There’s something timeless about train travel, here’s the magic of luxury train tours in India – the rhythmic clatter of wheels, landscapes rolling past your window like an old-school film, the soft hum of conversation in a lounge car. Now swap that utilitarian carriage for a rolling five-star hotel: carved teak panels, silken upholstery, a butler who knows your coffee order by heart.
Why Swap Taxis for Tracks?
India’s highways can be hectic and its airports crowded; luxury trains slow everything down in the best possible way. You unpack once and still wake up every morning in a new city, fort, or tiger reserve—no repacking, no security lines, zero fuss. Think of each train as a boutique resort that happens to move.
Meet the Maharajas on Wheels – Luxury Train Tours in India
| Train | Signature Circuit | Price (2025 season) | Typical Departure Time* | What Makes It Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palace on Wheels | Delhi → Jaipur → Jodhpur → Udaipur → Bharatpur → Agra (7 nights) | ₹6.7–8.9 lakh per cabin (twin share) | Wednesdays 18:30 (Delhi Safdarjung) | Rajputana-themed suites, live folk shows on platforms |
| Maharajas’ Express | “Heritage of India” (Mumbai–Delhi, 7 nights) + 3 shorter circuits | ₹4.8 – 10 lakh per person | Select Saturdays 14:30 (Mumbai CST) | Personal valet, two fine-dining cars, onboard safari bar |
| Deccan Odyssey | Mumbai → Goa → Ajanta → Kolhapur → Sindhudurg (7 nights) | ₹5.2 lakh pp (Deluxe) | Fridays 16:40 (Mumbai CSMT) | Coastal cuisine workshops, platform folk dances |
| Golden Chariot | “Pride of Karnataka” (Bengaluru–Goa, 6 nights) | ₹3.1 lakh pp (Low-season twin) | Mondays 20:00 (Yesvantpur Jn.) | Ayurveda spa car, wildlife safari in Kabini |
These luxury trains usually leave in the evening so guests can settle in, dine, and wake to their first destination. Schedules may shift; confirm while booking.
1. Palace on Wheels – Rajasthan’s Royal Ride
The name says it all, and one of the true Luxury Train Tours in India. This train is less about commuting and more about living. Modeled after the personal coaches of former maharajas, the Palace on Wheels is Rajasthan on rails — decked in silk, brass, and nostalgia.
Imagine dining in vintage salons after a day spent exploring Jaipur’s forts or Udaipur’s lakes. Then falling asleep as the desert moon follows you to the next city.
Highlight: Elephant polo, regal receptions, and a route straight out of a fairy tale.
2. The Maharajas’ Express – The Jewel of Indian Railways
Often compared to the Orient Express, the Maharajas’ Express is India’s most luxurious train — and not without reason. It’s sleek, it’s indulgent, and it’s incredibly intimate.
You’ll sip champagne while passing age-old temples, feast on lobster in a restaurant that looks like a 5-star hotel, and attend off-board experiences like royal banquets and cultural performances.
Unmissable: The “Heritage of India” tour, which includes Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and beyond — each stop more stunning than the last.
3. Deccan Odyssey – Maharashtra’s Crown Jewel
Counted among true luxury train tours in India. Less known than others, but no less breathtaking, the Deccan Odyssey is the connoisseur’s train. It cruises through Maharashtra, Goa, and even Gujarat, blending historic forts, vineyards, beaches, and tribal art.
What makes it special? The storytelling. Every stop is curated, with guides who bring history alive. Onboard, there’s a spa, plush lounges, and gourmet Indian and continental cuisine.
My tip: Try the “Jewels of the Deccan” journey for an offbeat, enriching ride.
4. Golden Chariot – Truly One of the luxury train tours in India
South India’s elegance and richness often get overshadowed — until you step on the Golden Chariot. With interiors inspired by Hoysala architecture and routes that include Hampi, Mysore, and Kochi, this train is as soulful as it is scenic.
Whether you’re meditating at a temple complex or eating coconut-based curries in a dining car, every moment feels like a page from a Southern epic.
Experience to remember: A traditional Kerala massage aboard a moving train — bliss redefined.
How to Book Your Luxury Train Journey
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Official Portals First
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IRCTC Luxury Trains handles Palace on Wheels & Maharajas’ Express.
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Karnataka State Tourism Dev. Corp. manages Golden Chariot.
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Deccan Odyssey is run by Maharashtra Tourism & MTDC.
Booking direct secures genuine tariffs and offers.
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Authorised GSA/Travel Partners
If you’d rather have flights, visas and add-on hotels bundled, choose an agent listed on the operator’s own website. Unsure? Cross-check licence numbers with state tourism boards. -
Timing Your Reservation
Cabins are limited—14 to 23 per train—so reserve 6–9 months ahead for peak October–March departures. April & September are “shoulder months” with 20-30 % lower fares yet decent weather. -
Payment & Documents
A 20 % deposit secures your suite; balance is due 60 days prior. Keep passport scans handy—foreign nationals must submit them for charter permissions. -
Upgrades & Add-Ons
– Ask about Presidential Suites (double the floor space, private lounge).
– Many trains let you bolt on a Taj Mahal sunrise or a Kerala back-water cruise post-tour.
A Day in the Life Onboard
06:30 – Dawn Call Your attendant arrives with Darjeeling tea; sunrise paints mustard fields pink.
08:00 – Gourmet Breakfast Masala dosa or Eggs Benedict? Both, if you like—served in a window-lined dining car.
10:00 – Off-Train Excursion Tour Mehrangarh Fort with a historian, then sip lassi in Jodhpur’s blue alleys.
14:00 – Lunch & Leisure Back onboard, feast on laal maas with saffron rice; siesta in your en-suite cabin.
17:30 – Sundowner Ritual Champagne on desert dunes while folk musicians play the ravanhatha.
21:00 – Royal Banquet Seven-course tasting menu—lobster neer dosa, millet khichda, almond kulfi—followed by jazz in the lounge.
Who Rides These Rails?
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Heritage Buffs – Forts, stepwells, ancient temples at every halt.
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Wildlife Lovers – Safaris in Ranthambhore, Kabini or Bandhavgarh.
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Foodies – Regional tasting menus and onboard demos.
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Slow-Travel Couples – Zero logistics, maximum us-time.
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Solo Adventurers – Single cabins + small-group shore tours make mingling easy.
Sustainability on Rails
Operators have introduced bio-toilets, solar lighting at halt stations, and local farm sourcing to cut food miles. Palace on Wheels funds village water filters; Golden Chariot supports Kabini anti-poaching patrols.
Quick FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are kids allowed? | Yes, but trains suit ages 10 + due to formal dinners and early starts. |
| Dress code? | Smart-casual by day; ethnic chic or cocktail attire for gala nights. |
| Internet? | Patchy; use the downtime to unplug or journal. |
| Health & Safety? | Onboard medic and 24 × 7 security are standard. |
Ending Note & Official References
Few journeys marry heritage, comfort, and storytelling like luxury train tours in India. Whether you crave Raj-era nostalgia or a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, the rails promise an immersion you’ll replay for decades.
Before booking, verify schedules, safety updates, and visa rules on these government portals:
