Go Beyond First Class Luxury Aboard The Most Expensive Trains in India (2024)

People are familiar with the luxury of flights, but did you know India boasts some of the most luxurious and expensive train rides? Often considered the epitome of extravagance, these journeys allow you to traverse the country in style while experiencing unmatched regal treatment.

Trains have played an important role in India’s history. Brought to us by the British Raj, the history of Indian trains is older than that of the nation’s independence! The first train was meant to connect the short distance from Bombay to Thane in 1843, and now trains have been running across the country, connecting the farthest corners of India. This 169-year-old heritage of Indian railways makes it very special! And that’s not all. India is home to the fourth-largest national railway system in the world. The Indian railways also boast four UNESCO World Heritage sites – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka Shimla Railway.

While trains in India are seen as an affordable means of transport, some trains can be expensive too! But if budget is not a concern, India offers the most breathtaking experiences aboard some of its most expensive and luxurious trains. These curated journeys, meant to cater to all your needs, like Palace On Wheels, Maharajas’ Express and more, treat guests like royalty on beautiful journeys across iconic destinations. These expensive train rides in India are an all-in-one experience, including everything from tourist visits to food and other essentials.

Here are four of the most expensive train rides in India:

Palace on Wheels

The train was launched on January 26, 1989, as a collaboration between Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. Offering world-class luxury to travellers, Palace on Wheels exudes opulence, charm, and a royal ride to remember. Originally reserved for transporting royalty, including rulers of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India, these luxurious coaches now offer unforgettable journeys for discerning travellers.

The train promises a wholesome and exciting experience with a tour of the cities, covering over 3,000 kilometres over eight days. The package consists of an elephant ride at Amber Fort, a jeep safari at Ranthambore National Park, a boat ride on Lake Pichola, a camel safari in the dunes of Jaisalmer, bird watching at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and tours of popular forts like Chittorgarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace and Agra Fort.

The Palace on Wheels boasts a range of exquisitely furnished cabins, including Presidential Suites, Super Deluxe Cabins and Deluxe Cabins. The Deluxe Cabins are named after precious stones and decorated to the stone’s colour. Each cabin has a bed, study table, sofas, an en-suite bathroom and access to a butler. The Super Deluxe Cabin is decked in opulence and only has the finest materials with silk and velvet furnishing. The cabins and the private bathrooms are huge and come with various services, such as a personal butler, a personal bag attendant, a personal translator and an exclusive car for sightseeing. The details of the Presidential Suite are not revealed. The train also boasts a spa, lounge, bar and two restaurants.

Route and price

• New Delhi-Jaipur-Chittorgarh-Udaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Agra-New Delhi

Starting price for double occupancy tickets in lean season (September 2024 & April 2025):

• Presidential Suite/night: INR 2,67,509 (approximately SGD 4,346)
• Presidential Suite/full tour: INR 18,72,563 (approximately SGD 30,425)
• Super Deluxe Cabin/night: INR 2,18,207 (approximately SGD 3,545)
• Super Deluxe/full tour: INR 15,27,449 (approximately SGD 24,818)

Starting price for double occupancy tickets in peak season (October 2024 to March 2025, excluding December 2024):

• Presidential Suite/night: INR 2,91,330 (approximately SGD 4,733)
• Presidential Suite/full tour: INR 20,39,310 (approximately SGD 33,134)
• Super Deluxe/night: INR 2,28,084 (approximately SGD 3,705)
• Super Deluxe/full tour: INR 15,96,588 (approximately SGD 25,941)

Starting price for double occupancy tickets in high peak season (December 2024):

• Presidential Suite/night: INR 3,23,202 (approximately SGD 5,251)
• Presidential Suite/full tour: INR 22,62,414 (approximately SGD 36,759)
• Super Deluxe/night: INR 2,46,676 (approximately SGD 4,008)
• Super Deluxe/full tour: INR 17,26,732 (approximately SGD 28,056)

Visit the official Palace on Wheels website for more details on the train’s amenities, itineraries, and pricing.

Maharajas’ Express

Launched in March 2010, the Maharajas’ Express is a luxurious train renowned for its world-class travel experiences and immersive journeys through India’s rich cultural heritage. Boasting grand interiors and lavish treatment, the Maharajas’ Express, the most opulent and expensive train in India, runs on four different itineraries — Indian Panorama, Treasures of India, Indian Splendour and Heritage of India.

The trains offer exquisite accommodations under four categories: Presidential Suite, Suite, Junior Suite, and Deluxe Cabin. All the rooms are named after precious gems, indicating their value and prestige. The train has two restaurants and a bar.

The Presidential Suite, Navratana, is the epitome of luxury, featuring a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private balcony, and a dedicated butler service. Suites offer spacious layouts, lavish bathrooms, minibars, and bathtubs. Junior Suites provide a comfortable haven with en-suite bathrooms and minibars, while Deluxe Cabins offer essential amenities and en-suite bathrooms.

Routes and prices

Treasures of India (three nights and four days) – Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Delhi.

Starting price for double occupancy tickets:

• Deluxe Cabin: INR 4,13,210 (approximately SGD 6,713)
• Junior Suite: INR 4,39,400 (approximately SGD 7,139)
• Suite: INR 6,74,310 (approximately SGD 10,956)
• Presidential Suite: INR 11,44,980 (approximately SGD 18,603)

Indian Panorama (six nights and seven days) – Delhi-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi.

