Air travel in India has become comparatively cheaper recently and passenger traffic is registering growth in the last four years. Despite its recent popularity, air travel is no match for traveling by train when it comes to economy and connectivity. Indian railways have more than 1,20,000 km of track length and carry more than 20 million passengers daily.
I am sure everyone can relate to the nostalgia and charm of traveling by train while growing up. If you think that Indian railways provide just a means of traveling from one place to another in a cheap way, then think again!
If you have enough money and time, you sure can live like a king on the luxurious train journeys that are provided by the Indian railways. This article takes you on an opulent journey like no other to experience royalty at its best as you travel not only in distance but in time as well. Let’s get more details about the luxury trains in India.
Luxurious Trains of India
There are a few contenders when it comes to providing ultra-luxury facilities onboard and we are including the best 4 experiences currently available if you have time and (more importantly) money. The experiences covered in this article include:
- Palace on Wheels
- Maharaja Express
- Deccan Odyssey
- Golden Chariot
Although people may argue that Fairy Queen Express and Royal Orient Express are also luxurious options. Sure they are expensive as compared to normal train journeys but we doubt if they have the grandeur and opulence to be compared to the others in this list.
1. Palace on Wheels
The first luxury train in India was introduced in the late 1980s and has gone through several infrastructural up-gradations since then to offer state-of-the-art travel in comfortable air-conditioned coupes or cabins. The exuberant journey on the Palace on Wheels covers a distance of more than 3000 km in 7 Nights & 8 Days through the might desert of Rajasthan giving a chance to relive the life of rulers of the princely states Rajputana and Viceroys of the colonial British era.
Voted as the 4th best luxury train in the world, the train can accommodate 82 passengers through its Delux and Super Delux Cabins. Each cabin has attached toilets and facilitates modern amenities like wi-fi, mini-pantry, and safe lockers. Each coach of the palace on wheels train is uniquely named after famous forts and palaces of Rajasthan and showcases rich interiors in hues of Pearl, Ruby, and Turquoise. The palace on wheels features two Resto-Bar saloons serving freshly cooked delicacies of international cuisine and a separate saloon for an Ayurvedic Spa. Since 2017, the services of Royal Rajasthan on Wheels are merged with the Palace on Wheels.
Luxurious Train “Palace of Wheels“ Route
The journey commences from Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi every Wednesday evening and ends in the early morning of the following Wednesday. There is a traditional welcome with garlanding and a turban followed by a photo shoot with the entire staff of the train in traditional attire. The first stop of the Palace on Wheels is the pink city of Jaipur to visit the famous Hawa Mahal and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hill Fort Palace of Amber.
Day 3 of the journey starts with a guided tour and jungle Safari of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The famous reserve in India is home to Panthers, Tigers, Crocodiles, and numerous varieties of deer and birds. The next stop of the day is Chittorgarh where an excursion to 11th-century-old Hill Fort is organized. The fort is considered to be the largest fort in India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 4 of the trip is reserved to visit the beautiful city of Udaipur; the city of Lakes. Chief attractions of the city like the boat ride in Lake Pichola and the 17th Century City Palace complex with 11 constituent mahals and the Royal Garden are covered throughout the day.
The next leg of the tour covers the city of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur known as Oasis in the desert and Heart of Marwar respectively in the next couple of days. The major attractions of the cities like 15th-century-old Jaisalmer Fort and 16th-century-old Mehrangarh Fort Umaid Bhawan Palace are bound to take you back to the time of royalty. The last leg of the tour includes a visit to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary which is home to more than 375 species of local as well as migratory birds and Agra to admire the Taj Mahal; one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Palace on Wheels Fare
The Palace on Wheels features 39 Delux Cabins and 2 Super Delux Cabins which can be booked in single or double occupancy. Tariffs for the journey are given below which include accommodation in an air-conditioned cabin with an attached bathroom, transfers, and meals. Services like English-speaking guides and sightseeing tours along with entrance fees for different monuments and jungle safari are also included in the tariff.
