Maharaja Express Journey: India’s Most Luxurious Train Adventure
There are few travels in the world that can compare the beauty, grandeur, and romance of the Maharaja Express—India’s equivalent to the Orient Express, and probably one of the most luxury trains on the planet.
More than a method of travel, it’s a moving palace—a journey that transports you not just across India’s stunning landscapes but also back in time to an era when royalty traveled in gilded magnificence. From the moment you come aboard, the Maharaja Express offers an experience where every detail inspires majesty, every moment is tailored, and every guest is treated like a modern-day royal.
Welcome aboard India’s most opulent train experience.
A Royal Legacy on Rails
The Maharaja Express is not just a train—it’s an emblem of India’s royal past. Launched in 2010 by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), this award-winning luxury train was created to mimic the magnificence of India’s erstwhile maharajas while giving five-star comfort and world-class hospitality.
With a heritage-inspired design, handcrafted furnishings, and state-of-the-art amenities, the
Maharaja Express takes tourists on an extraordinary voyage across India’s cultural heartlands. It has repeatedly been selected among the World’s Leading Luxury Trains by the World Travel Awards—testament to its unrivalled degree of excellence.
Every feature onboard, from the exquisite carpets to the glittering brass fittings, evokes the grandeur of India’s imperial past. It’s as if the golden age of travel has been reborn—on wheels.
The Train of Dreams: Design and Experience
Step onboard the Maharaja Express, and you’re transported into another world—a place of polished wood, silk upholstery, and warm hospitality.
Regal Interiors
Each of the 23 carriages is a masterwork of design. The décor draws influence from the rich lives of India’s princely states, merging regal elements with modern luxury. Walls are embellished with elaborate inlays, passageways are softly illuminated, and every cabin emanates the ambiance of a regal suite.
Sumptuous Suites
The train holds just 84 people across four categories:
Deluxe Cabin - Luxurious and comfy with panoramic windows.
Junior Suite - Spacious with exquisite furniture and an intimate seating space.
Suite — A palatial space with living room, bedroom, and en-suite bathroom.
Presidential Suite - The crown gem of the train, encompassing a whole carriage. With two bedrooms, a lounge, and a private dining area, it redefines luxury on rails.
All cabins offer climate control, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, en-suite bathrooms, and butler service. Even the slightest details—Egyptian cotton linens, monogrammed robes, fresh flowers—are designed to make guests feel like royalty.
World-Class Dining
Dining aboard the Maharaja Express is a sumptuous event. The train boasts two excellent restaurants—Rang Mahal (Palace of Colors) and Mayur Mahal (Peacock Palace)—each giving a fine-dining experience that matches the world’s top hotels.
Guests can experience gourmet Indian cuisine alongside continental and fusion meals, all created by professional chefs utilising the freshest regional ingredients. Think Lamb Rogan Josh with saffron rice, Malai Kofta with pistachio cream, or continental treats like truffle risotto—each presented with creative flair.
To accompany your lunch, the Safari Bar offers a broad range of wines, premium spirits, and signature cocktails, while the Rajah Club Lounge is the perfect area to unwind, read, or connect with fellow travelers.
The Routes: Voyages Through India’s Soul
The Maharaja Express offers five tailored itineraries—each a voyage through India’s most iconic places, flawlessly integrating culture, legacy, and luxury.
Whether you wish to discover the Taj Mahal at sunrise, watch tigers in Ranthambore, or attend an exclusive royal supper in Jaipur, every itinerary is planned for unforgettable moments.
1. The Heritage of India (8 Days / 7 Nights)
Route: Mumbai → Udaipur → Jodhpur → Bikaner → Jaipur → Ranthambore → Agra → Delhi
This flagship adventure showcases the majesty of Rajasthan and North India. Guests explore Lake Pichola in Udaipur, eat in the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur, see the camel parade in Bikaner, and enjoy the royal palaces of Jaipur.
A morning safari at Ranthambore National Park adds a touch of wilderness before the adventure concludes with the eternal majesty of the Taj Mahal in Agra.
This itinerary is a symphony of royal experiences—each site exposing a different dimension of India’s heritage.
2. The Indian Splendor (8 Days / 7 Nights)
Route: Delhi → Agra → Ranthambore → Jaipur → Bikaner → Jodhpur → Udaipur → Mumbai
This journey continues in the opposing direction, showing India’s most glamorous destinations. