The Cubbon Park Toy Train is a small, slow-moving miniature railway that loops through the Bal Bhavan section of the park, near the MG Road end of Cubbon Park in central Bengaluru. Officially named the Puttani Express, it’s one of the few rides of its kind still running in an Indian city park, and it draws a mix of visitors — families with young children, adults revisiting a childhood memory, and first-time tourists curious about one of Bengaluru’s older, low-key attractions.
It isn’t a major thrill ride or a scenic hill-railway experience, so it suits people looking for a short, inexpensive stop rather than a headline attraction. Here’s what you need to know before you go: what it costs, when it runs, where to find it, and who’s likely to enjoy it.
Quick Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Inside Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park (near the MG Road end) |
| Ride Name | Puttani Express |
| Ride Duration | Roughly 8–10 minutes per loop |
| Ticket Purchase Method | Counter only, at Bal Bhavan; no online booking |
| Best Time to Visit | Weekday mornings, shortly after opening |
| Suitable For | Toddlers, children, adults, most elderly visitors with basic mobility |
| Nearest Metro | Cubbon Park Metro Station (Green Line), 5–7 minute walk |
| Parking Availability | Limited parking near Bal Bhavan; fills up quickly on weekends |
Timings, exact fares, and the weekly off day can change without wide notice, so treat this table as a planning reference and confirm anything time-sensitive at the gate or by phone before you travel.
What the Puttani Express Actually Is
The Puttani Express is a narrow miniature train that runs on a fixed loop inside Jawahar Bal Bhavan, the children’s recreation area tucked into Cubbon Park near the MG Road end. “Puttani” is Kannada for “little one,” which is a fair description — the coaches are small, the speed is unhurried, and the whole ride is built around young children rather than thrills.
The track runs a little over a kilometer, curving past playground equipment, water features, and green stretches of the park. It’s operated on weekdays with two coaches and on weekends with three, since weekend crowds are noticeably heavier.
The train has been running for decades and went through a restoration a few years back, so if you rode it as a child, the coaches you see today have had some work done on them since.
Where to Find It Inside the Park
The most reliable reference point is the Cubbon Park Aquarium, one of the oldest in the country. Bal Bhavan sits just beyond it, and the toy train station is inside, close to the main play area. It isn’t visible from every park entrance, so if you come in through the Kasturba Road gate, expect a walk toward the MG Road end to reach it — entering from the MG Road side gets you there faster.
Timings
The ride typically operates from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM, generally in two blocks — a late-morning to early-afternoon session, and then again from mid-afternoon into the evening, with a short break in between for the crew and track.
The train also has a weekly off day for maintenance, and different sources list either Thursday or Monday. If your visit is built around a specific day, call Bal Bhavan ahead of time or check at the gate before you set out. Timings can also shift during heavy rain, festivals, or maintenance work, so build in a little flexibility rather than planning down to the minute.
Ticket Price
Entry to Bal Bhavan carries a small separate charge, and the toy train ride is priced on top of that — young children typically ride free or at a reduced rate, older children pay a child fare, and adults pay a slightly higher adult fare. The pricing is kept deliberately low, in line with Bal Bhavan’s role as a children’s recreation facility rather than a commercial attraction, and it remains one of the most affordable rides in the city. Since fares are periodically revised, confirm the exact amount at the counter when you arrive rather than budgeting from an old figure.
Carry small denomination cash for this — it’s the fastest way through the line, and it saves you from working out change with a queue behind you.
Can You Book Tickets Online?
No. As of now, tickets are sold only at the physical counter near the toy train station inside Bal Bhavan. There’s no official online booking system for this ride. If you see a third-party website offering to “book” toy train tickets in advance, treat it with suspicion — this is a counter-only, cash-friendly attraction, and that’s unlikely to change without an official announcement.
Card or UPI payment isn’t something you should count on at this counter — cash is the safer bet.
What the Ride Is Actually Like
Each ride runs for roughly eight to ten minutes, covering the loop around Bal Bhavan at a pace that’s closer to a brisk walk than anything resembling speed. The carriages are open-sided or semi-open depending on the coach, which means good visibility for photos but also means you’ll want a hat or sunscreen if you’re riding during the hotter part of the day.
Don’t expect a scenic railway experience in the way you might picture a hill-station toy train. This is a children’s park ride — short, simple, and charming mostly because of what it represents (a slice of old Bangalore, still running) rather than because of the view itself. Managing that expectation upfront saves people from feeling let down.
Crowds: Weekday vs Weekend
Weekdays are noticeably quieter, which is also why the train runs with fewer coaches on those days. Weekend queues are usually much longer than weekdays, especially during school holidays and public holidays.
If you have any flexibility in your schedule, a weekday morning is the easiest way to avoid standing in line. If weekends are your only option, arrive as close to opening as you can.
Best Time of Day to Visit
Late morning, shortly after the train starts running, tends to be calmer than the afternoon rush. Bangalore’s midday sun can also make waiting in an open queue uncomfortable, particularly for young children and elderly visitors, so an early slot works better on both counts — fewer people, and better weather.
