Most journeys exist to get you somewhere. India’s luxury trains flip that idea entirely — the train itself is the destination. As more travelers search specifically for slow, immersive ways to experience India rather than rushing between airports, Indian luxury trains have become one of the most searched niches in Indian travel this year, and few operators cover this experience as thoroughly as Inej Travel.
This guide explores India’s two most celebrated luxury trains — the Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas Express — and what makes traveling India this way genuinely different. Palace on Wheels train is operating by Rajasthan Tourism with the collaboration of private entity and Maharaja Express train is operating by IRCTC.
Why Take a Luxury Train Instead of Flying?
Traversing through India’s wonderland aboard the royal chariot of the Palace on Wheels or Maharajas Express is a peerless memory to be stored forever in the casket of golden remembrance. These luxury trains are not just a means of transport, but journeys where you’re in no hurry to reach the destination.
The Maharajas Express: World’s Leading Luxury Train
The Maharajas Express offers the best-in-class amenities onboard, with superbly planned carriages, private restrooms inside the cabins, luxurious restaurants, a bar, and a lounge — the luxury train changes what a train can even mean.
Palace on Wheels: The Original Royal Rajasthan Journey
This luxury train is one of the best to see the beautiful Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. Promising a voyage full of vitality, this regal wagon casts its spell through cheerful hospitality, splendid transport facility, and precisely curated itineraries.
No wonder why it was voted as the best luxurious train in the world — one of the best luxury royal trains in India, and the way to travel the royal side of India.
The Route: Where the Journey Takes You
The journey is made more extraordinary with halts at some of Rajasthan’s — and beyond — most iconic stops:
Jaipur (Pink City)
Ranthambore (Wildlife)
Udaipur (Lake City)
Comparing the Two: Which Train Fits Your Trip?
| Feature | Palace on Wheels | Maharajas Express |
|---|---|---|
| Core Identity | The original heritage luxury train, rooted in Royal Rajasthan tradition | Award-winning, modern luxury with a heritage-inspired concept |
| Starting Point | New Delhi | Varies by itinerary |
| Signature Stops | Jaisalmer, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Agra | Curated across India’s heritage destinations |
| Top-Tier Experience | Regal extravagance and curated hospitality throughout | Presidential Suite with private guide and luxury car |
Why These Journeys Are About More Than the Destination
Take these luxury train tours in India to explore the country in ways not otherwise possible. These trains offer perfect comfort onboard while allowing travelers to explore some of India’s most popular tourist destinations — meaning the experience of the journey itself (the cabins, the dining, the onboard hospitality) is inseparable from the sightseeing at each stop, rather than being a means of simply getting between them.
How Inej Travel Handles Luxury Train Bookings
Select from a wide array of luxury train packages that offer the opportunity to witness the country’s splendor and opulence while relishing the best of hospitality on the world’s leading luxury trains. Executives ensure your booking faces no hassles, working to secure the best deal with discounts and the best of the travel experience, whether traveling on the Maharaja Express or Palace on Wheels.
Beyond the Trains: Inej Travel’s Broader India Expertise
Indian Luxury Trains sits within Inej Travel’s much broader India offering, which spans Weekend Tours, Culinary Experiences, the Rajasthan Collection, Golden Triangle Tours, Kerala/South India, Central India, Wildlife and Adventure, Hill Station tours, and Religious Tours — alongside Nepal and Thailand packages, with Bhutan and Maldives also featured among the company’s destinations.
This range matters for travelers building a longer itinerary — a Palace on Wheels journey through Rajasthan can be paired with a Golden Triangle extension to Delhi and Agra, or combined with a Kerala backwater leg for a genuinely varied India trip, all coordinated through the same operator.
A Practical Checklist Before Booking a Luxury Train Journey
- Decide what “luxury” means most to you. The Palace on Wheels leans into heritage and regal Rajasthan tradition, while the Maharajas Express leans into award-winning, top-tier modern amenities.
- Book well in advance. As part of a centrally-run reservation system, berths can be booked months ahead, which helps with both itinerary planning and budgeting.
- Consider the Presidential Suite if you want the fullest experience. An exclusive guide and luxury car for off-board journeys elevate stops beyond the standard itinerary.
- Think about pairing with other India experiences. A luxury train journey combines naturally with Golden Triangle, Rajasthan Collection, or South India itineraries.
- Reach out for package comparisons. With a wide array of luxury train packages available, comparing options with an experienced operator helps identify the best deal and itinerary fit.
Travel India Like Royalty
Come aboard and treasure the experience — book an exclusive journey on the Palace on Wheels or the World’s Leading Luxury Train, Maharajas Express, with Inej Travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Maharajas Express different from a standard train?
It offers superbly planned carriages, private restrooms inside cabins, luxurious restaurants, a bar and lounge, and has been awarded “World’s Leading Luxury Train” by the World Travel Awards.
Where does the Palace on Wheels journey take travelers?
Starting from Jaipur, the journey includes halts at the desert city of Jaisalmer, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, and Agra, home to the Taj Mahal.
Which came first — Palace on Wheels or Maharajas Express?
Palace on Wheels was the first heritage luxury train, put together by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, and was responsible for making royal train travel known to Indian and foreign visitors.
Can luxury train travel be combined with other India itineraries?
Yes — Inej Travel’s broader offering includes Golden Triangle Tours, the Rajasthan Collection, South India, and more, which can be paired with a luxury train journey.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason luxury train journeys keep drawing travelers back to India year after year — no other way of exploring the country combines this level of comfort, heritage, and slow, immersive sightseeing in a single experience. Whether it’s the Palace on Wheels tracing Rajasthan’s desert and heritage sites, or the award-winning Maharajas Express delivering five-star luxury on rails, these journeys turn transportation itself into the highlight of the trip.
With a wide array of luxury train packages and a broader expertise spanning Rajasthan, the Golden Triangle, and destinations across India, Inej Travel Pvt Ltd offers a genuinely well-rounded way to book this royal side of Indian travel.
