There is a style of India travel that predates the aeroplane and has never been surpassed for romance, comfort, and the particular pleasure of watching a great country unspool past your window at a pace that allows you to actually see it.
Luxury train travel in India is one of the world's great travel experiences — and it remains one of the least known among international visitors who are new to India. At Affluent Travel & Leisure, we book and curate complete luxury train journeys, handling all coordination so our guests simply arrive, board, and be transported.
"A luxury train through Rajasthan is not transportation. It is the destination itself."
The Palace on Wheels
The Palace on Wheels is India's most celebrated luxury train — a weekly journey through the royal cities of Rajasthan that operates every Wednesday from Delhi's Safdarjung Station from September through April. The train carries 104 guests in 23 'saloons' — private coaches that recreate the royal carriages of India's former princely states.
Each saloon is named after a former princely state — Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur — and decorated in the style of that kingdom's royal railway carriages, with rich fabrics, dark wood panelling, and brass fittings. Two dining cars serve a mix of Indian and Continental cuisine. There is a bar car, a lounge car, and a spa.
The 7-Night Itinerary
- Day 1: Delhi departure — evening dinner on board as the train moves through the night
- Day 2: Jaipur — Amber Fort, City Palace, markets
- Day 3: Sawai Madhopur — Ranthambore National Park tiger safari
- Day 4: Chittorgarh & Udaipur — the great Rajput fort and the Lake City
- Day 5: Jaisalmer — the golden desert city and sand dunes
- Day 6: Jodhpur — Mehrangarh Fort, blue city
- Day 7: Bharatpur & Agra — Taj Mahal sunrise
- Day 8: Return to Delhi
ATL Expert Tip: Book Palace on Wheels at least 4–6 months in advance. Occupancy is high between October and February, and Presidential and Deluxe Cabin categories sell out earliest.
The Maharajas' Express
If the Palace on Wheels is India's most celebrated luxury train, the Maharajas' Express is its most luxurious — consistently ranked among the world's finest trains by Conde Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure.
Operating between October and April, the Maharajas' Express offers five distinct itineraries ranging from 4 to 8 nights, covering Rajasthan, the Golden Triangle, Central India and Mumbai. The train carries just 84 guests in 23 cabins, making it more intimate than the Palace on Wheels.
The Presidential Suite — occupying half a carriage — features a full living room, a private dining area, a dressing room, and a marble bathroom. Suite categories include Junior Suite, Suite, and the Presidential. All feature handcrafted furnishings, original artwork, and butler service throughout.
The Deccan Odyssey
For travellers exploring Maharashtra and the Konkan coast, the Deccan Odyssey offers an 8-night journey through Western India — Mumbai, the UNESCO-listed Ajanta and Ellora cave temples, Goa's heritage coastline, and the ancient city of Aurangabad. It is a significantly less visited journey than the Rajasthan trains, and all the more rewarding for it.
How We Arrange Your Luxury Train Journey
At Affluent Travel & Leisure, we handle the complete coordination of your luxury train experience — booking, cabin selection, excursion arrangements at each stop, and seamless integration with your broader India itinerary. We often design journeys that combine a train segment with private touring before and after, creating a complete experience of Rajasthan or Central India.
We also arrange private saloon bookings for groups, anniversary and honeymoon enhancements on board, and special dining experiences at selected stops.
Contact Affluent Travel & Leisure to book your luxury train journey through India. We handle all reservations and arrangements — you simply arrive and be transported.