Evenings closer to closing time can also work if you’re avoiding heat, though be aware that queues can build up again as people finish other activities in the park and head to the train before it stops for the day.
How to Reach the Toy Train
The Cubbon Park Metro Station on the Green Line is the most reliable option. From the station, it’s a five-to-seven-minute walk toward the Bal Bhavan area — manageable even with small children, though a stroller can be useful if you’re also planning to explore the wider park afterward.
Several BMTC bus routes stop near Cubbon Park as well, with Hudson Circle, MG Road, and Vidhana Soudha all being reasonable drop-off points depending on which direction you’re coming from.
If you’re driving, parking exists near Bal Bhavan, but it fills up fast on weekends. Realistically, the metro is the less stressful choice if you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday.
Facilities Nearby
Bal Bhavan itself has basic amenities — washrooms and small snack stalls are generally available near the play area, and you’ll usually find vendors selling popcorn, ice cream, and light snacks close to the train station. Don’t expect a full food court; if your family needs a proper meal, plan to eat before or after your visit rather than counting on much variety inside the park. Seating benches are available around Bal Bhavan, making it easier for parents and elderly visitors to rest while waiting. Drinking water may not always be available close to the platform, so carrying your own water bottle is a good idea.
Common Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make
A few patterns come up again and again with people visiting for the first time:
- Assuming the toy train and Cubbon Park entry are the same ticket — they’re not. Park entry is free; Bal Bhavan and the train ride are separate, paid attractions.
- Showing up without cash, expecting card or UPI payment at the counter.
- Visiting on a weekend afternoon without accounting for the queue, then feeling rushed.
- Confusing the toy train’s operating hours with Cubbon Park’s general opening hours — the two aren’t identical.
- Not checking for the day the ride is closed before planning a trip specifically around it.
Avoiding these is mostly a matter of double-checking timings and carrying cash — small things, but they’re what separate a smooth visit from a frustrating one.
Who Will Enjoy This Ride?
Young children get the most out of it, simply because the ride is built around their pace and their sense of wonder. Grandparents accompanying them tend to enjoy it just as much, since it’s slow enough to be comfortable and short enough not to be tiring. Adults visiting on their own — out of nostalgia, or curiosity about one of Bengaluru’s older attractions — generally find it a pleasant five-minute detour rather than a destination in itself, and it works best paired with a longer walk through the rest of the park.
If you’re travelling with teenagers looking for excitement, or you’re short on time and prioritizing bigger Bengaluru attractions, this is easy to skip without missing much. The ride has no thrill element and no scenery beyond the park itself.
The main physical demand is the walk to the station and the wait in line, not the ride itself, so it suits most elderly visitors with basic mobility. Parents should keep a close hold on young children while boarding and alighting, since the platform can get crowded when a train is arriving or departing.
What Else to Do Nearby
Since the ride itself takes only a few minutes, it makes sense to build a longer visit around it rather than making a special trip just for the train. The Cubbon Park Aquarium is right next to Bal Bhavan, so it’s worth visiting either right before or after your ride — going first works well if you want to beat the queue at the train, since the aquarium tends to be quieter early in the day.
If you’re travelling with children, Bal Bhavan’s play area gives them somewhere to run around once the ride is done, which helps if you’re trying to tire them out before a longer walk through the rest of the park. For visitors without children, the wider Cubbon Park grounds — including the walking paths, the State Central Library, and the Venkatappa Art Gallery — are close enough to combine into the same outing without much backtracking.
A reasonable order for a half-day visit: arrive early, ride the train before the queue builds, spend some time at the aquarium or the play area, then use the cooler late-morning hours to walk through the rest of the park before the midday heat sets in.
Read Also: Cubbon Park Parking Guide: Best Parking Areas, Fees & Tips for Visitors
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cubbon Park Toy Train the same as the Puttani Express?
Yes — Puttani Express is the train’s actual name; “Cubbon Park Toy Train” is simply the common way people refer to it.
Do I need to book tickets online in advance?
No. Tickets are sold only at the counter near the ride, on the day of your visit.
How long does the ride last?
Around eight to ten minutes per loop.
Can adults ride without children?
Yes, adults are permitted to ride on their own.
Which metro station is closest?
Cubbon Park Metro Station on the Green Line, followed by a five-to-seven-minute walk.
Is Cubbon Park entry free even if I want to ride the train?
Yes. Park entry itself is free; the toy train and Bal Bhavan entry are separate paid tickets.
Before You Go
Aim for a weekday or early morning slot, carry cash for the counter, and confirm the day-off and current price with a quick call or check at the gate if your visit depends on timing. Treat the ride for what it is: a short, unpretentious piece of old Bangalore rather than a headline attraction — that’s exactly why it’s stayed popular for so long.
Rahul Sharma is the founder and editor of BrindavanaGarden.com. He researches Brindavan Gardens, Mysore tourism, and nearby attractions using Karnataka Tourism resources, official websites, visitor reviews, maps, and trusted travel references. Every guide is carefully reviewed and updated to keep practical information such as timings, entry fees, travel tips, and visitor advice as accurate and useful as possible. His goal is to help travelers plan smoother, better-informed trips to Brindavan Gardens and the surrounding Mysore region.