Luxurious Train's In India

If the fantasy of traveling back in time and experiencing the grand royalty interests and intrigues you, then luxury trains in India might well exceed your expectations. 

Traversing through beautiful plains and to exotic destinations, the exquisite luxury trains in India, that float majestically in the major travel circuits of India are an attraction to the affluent from the country and abroad. With 5 star hospitality and only the best services on board, the royal railway network has to be the most exclusive and yet one of the most culturally rich experiences of all times.

Managed by Indian Railways and the IRCTC, there are a total of 8 Luxury Trains in India – namely 

1. Maharajas’ Express, 
2. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels 
3. Palace on Wheels, 
4. The Deccan Odyssey, 
5. Golden Chariot, 
6. Royal Orient Train, 
7. Fairy Queen Express, and
8. Mahaparinirvan Buddhist Express
   

These elite luxury trains of India cater to travellers, who wish to explore the rich cultural heritage of India in the lap of luxury. Their grandeur is evident from mind-boggling interiors, majestic ambience, lavish gastronomical fare, stringent security arrangements and almost everything you can imagine.

Journeys in these trains offer matchless comfort onboard and allow travelers to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations of India. Take these luxury train tours in India to explore India in ways, not possible otherwise. 

1). Maharaja's Express :

* Best among all Indian luxury trains, Maharajas’ Express is also one of the 5 most luxurious trains in the world. 

* This half-a-mile long train boasts of professionals prepared to meet the highest quality of hospitality, fully stocked bars, lavish suites, butler services and what not! 

* Traveller's on-board get to experience the richness of the country in the most distinguished way possible. 

* Just for the record, it was voted ‘World’s Leading Luxury Train’ for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, consecutively.

Dining :

Bar :

Casual Room :

Bedroom :

Restroom :

Routes:

The Heritage of India (Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi)

Gems of India (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi)

The Indian Panorama (Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur – Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho –
    Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi)

Indian Splendour (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai)

Treasures of India (Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi)

Tariff for 2020-2021: 

• Deluxe Cabin – INR 4,51,540; 
• Junior Suite – INR 7,04,370; 
• Suite – INR 9,82,840; 
• Presidential Suite – 16,87,920.

Official Site : 

https://www.the-maharajas.com/

https://www.maharajas-express-india.com/

https://www.themaharajatrain.com/

2). Royal Rajasthan On Wheels :

* Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is one of the Indian luxury trains known for offering supreme quality of comfort and an everlasting traveling experience which a traveler can just imagine until he or she actually gets aboard. 

* Having 14 luxury cabins modeled on erstwhile royal palaces, multi-cuisine restaurants, bars and spa services on board, this train lives up to its name and remains in great demand for luxury train journeys in India.

Route:

Delhi – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Agra – Delhi

Running Details  :

* Like most Indian luxury trains, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is operational from October to March. 

* Duration of the journey is 7 nights, 8 days. 

* In each city that it stops, tours to city attractions and famous historical places in India are included. 

* Here are the top tourist attractions you cover on your journey in Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.

Jodhpur – Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada

Udaipur – Forts, palaces, and hotels of Udaipur

Chittorgarh – Vijay Stambha, Gaumukh Reservoir, Rana Kumbha Palace

Sawai Madhopur – Ranthambhore Palace and Ranthambore National Park, Amareshwar Mahadeo Temple

Jaipur – City Palace, Hawa Mahal

Khajuraho – Khajuraho Temples and

Varanasi – Ganga Ghats, Sarnath

Agra – Taj Mahal

Tariff for Peak Season : 

• Deluxe Cabin On Single Occupancy – INR
• 3,63,300; 
• Deluxe Cabin on Double Occupancy INR 5,46,000;
• Super Deluxe Cabin On Single Occupancy – INR 7,56,000;
• Super Deluxe Cabin On Double Occupancy – INR 7,56,000

Official Site : 

https://www.royal-rajasthan-on-wheels.com/tariff.html

3). Palace On Wheels :

* ‘Palace on Wheels’ is another in the list of luxury train ride in India that was refurbished and re-launched in 2009 to promote tourism. 

* Luxurious cabins, exquisite wallpapers, well-stocked bar, gracious hospitality and local culture displayed by artistic use of paintings and handicrafts – it is very much like a palace on wheels that recreates the bygone era of kings and their royal palaces! 

* Nowonder why it was voted as 4th best luxurious train in the world.

Route:

Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi

Running Details :

* Months of operation for Palace on Wheels are from September to April. 

* The 7 nights, 8 days journey includes 7 stoppages, where tourist are taken for city tours. 

* Key attractions covered by this train are:

Delhi – India Gate, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb

Jaipur – Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Rajasthali, City Palace, Jantar Mantar

Sawai Madhopur & Chittorgarh – Ranthambore National Park, Chittorgarh Fort

Udaipur – Jag Niwas, Lake Pichhola

Jaisalmer – Yellow Sandstone Fort, ancient mansions

Jodhpur – Mehrangarh Fort, grand palaces, shopping tour in Jodhpur

Bharatpur – Keoladeo Ghana National Park

Agra – Fatehpur-Sikri, the Taj Mahal

Tariff for Peak Season (October 2020 to March 2021) : 

• Single– INR 64,600 per person/night; 
• Double- INR48,620 per person/night; 
• Super Deluxe suite- INR 1,34,640 per suite/night

Tariff for Lean Season (September 2020 – April 2021) :

• Single– INR 48,620 per person/night; 
• Double- INR 37,400 per person/night; 
• Super Deluxe suite- INR 1,00,980 per suite/night

Official Site : 

https://thepalaceonwheels.com/

4). The Deccan Odyssey :

* Inspired by the traveling style of the kings and rulers during different royal eras of ancient India, Deccan Odyssey is a 5-star hotel on wheels that takes you to some fascinating destinations of India. 

