Sometimes the journey is more beautiful than the destination. This holds true when you are travelling on one of the elite luxury trains of India. With tastefully decorated coaches, private lounges, in house gym and spa, beautiful libraries and the most hospitable staff, these trains would give any premium five star hotel a run for its money. Here are the most luxurious trains in India that let you travel like royalty.
Maharajas’ Express
When a train wins the “World’s Leading Luxury Train” title for 7 consecutive years (2012-2018), you’ll have to believe how amazing this ride is going to be. Just like its name, Maharaja’s Express is truly the king of all luxurious trains. The train is built with the idea of exploring India’s heritage while on board a palace.
Maharajas’ Express is operational from October to April and you can choose from four grand tours of India, witnessing palaces, forts and heritage properties.
Indian Splendor: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai
Indian Panorama: Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi
Heritage of India: Mumbai – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi
Treasures of India: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi
Palace On Wheels
Talking about palaces on wheels, well the name says it. This was the first luxurious train to start its operations in India in 1982, and was based on the royal train coaches of British era, which used to be the personal coaches of erstwhile rulers of the princely states. With a recent face-lift, this train is still one of the best to experience the luxury, royalty and hospitality of Rajasthan on the go.
It remains operational from September till April.
Route: Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi
The Deccan Odyssey
Displaying the most royal of royal blue, the Deccan Odyssey is dipped in grandeur. Each coach is elegantly designed in the style of a Deccan dynasty such as Kadamba, Hoysala, Chalukya, with gold themed decor and Marathi motifs. The train was based on the model of Palace on Wheels and was launched with an aim to boost tourism in Maharashtra. Did it succeed? Immensely! It is now famous worldwide and has received many awards like “World’s Leading Luxury Train” (2019) and “Asia’s Leading Luxury Train” (2014-2019).
The Deccan Odyessey operates from September to May and you can choose from one of the six routes:
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
Golden Chariot
Navigating its way through some of the most coveted destinations of South India is our very own Golden Chariot. You will feel as if you have entered a fairytale. Don’t worry this one’s not going to turn into a pumpkin. Packed with luxuries you wouldn’t even dream of, the train meanders through some of the most scenic routes. From the majestic palaces of Mysore to the backwaters of Kerala, from the heritage of Hampi to the wildlife of Bandipur, you get to experience the beautiful culture with the picturesque terrains through which the train travels.
Golden Chariot runs from October to March. The routes it offers are:
Pride of the South: Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysore – Halebidu – Chikamgaluru – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bengaluru
Jewels of South: Bengaluru – Mysore – Hampi – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur and Chettinad – Cochin – Kumarakom -Bengaluru
Glimpses of Karnatka: Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysore – Hampi – Bengaluru
Click here to check out seven luxury cruises that you would love to go on!
Royal Orient Train
Get on board and experience the riches of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Royal Orient Train traverses through the forts of Junagarh to the palaces of Udaipur and stop off for a jungle safari in Gir while radiating the opulence it is famous for. Sit by the window side and watch the beautiful towns go by while you read a book in the Royal library.
The train operates from September to April.
Route: Delhi – Chittorgarh/Udaipur -Junagarh/Veraval- Sasan Gir/Dilwara – Palitana- Sarkhej- Ahmedabad- Jaipur- Delhi
Fairy Queen Express
Are you someone who gets too excited on seeing a steam engine (or is it just me?) Fairy Queen is carrying passengers since 1855 and is the “world’s oldest running steam locomotive” according to the Guinness Book of Records. So you won’t just be travelling in style but also travelling through history. This one’s not as large as the others mentioned in the list and can accommodate up to 50 people only, but Fairy Queen has its own charm as it rambles through the pretty places in Rajasthan.
The train runs from October to March on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.
Route: Delhi – Alwar – Sariska- Alwar – Delhi
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
“Padharo Mhare Des!” Rajasthan always reminds us of Royalty and that’s why you’ll see the luxury trains are inclined towards the state while designing their itineraries. After the success of Palace on Wheels, Indian Railways started this sophisticated luxury train in 2009. You will experience the Rajput culture of valour and hospitality, and travel through many stunning palaces and fortresses built in the Rajputana region.
Route: New Delhi- Jodhpur- Udaipur- Chittorgarh- Sawai Madhopur- Jaipur- Khajuraho- Varanasi- Agra- New Delhi
Click here to check out India’s most beautiful train rides!
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