Costliest Train in India: Top Luxury Picks

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I get asked the same question almost every month from readers planning a once-in-a-lifetime India trip: what is the costliest train in India, and is it actually worth the money? I've been writing about Indian travel for years, have ridden two of the five luxury trains end to end, and have helped friends pick between the others. Below is a working guide to the five trains that dominate the luxury rail category in India, with real per-night USD prices for the 2026 season, what is included on board, and where each one falls short.

These are real prices I've verified against operator sites and IRCTC Tourism listings as of early 2026. Everything is in US dollars to keep it readable for the international audience that mostly asks me about these trips.

What Counts as a Luxury Train in India

There are roughly five trains that fit the brief: a private suite-style cabin, a bath, all meals included, off-train sightseeing built into the schedule, butler service, and a bar car or lounge. Anything below that bar tends to be a regular express service with first-class AC, which is a different conversation. The five I cover here are the Maharajas' Express, Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, and Golden Chariot.

I'm not including overnight expresses like the Rajdhani or the Vande Bharat in this list. And those are good, fast trains, but they're commuter products, not holidays in their own right. If you want a budget-friendly long-haul rail comparison instead, my piece on most affordable train travel from London to Scotland gives you a sense of what the other end of the spectrum looks like.

Maharajas' Express: The Costliest Train in India

The Maharajas' Express, run under the IRCTC Tourism arm of Indian Railways, is the most expensive train operating in India today. And per-night rates start at USD 730 for a Heritage Cabin and reach USD 2,440 for the Presidential Suite during peak winter season. The signature itinerary, the 7-night Indian Splendour, runs Delhi to Mumbai via Jaipur, Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Lucknow. Total cost for that itinerary lands between USD 5,950 per person twin-share in a Heritage Cabin and USD 26,500 per person for the Presidential Suite.

There are also shorter 4-night options like the Indian Panorama and the Treasures of India, which I think are the more sensible entry points for first-time luxury rail travellers. Treasures of India in particular runs Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-Jaipur-Delhi over four nights and is the lowest-priced way onto the train.

What you get for that money: a private suite with a real double bed, a marble-tiled bath with a shower, two restaurant cars, a dedicated bar, a generously staffed butler service (one butler per cabin in the higher categories), and an off-train excursion programme that includes elephant rides at Amber Fort, a private dawn visit to the Taj, tiger safaris in Ranthambore, and dinners staged inside heritage palaces. All meals, all soft drinks, house wine and beer, and all sightseeing are included. Spirits and premium wines are extra.

I rode the 4-night Treasures route in 2024 and the gap between this train and any other Indian rail product is real. The cabins are larger than most five-star hotel rooms, the food is better than I expected, and the off-train logistics are tight in a country where logistics rarely are.

Palace on Wheels: The Original Rajasthan Circuit

Palace on Wheels was the first luxury train in India, launched in 1982, and it still runs the most historically loaded Rajasthan circuit. Per-night rates are USD 470 to USD 1,030 depending on cabin category and season, which makes it the second most affordable of the five trains here.

The standard 7-night itinerary leaves Delhi every Wednesday from September through April, then loops through Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore), Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra before returning to Delhi. So the route is built around Rajasthan's palace cities, and that's genuinely where the train shines. You finish the week with a clear sense of what Rajput architecture looks like across different desert climates.

Cabins are smaller than the Maharajas' Express. There's no presidential-style suite, and the bath is functional rather than indulgent. But the inclusions are the same: all meals, all sightseeing, a butler per coach (not per cabin), and a bar car. For first-time visitors who want Rajasthan and only Rajasthan, this is the train I recommend, especially if you pair it with a proper city stay before or after. My best places to visit in Jaipur on a 10-day trip post pairs well with the front end of this itinerary.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels: The Mid-Tier Rajasthan Train

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is the newer Rajasthan-focused luxury train, launched in 2009, and it sits between Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas' Express on price and spec. Per-night rates run USD 690 to USD 1,615.

The 7-night itinerary covers Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Agra, and Khajuraho, with the addition of Khajuraho being the main differentiator from Palace on Wheels. So cabins are larger than Palace on Wheels, with a slightly better bath spec, and there's a small spa carriage on board. The food is solid but not as varied as the Maharajas'.

I think Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is the train most people overlook. If you want the Rajasthan circuit with a slightly higher-end cabin and the Khajuraho extension, it's the right pick. If you want pure history, Palace on Wheels still has the edge. Plus for travellers planning around the season, I usually pair this with my best India destinations to visit in February in one week guide, since February is the best month for desert Rajasthan.

Deccan Odyssey: Maharashtra and Goa

Deccan Odyssey is the luxury train for travellers who have already done Rajasthan and want a different India. Per-night rates run USD 685 to USD 1,000, which is one of the better value points in the category.

The standard route runs Mumbai to Mumbai over 7 nights through Nashik, Aurangabad (for the Ajanta and Ellora caves), Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg, and Pune. There are also alternative routings that cover the Hidden Treasures of Gujarat or the Indian Sojourn linking Mumbai with Delhi via central India.

