A Bangalore Day Out for Train-Loving Kids
If you have kids who are obsessed with trains (most kids are at some point), Bangalore is surprisingly hard to plan a day around. The big stations are crowded and chaotic. The Metro is fun but not "real trains". Most railway stations don't allow casual platform visits without tickets.
But there is one quiet spot in North Bangalore that works perfectly: **Kodigehalli Railway Station**, paired with **Shastrys Cafe** 200 metres away.
The Plan: A Train + Breakfast Day Out
7:45 AM — Take a MEMU from Yeshwanthpur to Kodigehalli
The MEMU services from Yeshwanthpur to Yelahanka stop at Kodigehalli. The ride is about 15 minutes. Tickets cost ₹10. Kids love sitting by the window and watching the city go by.
8:00 AM — Arrive at Kodigehalli Railway Station
KDGH is a tiny halt station — usually 5-10 passengers per train, no crowds, photogenic platform. Spend 5-10 minutes letting the kids look around.
8:05 AM — Walk 3 minutes to Shastrys Cafe
A short walk down Railway Parallel Road. Shastrys Cafe is at No.880 NTI Layout 2nd Phase.
8:30 AM — Cafe opens, order breakfast
For kids:: Idli (₹40), set dosa (₹60), masala dosa (₹70), badam milk (₹25), or chow chow bath (₹70)
For parents:: Idli + vada + sambar + filter coffee (₹80), masala dosa + sambar + coffee (₹85)
Cheese masala dosa (₹95): — the kid favourite
8:30–9:30 AM — Watch trains pass while eating
The cafe's outdoor seating gives a clear view of the railway line 30 metres away. During this hour, you'll see 3-4 trains pass — Vande Bharat, MEMU, expresses, freight.
9:30 AM — Walk back to Kodigehalli Station
Take the next MEMU back to Yeshwanthpur (~15 minutes).
10:00 AM — Home in time for the rest of the day
Why This Works So Well
Real train ride: (not Metro) for the kids
A quiet station: where kids can look around safely
A cafe that the kids will sit through: because they keep seeing trains
Real food for parents: (not chain QSR)
Honest prices: — entire morning costs ₹200-300 for a family of 3
Done by 10 AM: — leaves the day open
Educational: — kids learn about train types, locomotives, freight, signals
What Trains You'll See
Vande Bharat: to Mysuru / Coimbatore / Chennai
Yeshwanthpur–Hubballi expresses
Doddaballapur passenger trains
MEMU services: (most frequent)
Long freight trains: with WAG-9 locomotives
Locomotives:: WAP-7, WDP-4, WDG-4, WAG-9 are all regulars
Tips for Parents
Keep the kids on the inside seats: — Railway Parallel Road has light traffic but not zero
Bring a small notebook: — kids love noting train numbers and types
Don't promise specific trains: — trains can be late or early; let it be a discovery
Use the Indian Railways NTES app: — to track which train is coming next
How to Find Us
Cafe:: No.880, NTI Layout, 2nd Phase, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Kodigehalli, Bangalore – 560097
Distance from Kodigehalli Railway Station:: 200 m / 3-min walk
Hours:: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Sundays closed)
