Compare Luxury Trains

INDIA –The Land of Maharajas

Over centuries the legendary stories of wealth and powerful kings of India have fascinated the world. The term “Maharaja” has been used to describe an extremely rich & powerful Hindu King who has a huge army at disposal and to whom number of smaller kingdoms had to pay regular monetary tribute. The wife of the Maharaja was called a “Maharani”. The court of Queen Victoria & later British Raj further romanticized this title for purpose of ensuring loyalty to the British Crown. The Marketing of former Palaces in Rajasthan, now converted into luxury spa hotels, have further added to this aura.

History of Luxury Trains in India

To facilitate the guests who wants to visit famous forts & palaces in desert state of Rajasthan, the Indian Railways in collaboration with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, launched a train tour using private saloon carriage of former Maharajas, Nizams and British Viceroy, in 1984. A bygone era was recreated, for perhaps first time in India, where the concept of butler service on a commercial Tour was introduced with fixed day group excursions. This train tour was called Palace On Wheels, which is soon rated amongst the top ten journeys in the world. However, these carriages had to be replaced by A/C saloons, running on metre gauge tracks and the original saloons that were formally used are preserved at the Rail Museum, New Delhi. The present Air conditioned Carriages of Palace on Wheels train running on broad gauge tracks were introduced in 1996 and each saloon is named after a former royal province of the State of Rajasthan, bearing the royal crest on the outside with the interior work related to that particular region.

The first luxury Train –The Palace on Wheels started operations way back in 1982 & since then numerous luxury Train Tours have been introduced. Currently ,there are four such luxury train tours operating in India viz Palace on Wheels ,Deccan Odyssey, Maharajas Express & the fourth -luxury train called Golden Chariot Train is under renovation work.

The Maharajas' Express

Five consecutive times voted as the Best Luxury Train Experience in the World, at Annual World Travel Writes Convention.

The Maharajas Express It can be rightfully promoted as the only Maharaja Train of India. The luxury train offers saloons with hydraulic suspension technology & cabins with individual temperature control panels , world class cuisine & astounding Roof Interiors of Dining Cars . Your in-house pouring brands are also included in the package costs. Further, the unique opportunity of Champagne breakfast overlooking the Taj Mahal in Agra - in some journeys & Spending time with Elephants in Jaipur , can only be described as once in a lifetime experience.

The Maharajas Express operates on Four different tour circuits of North & Central India (each journey with unique name) With 3 journeys of Six Nights each & 1 Journey of 3 Nights Duration .The various journey names are - The Indian Splendour, Heritage of India, The Indian Panorama & Treasures of India .Two Common Feature of all 4 Journeys are visit to Taj Mahal & jungle excursion to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve

There are two dining cars & two bar lounges; and guests have an option to book Deluxe Cabins/Junior Suite/Suite & Presidential suites on journeys of Three & Six Nights duration. Each cabin/suite have facility of direct dial telephone, electronic safe & LCD TV. Till last season, the The Maharajas Express train was being operated by a different joint venture companies, but, since Jan 2012 it is now being operated itself by the train owning Government Agency of IRCTC.

Cost on twin share starts from price range of US$ 1195 per person /night onwards........ Read More..

Golden Chariot Train & Southern Splendour

The Only Luxury Train Tour operating in South India is presently undergoing Renovations & expected to restart operations by October 2019........Read More..

The Deccan Odyssey

Six times voted as the “Best Luxury Train in Asia” & recently renovated Deccan Odyssey Train a offers saloons with hydraulic suspension technology & cabins with individual temperature control panels .Deccan Odyssey Train operates on 6 different journey -each of 7 Nights Duration ,covering different parts of India including North West & South India.

The various journey names are – Indian Sojourn, Indian Odyssey, Jewels of Deccan, Maharashtra Splendour, Hidden Treasures of Gujarat & Maharashtra Wild Trail Journey .Starting price is US$ 690 per person per night .....Read More..

The Palace on Wheels

The Original Maharaja Train, Palace on Wheels Train Tour was launched way back in 1982 using original carriages of Former Maharajas of India & British Viceroy, but with growing popularity-the Train Carriages have been replaced three times over past 35 years ,but even present train carriages (renovated August 2017) maintain that traditional Royal interior work. Over past three decades ,the train has been honoured numerous international awards & in some travel publications also listed amongst “Top hundred places to visit before I Die” .The train operates on a fixed 7 nights circuit covering Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan, besides visit to Taj Mahal & excursion to Tiger Reserve. There are discounted prices for two months of April & September. Starting price is US$ 500 per person per night .....Read More..

Some common features in all Indian Luxury Trains

- Travel in Private AC sleeping Chambers with attached bathroom
- Freshly cooked Meals served in on-board Dining Saloons OR in luxury hotels
- Package costs includes pre-arranged group sightseeing tours & excursions with facility ofEnglish speaking guides ,in each tourist town visited
- Concept of personalized service combined with professional touch.
- Operate on a seasonal basis between September to April (no service from May to August)

Comparison of all Luxury Train Tours in India)

Luxury Train Tour Name Rating Train Operator Operational Months Number of Circuits Types of Cabins Does it cover Taj Mahal
Palace on Wheels A Royal Experience Tourism Dept
of Rajasthan (RTDC)
From first week of September
till last week of April
One Circuit TWO (Deluxe & Super Deluxe) YES
The Deccan Odyssey Luxury Experience Currently outsourced
to Coxs & Kings
From Last week of September
till Mid May
Six Different Circuits (all of 7 nights duration each) TWO (Deluxe Cabin & Presidential Suite) Two of 6
circuits cover Taj Mahal
The Maharajas Express Ultra Luxury Experience IRCTC
(Commercial
Wing of Indian Railways)
From Last week of September
to first week of April
Four Different Circuits (Three of 6 nights duration each & one of 3 Nights) FOUR (Deluxe Cabin, Junior Suite, Suite & Presidential Suite ) All 4
Circuits cover Taj Mahal
The Golden Chariot UNDER RENOVATION Tourism Dept
of Karnataka (KSTDC)
Details awaited Details awaited Details Awaited NO
(Since operates in South India)