to the railway station.
• What makes Matheran special is that there are no vehicles and it’s quite peaceful.

Trivia and Lesser-Known Facts: Matheran Toy Train

• Since 1907, the Matheran Hill Railway operates as a heritage narrow gauge railway.
• The elevation increases from 39 meters at Neral to above 800 meters at Matheran.
• Matheran translates to “forest on the forehead” in Marathi language and is the only Asia’s vehicle-free hill station.
• The stations in the route include Jummapatti, Water Pipe, and Aman Lodge.
• Cars have to stop at Aman Lodge, which lies near Dasturi, as that is the end of the vehicle-free area.
• Some trains now have the Vistadome coach with glass roof windows.

Quick Tips: Making Your Matheran Toy Train Timings Work

• Check the present schedule, as there are seasonal changes in timing and the train operates only during the non-monsoon season.
• In case of monsoon and hasty travel, go by road up to Dasturi and board the Aman Lodge bus.
• Arrive at Neral early, as the counter will be open 45 minutes prior, and the queue will form after 8:00 AM.
• Sit on the left side while ascending to get the best view of the valley.
• Pack light and soft luggage and always have water and cash in hand.
• Remember that no motor vehicle can reach Matheran.

Final Take: Planning Your Matheran Toy Train Journey

Matheran Toy Train starts from Neral at the bottom end and goes up to Matheran, which is a heritage narrow gauge train ride of approximately 20 to 21 km in duration of 2-2.5 hours via stops at Jummapatti, Water Pipe, and Aman Lodge. The prices are cheap, costing Rs 75 in second class and Rs 300 in first class. And the attraction itself is in leisurely scenic train ride started back in 1907. The only planning you need to do is to consider the suspension of train due to monsoons starting approximately mid-June to mid-October.

During the rainy season or if you are in hurry, go to Dasturi parking lot and take a shuttle bus to the town of Matheran. Arrive at Neral earlier to get the tickets, sit at the left side while climbing for the scenery, pack lightly and do not forget that Matheran is closed to traffic, so you will have to walk or take a horse ride from the station to the town. Confirm the schedule of the train before going there as it is changed every season.

Frequently Asked Questions

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