Luxury Train Journey in India: Ride in Style Across the Country

When you think of a luxury train journey, a high-end rail experience that blends comfort, history, and scenic beauty. Also known as royal train travel, it's not just about getting from A to B—it's about traveling like royalty through India’s most breathtaking landscapes. Forget crowded buses and long airport waits. On a luxury train journey in India, you wake up to the Himalayas, glide past desert forts, and dine under chandeliers—all while your room rolls smoothly down the tracks.

India’s luxury trains aren’t just trains—they’re moving palaces. The Palace on Wheels, a heritage train that re-creates the opulence of Rajput and Mughal royalty takes you through Rajasthan’s golden cities, with butlers, brass bathtubs, and curated cultural performances. Then there’s the Deccan Odyssey, a sleek, modern luxury train that explores Maharashtra and Goa with wine tastings, spa services, and private balconies. These aren’t tourist trains with fake vintage decor—they’re real, high-end experiences backed by decades of service, where every detail, from the linen to the spice blends in your curry, is chosen with care.

What makes these journeys special isn’t just the five-star service—it’s the access. You don’t just see the Taj Mahal—you watch it glow at sunrise from your private window. You don’t just visit a temple—you’re invited to a private ceremony with a priest who’s been serving for generations. These trains connect you to places most travelers never reach, without the hassle of packing and unpacking. And unlike flying or driving, you’re never rushed. Time slows down. The rhythm of the rails becomes your heartbeat.

You’ll find posts here about what to wear on these trains (hint: no jeans, but you don’t need a sari either), which routes offer the best wildlife sightings, and how to pick the right train for your budget—even if you’re not spending $1,000 a night. We’ve got real tips from travelers who’ve ridden every major luxury train in India, from the Golden Chariot in the south to the Maharajas’ Express across the north. No fluff. Just what works.

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or just want to feel like you’ve stepped into a 1920s novel, a luxury train journey in India delivers something no hotel or flight ever could: the feeling that you’re part of something grand, quiet, and deeply Indian. Below, you’ll find real stories, style guides, and route breakdowns—all from people who’ve been there. Let’s get you on the right track.