Blue Train Pricing: How Much Does India's Luxury Train Journey Cost?
When people ask about Blue Train pricing, a world-famous luxury train in South Africa. Also known as the Blue Train, it’s often confused with India’s own royal rail experience. But here’s the truth: there’s no Blue Train in India. What you’re really looking for is the Palace on Wheels, India’s most luxurious train, modeled after royal carriages of the 19th century. This isn’t just a train—it’s a moving palace with marble bathrooms, crystal chandeliers, and private butlers serving meals on silver platters. And yes, it costs serious money—but not because it’s fancy. Because it’s the only way to see Rajasthan’s forts, deserts, and temples without ever checking into a hotel.
The Palace on Wheels runs seven-night circuits through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. You don’t just ride the train—you step into history. Each cabin is named after a royal family, and the dining car serves dishes cooked the way Mughal emperors once ate them. The price? Around $3,000 to $5,000 per person, depending on the season and cabin type. That sounds steep until you realize it includes all meals, guided tours, entrance fees, and even camel safaris. Compare that to booking flights, five-star hotels, and private guides separately—suddenly, the train looks like a deal. And if you’re thinking of the Orient Express, Europe’s legendary luxury train. Also known as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, it’s often mentioned alongside Indian luxury trains—but it doesn’t offer the same cultural immersion. The Orient Express is elegant. The Palace on Wheels is alive with Indian rituals, music, and color.
There are other luxury trains in India too—the Golden Chariot in the south, the Deccan Odyssey along the western coast, and the Maharajas' Express, which is sometimes called the most expensive train in the world. But none match the Palace on Wheels for pure, unfiltered royal fantasy. You’ll find posts here that break down exactly how much you pay, what you get for it, and how to book without getting scammed. Some travelers think luxury trains are for older tourists. But we’ve seen couples in their 20s, solo travelers, and even families with teens—all saying the same thing: it changed how they saw India. You don’t just travel on this train. You live inside a story.
