Trains in India are a pure nostalgia; reminiscent of summer holidays, vacations, bittersweet memories, and family bonding over extended trips while traveling across the nation. There’s something exciting about the journey, more than the destination. Now, cherry on the cake is that there’s a way to ensure this journey is oozing with luxury in every possible way - plush interiors, best in class services and lip smacking gourmet food; call it a clear treatment of royalty. Yes, spoil me crazy! It does come at a big price though.

1. Palace on Wheels

Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $4025 Per Person
Destinations: New Delhi - Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur - Chittorgarh - Udaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Bharatpur - Agra - Delhi

Palace on Wheels is the jewel in the crown of Indian railways and Indian tourism. Ranked amongst the top ten most luxurious trains in the world this proud empress on track is completely self sufficient, and comprises of 14 deluxe saloons. The track covers the ever popular tourist places of Rajasthan including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Jaisalmer, and more. The train very well infuses elements of Rajputana grandeur, history and exuberance in its ambience and the stay.

2. Golden Chariot

Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: INR 125,500 Per Person
Destinations: Bangalore - Kabini/Bandipur - Mysore - Hassan - Hospet - Badami - Goa - Bangalore

This train is the most luxurious way to peek into the multifaceted Dravidian culture and diverse terrains of southern India. The journey offers eight days’ seamless amalgamation of religion, history, wildlife, scenic and coastal beauty. The voyage encompasses travelling through historical heritage sites across south-west India. The train begins its majestic journey in Bangalore, every Monday.

3. Maharaja Express

5 Options Available

The Indian Splendour
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Balasinor -Mumbai
Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $625 Per Person Per Night

The Heritage of India
Destinations: Mumbai - Ajanta - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthanbore - Agra - Delhi
Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $738 Per Person Per Night

Treasures of India
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi
Duration: 3N/4D
Package Cost: $970 Per Person Per Night

Gems of India
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Delhi
Duration: 3N/4D
Package Cost: $970 Per Person Per Night

The Indian Panoroma
Destinations: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Lucknow - Delhi
Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $645 Per Person Per Night

For the Maharajah Express, the God is in the details; what makes this equally-luxurious train stand out from the rest of the lot is- the specialized bunch of services they offer to the guests aboard. Some of the unique offerings are - Champagne breakfast overlooking Taj Mahal, Elephant Polo Match in Jaipur, where guests are motivated to participate. The tour includes the most handpicked attractions amongst popular destinations, offering a unique mix of diversity. Though it covers the entire stretch from Mumbai to Delhi, on its 8 day journey, but unlike singular option of a weekly affair, the Maharajah also offers varied 3 day tour packages to suit different needs.

4. Deccan Odyssey

9 Options Available

Duration: 2N/3D to 7N/8D
Package Cost: Starting from $450 Per Person Per Night

To the land of ‘peshwas’ and back, the Deccan odyssey proudly flaunts to be the only luxury train covering the Deccan plateau. The journey very well encompasses a panoramic view of the north and west of India right from New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Vadodra, set to finally reach Mumbai where it terminates the journey. Operated by the Taj group of hotels, you can be assured you will experience luxury at its best.

5. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels

Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $625 Per Person Per Night
Destinations: New Delhi- Jodhpur- Udaipur- Chittorgarh- Sawai Madhopur- Jaipur- Khajuraho- Varanasi- Agra- New Delhi

An even more extravagant version of the Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels might just surprise you with it sheer scale of opulence and unmatched custom services. This train starts and ends its journey in New Delhi. With a tour of the Princely states of Rajasthan, you also get a chance to visit the Taj Mahal, exotic Khajuraho and the holy land of Ganges –Varanasi.

6. The Royal Orient

Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $175 Per Person Per Night
Destinations: New Delhi - Chittorgarh/Udaipur - Junagarh/Veraval - Sasangir/Dilwara - Palitana/ Sarkhej - Ahmedabad - Jaipur

A unique initiative of Gujarat Tourism, this is the only luxury train that takes you through the birthplace of Gandhi and the land of Rajputs together. Being the two most culturally vivid states of India the journey is definitely a joy ride. The passengers get to board the train in Delhi, and disembark in Jaipur where the journey terminates after 8 days of chugging through cities like Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Junagarh, Mandvi, Palitana and Sarkhej.

7. Fairy Queen

Duration: 7N/8D
Package Cost: $10490 Per Person
Destinations: Mumbai - Ajanta - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambhore – Fatehpur Sikri-Agra - Delhi

If you are a fan of vintage, then traveling in the world’s oldest working luxury steam locomotive would suit your taste perfectly. It’s a short two days and one night trip from Delhi to Alwar, with an overnight halt at the famous Tiger sanctuary of Sariska. The train allows only 38 people to travel aboard in one go. This 155 year old train could be the tryst with vanity that you have been looking forward to.

These trains are synonymous to grandeur and grace, a very impressive attempt to recreate the golden era of the incredible Indian state. People with a penchant for history, luxury and ones with deep pockets, to be able to afford the premium fares, it is the finest opportunity to be treated almost as good as an Indian Maharaja and even better. So, all aboard!

Shilpa Ahuja

A young lass, even younger at heart who's into all finer things of life - travel, food, luxury. A PR person by profession, trying to make it big in the field of writing for the love of it.

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