We all must have seen and heard about royalty in either palace through photos or in the news. But did you know you can experience the feeling of being a royal in the current time? Yes, the luxury trains in India will exceed your expectations by taking you back in time. These luxury trains in India are managed by the Indian Railways and the IRCTC, designed to provide a luxurious experience to people who want to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural heritage of India while indulging in comfort and luxury.
Whether it is the mind-boggling interiors, great gastronomical fare, majestic ambience, or stringent security arrangement, the grandeur of these trains is evident from everything. Go through the list of luxurious trains in India which can help you explore India with matchless comfort onboard. Read on!
Best Luxury Trains in India:
If you are looking to have a luxury experience exclusively, the best way to achieve the same but to another level is with the help of the Luxury Trains in India. You can cherish every journey on these trains, which can be a lifelong memory. We have presented you with the list of all the necessary details you will need to make the journey easier.
1. Deccan Odyssey:
The Deccan Odyssey is a luxury train in India that starts from Mumbai and Delhi taking you across various routes covering stunning landmarks and cities. This train leaves you awestruck with its grandeur while boasting opulently designed cabins making you feel like you are climbing a royal chariot. This train reflects the lives of 16th-century Maharajas and is managed by the Taj Group of Hotels. The Deccan Odyssey is a perfect amalgamation of luxury and transport, an initiative of Maharashtra Tourism. In addition to many other state-of-the-art facilities, the train has multi-cuisine restaurants and spas that make your journey memorable.
Starting point: Mumbai, Delhi.
Route:
- Mumbai – Nasik – Ellora Cave – Ajanta Caves – Kolhapur – Goa – Ratnagiri – Mumbai.
- Delhi – Sawai Madhopur – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Vadodara – Ellora Caves – Mumbai.
- Mumbai – Vadodara – Palitana – Sasan Gir – Somnath – Little Rann of Kutch – Modhera – Patan – Nashik – Mumbai.
- Mumbai – Vadodara – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Agra – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Delhi.
- Mumbai – Bijapur – Aihole – Pattadakal – Hampi – Hyderabad – Ellora Caves – Ajanta Caves – Mumbai.
- Mumbai – Aurangabad – Ramtek – Tadoba – Ajanta – Nashik – Mumbai.
Months of Operation: October to April.
Duration: 7 nights, eight days.
Price:
- US $ 5810 + 4.5% service tax for International travelers.
- INR 371900 + 4.5% service tax for Indian travelers.
2. Golden Chariot:
You can visit several world heritage sites on the Golden Chariot, an initiative by the Karnataka State Tourism Board. This train goes through the country’s most beautiful South Indian tourist places. The Golden Chariot is known for its impeccable hospitality, equipped with facilities fit for kings, and was launched in 2008. The picturesque terrains through which the train travels complement the aesthetic interiors of the train beautifully. 11 cabins in this train are designed with elegant Mysore-style furniture and are named after ruling dynasties. The cherry is the Ayurvedic spa center, tastefully maintained ambience, and in-house fine-dining restaurants on the train.
Starting and Ending Point: Bangalore.
Route:
- Bangalore – Kabini – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bangalore.
- Bangalore – Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Madurai – Thiruvananthapuram – Alleppey – Kochi – Bangalore.
Months of Operation: October to March.
Duration: 7 nights, 8 days.
Price: Starting at INR 16000 per night.
3. Maharaja Express
Maharaja Express is the costliest train in India, and the World Travel Awards has been awarded the ‘world’s leading luxury train’ award. You can experience the forts, heritage properties, and palaces by choosing from the eight grand tours of India. This princely train helps you explore the heritage of India while you are onboard a palace. This train has private lounges, bedrooms, lavish washrooms, and a plush dining area in the presidential suite, giving you a premium five-star hotel experience.
Starting Point: Trivandrum (South), Delhi (North).
Routes:
- Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra – Delhi.
- Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi.
- Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur – Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi.
- Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai.
- Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi.
Months of Operation: October to April.
Duration: 4 days; 8 days.
Price: Starting at 3.97 lakhs INR.
4. Palace on Wheels:
Palace on Wheels is the original and the first luxury train in India that was refurbished and re-launched in 2009. Nizams of Hyderabad and Kings of princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, and others used this train as transportation. Furthermore, this is the first heritage train introduced as the charm of royal travel to Indians and foreign visitors by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. Today, this premium train takes travelers through the heart of Rajasthan by regaining its regal extravagance.
Starting Point: Jaipur.
Route: Delhi – Jaipur – Sawai Madhopur – Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi.
Months of Operation: September to April.
Duration: 7 nights, 8 days.
Price: Starting at 3.63 Lakhs INR.
5. Royal Orient:
Royal Orient is one of the most luxurious trains in India that will help you enjoy the delightful experience of traveling to famous tourist destinations by embarking on a royal journey. You can find a combination of absolute chivalry and unimaginable opulence by going on the trip by luxury train in India. This unmatchable Indian royal train comes with palatial-style comfortable cabins, a multi-cuisine restaurant with a ‘watering hole’ bar, well-trained hospitality professionals, a library, and spacious baths.
