Luxury train travel in India is less about getting from one place to another and more about slowing down inside the journey itself. These trains revive a time when travel was ceremonial—where landscapes unfolded gradually, service was deeply personal, and comfort never competed with culture. Embarking on one of the curated luxury train journeys in India is a quintessential subcontinent experience.
I’ve always felt that trains reveal a country differently than flights or cars. In India especially, luxury train journeys in India allow you to move through regions, histories, and moods without the friction of constant packing and unpacking. Below are the most iconic luxury train journeys in India, along with the smartest ways to book them and enriching activities to begin your adventure.
Why Choose Luxury Train Journeys in India?
India’s vast landscapes and complex history are best absorbed at a gentle pace. Luxury train journeys in India transform travel from a logistical task into a seamless, enriching experience. They offer a unique combination of heritage, comfort, and immersive discovery that you simply can’t replicate by other means, making them a highlight for discerning travelers.
Iconic Luxury Train Journeys in India
From opulent palaces on rails to spiritual pilgrimages, here are the premier trains that define luxury train journeys in India.
1. Maharajas’ Express
Often considered the most luxurious train in Asia, the Maharajas’ Express offers multi-day itineraries covering Rajasthan, Agra, Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Mumbai. Cabins range from elegant junior suites to full presidential suites with private living areas. What sets it apart is the balance—palatial interiors, guided off-train excursions, fine dining, and smooth logistics that make complex itineraries feel effortless. It represents the pinnacle of luxury train journeys in India.
- Routes: Rajasthan, Central & North India (e.g., Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur)
- Highlights: Presidential Suite, butler service, curated excursions to UNESCO sites
- Ideal for: First-time luxury train travelers seeking the ultimate opulent experience
Official Booking: IRCTC Maharajas’ Express
Traveler Reviews: View Maharajas’ Express reviews on TripAdvisor
Pre-Journey Activity in Delhi: Arrive early and dive into local culture with The Great Indian Food Tour in Old Delhi.
2. Palace on Wheels
A classic and deeply nostalgic experience, Palace on Wheels travels through India’s iconic destinations in Rajasthan & Agra on a 7 Nights/8 Days luxury tour, evoking royal salons and heritage hotels on rails. The decor leans traditional, with attentive onboard hosts and culturally immersive excursions. This train appeals to travelers who value heritage and storytelling over ultra-modern luxury, offering a timeless entry into luxury train journeys in India.
- Routes: Classic Rajasthan circuit (Delhi-Jaipur-Udaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Bharatpur-Agra)
- Highlights: Heritage-style cabins, cultural performances at stops, visits to majestic forts
- Ideal for: Lovers of history and old-world charm
Official Booking: The Palace on Wheels Official Site
Traveler Reviews: View Palace on Wheels reviews on TripAdvisor
Pre-Journey Activity in Delhi: Before boarding in Delhi, immerse yourself in local flavors with The Chef cooking class in Delhi. It’s a perfect, hands-on cultural prelude to the royal journey ahead.
3. Deccan Odyssey
The Deccan Odyssey explores western and southern India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and sometimes even South India. It feels slightly more contemporary than Palace on Wheels, with spacious cabins and a relaxed rhythm. Its coastal and cultural routes offer a different perspective from the more Rajasthan-focused trains, presenting another captivating dimension of luxury train journeys in India. The Deccan Odyssey now operates on six different Pan India circuits.
- Routes: Western & Southern India (e.g., Mumbai-Goa-Hampi-Mahabaleshwar)
- Highlights: Spacious cabins, spa car, itineraries focusing on lesser-known gems and coastline
- Ideal for: Repeat visitors to India seeking new regions
Official Booking: Deccan Odyssey Official Site
Pre-/Post-Journey Activities: If your journey starts or ends in Delhi, consider an Indian Cooking Class in an Authentic Home. For journeys through Mumbai, don’t miss the legendary Mohammed Ali Road Kebab & Curry Food Trail.
4. Golden Chariot
Golden Chariot offers 3 different train packages showcasing South India—Mysore, Hampi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu—regions often overlooked in luxury rail travel. Interiors are inspired by South Indian dynasties, and the journeys feel lush and sensory. This train pairs temple towns, wildlife, and backwaters in a seamless flow, offering a distinctly southern flavor to luxury train journeys in India.
- Routes: Southern India (Pride of Karnataka, Southern Splendor, Glimpses of Karnataka)
- Highlights: South Indian temple-inspired decor, visits to UNESCO sites like Hampi, journeys through coffee plantations
- Ideal for: Culture-rich, slower travel focused on South India
Official Booking: Golden Chariot Official Site
Pre-Journey Activity in Bengaluru: All Golden Chariot journeys start and end in Bengaluru. Arrive early and explore the scenic countryside on a Full-Day Nandi Hills Countryside Tour by Bike.
5. Mahaparinirvan Express (IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Train)
The Mahaparinirvan Express offers a very different kind of luxury—one rooted in spiritual depth rather than opulence. Designed to follow the Buddhist Circuit, the journey connects sacred sites associated with the life of the Buddha, including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Lumbini in Nepal. While the onboard experience is simpler than palace-style trains, the value lies in seamless logistics, guided visits, and the emotional continuity of traveling slowly between places of deep significance. It’s a profoundly meaningful category within luxury train journeys in India.
- Routes: India-Nepal Buddhist Circuit (Delhi-Gaya-Varanasi-Kushinagar-Lumbini-Sravasti-Agra)
- Highlights: All-inclusive spiritual pilgrimage, guided tours to major Buddhist sites, comfortable AC travel between remote locations
- Ideal for: Spiritually inclined travelers and cultural pilgrims
Official Booking: IRCTC Mahaparinirvan Express Official Site
Pre-/Post-Journey Activity from Delhi: The journey begins and ends in Delhi. A perfect add-on is a Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train, seamlessly visiting another world wonder.
FAQs About Luxury Train Journeys in India
Essential Booking & Travel Tips
– Book Through Official Channels: Always use the official government or train operator websites (like IRCTC) or authorized agents to ensure authenticity and transparent pricing for your luxury train journeys in India.
– Understand the Itinerary: Review the daily schedule of excursions carefully. Some days are packed with activities, while others offer more relaxed travel time.
– Consider Travel Insurance: Given the advance booking and significant cost, comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
– Engage with the Experience: Talk to your fellow travelers and the knowledgeable staff. Part of the magic of luxury train journeys in India is the community and stories shared on board.
Luxury train journeys in India are not about speed or spectacle. They’re about continuity, about allowing places to arrive gently rather than all at once. When done well, they offer one of the most immersive and comfortable ways to experience the subcontinent. If you value slow travel, layered culture, and thoughtful luxury, these trains are not just transport—they are the destination.
