Luxury Train Journeys in India

The Maharajas' Express represents the pinnacle of Indian railway luxury, combining regal splendor with modern amenities. This award-winning train offers unparalleled access to northern India's cultural treasures while maintaining the highest standards of comfort and service.

Royal Accommodations with Personal Service

Step aboard the Maharajas' Express into a world where India's royal heritage meets contemporary luxury. Your suite features panoramic windows and a private living area, while personal butlers have intuition that borders on mind-reading. Whether arranging for your favorite single malt to be waiting on ice after your private tour or pressing your attire for evening cocktails in the bar, they are at your service no matter the time.

Exclusive Landmark Experiences

When it comes to excursions, the Maharajas' Express will take you to India's most celebrated landmarks. Enjoy private sunrise entry to Jaipur's Amber Fort, followed by breakfast overlooking the Aravalli Hills. At the Taj Mahal, you could partake in a moonlit champagne dinner with unobstructed views of this architectural marvel. Game drives with premier trackers and equipment for photography enthusiasts elevate wildlife viewing in Ranthambore, where you might spot the majestic Bengal tiger or a marsh crocodile.

Beyond the Ordinary

Beyond the train's standard excellence lies a realm of truly rarefied experiences available only through specialists with privileged access:

• Royal Audiences – Private meetings with members of former royal families in their personal quarters
• Restricted Access – Entry to palace chambers normally closed even to VIP visitors
• Artisan Encounters – Exclusive sessions with master craftspeople whose work adorns royal collections
• Bespoke Photography – Special permission to photograph in locations where cameras are typically forbidden
• Sacred Ceremonies – Invitations to religious rituals normally reserved for distinguished guests

Highlights: Spacious suites with panoramic windows • Butler service • Amber Fort • Taj Mahal • Wildlife viewing

The Palace on Wheels embodies authentic royal heritage as India's most historically faithful luxury train. This meticulously crafted experience recreates the private railway saloons used by Rajputana royalty and British viceroys down to the smallest detail.

Historical Authenticity in Every Detail

The Palace on Wheels stands apart as the most historically authentic luxury train in India, faithfully recreating the private railway saloons used by Rajputana royalty and British viceroys. Unlike other luxury trains that incorporate modern design elements, the Palace on Wheels commits fully to historical accuracy with its gleaming brass fixtures, silk draperies, and hand-carved woodwork. Each cabin is named after a former princely state and features a unique color palette and design elements inspired by its namesake kingdom. Your suite might see you lay down your head in a four-poster bed draped in Rajasthani textiles or sit at an antique writing desk where the train's historian will brief you on the day's destinations.

Royal Rajasthan Immersion

What differentiates this journey is its focus on royal Rajasthan. In Udaipur, you'll be transported by a vintage vehicle to the City Palace to view the royal family's private art collection before a lakeside dinner featuring court musicians performing ragas composed for 18th-century maharanas. At Jaisalmer's fortress, explore secret passages guided by descendants of royal court scholars who share legends absent from guidebooks.

Privileged Insider Access

For the truly discerning traveler, the most extraordinary experiences on the Palace on Wheels happen beyond the scheduled journey:

• Noble Introductions – Personal meetings with current maharajas in their private residences
• Ancestral Ceremonies – Participation in centuries-old family rituals typically closed to outsiders
• Royal Archives – Examination of historical documents and artifacts never displayed publicly
• Culinary Heritage – Private cooking demonstrations of royal recipes preserved in family manuscripts
• Textile Treasures – Behind-the-scenes access to palace textile collections with expert custodians

Highlights: Recreated royal railway saloons • Themed cabins • Rajasthani textiles • Royal art collections • Dinner with court musicians • Guided fortress tours with royal scholars

The Deccan Odyssey presents a modern interpretation of railway luxury through its distinctive sapphire-blue carriages. This contemporary train balances traditional craftsmanship with innovative amenities while exploring western India's diverse coastal treasures.

