Luxury Trains in India: Routes, Operators and What They Cost
India runs some of the most celebrated luxury trains in the world, where the journey itself becomes the holiday. Cabins come with private bathrooms, dining cars serve multi-course meals, and guided excursions wait at each stop. This guide covers the luxury trains actually running today, which operator runs each one, roughly what they cost, and how they differ from the heritage and pilgrimage trains often listed alongside them.
What Counts as a Luxury Train
Many listings lump very different products together, so it helps to separate them clearly:
| Luxury trains | Multi-day circuits with private cabins, fine dining and guided excursions, priced at premium hotel rates |
| Heritage trains | Short rides behind preserved locomotives, valued for the experience rather than the comfort |
| Pilgrimage and circuit trains | Budget and mid-range tours covering religious or themed circuits, in sleeper or basic AC classes |
Only the first group belongs in the luxury bracket, and four such trains operate today.
The Four Luxury Trains Running Today
| Train | Region | Operated by |
|---|---|---|
| Maharajas’ Express | North and Central India | IRCTC |
| Palace on Wheels | Rajasthan and Agra | Rajasthan Tourism with Indian Railways |
| Deccan Odyssey | Maharashtra and neighbouring states | Maharashtra Tourism with Indian Railways |
| Golden Chariot | Karnataka and South India | Karnataka Tourism, marketed through IRCTC |
Maharajas’ Express
Flagged off in 2010 and run by IRCTC, the Maharajas’ Express stands as India’s most expensive train and has collected several international awards for luxury rail travel. It runs multiple circuits covering destinations across North and Central India, including Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi, on itineraries ranging from short breaks to week-long journeys. Cabins run from deluxe up to a presidential suite occupying half a carriage. See our Maharajas’ Express guide.
Palace on Wheels
The original and best known of them all, running since 1982 and relaunched with new coaches in 2009. The Palace on Wheels covers a seven night circuit through Rajasthan’s imperial cities plus Agra, with each coach styled after a former princely state. See our Palace on Wheels guide for the current tariff and itinerary.
Deccan Odyssey
Modelled on the Palace on Wheels and launched by Maharashtra Tourism with the Ministry of Railways, the Deccan Odyssey runs several circuits taking in the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the Konkan coast, Goa and parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat depending on the itinerary chosen. See our Deccan Odyssey guide.
Golden Chariot
South India’s luxury train, named after the stone chariot at Hampi. The Golden Chariot runs circuits through Karnataka and neighbouring states, covering Mysore, Hampi, Badami and, on some itineraries, Goa and Kerala. Services were suspended for a period and relaunched with IRCTC handling operations. See our Golden Chariot guide.
What These Journeys Cost
Luxury train fares sit at premium hotel levels and get quoted per person per night, with foreign passport holders often charged in US dollars. As a rough guide, a night on one of these trains starts somewhere around Rs 70,000 per person on double occupancy and climbs steeply for single occupancy and for suites. The Maharajas’ Express sits at the top of the range.
Important: Operators revise these tariffs every season, and rates move with the exchange rate. Treat any figure you read online as indicative and confirm the current price on the official website of the train you want. Fares usually include accommodation, all meals, sightseeing and monument entry fees, while drinks, tips and personal expenses cost extra.
When They Run
None of these trains operates year round. They run through the cooler months, broadly October to April, and stay off the rails during the summer and monsoon. Peak season around Christmas and New Year attracts a surcharge, and departures book out months ahead, so plan early if your dates are fixed.
Heritage Trains
Quite different from the luxury circuits, and far more affordable:
- Fairy Queen: the world’s oldest working steam locomotive, built in 1855, hauling a day trip from Delhi Cantonment to Rewari. See our Fairy Queen guide.
- Toy trains: the UNESCO-listed mountain railways at Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kalka to Shimla and Matheran. See our toy trains guide.
Pilgrimage and Circuit Tourist Trains
IRCTC also runs themed tourist trains at far lower prices, which listings often confuse with luxury trains. These use standard sleeper or AC coaches with basic on-board catering, and the package covers road transfers, accommodation and sightseeing:
- Bharat Gaurav and Bharat Darshan trains, covering religious and themed circuits across the country at budget rates.
- Mahaparinirvan Express, the Buddhist circuit train covering Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini. See our Mahaparinirvan Express guide.
These offer excellent value for a guided circuit. Just do not expect luxury train comforts, since the price reflects a very different product.
Trains That No Longer Run
- Royal Rajasthan on Wheels: ceased operations in March 2017. Its carriages went into service on the Palace on Wheels circuit.
- Royal Orient: the old Gujarat and Rajasthan luxury service, discontinued years ago.
You will still find both advertised on some travel sites, so check directly with the operator before paying anyone for a booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many luxury trains run in India?
Four: the Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey and Golden Chariot. Other trains often listed alongside them are heritage or budget circuit trains rather than luxury services.
Which is the most expensive train in India?
The Maharajas’ Express, run by IRCTC.
When do luxury trains operate?
Broadly October to April. They do not run through the summer and monsoon months.
What does the fare include?
Usually accommodation, all meals, guided sightseeing and monument entry fees. Drinks, tips, laundry and personal expenses cost extra.
Is Bharat Darshan a luxury train?
No. Bharat Darshan and similar circuit trains are budget pilgrimage tours using standard coaches, priced far below luxury trains.
Does Royal Rajasthan on Wheels still run?
No. It stopped operating in March 2017, and its coaches now run on the Palace on Wheels circuit.
Quick Summary
| Luxury trains running | Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot |
| Most expensive | Maharajas’ Express |
| Season | Around October to April |
| Pricing | Per person per night, from roughly Rs 70,000 upward |
| Heritage option | Fairy Queen and the toy trains |
| Budget option | Bharat Gaurav and Bharat Darshan circuit trains |
| Discontinued | Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Royal Orient |
A luxury train journey remains one of the finest ways to see India, provided you book the right product for your budget. Compare the circuits, check the current season’s tariff on the official site, and reserve early for the winter months. For more, see our guides on the Palace on Wheels and Vistadome trains.
Planning a luxury train journey? Tell us which circuit interests you in the comments and we will help you compare.
