Luxury Train Journeys in India: Palace on Wheels, Maharajas' Express & More

Why Luxury Train Travel is Perfect for Group Tours

India's luxury trains combine the romance of rail travel with the grandeur of palace-style living. For group travellers, a luxury train journey is uniquely immersive — the entire group travels together, dines together in elegant restaurant cars, explores destinations by day and returns to their private cabins at night. No hotel check-ins, no suitcase transfers, and no logistics to manage. The train is both the transport and the accommodation — and the journey itself is the experience.

Palace on Wheels: Rajasthan's Royal Train

The Palace on Wheels is India's most famous luxury train and the world's fourth-best luxury train (according to Conde Nast Traveller). Operating from September to April, it runs weekly from Delhi covering Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore), Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur (Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary), and Agra (Taj Mahal) — all in one magnificent 8-night journey. Each coach is styled after the royal carriages of Rajputana states.

Maharajas' Express: India's Most Luxurious Train

The Maharajas' Express operated by IRCTC is the crème de la crème of Indian luxury trains — consistently ranked in the world's top 10 luxury trains. With four itineraries covering the Golden Triangle, Rajasthan, Central India (Khajuraho, Varanasi), and South India, it offers suites with bathrooms comparable to 5-star hotels, multiple dining options including Indian and continental fine dining, a bar lounge, and a spa cabin.

The Deccan Odyssey: Maharashtra and Goa by Rail

The Deccan Odyssey runs through Maharashtra and Goa, covering Mumbai, Sindhudurg (coastal forts), Goa, Pune, Aurangabad (Ajanta–Ellora), Nashik, and back to Mumbai — an extraordinary 8-night journey through the Konkan coast and Deccan plateau. It also has a 'Maharashtra Splendour' itinerary and connects to the 'Hidden Treasures of Karnataka' extension covering Hampi and Badami.

Heritage Scenic Trains: Darjeeling, Nilgiri & Shimla

Three of India's mountain railways are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train, West Bengal), the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (through the Blue Mountains to Ooty, Tamil Nadu), and the Kalka-Shimla Railway (Himachal Pradesh). These narrow-gauge steam-era railways traverse extraordinary mountain landscapes and are beloved group experiences. Book seats in the vistadome coach for the best views.

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels and Other State Luxury Trains

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels offers a more affordable luxury train alternative to the Palace on Wheels, covering Jaipur, Ranthambore, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and Agra. Golden Chariot (South India) covers Bangalore, Hampi, Goa, Mysore, Ooty, Chennai, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, and more. The Kerala Express covers the backwaters, temples, and hill stations of Kerala in a unique coastal journey.

How to Book India's Luxury Trains

Book Palace on Wheels and Maharajas' Express through RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism) and IRCTC respectively. Prices for luxury trains range from USD 400–1,200 per person per night depending on the cabin category. Group bookings of a full carriage (8–10 cabins) attract significant discounts and the exclusive use of a private carriage. Book at least 6–12 months in advance as popular season sailings (October–March) fill quickly. TravelBuddy assists with complete luxury train package bookings.