Ultra Luxury Trains In India That Defines Royalty!

You might not really think about luxury when thinking about Indian trains, but they have come a long way. Train journeys are more about the experience rather than just traveling and to notch way up and giving a whole definition to the experience are the luxury trains in India to give you a real glimpse into royalty and take you back in the era of the kings.

These luxury trains are no less than the rich cultural heritage of India studded with plush vintage interiors, magnificent ambiance, and exotic gastronomic affair. As the saying goes in India “Athithi Devo Bhava” – “Guest is God” you will get nothing less in these trains in terms of hospitality and security.

Apart from the interior luxury these trains also allow the onboard travelers to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations of India. The unparalleled comfort, the sense of royalty, and the extravagance worth every single dime will embark you on a one of its kind journey that you will never forget.

Here is a list of the Luxury Trains In India

1. Palace On Wheels

Voted as the 4th best luxury train in the world, Palace on wheels stays true to its name. It was once used by the kings of Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Nizams of Hyderabad, and the British echelons. After refurbishing, it was launched back in 2009 and since then it became a pride and one of the best luxury trains in India.

With each cabin decorated in hues of ruby, turquoise, and pearl, it has 39 deluxe cabins and 2 super deluxe cabins. The lavish interiors, paintings, and handicrafts will take you into the bygone golden era of Rajasthan. This epitome of luxury also comprises 2 resto-bar lounges, as well as an Ayurvedic Spa.

• Operating months of Palace on Wheels: September to April

• Journey duration of Palace on Wheels: 7 nights/ 8 days

• Route of Palace on Wheels: Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi

• Tariff of Palace on Wheels:
  • Peak Season:
    • Single Occupancy: INR 64,600 Per Person Per Night (Indians), USD 950 Per Person Per Night (Foreigners)
    • Double Occupancy: INR 48,620 Per Person Per Night (Indians), USD 715 Per Person Per Night (Foreigners)
    • Super Deluxe: INR 1,34,640 Per Cabin Per Night (Indians), USD 1,980 Per Cabin Per Night (Foreigners)
  • Lean Season:
    • Single Occupancy: INR 48,620 Per Person Per Night (Indians), USD 715 Per Person Per Night (Foreigners)
    • Double Occupancy: INR 37,400 Per Person Per Night (Indians), USD 550 Per Person Per Night (Foreigners)
    • Super Deluxe: INR 1,00,980 Per Cabin Per Night (Indians), USD 1,485 Per Cabin Per Night (Foreigners)

• City tours by Palace on Wheels:
  • Jaipur:
    • St. Albert Museum
    • City Palace
    • Jantar Mantar
    • Hawa Mahal
    • Amber Fort
  • Sawai Madhopur:
    • Ranthambore National Park
  • Chittorgarh:
    • Chittorgarh Fort
  • Udaipur:
    • Jag Niwas
    • Lake Pichola
    • Saheliyon Ki Bari
  • Jaisalmer:
    • Jaisalmer Fort
    • Patwon ki Haweli
    • Sam Sand Dunes
  • Jodhpur:
    • Mehrangarh Fort
    • Jaswant Thada
    • Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum
  • Bharatpur:
    • Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
  • Agra:
    • Agra Fort
    • Taj Mahal

2. Maharaja’s Express

One of the 5 most luxury trains in the world and the most expensive in India, Maharaja’s Express was voted “World’s Leading Luxury Train” for consecutively 6 years by World Travel Awards, need we say anything more?

It has presidential, express, junior express, and deluxe express suites which can give any luxury hotel room a run for its money. Boasting lavish suites, beautifully decorated lounges, plush restaurants, and a lot more it also offers 4 different route circuits.

• Operating months of Maharaja’s Express: October to April

• Journey duration of Maharaja’s Express:
  • The Indian Splendour: 6 nights/ 7 days
  • The Heritage of India: 6 nights/7 days
  • The Indian Panorama: 6 nights/ 7 days
  • Treasures of India: 3 nights/ 4 days

• Route of Maharaja’s Express:
  • The Indian Splendour: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai
  • The Heritage of India: Mumbai – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi
  • The Indian Panorama: Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi
  • Treasures of India: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi

• Tariff of Maharaja’s Express:
  • The Indian Splendour:
    • Deluxe Cabin: INR 4,55,800 (Indians), USD 5,980 (Foreigners)
    • Junior Suite: INR 7,21,050 (Indians), USD 9,460 (Foreigners)
    • Suite: INR 10,51,840 (Indians), USD 13,800 (Foreigners)
    • Presidential Suite: INR 18,06,420 (Indians), USD 23,700 (Foreigners)
  • The Heritage of India:
    • Deluxe Cabin: INR 4,83,240 (Indians), USD 6,340 (Foreigners)
    • Junior Suite: INR 7,53,820 (Indians), USD 9,890 (Foreigners)
    • Suite: INR 10,51,840 (Indians), USD 13,800 (Foreigners)
    • Presidential Suite: INR 18,06,420 (Indians), USD 23,700 (Foreigners)
  • The Indian Panorama:
    • Deluxe Cabin: INR 4,55,800 (Indians), USD 5,980 (Foreigners)
    • Junior Suite: INR 7,21,050 (Indians), USD 9,460 (Foreigners)
    • Suite: INR 10,51,840 (Indians), USD 13,800 (Foreigners)
    • Presidential Suite: INR 18,06,420 (Indians), USD 23,700 (Foreigners)
  • Treasures of India:
    • Deluxe Cabin: INR 2,93,450 (Indians), USD 3,850 (Foreigners)
    • Junior Suite: INR 3,77,290 (Indians), USD 4,950 (Foreigners)
    • Suite: INR 5,79,280 (Indians), USD 7,600 (Foreigners)
    • Presidential Suite: INR 9,83,240 (Indians), USD 12,900 (Foreigners)

3. The Deccan Odyssey

Designed to reflect the royal lives of the kings in the 16th century, The Deccan Odyssey is no less than a 5-star hotel on rails. This gentle chariot takes you to some of the most fascinating destinations in India with its 6 different route circuits.

You will never get enough of the palace-like interiors, lounges, restaurants, spa, state of the art amenities, conference car, and a lot more making it one of the most opulent luxury trains in India.

• Operating months of The Deccan Odyssey: October to April

• Journey duration of The Deccan Odyssey: The journey duration for all 6 routes is 7 nights/ 8 days

• Route of The Deccan Odyssey:
  • Maharashtra Splendor: Mumbai – Nashik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai
  • Indian Odyssey: New Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves – Mumbai
  • Jewels of the Deccan: Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole & Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Mumbai
  • Maharashtra Wild Trail: Mumbai – Ellora Caves – Aurangabad – Pench (Ramtek) – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai
  • Hidden Treasures of Gujarat: Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir & Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera & Patan – Nashik – Mumbai
  • Indian Sojourn: Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Delhi

• Tariff of The Indian Odyssey: The tariff for every route is the same
  • Deluxe Cabin:
    • Single Occupancy: INR 5,12,400 (Indians), USD 7,320 (Foreigners)
    • Double Occupancy: INR 7,35,000 (Indians), USD 10,500 (Foreigners)
    • 02 Children(in a separate Cabin): INR 5,51,460 (Indians), USD 7,878 (Foreigners)
  • Presidential Suite:
    • Single Occupancy: INR 11,09,850 (Indians), USD 15,855 (Foreigners)
    • Double Occupancy: INR 11,09,850 (Indians), USD 15,855 (Foreigners)
    • 02 Children(in a separate Cabin): INR 5,51,460 (Indians), USD 7,878 (Foreigners)

4. The Golden Chariot

Taking you through some of the wonders of South India, The Golden Chariot is famous for its exemplary hospitality. The royal interiors, gym, ayurvedic spa, bars, multi-cuisine restaurants, and a plethora of activities that you get in a 5-star hotel take you on two remarkable journeys that will leave you awestruck. 

It was awarded as “Asia’s Leading Luxury Train” in the year 2013 and still is one of the best luxury trains.

• Operating months of The Golden Chariot: October to March

• Journey duration of The Golden Chariot: The journey duration for both the routes is 6 nights/ 7 days

• Route of The Golden Chariot:
  • Pride of Karnataka: Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysore – Halebidu – Chikamgaluru – Hampi – Pattadakal & Aihole – Goa – Bengaluru
  • Jewels of South: Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur&Chettinad – Cochin – Kumarakom -Bengaluru

• Tariff of The Golden Chariot: The tariff for both the routes is the same
  • Singe Occupancy: INR 2,40,100 (Indians), USD 3,150 (Foreigners)
  • Deluxe Cabin: INR 3,20,130 (Indians), USD 4,200 (Foreigners)

5. Fairy Queen Express

One of the oldest luxury trains in India, Fairy Queen Express is powered by the oldest serving steam locomotive built in around 1855. A recipient of the National Tourism Award and a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records, it has an unimaginable and unparalleled charm that will make your journey a once in a lifetime experience.

• Operating months of Fairy Queen Express: 2nd and the 4th Saturday of the months of October to March.

• Journey duration of Fairy Queen Express: 1 night/ 2 days

• Route of Fairy Queen Express: Delhi – Alwar – Sariska – Alwar – Delhi

• Tariff of Fairy Queen Express:
  • Full Package(Two-way train journey + sight-seeing / stay at Sariska):
    • INR 15,200 (Adults), INR 7,550 (Children 5-12 years)
  • One-way Trip Package(Between Delhi & Alwar + sight-seeing / stay at Sariska):
    • INR 10,100 (Adults), INR 5,150 (Children 5-12 years)
  • One-Way Train Journey(Between Delhi & Alwar only):
    • INR 5,100 (Adults), INR 2,600 (Children 5-12 years)

So which rail route are you taking next to take a dip into royalty?

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