Palace on Wheels Train Tour Packages
| CABIN TYPE | No of Persons | Indian Nationals | Foreigners |
| Deluxe Cabin | |||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | INR 3,63,300/- | USD 6,055 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | INR 5,46,000/- |
USD 9,100 |
| Super Deluxe Cabin | |||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | INR 7,56,000/- | USD 12,600 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | INR 7,56,000/- |
USD 12,600 |
Additionally, a holiday surcharge of 10% is levied extra during peak seasons such as Christmas & New Year. In order to attract tourists in the low-demanding seasons, discounted tariffs as mentioned below are available for the months of September and April. It must be added that the discounted prices are promotional and may get withdrawn.
Palace on Wheels Train Tour Packages for Lean Season
| CABIN TYPE | No of Persons | Indian Nationals | Foreigners |
| Deluxe Cabin | |||
|
Single Occupancy |
1 |
INR2,73,000/- |
USD4,550 |
|
Double Occupancy |
2 |
INR 4,20,000/- |
USD 7,000 |
| Super Deluxe Cabin | |||
| Single Occupancy |
1 |
INR 7,56,000/- |
USD 12,600 |
| Double Occupancy |
2 |
INR 7,56,000/- |
USD 12,600 |
However, additional fees like taxes as applicable on the date of the journey and insurance are not covered in the package mentioned above.
2. Maharaja Express
Maharaja Express is the Ultimate rail experience which was launched in 2010 and has redefined the experience in traveling luxury since then. Rated higher than Royal Scotsman in the UK, Blue Train in South Africa, and Orience Express in Europe, the Maharaja Express has won the “World’s Leading Luxury Train” Award five years in a row from 2012-2016. Everything about the Maharaja Express Train is Grand and its state-of-the-art amenities, aesthetic interiors, and customized food, and drinks menu offer an unparalleled lavish medium to experience India’s diversity.
The Maharaja Express consists of 14 guest saloons across four categories of cabins and each saloon is uniquely crafted with style and enigma. The inspiration for the design has been taken from private saloons of different Maharajas of historical India and the ambiance has been named after their famous gemstones. Additionally, the train has 8 other coaches including two saloons dedicated to restaurants, a saloon for the club lounge, and remaining coaches for staff and auxiliary services. The plush seating arrangements, a wide variety of drinks and snacks, and several cultural activities like guided tours, and guest lectures on Indian history and mythology are key attractions of the tourists. Major amenities in the cabin include Air temperature control, a dedicated butler service, complimentary wi-fi, and a multimedia TV set.
Destinations Covered During the Maharaja Express Train Journey
The Maharaja Express has four different tour packages covering different destinations and variations of India’s large cultural and historical biodiversity.
- Indian Splendour Journey: This journey starts from New Delhi and reaches Mumbai in 7 Nights covering destinations like the Taj Mahal in Agra, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, the Pink City of Jaipur, the Desert outpost of Bikaner, the fort town of Jodhpur, Lake City of Udaipur, Balsinor Fossil Park.
- Heritage of India Journey: The 7 Nights journey commences from Mumbai and reaches New Delhi through the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The destinations covered en route are Ajanta Caves, the Lake city of Udaipur, the Fort town of Udaipur, the Desert outpost of Jodhpur, the Pink city of Jaipur, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Fatehpur Sikri, and Agra.
- Treasures of India Journey: This round-trip short journey from New Delhi covers the Taj Mahal, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, and the Pink City of Jaipur in 3 Nights and is ideal for tourists seeing a quick getaway in royal style.
- Indian Panorama Journey: The Indian Panorama Journey focuses on covering places of historical and mythological importance in India. The round-trip journey begins from New Delhi and covers cities like Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Lucknow before reaching back to New Delhi in 7 Nights.
