Inside the Most Expensive Train Suite Ever - $25,000 Luxury Ride

What if you get a moving 5-star hotel for the entirety of your trip? Exploring the rich cultural sites of India is a dream to many, but they may hesitate or be confused about finalizing the sites and cities. Meet the Maharajas’ Express Presidential Suite – the most expensive train ride in India, which costs $25000 for a 7-night trip to different towns with diverse landscapes, monuments, and forts that reflect the architectural genius of India’s rich past. The Presidential Suite is a moving luxury hotel on wheels with jaw-dropping amenities. The Presidential Suite covers a whole train carriage, redefining luxury train travel in India. In this article, we dive into the features and facilities offered by the Presidential Suite and find out if it’s worth your money and time.

The Train behind the Hype: The Maharajas’ Express

The Maharajas’ Express is the youngest luxury train in India. It was introduced in 2010 by the Indian Railways. This luxury train operates several routes across the country, offering lavish accommodations and a unique travel experience that showcases India’s rich heritage. Maharajas’ Express is one of the most expensive trains in India, and it has world-class amenities and facilities. Everything is planned to meet every single need of the guests. There are four journeys through the different cities that reflect the Indian diversity of history, culture, landscape, and wildlife. It promises the best experience of the Indian royal past onboard. This train is a perfect blend of royal traditional interiors with the comfort of a luxury hotel. Maharajas’ Express takes you to the royal past and offers an unseen side of Indian culture.

The Presidential Suite Itself – A Room-by-Room Walkthrough

The presidential suite is a single suite on the entire train, the size of a whole carriage with two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. This suite covers an entire train carriage and gives a private carriage vibe. Once you board the train, you will feel the train only for yourself. From personalized services to a 24*7 butler to meet your every expectation, this suite gives a vibe of being the only guest in a luxury hotel, and all staff are ready to serve you the best to enhance your experience on this train. The Presidential Suite is named ‘Navratana’, a Sanskrit word used to refer to the precious stones ‘nine gems’.

Living Area & Lounge:

The living area and lounge are the highlight of the Presidential Suite. The living area has a proper seating arrangement with a big sofa, a study table, and additional chairs by the window. So, you can enjoy a book, novel, or magazine by devouring the picturesque landscape of India.  The lounge has a minibar and a desk with basic amenities, snacks, and some magazines. The Presidential Suite is one of the most opulent accommodations available, which includes a king-sized bed with en-suite bathroom, another room with two single beds, and modern amenities.

Bedrooms (2 of them!):

The Presidential Suite has the best accommodation facilities with two rooms. The master bedroom has a king-size bed with basic amenities like a television with an OTT subscription, and the ceiling and decor of the room are hand-painted. There is an additional room with two beds and an en-suite bathroom with basic toiletries, bathing tubs, and a shower stall. The other amenities include Wi-Fi and direct-dialing telephone.

Bathrooms:

The Presidential Suite has two bathrooms attached to two bedrooms with bathtubs, a shower cubicle, and luxury toiletries. Despite being on a train, the Maharajas’ Express will not let you compromise with anything. Bathrooms with all luxury amenities and bathrobes, you will feel like you are in the bathroom of a luxury hotel.

Butler & Services:

A dedicated butler is assigned to every suite to meet every need of the guests and offers personalized services throughout the journey. The Maharajas’ Express offers excursions at various stops of the journey to explore the historical sites accompanied by experienced guides and introduces guests to Indian culture through traditional arts, music, and performances. The other facilities include a lounge bar, two restaurants, and a spa, ensuring various ways to relax and unwind during their trip.

Onboard Experience:

The onboard services and experiences of the Maharajas’ Express are second to none. The onboard is what makes your journey truly memorable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The interior design and decor are inspired by the royal past, showcase grand glimpses of the bygone era, and are a class apart in another league itself. The dining option has two royal-style restaurants named Mayur Mahal (inspired by peacock style and colors) and the other one is Rang Mahal (the decor of this restaurant showcases vibrant colors and designs). Presidential Suite offers a private car and an experienced guide for outdoor excursions.  

Who’s booking this?

The Presidential Suite is usually booked by celebrities and ultra-wealthy tourists for special occasions like anniversaries or honeymoons. Several celebrities and important personalities, including Trevor McDonald, Cherie Blair, and former president of India Ramnath Kovind, have traveled on the Maharajas’ Express. To get the Presidential Suite, guests are requested to book their tickets in Advance as there is only one Presidential Suite per train trip.

The Presidential Suite has unmatched luxury and comfort with exclusivity. It is popular among travel bloggers and content creators. Some of its drawbacks are – it is costly and availability is very limited, as we mentioned earlier (single suite per trip). So, the main question is- is it worth $25,000? If you have to ask….. maybe not for a commoner. But if you can? It is the ride of a lifetime.  

Conclusion:

The presidential suite of the Maharajas’ Express is the most expensive train trip in India. It has the best services and facilities to offer. In terms of hospitality, the Maharajas’ Express is second to none. It offers an adventurous rollercoaster ride to its guests. The mesmerizing monuments, grandeur forts, picturesque landscapes gliding through the window, and majestic tigers and other wild animals spotted in Ranthambore make it a ride of a lifetime. If you want to experience India like never before, book your ticket to the Maharajas’ Express at the earliest. It will feel like a scene out of a Bollywood movie.