Guide to Luxury Trains in India
Travelling in India and witnessing its rich, diverse culture and everyday life in a train is an experience like no other. Flying from one destination to another in India would not afford you the glimpse at the kind of India that you will get to witness passing you by while in a train. To enhance this experience for tourists visiting India there are special luxurious trains in India meant specifically to give tourists an exclusive experience of the opulence of the royal tradition of the past. These luxury trains in India for tourists make travelling by train a lavish, unforgettable affair.
Run by the Indian Railways and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, these luxury trains will make your trip to India a once in a lifetime experience where you would get to see the modern day India while feeling like you have been transported to the time of Indian Maharajas. There are 8 of such luxury trains in India and the best ones out of these are listed below for you.
Everyone is welcome on these trains, however they are most commonly used by foreign visitors but there is no restriction and anybody can travel on these trains. Below is the list of must travel luxury trains in India.
Maharajas Express
One of the most luxurious trains for tourists in India, Maharajas Express is inspired by Europe’s Orient Express and is just as luxuriously elegant and offers just as much of a captivating experience to its passengers. It covers 9 major destinations, including Mumbai, Ajanta , Udaipur , Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, and Delhi and it offers 6 journeys that are made up of various combinations of those destinations, some 4 days long and others 8 days long. It can carry 88 passengers who would get to enjoy its stylish cabins, restaurants offering delicious cuisines, and a lounge, and also modern amenities such as WiFi, Large TVs, and dial phones. There are also en-suite bathrooms and 24/7 room service for all guests. The train operates from October to April.
Palace on Wheels
Another popular luxury train in India for tourists, Palace on Wheels tries to recreate the splendor and grandeur of the carriages that used to be used by Indian Maharajas and Nizams. Elegantly ornamented and with tasteful décor, this luxury train takes you back in time to the decadent period of the Rajputs in Rajasthan and there is no better way to experience the royal past of Rajasthan for yourself than through a journey in this luxurious train. Its destinations include Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Agra, and Delhi, some of which are former Rajput princedoms. The cabins, dining rooms, and lounge are all decorated to look like carriages from the past but are all equipped with state of the art modern amenities. Recently, a spa has been added to the train for tourists to relax at after a tiring day of sightseeing. The train runs from September to April.
Deccan Odyssey
A luxury train in India for tourists, Deccan Odyssey allows its passengers to travel through the state of Maharashtra and experience its culture all while in a train that feels like a luxurious hotel on wheels. This luxury train offers 6 journeys through Maharashtra with destinations including places such as Mumbai, Aurangabad, Tadoba, Ajanta Caves, Nashik, Kolhapur, Goa, Bijapur, Sawai Madhopur, Agra, Sasan Gir, Kutch, Hyderabad, etc. In this lavish train you can experience the magnificence and grandeur of what used to be the Maratha Kingdom while you visit the places that used to be a part of it and witness the marvels of the past. Along with elegant and plush cabins, 2 restaurants with excellent cuisine, a conference car especially for the business class, and a fitness suite with a health spa, the train also has state of the art modern amenities for its passengers. The train operates from October to April.
The Golden Chariot
The experience of being immersed in the past kingdoms of the Rajputs and the Marathas is not the only one that luxury trains in India for tourists can offer you. There are also trains such as the Golden Chariot which covers World Heritage sites and cultural sites of South India, including the states of Karnataka , Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Started by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), the Golden Chariot operates from October to April and covers such destinations as Bengaluru, Bandipur, Mysore, Halebidu, Chikmagalur, Hampi, Badami, Goa, etc. The interior of the train is elegant and beautiful, inspired by South Indian architectural traditions, especially the Hoyasala and Mysore traditions. With luxurious cabins designed with ancient motifs but also containing modern amenities,2restaurants and a bar, a gym, an Ayurveda spa, and a lounge area, the train is perfect for traveling comfortably and in style.
Royal Orient Train
Inspired by the Palace on Wheels and started by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the Indian Railways, this luxury train in India for tourists is splendid in its opulence and as its name suggests gives its passengers an experience that is royal through and through. Covering major tourist destinations in Rajasthan and Gujarat, including Delhi, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Junagarh, Veraval, Somnath, Sasan Gir National Park, Ahmedpur, Mandvi, Palitana, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, this luxury train will allow you visit the most historically illustrious and significant sights while journeying to them in the lap of luxury. The train comes with comfortable cabins, restaurants, and all modern amenities. It operates all year round.
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your India eVisa.
United States citizens, United Kingdom citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, German citizens, Israeli citizens and Australian citizens can apply online for India eVisa.
Please apply for a India Visa 4-7 days in advance of your flight.