Maharaja Express Train Route and Its Prices
| Tour Details | Occupancy | Delux cabin | Junior Suite | Suite | Presidential Suite |
| 6 Nights Indian Splendour Journey | Double Occupancy for 2 persons | USD 11,960 | USD 18,920 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 |
| Single Occupancy for 1 person | USD 10,490 | USD 17,980 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 | |
| 6 Nights Heritage of India Journey | Double Occupancy for 2 persons | USD 12,680 | USD 19,780 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 |
| Single Occupancy for 1 person | USD 11,180 | USD 18,820 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 | |
| 3 Nights Treasures of India Journey | Double Occupancy for 2 persons | USD 7,700 | USD 9,900 | USD 15,200 | USD 25,800 |
| Single Occupancy for 1 person | USD 6,760 | USD 9,410 | USD 15,200 | USD 25,800 | |
| 6 Nights Indian Panorama Journey | Double Occupancy for 2 persons | USD 11,960 | USD 18,920 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 |
| Single Occupancy for 1 person | USD 10,490 | USD 17,980 | USD 27,600 | USD 47,400 |
The tariffs for different journeys include accommodation and meals with soft beverages, and house brands of wine, beer, and spirits. On-board services like a butler, para-medic, guided tours excursions, and entrance fees are also included as a part of the package. However, taxes as applicable are levied at the time of booking. A fee of USD 500 is added extra (per person) as Holiday Surcharge for tours departing during Christmas & New Year.
3. Deccan Odyssey
This luxury train in India service is a joint collaboration between Indian Railways & the State Government of Maharashtra and was introduced in 2005 to promote tourism in Maharashtra. The Deccan Odyssey Train is maintained by the Taj Group of Hotels and offers comfortable travel in luxuriously furnished cabins with attached bathrooms. The train offers onboard facilities like Bar Lounge, Dining Car Saloon, Ayurvedic Spa & Gymnasiums.
Destinations Covered By Deccan Odyssey Luxury Train in India
The Deccan Odyssey train service operates on 6 different routes to suit the tastes of tourists ranging from the exotic beaches of Goa to historical grand palaces and forts of Rajasthan; from the glory of the Deccan plateau and ancient temples of Karnataka to the un-discovered Lion Reserves of Gujarat. Each journey spans 7 Nights and is carefully crafted with a unique name. The details of different destinations covered in these journeys are as under:
- Maharashtra Splendour Journey: This round-trip from Mumbai starts on Saturday Afternoon to cover Vineyards of Nasik, the UNESCO World Heritage caves at Ajanta & Ellora, the Princely town of Kolhapur, the Former Portuguese Colony of Goa, and finally Cashew & Mango plantations at Ratnagiri before returning back to Mumbai on next Saturday morning.
- Hidden Treasures of Gujarat Journey: The journey starts from Mumbai on Saturday Afternoon and covers the Palace town of Vadodara, the ancient Jain temples of Palitana, Sasangir Asiatic Lion Sanctuary, the famous Salt Desert in Rann of Kutch, the Sun temple at Modhera, and picturesque Vineyards of Nasik before returning back to Mumbai on next Saturday morning.
- Indian Sojourn Journey: The train departs from Mumbai on Saturday Afternoon to cover the Palace town of Vadodara, the Lake City of Udaipur, the Fort Town of Jodhpur; the wonderful TajMahal at Agra, Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve & Pink City of Jaipur before reaching New Delhi next Saturday early morning.
- Indian Odyssey Journey: This journey is quite similar to the Indian Sojourn and starts from New Delhi on Saturday Night & covers Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, TajMahal at Agra, Pink City of Jaipur, Lake City of Udaipur, Palace town of Vadodara, and UNESCO World Heritage site of Ellora Caves before concluding at Mumbai on next Saturday morning.
- Jewels of Deccan Journey: This round-trip journey from Mumbai starts on Saturday Afternoon to cover Islamic Monuments at Bijapur, Medieval Rock Cut Hindu temples of Pattadakal, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi Temple, Nizam’s Royal City of Hyderabad & UNESCO World Heritage site of Ellora& Ajanta Caves before returning back to Mumbai on next Saturday morning.