Starting and Ending Point: Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Route: Delhi – Chittorgarh/Udaipur -Junagarh/Veraval- Sasan Gir/Dilwara – Palitana- Sarkhej- Ahmedabad- Jaipur- Delhi.
Months of Operation: Between September and April.
Duration: 7 days, 8 nights.
Price:
- INR 7,04,370 for Junior Suite.
- INR 9,82,840 for Suite.
- INR 16,87,920 for Presidential Suite.
Semi-Luxury Trains in India:
Though several Luxury trains in India are famous, some semi-luxury trains offer similar amenities but at affordable prices. These semi-luxury trains promote tourism in India, helping travelers enjoy the luxurious journey at an affordable price compared to luxury trains.
1. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels:
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels takes you through Rajasthan’s rich heritage, hence the name. You can travel through many stunning palaces and fortresses built in Rajasthan, helping you experience Rajput’s hospitality, culture, and courage. You are greeted with a grand red-carpet musical welcome as you board the train, which is expected from the Rajasthani culture. The tastefully decorated interiors, imagery from Rajputana history, and all the modern facilities are provided in the private cabins.
Starting Point: Delhi.
Route:
- Delhi – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur – Khajuraho – Varanasi.
Duration: 7 nights, 8 days.
Price: Starting at INR 3.78 Lakhs.
2. Tiger Express:
If you wish to experience Indian wildlife and are an enthusiast, traveling in Tiger Express can be an ideal choice. This semi-luxury train is meant for India’s wildlife tourism, whose main idea is to get close to tigers, hence the name. This train goes through famous national parks Kanha and Bandhavgarh for close calls with tigers. The tiger express has significant facilities, including a dining restaurant, hotel facilities, and AC cabins.
Starting Point: Delhi.
Route:
- Katni – Bandhavgarh – Kanha -Jabalpur – Delhi Safdarjung.
Months of Operation:
Duration: 5 nights and 6 days.
Price: Starting at INR 29,000.
3. Desert Circuit Tourist Train:
The Desert Circuit Tourist Train is a semi-luxury train in India that covers India’s desert attractions. This train covers India’s cities closer to the desert, which witnesses the interests and environment in the desert. This train is equipped with AC first and AC two-tier classes, a dining restaurant serving delicious cuisines, in addition to off-train excursions arranged by the 3-star hotels. You can enjoy significant tourist attractions as you travel on the train, including Amber Fort, City Palace, and Chokhi Dhani village.
Starting Point: Delhi.
Route:
- Delhi Safdarjung – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Jaipur -Delhi Safdarjung.
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights.
Price: Starting at 33,000 INR.
4. Heritage Circuit Tourist Train:
Heritage Circuit Train was introduced to promote Indian heritage and culture. You can explore UNESCO heritage sides, Khajuraho temples, the Taj Mahal, and Varanasi’s spiritual side through this train. Though the facilities in this train are similar to the other semi-luxury trains, the heritage circuit tourist train also has an AC 3-tier coach. You can also go on off-train excursions, which 3-star rated hotels can arrange.
Starting: Delhi.
Route:
- Delhi Safdarjung – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Delhi Safdarjung.
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights.
Price: Starting from 18,290 INR.
5. Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train:
Buddhist circuit tourist train is India’s semi-luxury train service that covers India’s Buddhist tourist destinations, hence the name. This train is the most luxurious and advanced service with the best-class facilities compared to other semi-luxury trains. The Buddhist Circuit tourist train has all the basic amenities. It accommodates fully air-conditioned first class, AC- 2 tier, and AC – first coupe classes. You can also enjoy delicious food on the train in the dining car. You can thoroughly study Lord Buddha’s life from birth to death through this trip.
Starting Point: Delhi.
Route:
- Delhi – Bodhgaya – Nalanda / Rajgir – Varanasi / Sarnath -Lumbini – Kushinagar – Sravasti – Agra.
Duration: 8 days, 7 nights.
Price: Starting from 9,620 INR per night.
Therefore, if you want to experience travel in luxury trains in India, going through the information provided in this article can be very helpful. The experience of traveling in these trains can be surreal and helps you make lifelong memories with your loved ones. Go through the list with all the necessary details to help you plan your trip accordingly. Don’t forget to let us know if you found the article helpful!
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on pure research and is not a replacement for official information. The website is not responsible for the accuracy and authenticity of the data.
FAQ:
1. Is there any difference between a luxury and a semi-luxury train?
The cost of a semi-luxury train is minimal and provides only basic amenities. In contrast, the price of luxury trains is higher and offers exuberant amenities.
2. What are the facilities you can find on a semi-luxury train?
Some basic facilities in semi-luxurious trains include off-train excursion facilities, dining facilities, air-conditioned class coaches, etc.
3. Are luxury trains kid-friendly?
Luxury trains in India are ideal for adults seeking a tranquil and sophisticated experience. Though most trains allow kids on board, it is best to check with the train operators regarding the age restrictions.