Contemporary Luxury with Artisanal Touches

The sapphire-blue carriages of the Deccan Odyssey bring a contemporary interpretation of luxury to India's rail journeys, setting it apart from more traditionally styled trains. Your suite features a living room, dining area, and bedroom with handcrafted furniture commissioned from master artisans in Maharashtra. Unlike other luxury trains focused primarily on heritage, the Deccan Odyssey distinguishes itself with modern amenities, including a spa carriage offering ayurvedic treatments using oils and herbs collected from mountain regions. Between destinations, the conference carriage transforms into a private cinema, where curated films relevant to your upcoming destinations are screened with popcorn and champagne.

Western Coastal Exploration

While other trains focus on desert and mountain regions, the Deccan Odyssey explores western India's coastal treasures. At Ajanta and Ellora, learn about the paintings in the caves from archaeological experts. In Goa, bypass beach crowds with a private catamaran expedition to untouched islands where chefs prepare Goan-Portuguese fusion cuisine on the sand. Watch as they simmer tiger prawns in a copper pot with hand-pressed coconut milk, Goan kokum, and rare byadgi chilies, finished with a delicious reduction of Portuguese Port. In Mumbai, secure a private viewing of the Maharaja of Baroda's jewelry collection, accompanied by a renowned gemologist who explains the provenance of each spectacular piece.

Exclusive Western Indian Experiences

Those who understand the true nature of luxury know that the most extraordinary experiences on the Deccan Odyssey happen away from other travelers:

• Archaeological Privileges – After-hours access to caves and monuments when closed to the public
• Conservation Insights – Meetings with restoration experts working on fragile historical paintings
• Island Sanctuaries – Permission to visit protected coastal areas restricted from general tourism
• Vintner Access – Private tastings with pioneering winemakers in their personal cellars
• Artistic Encounters – Studio visits with acclaimed contemporary artists who rarely receive visitors

Highlights: Spa carriage with ayurvedic treatments • Curated films with champagne and popcorn • Western India's coastal treasures • Expert-guided tours of Ajanta and Ellora caves • Private catamaran expeditions • Beach dining • Royal jewelry

The Golden Chariot dedicates itself to showcasing southern India's rich cultural heritage through a refined rail experience. Recently reimagined with contemporary interiors that complement traditional craftsmanship, this train offers exclusive access to South India's royal traditions.

Elegant Accommodations with Regional Character

The Golden Chariot is dedicated to southern India's cultural wealth, offering experiences impossible to find on northern routes. Reimagined with contemporary interiors that complement its traditional craftsmanship, it provides a most refined south Indian rail experience. Your suite could feature hand-painted Mysore silk panels depicting Karnataka's architectural marvels, a four-fixture bathroom with Thanjavur-inspired gold-leafed accents, and a private deck for morning yoga sessions with the train's wellness coach.

South Indian Royal Gastronomy

The Golden Chariot's culinary program showcases South Indian royal cuisines through cutting-edge techniques. Its restaurant serves reimagined dishes that showcase the sophisticated flavors that once graced palace banquets. Dinner might feature daulat ki chaat, a cloud-like dessert historically prepared only on winter full-moon nights when Mysore palace chefs would collect dew-kissed milk foam and whip it with saffron and cardamom until it achieved a texture so light it would "melt at the slightest breath". The modern version, created through molecular gastronomy techniques, is served under a dome of edible silver leaf and paired with limited-production chenin blancs from India's Nashik Valley.

Rarefied Southern Experiences

Beyond the Golden Chariot's already impressive offerings lies a realm of truly exceptional experiences available only through the right introductions:

• Temple Sanctums – Access to inner chambers typically reserved for priests and distinguished devotees
• Silk Weaving Heritage – Private demonstrations of techniques normally kept within family lineages
• Palace Archives – Viewing of royal documents and artifacts not on public display
• Musical Lineages – Personal concerts with master musicians from generations-old traditions
• Ayurvedic Knowledge – Consultations with renowned practitioners who rarely see foreign visitors

Highlights: Southern Indian cultural experiences • Morning yoga sessions • On-board wellness coach • South Indian royal cuisine • Wine pairings

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels celebrates imperial grandeur with unwavering historical authenticity. Every aspect of this train maintains regal traditions, from its meticulously crafted interiors to ceremonial dining experiences that transport guests to India's golden age.