- Maharashtra Wild Trail Journey: The journey operates only during the summer season to cover Tiger reserves. The trip starts from Mumbai on Saturday Afternoon to cover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Vineyards of Nasik & Tiger Reserves at Pench & Tadoba before returning back to Mumbai next Saturday morning.
Deccan Odyssey Luxury Train Fare
The Deccan Odyssey offers Delux Cabin and a Presidential Suite in single and double occupancy. The tariffs for all six journeys are the same and are listed below:
| CABIN TYPE | No of Persons | Fare |
| Deluxe Cabin | ||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | USD 6,734 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | USD 9660 |
| Presidential Suite | ||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | USD 14,584 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | USD 14,584 |
The train tour packages include all meals and overnight stay in Air-conditioned cabins. Services like English-speaking guides and sightseeing tours with entrance fees for different monuments are also included in the tariff. However, additional fees like taxes and insurance are not covered in the package mentioned above.
4. Golden Chariot
The Golden Chariot takes pride in being the only luxury train in South India and is a joint collaboration of Indian Railways and the State Government of Karnataka. Awarded with the ‘Asia’s leading luxury train’ award at the World Travel Awards, 2013, the train promises to experience the major as well as offbeat tourism destinations of South India in ultra-luxury. The uniquely customized itinerary makes sure that the journey has something to offer everyone. From adventures to comfort; from picturesque trails to cultural destinations; from heritage monuments to wildlife sanctuary; from relaxed beaches to backwaters, the experience is bound to be an unforgettable one.
The Golden Chariot Train is designed on the lines of the renowned Palace on Wheels Train Tour and offers eleven saloons crafted with luxury and style for passengers. The trains consist of 11 air-conditioned saloons having 4 luxurious cabins each, two cars for dining, a Bar Lounge, an Ayurvedic Spa, A mini gymnasium, and a well-connected Business Centre.
The interior of the passenger’s saloon draws inspiration from the 12th-century architecture of Hosalya Temple. Each cabin offers 5-star facilities including a small wardrobe, vanity desk, LED television, and private washroom with plush accessories. The dining cars called Nala and Ruchi are inspired by the royal Hampi and Halebid temples and serve customized delicacies offering a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights. The Bar Lounge is called Madira and the plush royal interiors are modeled after 20th century Mysore Palace.
Destinations Covered By Golden Chariot Luxury Train in India
The Golden Chariot Train operates on two various circuits of South India
1. Pride of South
The journey through the archaeological wealth of the World Heritage sites of Hampi & Pattadakkal is a 7 Nights affair departing from Bangalore on Monday evening. The first leg of the journey includes visiting the majestic Mysore Palace and a night stay in Jungle Lodge en-route Kabini Forest and a Safari to spot the herds of Asian Elephants, Wild Boar with occasional sightings of Panther and Tiger.
The next leg promises to revisit the heritage and kaleidoscope of culture by visiting the 58 feet high statue of Jain monk Gommateshvara Bahubali which dates back to the 10th century in the Shravanabelagola village. This is followed by a visit to the 12th-century old Hindu temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu at Halebid & Belur respectively. These monuments are filled with detailed sculptures of elephants, horses, and lions. UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Hampi, Badami, and Pattadakal are major tourist attractions and architectural marvels showing the full might and glory of ancient India.
Finally, the last leg of the tour offers a visit to Goa which is a quite popular tourist destination in the country. The Portuguese-era Churches like St Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa date back to the 16th century. The afternoon is reserved for the luxury beach resort where one can relax at leisure or opt for water activities (at additional cost).
2. Southern Splendour
The Golden Chariot presents yet another splendid voyage spanning 7 nights linking some of the most famous destinations of Southern India. The journey passes through the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and promises to give you enough memorable moments to last a lifetime.
