Top 5 Luxury Trains in India That Redefine Opulence on Rails

India, as a destination, has a lot to offer every tourist, from holy pilgrims and spiritual journeys to history geeks and wildlife enthusiasts. The scope of explorations in India is unlimited, from ruins and remains of one of the oldest civilizations to some of the mesmerizing pieces of architecture from the bygone era. 

India isn’t just a destination – it is a dream of every tourist and makes it to every travel enthusiast. Exploring this magnificent land through the comfort of a Indian luxury train can truly enhance your experience. These trains are more than just a mode of transportation. It provides the luxury, comfort, and services of a premium hotel on a moving train. There are several luxury trains in operation under the Indian railways – the likes of the Maharajas’ Express and Palace on Wheels have been serving their guests with unmatched opulence on rails. 

These luxury trains are the perfect blend of the royal opulence of the bygone era with the modern comfort of world-class services, sightseeing, and indulgence in the rich Indian history. These luxury train journeys have influenced the overall train journey in India. Trains like the Maharaja Express have changed the perception of Indian train services in the world by claiming several awards and recognitions from leading travel and tourism awards across the globe. In this article, we will look into the top 5 luxury trains in India that made it to the lists of tourists from all over the world.

Top 5 Luxury Trains in India:

Maharajas’ Express: The World’s Leading Luxury Train

Maharajas’ Express undoubtedly topped the list of the top 5 luxury trains in India. Justifying its name, this train takes you to the royal eras of maharajas through its design, interior, and décor. The services offered on this train will truly make you feel like royalty. Maharajas’ Express is operated by the IRCTC. It has four different routes that take you to the heartland of Indian history and culture, with monuments that narrate unique stories of bravery. 

This train is the finest luxury train that runs on Indian tracks. This train has 23 carriages with four different types of accommodation, suites with exquisite and luxurious services. Everything is so well-planned to meet every need of the guests. The facilities include 2 fine dining restaurants – Rang Mahal (vibrant color themed restaurant) and Mayur Mahal (peacock themed restaurant), a bar, Wi-Fi, a lounge, and a curated excursion. Maharajas’ Express has several cabins – Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite, and Presidential Suite, ranging between $3500 and $28000 per journey. 

The exquisite and unparalleled services of the onboard staff have won many accolades over the years, namely the World’s Leading Luxury Train by the World Travel Awards. This royal train journey has four itineraries that take their guests to different historic and world UNESCO sites in India, namely –

The Indian Splendour – This is a 6-night/7-day journey through the following cities.

Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Mumbai

Heritage of India – This is also 6 night/7-day journey that covers the following cities

Mumbai – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Delhi 

The Indian Panorama – This is 7-day/6-night journey that follows these cities

Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Delhi

Treasure of India – This is a shorter trip than the other three. It covers the cities of the Golden Triangle of India

Delhi –Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur

Palace on Wheels – The Original Royal Experience

Palace on Wheels debuted in 1982 and started the groundbreaking work for the luxury train services in India. This train is operated and managed by the Union of Rajasthan Tourism and Indian Railways. This train mainly focuses on providing the hidden gem of Rajasthan’s rich history and culture to its guests. This train is a symbol of opulent train travel in the heartland of India. Rajasthan is home to multiple forts and palaces. It has a rich history of brave Maharajas and their battlefield bravery. 

Palace on Wheels has 41 cabins in 14 coaches. Excursion includes sundowners and relaxing in sand dunes, camel safari, and a visit to some of the breathtaking forts and palaces in the world. This is an eight-day trip that mainly focuses on the cities of the Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Being one of the first luxury trains in India, Palace on Wheels is up there in the list of the top 5 luxury trains in India.

Deccan Odyssey – Luxury on the Western Front

Deccan Odyssey has been in service since 2004, offering the luxury of a premium hotel on the railway track. This train is operated by the Maharashtra Tourism. This train is a golden chance for tourists who want to explore the western part of the country – the financial capital, Mumbai, the exquisite Ellora Caves, and Nashik. This train allows you to enjoy the beaches of Goa, and for the history geeks, it has Hampi as one of its stops. 

For foodies who love to explore exquisite cuisines, it offers mouthwatering, authentic Hyderabadi food in Hyderabad. The Deccan Odyssey has a modern business class conference room with spa, gym, gift shop, and bar with mocktails and premium wines and spirits among its twenty-one carriages. The interior and decor of the compartment are one of a kind, with their plush carpeting and details. This train offers the best version of Indian hospitality.

Golden Chariot – The Pride of South India

Exploration of the southern part of India and the Golden Chariot go hand-in-hand. This train was introduced in the year 2008 by IRCTC and Karnataka Tourism. This train passes through all tourist hubs in the south, like temples showcasing southern architecture, jungle safaris, sun-kissed beaches, hills covered in jungle, and historic cities. The trains have eighteen immaculate gold and purple carriages, all named after South Indian Dynasties. 

Each carriage has various facilities and amenities from basic to luxurious – TV, Wi-Fi, 24*7 butler, and an ensuite bathroom. The Golden Chariot journey starts in Bengaluru to Goa via Hampi, Mysore, and Kerala.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels – Modern Royalty

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels immerses you into the royal life and hospitality of Rajputana culture through its magnificent castles and fortresses constructed centuries ago in the heartland of Rajasthan. The name of this train reflects the kind of services and opportunities you will get on board to learn about the rich cultural legacy of Rajasthan. You will get a musical red carpet welcome at the station and gracious hospitality, which you can associate with the Rajasthani tradition. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is similar to Palace on Wheels but with upgraded interiors and all the contemporary amenities of a five-star hotel.

Comparison Table among the Top 5 Luxury Trains in India:

Conclusion:

A luxury train is a key to boosting the tourism industry of any country. Every country has its luxury trains that make the journey easy, comfortable, and hassle-free, which allows you extra time to immerse yourself in the beauty of that place. India is home to some of the most scenic landscapes and monuments in the world, and operates several luxury trains. It is important to get a clear picture of which train you should board for a smooth and luxurious ride. The top 5 luxury trains in India that are servicing their guests beyond their expectations and setting a new standard of hospitality on a moving train are – Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, and The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.