This train is operated by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in partnership with Indian Railways, with bookings handled through IRCTC Tourism and authorised tour partners. Cabins are well-sized, there are two dining cars, a spa, and a small gym, which I've not seen on any of the Rajasthan trains. Goa as a stop on a luxury train sounds odd at first, but the train docks at Madgaon and you do beach excursions and Portuguese-heritage walks before returning to the train for dinner.

Golden Chariot: Karnataka and the Southern Heritage Route

Golden Chariot covers the south, which makes it the only one of the five luxury trains that gets you out of the north and west of India. Per-night rates run USD 740 to USD 1,380.

The Pride of the South itinerary runs 7 nights from Bengaluru through Bandipur, Mysore, Hassan, Chikmagalur, Hampi, Badami, and Goa. There's a shorter 5-night Glimpses of Karnataka option which I prefer for travellers on tighter timelines.

Cabin spec sits between Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. And the food leans south Indian for breakfast and lunch, with continental options for dinner, and that's the right call given the route. Hampi is the standout stop for me. Two days in the Vijayanagara ruins is the kind of off-train experience that justifies the train ticket. If you're designing a longer southern trip, my best 7-day Kerala itinerary for travelers piece works well as a follow-on after the Golden Chariot.

Comparison Table

Train	Route	Nights	From USD/night	Suite USD/night	Season
Maharajas' Express	Delhi-Mumbai (Indian Splendour)	4-7	730	2,440	Oct-Apr
Palace on Wheels	Delhi-Rajasthan loop	7	470	1,030	Sep-Apr
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels	Delhi-Rajasthan + Khajuraho	7	690	1,615	Oct-Mar
Deccan Odyssey	Mumbai-Maharashtra-Goa	7	685	1,000	Oct-Apr
Golden Chariot	Bengaluru-Karnataka-Goa	5-7	740	1,380	Oct-Mar

Total trip cost is per-night rate times nights times two if you're paying per person twin-share, which is how all these trains quote. Solo supplements run 30 to 50 percent on top of the twin-share rate, which is one reason these trains favour couples and small groups.

What Is Included Across All Five Trains

Across the five trains, the standard inclusions are remarkably consistent: a private suite or cabin with a private bath, all meals on board (breakfast, lunch, evening tea, dinner), all off-train sightseeing including entry tickets and guides, butler service, evening entertainment in the bar car, all soft drinks, and a basic alcohol package (typically house wine, beer, and one or two spirits).

What isn't included: premium wines, premium spirits, spa treatments, tipping (figure on USD 10 to 20 per day per guest), travel insurance, and the cost of getting yourself to the start city. Visa and flights are obviously also on you.

The luxury hotel comparison matters here. A week on the Maharajas' Express in a Heritage Cabin runs around USD 5,950 per person, which is similar to what a week at a top-tier Rajasthan heritage palace hotel would cost. My best hotel in India for a luxury stay piece breaks down the hotel side of that calculation if you want to compare directly.

Peak vs Low Season Pricing

All five trains run on a winter schedule from roughly late September to mid-April. The summer monsoon months (May to August) are off-season and most trains are out of service for maintenance during that window. But the autumn shoulder (mid-September to early October) and the spring shoulder (late March to early April) are usually 15 to 25 percent cheaper than December and January peak rates.

I usually tell readers to target October or February. Plus october has decent weather across all five routes, peak season prices have not kicked in yet, and the trains have just come out of maintenance so the equipment is fresh. February is similar on the price side and gets you the best desert weather for Rajasthan.

December and January are peak. If you book those months, expect to pay the upper end of the per-night ranges I listed, and expect to book six to nine months ahead because the high-end cabins sell out first.

How to Book These Trains

Booking depends on which train. Maharajas' Express, Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, and Deccan Odyssey are all bookable directly through IRCTC Tourism (irctctourism.com), which is the tourism arm of Indian Railways. Golden Chariot is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and sells through its own site and authorised partners.

You can also book any of the five through international luxury travel agents, who will mark up the rate by 10 to 15 percent in exchange for handling visa support, pre- and post-train hotel bookings, and arrival logistics. For first-time India travellers, I think the markup is worth it. Plus for returning travellers, book direct.

A few practical booking notes from experience:

Book the cabin one tier below the top suite. The top suite is usually overpriced relative to the next tier down, and the difference in actual on-board experience is small.
Pay the deposit early, but don't pay the full balance until 60 days out. All five trains take refundable deposits.
Confirm the off-train sightseeing list before you commit. Some itineraries have changed Ranthambore tiger safaris from morning to afternoon, which matters because morning sightings are more common.
Ask for the cabin map. End cabins are quieter. Cabins above the bogie joints (where two carriages meet) get more rattle on the older trains.

If you're budgeting for a wider luxury India trip, my piece on the most expensive city or country visited and trip budget walks through how I think about combining a luxury train week with city stays.

How Indian Luxury Trains Compare to Global Luxury Trains

Compared to the Belmond Royal Scotsman, which runs around USD 1,800 to USD 3,500 per night for similar 4-7 night itineraries through the Scottish Highlands, the Maharajas' Express is in the same band at the top end and significantly cheaper at the entry level. The Belmond product is shorter trains (max 36 guests), tighter cabin spec, and very good food, but the off-train sightseeing in Scotland is less varied than in India.