The journey commences on Monday afternoon in Bangalore by visiting the ISKON temple before boarding the train. The first stop is Chennai which charms with its 8th century built stone cut temples and fresh air on the beach at Mahabalipuram. You are then driven to Pondicherry to visit Auroville & Aurobindo Ashram along with the 17th-century old Temple of Lord Ganesha.
Next on the itinerary is the city of Thanjavur to visit the famous Lord Brihadeshwara Temple. The temple of Lord Shiva is a testimony to the mighty Chola Empire of the 11th century and is carved out of a single granite rock weighing around 80 tons and towering 66 meters high. This is followed by a visit to the Shri Rangam Temple at the adjacent city of Trichy. The massive temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and raises up to 237 feet with the support of around 1000 pillars. The last destination in the state is the city of Madurai which has been inhabited since the 3rd century B.C. The Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple has dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Parvati and features more than 33,000 sculptures.
The landscape and the scenery change as you enter the last leg of the tour in the state of Kerala. From the soulful and serene sunrise at Kanyakumari to the happening at Kovalam Beach to the backwaters at Alleppey, it is truly hard to admire “God’s own country”. Finally, the last destination is Kochi town to explore the 16th century built Kochi Fort, and the exotic spice market.
The Tariffs for the tours in Golden Chariot are listed below
Golden chariot luxury train has two different tour packages which include the pride of south & Southern Splendour. The Prices of both journeys are listed below:
| Golden Chariot Cabin | No of Persons | Indian Nationals | Foreigners |
| Pride of South | |||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | INR 2,45,000/- | USD 6,135 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | INR3,50,000/- | USD10,040 |
| Triple Occupancy | 3 | INR3,78,000/- | USD10,040 |
| Southern Splendour | |||
| Single Occupancy | 1 | INR 2,59,000/- | USD 6,915 |
| Double Occupancy | 2 | INR3,78,000/- | USD10,485 |
| Triple Occupancy | 3 | INR4,20,000/- | USD13,385 |
The package cost includes travel and overnight stay in exclusive air-conditioned cabins with private attached bathrooms along with daily meals and packaged drinking water. All the entry tickets at different monuments, wildlife parks, and guides are included in the tariffs however Government Taxes as applicable at the time of the journey have to be paid extra. The Golden Chariot service has been paused for renovation and up-gradation and is expected to resume in October 2019.
Reserve your ticket today and begin a journey that you’ll never forget!
To sum it up: If you thought that train journeys are a boring way of cheap travel then you surely have to change your mind. If you thought that only suave lounges of Airports can pamper you during travel then again you need to change your mind. The Indian Railways has redefined the domain of luxury travel services in the last 30 years and is continuing to do so across different locations all over the country. These experiences are customized to include exotic and offbeat tourist attractions filled with Indian heritage, bio-diversity, and picturesque backdrop. Sure luxury comes at a price but the unforgettable experience of a lifetime should be sufficient to make up for it.
So what are you waiting for then? Check your account balance, book your tour, pack your bags, and tick one thing off your bucket list already.
FAQs on Luxurious Trains in India:
There are mainly eight luxury trains that have superb amenities, grand suites and cabins, royal interiors, and dining on-board facilities. These trains are – Bharat Gaurav Trains, Deccan Odyssey, Fairy Queen Express, Golden Chariot, Mahaparinirvan Express, Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, Royal Orient, and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.
Luxury train travel in India can be booked through the official website of Indian Railways. While booking, you may also get to know about some exclusive traveling packages and discounts to suit all types of travelers.
For six straight years, the incomparable Maharajas’ Express has been voted the “World’s Leading Luxury Train” by the highly respected World Travel Awards. This accolade is not just a reflection of the train’s grandeur and unparalleled comfort, it is also an image of its devoted staff and world-class service. With its fine dining, well-appointed suites, unequaled views, and insights into India’s culture and history, traveling on this one of the costliest trains in India is an experience unlike any other.
Maharajas’ Express is undoubtedly the most expensive train in India.