Expensive Train Rides: Luxury Journeys Across India and Beyond

When you think of expensive train rides, luxury rail journeys that offer more than just transportation, often combining fine dining, historic cars, and exclusive service. Also known as premium rail experiences, these trips turn travel into an event—not just a way to get from A to B. They’re not for everyone, but for those who value time, privacy, and storytelling over speed, they’re unforgettable.

India’s own Palace on Wheels, a luxury train that recreates royal travel across Rajasthan with marble bathrooms, butler service, and guided heritage tours isn’t just a train—it’s a moving hotel built on steel rails. It costs as much as a mid-range vacation package, but you’re not paying for a seat. You’re paying for access to forts at dawn, private dinners under the stars, and guides who know the hidden stories behind every temple. The Orient Express, the legendary European luxury train revived with modern elegance and vintage charm, works the same way. It doesn’t rush you. It slows you down so you notice the way the light hits the Alps, or how the clink of crystal glasses sounds different on a moving train.

What makes these rides worth the price isn’t the leather seats or the silver service—it’s the curation. Every detail is chosen to transport you, not just geographically, but culturally. In India, you’ll ride past villages unchanged for centuries, while a chef prepares tandoori chicken using recipes from royal kitchens. On the Orient Express, you’ll sip champagne as the countryside rolls by, just as European aristocrats did a century ago. These aren’t just trains. They’re time machines with Wi-Fi.

And yes, there’s a difference between being expensive and being overpriced. The best luxury train rides don’t just charge more—they deliver more. You’re not paying for a ride. You’re paying for a story you’ll tell for years. That’s why travelers return, even when they could fly first class or stay in a five-star hotel. The train becomes part of the memory.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve taken these journeys—from the quiet luxury of India’s Deccan Odyssey to the timeless drama of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. You’ll see what to wear, what to pack, and why some of the most expensive train rides in the world are also the most rewarding.