Imperial Accommodations

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels focuses on imperial experiences, with your super-deluxe cabin featuring mirror-work ceilings handcrafted by artisans whose ancestors decorated Udaipur's Lake Palace and furniture upholstered in silk brocades. Unlike other luxury trains that incorporate some modern elements, every aspect of this train maintains historical imperial authenticity. The restaurant recreates palace dining halls with backlit alabaster panels and jade tableware, each evening bringing ceremonial service of royal cuisine. Try fiery hunting dishes comprising game meat or refined plant-based offerings featuring delicate spicing and complex flavor profiles.

Exclusive Royal Access

While tourists view the Mehrangarh Fort's public areas in Jodhpur, you might be escorted by the curator to the royal family's private apartments for cocktails on terraces. At Jaipur's City Palace, the royal astrologer could perform a traditional birth chart reading in chambers used for royal consultations since the 18th century. Your journey ends in Varanasi, where you'll observe the sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony from a private riverside townhouse, followed by a dawn boat journey to witness the sunrise rituals with a Sanskrit scholar who translates the ancient chants echoing across the water.

For the Most Discerning Travelers

For the truly discerning traveler, the most extraordinary experiences on Royal Rajasthan on Wheels happen beyond the scheduled journey:

• Museum Treasures – Private viewings of artifacts normally kept in secure storage
• Aristocratic Quarters – Meetings with noble families in their personal living spaces rather than formal halls
• Royal Kitchens – Behind-the-scenes culinary experiences using closely guarded family recipes
• Textile Archives – Examination of historical royal garments typically preserved away from public view
• Sacred Ritual Access – Permission to witness temple ceremonies normally restricted to select devotees

Highlights: Artisanal craftsmanship • Historical imperial authenticity • Mehrangarh Fort • City Palace • Ganga Aarti ceremony • Dawn boat journey

The Taj Express Executive Class provides a concentrated luxury experience for discerning travelers with limited time. This elegant day journey between Delhi and Agra offers exceptional comfort and privileged access to India's most famous monument.

Efficient Luxury for Time-Conscious Travelers

If you are a discerning traveler with limited time, the Taj Express Executive Class offers a focused luxury experience between Delhi and Agra that stands apart from multi-day journeys. Designed for time-conscious travelers and business executives, this luxury train service can be completed in a day. Your suite features Italian leather, private entertainment systems loaded with documentaries about the Taj Mahal and Mughal architecture, and attendants offering hot-towel service and premium beverages. For uninterrupted views of the changing landscape, head for the observation lounge, where specially treated glass reduces glare while maintaining perfect clarity for photography.

Privileged Taj Mahal Access

In Agra, bypass the notoriously lengthy entry procedures at the Taj Mahal with your private architectural historian. Head for carefully selected vantage points that capture the monument's changing hues throughout the day and gain access to the underground chambers and upper galleries. The experience could conclude with a helicopter transfer back to Delhi, offering aerial views of Agra's river bend and the Taj Mahal's perfect symmetry.

Exclusive Monument Privileges

The most discerning travelers understand that the difference lies in exclusive access:

• After-Hours Entry – Viewing the Taj Mahal during restricted times when closed to the public
• Conservation Insights – Meetings with restoration specialists working on the monument's preservation
• Imperial Archives – Examination of original Mughal documents related to the Taj Mahal's construction
• Artisan Lineages – Private demonstrations with descendants of original craftsmen
• Aerial Perspectives – Special permission for drone photography or helicopter viewing opportunities

Highlights: Single-day journey for time-conscious travelers • Taj Mahal documentaries • Observation lounge • Private architectural historian guides • Helicopter transfer back to Delhi • Aerial views of Agra's river bend

The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train transforms spiritual pilgrimage into contemplative luxury, creating space for both comfort and reflection. As the only train dedicated to Buddhism's sacred sites, it offers a unique blend of historical exploration and mindful experience.

