Luxury Train Journeys from India and Around the World — Palace on Wheels, Maharajas Express, Orient Express, Rocky Mountaineer
By Vihaan Patel (Meera Deshmukh covers experiential luxury travel for Indians — from overwater villas and palace-on-rails to private charters, with a sharp eye on what actually justifies the price tag versus what is marketing fluff.) · Published · 11 min read
A practical comparison of the world's top luxury trains accessible to Indian travellers — from Rajasthan's Palace on Wheels to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, with costs in INR, visa requirements, and booking windows.
Quick answer
India has two world-class luxury trains — the Palace on Wheels (Rajasthan circuit, approximately ₹4-7 lakh per person for 7 nights) and the Maharajas' Express (multiple itineraries across India, approximately ₹5-12 lakh per person for 4-7 nights). Both are genuine luxury experiences with heritage cabins, fine dining, and curated excursions. For international equivalents, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (London-Venice, approximately ₹6-15 lakh per person one-way) and the Rocky Mountaineer (Canadian Rockies, approximately ₹2-4 lakh per person for 2 days) are the most iconic options accessible from India, though both require Schengen/Canadian visas respectively. Indian trains offer far better value per night but lack the cachet of European equivalents.
Palace on Wheels — Rajasthan's original luxury train
The Palace on Wheels has operated since 1982, running a 7-night circuit through Rajasthan: Delhi-Jaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore)-Chittorgarh-Udaipur-Bharatpur-Agra-Delhi. The train uses refurbished coaches from the former royal families of Rajasthan, each named after a princely state.
Each cabin is a self-contained suite with en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and interiors inspired by the specific principality the coach represents. Dining is in two restaurant cars — Maharaja and Maharani — serving multi-course Indian and continental meals. Evening entertainment includes folk dance performances at stations and cocktails in the Sheesh Mahal lounge bar.
The 2026 season runs September through April. Tariffs for the 7-night journey start at approximately ₹4,00,000 per person in a Deluxe cabin and rise to ₹7,00,000+ for the Super Deluxe suites. These rates include all meals, excursions, monument entry fees, and station transfers. They do not include alcoholic beverages or personal shopping.
Booking is through the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) or authorised agents. The train fills quickly for the October-February high season — book 4-6 months in advance. The September and March departures are easier to get and offer slightly lower rates.
The honest assessment: the Palace on Wheels is a magnificent way to see Rajasthan without the hassle of intercity road travel. The heritage ambience is authentic. However, the coaches are ageing and the bathrooms are compact by modern luxury hotel standards. Expect palace-era charm, not Four Seasons precision.
Maharajas' Express — India's most expensive train
The Maharajas' Express is operated by IRCTC and positions itself as the premium alternative to the Palace on Wheels. It runs multiple itineraries — the most popular being the 'Heritage of India' (Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Bikaner-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Mumbai, 7 nights) and the 'Indian Panorama' (Delhi-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Gwalior-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Lucknow-Delhi, 7 nights).
The train has five cabin categories: Deluxe, Junior Suite, Suite, Presidential Suite, and the 2-bedroom Presidential Suite. The top suite is among the largest on any luxury train globally — 139 sq ft with a separate living area. All cabins have individual climate control, LCD screens, and marble-finished en-suite bathrooms.
Tariffs in 2026: Deluxe from approximately ₹5,00,000 per person for 7 nights, Presidential Suite from approximately ₹12,00,000. Again, all-inclusive except alcohol and personal purchases. The Maharajas' Express won the World Travel Award for Asia's Leading Luxury Train multiple years running.
Compared to the Palace on Wheels: the Maharajas' Express has newer coaches, larger bathrooms, more varied itineraries, and better food. It is also 20-40% more expensive. For most Indian luxury travellers, the Maharajas' Express is the superior product if budget allows.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — the European legend
The VSOE runs London-Calais-Paris-Alps-Venice (and reverse), typically as a one-night journey. For Indian travellers, this means flying to London (via Delhi-London or Mumbai-London), boarding at London Victoria station, and arriving in Venice the next afternoon.
The experience is pure 1920s glamour — original Art Deco carriages, three-course French meals in the dining car with Lalique glass panels, champagne in the piano bar, and a formal dress code for dinner. The cabins are small — genuinely small, with a daytime bench seat that converts to a bed and a compact washbasin. There is no en-suite shower; shared toilet facilities are at the end of each carriage.
