Best Luxury Train in India: Palace on Wheels and Other Royal Journeys
When you think of a luxury train, a high-end rail experience combining opulent accommodations, fine dining, and curated cultural excursions. Also known as heritage train journeys, it's not just about getting from point A to B—it’s about traveling through time. In India, this isn’t a fantasy. The Palace on Wheels, a meticulously restored royal train that once carried Indian royalty across Rajasthan is widely called the most luxurious train in the world. It doesn’t just have plush carpets and crystal chandeliers—it takes you into abandoned palaces, private hunting grounds, and heritage forts that most tourists never see.
Other trains like the Golden Chariot, a South Indian counterpart that links Hampi, Mysore, and Coorg with guided temple tours and spice plantation visits prove luxury isn’t just about where you sleep—it’s about what you experience while moving. These aren’t tourist buses on rails. They’re curated cultural expeditions with personal butlers, live classical music, and chefs who cook Mughal-era recipes using ingredients sourced from the very towns you pass through. You don’t just ride these trains—you step into a living museum.
What makes them different from the Orient Express or any other global luxury train? It’s the context. While European trains focus on scenery and service, Indian luxury trains are deeply tied to history. The Palace on Wheels runs through the same routes that Maharajas once traveled with their entire courts. The Golden Chariot stops at UNESCO sites before most tour groups arrive. These trains don’t just transport you—they connect you to a legacy. And unlike flying or driving, you wake up in a new city every morning, unpacked, fed, and ready to explore without ever packing a bag.
There’s no other way to see Rajasthan, Karnataka, or Gujarat quite like this. You’ll meet local artisans in private courtyards, sip chai with retired royal guards, and sleep in cabins that look like they were lifted from a 1920s film set—all while rolling past deserts, jungles, and ancient temples. These journeys aren’t cheap, but they’re not just vacations. They’re the closest thing to time travel you’ll find on land.
Below, you’ll find real stories, packing tips, and honest reviews from people who’ve taken these trains. Whether you’re wondering if jeans are okay on board, how to pick the right route, or why some trains book up a year in advance, the posts here cut through the marketing and give you what actually matters.