The Venice-Simplon Orient Express, also Belmond, runs USD 4,000 to USD 9,500 per night for shorter 1-2 night Paris-Venice trips. The on-board experience is at a higher level than anything in India (pre-war restored carriages, full gowns and tuxedos at dinner), but you're paying for the carriages and the brand more than the route. The Indian luxury trains give you more days, more sightseeing, and more food for the money.

The Eastern and Oriental Express in Southeast Asia (Singapore-Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur, also Belmond) is closer in spirit to the Indian trains, with similar 3-4 night itineraries at USD 1,400 to USD 3,500 per night. Cabin spec is comparable to the Maharajas' Express, on-board food is slightly better, but the off-train programme is thinner.

My honest take: if luxury rail travel is the point of the trip, the Belmond products have the edge on the on-board experience. If the destination matters as much as the train, India offers more for the money.

Honest Take on Value: Where Each Train Wins

The Maharajas' Express is the most luxurious train in India, full stop. The cabins, the food, the staff ratio, the off-train logistics. It's also the slowest way to do this much sightseeing. If you only care about seeing the Golden Triangle and Varanasi, you can do it in 5 days flying domestic and staying at top-tier hotels for less than half the price. The Maharajas' Express is for travellers who want the train to be the trip.

Palace on Wheels has the most history. Plus it has been running since 1982, the route is the densest Rajasthan circuit on rails, and at USD 470 per night entry-level it's the most accessible of the five. The cabins are smaller and the food is one notch below the Maharajas', but for a week in Rajasthan it does the job and the price-to-experience ratio is the best of the five.

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is the train I keep recommending to readers who want Palace on Wheels with a slightly better cabin and the Khajuraho extension. It's underrated in the market because it lives in the shadow of the Maharajas' and the Palace.

Deccan Odyssey is the right pick if you've already done Rajasthan or if you want a less-touristed Indian luxury experience. The Maharashtra-Goa route is unusual and the Ajanta-Ellora cave excursions are some of the best off-train sightseeing in the category.

Golden Chariot is the only southern luxury train and the price-per-night for the Karnataka heritage circuit is fair. Hampi alone justifies the ticket for travellers interested in archaeology.

Whether a Luxury Train Trip Suits You

A few honest filter questions to ask before you book any of these:

Do you want the train to be the trip, or do you want the train to be transport? If you want fast sightseeing, fly between cities and stay at the best luxury tour packages for Jaipur India hotels instead. The trains move slowly, and a lot of the time on board is spent in the bar car, not at sights.

How many people are travelling? These trains price for couples. Solo supplements are punishing, and groups larger than four end up split across cabins.

How important is on-board food? And the food is good across all five trains but it's hotel-restaurant good, not Michelin good. If high-end food is the point, book a city-based luxury stay instead.

Is your travel window flexible? Plus peak season pricing is meaningful. Shifting from late December to mid-October saves around 20 percent across all five trains.

FAQ

Which is the costliest train in India?

The Maharajas' Express, operated by IRCTC. Per-night rates range from USD 730 for a Heritage Cabin to USD 2,440 for the Presidential Suite. A 7-night Indian Splendour itinerary in the top suite costs around USD 26,500 per person.

How long are the typical luxury train trips?

Most are 7 nights. The Maharajas' Express has shorter 4-night options (Indian Panorama, Treasures of India), and the Golden Chariot has a 5-night Glimpses of Karnataka option for tighter schedules.

Are meals and sightseeing included?

Yes, on all five trains. Plus standard inclusions are all meals, off-train sightseeing with guides and entry tickets, butler service, and a basic alcohol package (house wine, beer, basic spirits). Premium drinks, spa treatments, and tips are extra.

When do these trains run?

Late September through mid-April. They're out of service during the May-August monsoon for maintenance. Peak season is December-January, shoulder seasons are October and February.

How do I book?

Maharajas' Express, Palace on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, and Deccan Odyssey through IRCTC Tourism (irctctourism.com). Golden Chariot through Karnataka State Tourism. International luxury travel agents can also book any of these with a 10-15 percent markup for handling logistics.

Is the Maharajas' Express worth the money over Palace on Wheels?

If budget is the constraint, no. Palace on Wheels covers the same Rajasthan circuit at roughly half the per-night rate. If on-board experience and a bigger sightseeing programme matter more than price, the Maharajas' Express is a clear step up.

How does the Maharajas' Express compare to the Venice-Simplon Orient Express?

The Orient Express has higher on-board spec (restored pre-war carriages, formal dinner dress) at USD 4,000 to USD 9,500 per night for short 1-2 night routes. The Maharajas' Express is cheaper per night, runs longer itineraries, and has a denser off-train sightseeing programme. Different products targeting different travellers.

Can I book a single cabin solo?

Yes, but expect a 30 to 50 percent solo supplement on the per-night rate. None of the five trains offer dedicated single cabins, so you're paying for a twin-share cabin used solo.

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