Pricing: a cabin for one passenger on the London-Venice route costs approximately ₹6,00,000-9,00,000 one-way. The Grand Suite, with en-suite bathroom, runs ₹12,00,000-15,00,000 one-way. This is for one night. Per-night, the VSOE is among the most expensive travel experiences on earth.
Visa requirement: Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa (the train passes through France, Switzerland, and Italy) plus UK transit or tourist visa if boarding in London. Apply for both well in advance — Schengen processing from India takes 15-30 working days.
Is it worth it for an Indian traveller? As a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a piece of living history, yes. As a rational value proposition compared to Indian luxury trains, absolutely not. The Palace on Wheels gives you 7 nights for the price of the VSOE's single night. But they are different products serving different desires.
Rocky Mountaineer — Canada's scenic spectacular
The Rocky Mountaineer runs daylight-only routes through the Canadian Rockies — the most popular being Vancouver to Banff/Lake Louise (2 days, 1 overnight hotel stop in Kamloops). You travel by day through mountain passes, glacier-fed rivers, and wildlife corridors, then sleep in a hotel at night. No overnight onboard sleeping.
Two classes: SilverLeaf (glass-dome coach, meals at your seat, approximately ₹2,00,000 per person for 2 days) and GoldLeaf (bi-level glass-dome with outdoor viewing platform, dedicated dining room, approximately ₹3,50,000-4,00,000 per person for 2 days). Rates include meals, hotel night, and station transfers.
For Indian travellers: you need a Canadian tourist visa (apply at least 8 weeks before travel through VFS Global India). Fly Delhi or Mumbai to Vancouver via connections in Tokyo, Seoul, or the Gulf. The Rocky Mountaineer season is April to October, with September offering the best autumn foliage and lower crowds.
The honest verdict: the Rocky Mountaineer is a scenic experience, not a luxury accommodation experience. The views are genuinely world-class — among the best you'll see from any mode of transport. The onboard service and food are very good but not extravagant. Worth doing once as part of a broader Canadian trip, but do not fly to Canada solely for this train.
Other luxury trains worth considering
Beyond the headline names, several other luxury trains are accessible to Indian travellers:
- Deccan Odyssey — Maharashtra and Goa circuit, 7 nights, approximately ₹3,50,000-6,00,000 per person. Less famous than the Maharajas' Express but an excellent product with a coastal route that the others lack.
- Golden Chariot — Karnataka and Goa circuit, similar pricing to the Deccan Odyssey. Includes Hampi, Mysore, and Goan beaches.
- Rovos Rail (South Africa) — Pretoria-Cape Town, 3 nights, approximately ₹4,00,000-8,00,000 per person. Indian passport holders need a South African visa. The scenery and colonial-era rolling stock are exceptional.
- The Ghan (Australia) — Adelaide-Alice Springs-Darwin, 3 nights, approximately ₹3,00,000-7,00,000 per person. Australian tourist visa required. The outback scenery is otherworldly.
For Indian travellers seeking luxury train experiences, starting with the Maharajas' Express or Palace on Wheels domestically, then doing the VSOE or Rocky Mountaineer internationally, covers the spectrum comprehensively.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Palace on Wheels cost in 2026?
The Palace on Wheels 7-night Rajasthan circuit costs approximately 4-7 lakh INR per person depending on cabin category. This is all-inclusive — meals, excursions, monument entry fees, and transfers. Alcoholic beverages and personal shopping are extra.
Do I need a visa for the Orient Express?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa (covering France, Switzerland, and Italy) and a UK tourist/transit visa if boarding in London. Apply for both well in advance as Schengen processing from India typically takes 15-30 working days.
Which is better — Palace on Wheels or Maharajas Express?
The Maharajas' Express has newer coaches, larger cabins and bathrooms, more diverse itineraries, and better food. It is also 20-40% more expensive. The Palace on Wheels offers more heritage charm and a well-established Rajasthan circuit at a lower price. For pure product quality, the Maharajas' Express wins.
Is the Rocky Mountaineer worth it for an Indian traveller?
Worth doing once as part of a broader Canada trip for the genuinely world-class mountain scenery. Not worth flying to Canada solely for the train. Budget approximately 2-4 lakh INR per person for the 2-day journey plus flight and visa costs.
When is the best season for luxury trains in India?
October to February is the peak season for Indian luxury trains, offering comfortable weather across Rajasthan and the Deccan. September and March departures are shoulder season with slightly lower prices and easier availability. Trains do not operate during the summer monsoon (May-August).