* Royal treatment for passengers, palace-like interiors of the cabins, multi-cuisine restaurants, lounges, a conference car, an onboard spa and other state-of-the-art amenities make it one of the most luxurious trains in India and in the world as well.

Routes :

Maharashtra Splendor (Mumbai – Nasik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai)

Indian Odyssey (Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves – 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)

Jewels of the Deccan (Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Mumbai)

Maharashtra Wild Trail (Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ramtek – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai)

Running Details : 

 * The Deccan Odyssey operates from October to April and the duration for all 6 routes is 7 nights, 8 days.

Tariff for 2020-2021 (single occupancy) :

• INR 4,71,380 for Deluxe Suite
• INR 10,20,880 for Presidential Suite per journey.

Official Site : 

https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/

https://www.deccanodyssey.com/

http://www.deccanodysseytrains.com/

5). Golden Chariot :

* The Golden Chariot is one of the superb luxury trains in India that takes you to some of the most famous tourist places in South India. 

* Launched in 2008, the Golden Chariot is well known for its impeccable hospitality. 

* The train has AC chambers with royal interiors, bars, restaurants serving multi-variety cuisines, mini gym, ayurveda spa and other 5-star facilities.

* Regarded by traveller's as one of the best luxury trains of India, it was also awarded as ‘Asia’s Leading Luxury Train’ in the year 2013.

Routes :

Pride of the South (Bangalore – Kabini – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bangalore)

Southern Splendour (Bangalore – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Madurai –
    Thiruvananthapuram – Alleppey – Kochi – Bangalore)

Running Details :

* The Golden Chariot runs from October to March, and duration for both the routes is 7 nights, 8 days.

Tariff for the Golden Chariot:

• Single occupancy – INR 87247 per person/night; 
• Double Occupancy – INR 49855 per person/night

Official Site :

https://www.the-golden-chariot.com/

https://www.goldenchariottrain.com/

6). Royal Orient Train :

* Embark on a royal journey by the Royal Orient Train and enjoy a delightful experience of traveling to famous tourist destinations onboard one of the best luxury trains in India. 

* Journey by this train is a combination of absolute chivalry and unimaginable opulence.

* The palatial-style comfortable cabins, well-trained hospitality professionals, multi cuisine restaurant with the “Watering Hole” Bar, spacious baths, a library and almost all facilities that come to your mind while imagining yourself in a 5-star hotel – Royal Orient Train has them.

Route :

Delhi – Chittorgarh/Udaipur -Junagarh/Veraval- Sasan Gir/Dilwara – Palitana- Sarkhej- Ahmedabad- Jaipur- Delhi

Running Details :

* The Royal Orient Train runs all year round, and the duration is 7 nights, 8 days. 

* City attractions one can see en route are:

Delhi – Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate

Chittorgarh/Udaipur – Chittorgarh Fort, City Palace, boating in Lake Pichhola, Shilpgram and Royal Gardens

Junagarh/Veraval – Ashokan Rock EDICT of 3rd Century BC, Darbar Hall Museum, Mausoleum of Nawab

Mahabat Khanji, Somnath Temple on the shore of the Arabian Sea

Sasan Gir National Park – Lion Sanctuary

Dilwara – St. Paul’s church and Mandir Beach

Palitana – Jain Temple atop Shatrunjaya Hills

Ahmedabad – Gandhi Ashram, Calico Museum of Textiles, Sidi Aayyad’s Mosque

Jaipur – Amar Fort and elephant ride, Hawa Mahal, City palace, Jantar Mantar (observatory)

Tariff : INR 9,000 to INR 24,000 per day

7). Fairy Queen Express :

* Last but not the least, the Fairy Queen Express is one of the oldest trains providing luxury train journeys in India. 

* Powered by the oldest serving steam locomotive built in around 1855, Fairy Queen has its own charm as it rambles through to Alwar in Rajasthan. 

* With a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records and a recipient of National Tourism Award, Fairy Queen easily makes it to the list of most luxurious trains in India.

Route :

Delhi – Alwar – Sariska- Alwar – Delhi

Running Details : 

* Runs from October to March on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Duration of the journey is 1 night, 2 days. Attractions at its two stoppages – Sariska and Alwar – are:

Sariska– Lake Palace, Sariska National Park

Alwar– Alwar Museum

Tariff : Rs 12,375

8). Mahaparinirvan Express :

* The Mahaparinirvan Express is a Buddhist Circuit Special Train Travel that takes the passengers across a spiritual journey with an itinerary that covers popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. 

* The train is named after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana Sutra which teaches the true Buddha Nature.

* The train covers sites like Lumbini (birth-place), Sarnath/Varanasi (first-sermon), Kushinagar (dying-place) and Bodhgaya (place of enlightenment). 

* It is operated using Rajdhani Express carriages and has one, two and three-tier structures with onboard meals and refreshments.

Running Details :

• Duration: 7 Night/ 8 Days
• Itinerary: Delhi – Gaya – Bodhgaya – Nalanda – Rajgir – Varanasi – Sarnath – Gorakhpur – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Gonda – Sravasti – Agra

Tariff : 

• AC First Class – INR 76800 (for 7 days)/person; 
• AC two-tier – INR 62,850 (for 7 days)/person

Note: Routes, schedules, boarding and de-boarding points, and tariffs for the luxury train tours in India mentioned in my blog are subject to change in accordance with directives of Government of India with prior information and date.

Conclusion :

So next time you plan to travel, make sure you take a journey in these luxury trains of India to know what’s so surreal about it. After all, experiences have best answers. Plan a trip to India for an amazing luxurious experience in these trains and have the time of your life with the journeys stored herein!