Mindful Accommodations and Practices

The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train transforms a spiritual pilgrimage into an enlightening luxury experience, standing apart as the only train dedicated to Buddhism's sacred sites. Your deluxe cabin is inspired by monasteries, features meditation cushions handcrafted by Tibetan refugees, signature aromatherapy using sacred herbs, and a curated library of Buddhist philosophical texts. Between destinations, engage with resident scholars on Buddhist concepts or participate in guided meditation sessions in a specially designed carriage, where noise-cancellation technology creates perfect silence despite the train's movement.

Sacred Site Access

The journey follows Buddha's footsteps through sites inaccessible to other luxury train routes. At Bodh Gaya, you'll enjoy private pre-dawn meditation sessions beside the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. In Sarnath, a respected abbot opens the monastery archives to show ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. In Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, bypass the long queues with VIP entrance to the sacred garden, where a senior monk performs a personal blessing using ritual implements.

Privileged Spiritual Access

The most discerning spiritual travelers understand that true pilgrimage transcends the ordinary tourist experience through privileged access:

• Sacred Sanctums – Meditation in temple inner chambers normally closed to visitors
• Revered Teachers – Private audiences with distinguished masters who rarely meet with travelers
• Ancient Manuscripts – Viewing of fragile texts typically restricted to scholarly research
• Monastic Life – Participation in daily rituals normally reserved for initiated practitioners
• Consecration Ceremonies – Witnessing of special blessings performed only for honored guests

Highlights: Buddhism's sacred sites • Resident scholars for discussions on Buddhist concepts • Guided meditation sessions • Pre-dawn meditation at Bodh Gaya enlightenment tree • Ancient palm-leaf manuscripts • Lumbini sacred garden • Monk's blessing

The Royal Orient Train explores the less-traveled treasures of Gujarat and Rajasthan, revealing cultural riches beyond typical tourist routes. This distinctive journey unveils regions where royal heritage remains remarkably intact while providing expert context for each experience.

Royal Accommodations with Cultural Immersion

The Royal Orient Train journeys through the less-traveled treasures of Gujarat and Rajasthan, regions where royal heritage remains remarkably intact. While other luxury trains focus on well-known tourist circuits, the Royal Orient explores Gujarat's cultural wealth. Your cabin recreates a royal train saloon, with marquetry work by Gujarat's master inlay artisans. The train's lounge car doubles as a cultural salon where specialists in textiles, architecture, and royal history deliver private lectures, complemented by performances of regional music played on instruments rarely heard outside academic recordings. These might include the bass sitar or the nearly extinct dilruba, a stringed instrument that blends features of the sitar and sarangi. The latter is a bowed, short-necked string instrument with three main playing strings and 35 to 40 "sympathetic" strings.

Uncommon Destination Access

At Gir National Park, join conservation scientists in specially designed observation vehicles for extended wildlife monitoring of the last remaining Asiatic lions in the wild. The journey culminates at Modhera Sun Temple, where the Archaeological Survey of India permits nighttime access to the monument during the equinox, when the moonlight casts distinctive illumination effects on the interior carvings, as described in ancient texts. This practice has been unchanged since the 11th century.

Exclusive Gujarati Experiences

For those seeking truly exceptional experiences beyond standard luxury offerings:

• Textile Treasures – Private viewings of museum-quality textiles normally preserved in climate-controlled storage
• Musical Preservation – Intimate concerts featuring endangered musical traditions rarely performed publicly
• Conservation Participation – Special access to wildlife research projects typically closed to visitors
• Artisanal Lineages – Studio visits with master craftspeople whose techniques date back centuries
• Celestial Alignments – Permission to witness astronomical phenomena at ancient sites during restricted hours

Highlights: Royal heritage sites • Private lectures on textiles, architecture, and history • Performances of regional music • Conservation-focused wildlife monitoring • Asiatic lion observation • Modhera Sun Temple • Equinox viewing of moonlight illumination effects • 11th-century celestial alignment phenomena

On India's luxury trains, the journey becomes as memorable as the destinations. As you witness diverse landscapes from the comfort of your elegantly appointed suite, you experience the subcontinent's magnificent heritage. These meticulously curated journeys offer a chance to experience India as royalty once did, with every detail attended to and every moment designed to inspire you.

For more inspiration and information to inspire your luxury train journey through India, take a look at our India travel guide or our India tours and vacations.