A city in the Indian state of Karnataka, Mysore, until the mid-20th century, enjoyed its position as the administrative capital of the Kingdom of Mysore. Thus comes all the royalty that the city is associated with. The city’s silk manufacturing and trading industry and metal, wood, and ivory artworks are quite well known, attracting tourists from across the world to buy some. While there’s plenty of natural beauty to admire in Mysore or Mysuru, there are gobs of culture and an array of impressive architectural sights that you have to explore too. Additionally, attractions that make for pretty interesting outings. One such landmark attraction is the Mysore Rail Museum, boasting an excellent collection of the history of railways in the country, along with photographs, important documents, and several exhibits that interest kids and adults alike. Here’s a guide to Mysore Rail Museum that you can use to plan your outing.
Things to do
Check out the vintage displays
There are some amazing vintage locomotives on display at the museum. An ES-506 model steam locomotive, glaring red Austin rail motor car, Maharani Saloon carriage, and a YP 2511 steam engine are only to name a few. You can climb into some of these displays and enjoy a close look, while the rest you can admire and photograph from a distance.
Take a tour of Chamundi Gallery
Displaying an impressive range of historical documents, paintings, and photographs of the railway industry, Chamundi Gallery gives a real insight into how railways functioned during the times of royalty in India. While only a mere glimpse of the exquisitely designed and decorated coaches is possible via the photos and paintings, it is exceptional nonetheless. For a real look, the Maharani Saloon carriage display is a pretty great reconstruction, together with a dining car unit, kitchen, and a toilet!
Head to Sri Ranga Pavilion
Sri Ranga Pavilion in the museum houses two royal coaches that were once owned by the Maharaja of Mysore. Not just the pavilion’s exhibits, but even the entrance to it is also every bit royal, adorned by ornate rosewood pillars.
Catch a mini-train ride
There goes around a mini-train toy train in the museum’s facility. This is quite a hit activity amongst children, so parents, invest in the tickets and give your little ones a fun ride in the toy train. The ticket costs about 0.15 USD per person.
Leave your kids to chill
The museum also has a dedicated play area for children, which parents find a real treat. Your kids can burn off some energy while you tour through the museum.
Travellers tips
Wear outdoor-friendly outfit
Some parts of the museum, especially the vintage exhibits are open-air, so go prepared to walk around outdoors. Be mindful of the weather and carry hats, caps, sunscreen lotion, and the like for summers, and umbrellas, raincoat, etc., for monsoons.
Purchase a camera ticket
Although video filming is allowed in the museum, visitors need to purchase a ticket for it. You can buy it along with admission tickets from the same counter. It should cost you about 1 USD for the ticket.
Maintain cleanliness
Mysore Rail Museum is definitely one among the city’s top attractions, so respect the museum’s rules and ensure that you don’t litter.
Come with some time in hand
A visit here will easily take about an hour or two, so keep that kind of time aside to see every part of the museum properly. Not too long that kids will get bored.
How to get there
Car/cab/autorickshaw
Mysore Rail Museum is about 3 km (2 mi) from the Mysore city centre, so can be easily accessed via car, app cabs (Ola and Uber), or even local auto rickshaws. Each of these will drop you at the museum’s gate. The cabs or local autorickshaws can be hitched from anywhere. While you can call an Ola and Uber cab by simply powering up their apps, local auto rickshaws keep moving around the city. Just hail one you find free. Do note that the rickshaw puller may quote any price, so you may have to depend on your ability to haggle or end up paying more than you should.
Bus
Several buses also ply to and from the museum, so you can hitch one of those as well. Just go in for bus no. 119V, 119 GD, 119, 116, or 116V.
Train
The museum is located at a stone’s throw distance from Mysore Railway Station’s rear gate, so if you’re in the city on transit or on a quick getaway, you can opt for a train ride too.
How to book tickets
The only way to purchase entry tickets of the museum is on-site. The museum’s entrance has a cute-looking ticket kiosk, which has been built inside a train coach.
Mysore Rail Museum information
Mysore Rail Museum
Address: KRS Rd, Opposite CFTRI, Medar Block, Yadavagiri, Mysuru, Karnataka 570005
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)
Cost: 1 - 2 USD
Department of tourism: Mysore Tourism
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to