Starting price for double occupancy tickets:

• Deluxe Cabin: INR 6,54,880 (approximately SGD 10,640)
• Junior Suite: INR 8,39,930 (approximately SGD 13,647)
• Suite: INR 12,24,410 (approximately SGD 19,894)
• Presidential Suite: INR 21,03,210 (approximately SGD 34,173)

Indian Splendour (six nights and seven days) –Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Bikaner-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Mumbai.

Starting price for double occupancy tickets:

• Deluxe Cabin: INR 6,54,880 (approximately SGD 10,640)
• Junior Suite: INR 8,39,930 (approximately SGD 13,647)
• Suite: INR 12,24,410 (approximately SGD 19,894)
• Presidential Suite: INR 21,03,210 (approximately SGD 34,173)

Heritage of India (six nights and seven days) –Mumbai-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Bikaner-Jaipur-Ranthambore-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Delhi.

Starting price for double occupancy tickets:

• Deluxe Cabin: INR 6,86,990 (approximately SGD 11,162)
• Junior Suite: INR 8,77,960 (approximately SGD 14,265)
• Suite: INR 12,24,410 (approximately SGD 19,894)
• Presidential Suite: INR 2,103,210 (approximately SGD 34,173)

Visit the official Maharajas’ Express website for more details on the train’s amenities, itineraries, and ticket pricing.

Deccan Odyssey

Launched in January 2004, the Deccan Odyssey is a joint initiative between the Maharashtra Government and the Ministry of Railways. Described as a blue limousine on wheels, the train’s 5-star facilities are provided by the Taj Group of Hotels. The Deccan Odyssey boasts dedicated spa cars, a bar, and conference facilities, ensuring a well-rounded travel experience.

The Deccan Odyssey offers two room categories: Deluxe Cabins and a Presidential Suite. Deluxe Cabins provide comfortable accommodations with twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. The opulent Presidential Suite features a master bedroom, living room, two bathrooms, and dedicated butler service.

Routes and prices

Maharashtra Splendour (seven nights and eight days) –Mumbai-Nashik-Aurangabad (Ellora Caves)-Ajanta Caves-Kolhapur-Goa-Sindhudurg-Mumbai.

Indian Odyssey (seven nights and eight days) – Delhi-Sawai Madhopur-Ranthambore National Park-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Vadodara- Aurangabad-Ellora Caves-Mumbai.

Maharashtra Wild Trail (seven days and eight nights) – Mumbai-Aurangabad (Ellora Caves)-Pench (Ramtek)-Tadoba-Ajanta-Nashik-Mumbai.

Indian Sojourn (seven days and eight nights) – Mumbai-Vadodara-Udaipur-Jodhpur-Agra-Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore)-Jaipur-Delhi.

Cultural Odyssey (seven days and eight nights) – Delhi-Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur-Agra-Gwalior-Orchha-Khajuraho-Varanasi-Delhi.

Heritage Odyssey (seven days and eight nights) – Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur-Udaipur-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Delhi.

Starting price for double occupancy tickets on all Deccan Odyssey journeys (2024-25):

• Deluxe Cabin: USD 11,900 (approximately SGD 16,06)
• Presidential Suite: USD 17,850 (approximately SGD 17,951)

Starting price for double occupancy tickets on all Deccan Odyssey journeys (2025-26):

• Deluxe Cabin: USD 13,300 (approximately SGD 17,951)
• Presidential Suite: USD 20,000 (approximately SGD 26,994)

Visit the official Deccan Odyssey website for more details on the train’s amenities, itineraries, and ticket pricing.

The Golden Chariot

This grand and magnificent train has been specifically designed to be a window to the beauty of South India. Decked with impressive interiors and elegant furnishing, the Golden Chariot offers impeccable service and treats its passengers like royalty! The Golden Chariot’s carriages are named after the royal dynasties that ruled South India throughout history. The train offers three types of accommodation – twin bed cabins, double bed cabins and a cabin for the specially-abled. Amenities on board include a spa, gym, bar and two restaurants.

Routes and prices

Pride of Karnataka (five nights and six days) – Bengaluru-Nanjangud-Mysore-Halebidu-Chikamgaluru-Hospet-Goa-Bengaluru.

• Double occupancy tickets starting from INR 4,00,530 (approximately SGD 6,508)

Jewels of South (five nights and six days) Bengaluru-Mysore-Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram-Thanjavur-Chettinad/Karaikudi-Cochin-Chertala/Maraikulam-Bengaluru.

• Double occupancy tickets starting from INR 4,00,530 (approximately SGD 6,508)

Glimpses of Karnataka (three nights and four days) –Bengaluru-Nanjangud-Mysore-Hospet-Bengaluru.

• Double occupancy tickets starting from INR 2,67,020 (approximately SGD 4,338)

Visit The Golden Chariot’s official website for more details on the train’s amenities, itineraries, and ticket pricing.

Shop the best travel experiences here.

(All currency conversions were done at the time of writing)

(Feature image credit: CRS PHOTO/Shutterstock)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the most expensive luxury train in India?
The Maharajas’ Express is the most expensive luxury train in India.

– What is onboard the expensive luxury trains in India?
Expensive luxury trains in India have lavish rooms, world-class meals and exemplary services that one can’t find anywhere else. They also include tours to different cities, offering a completely immersive journey.

– What is the most luxurious train in India?
The most luxurious trains in India are the Maharajas’ Express, Palace On Wheels, Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot.

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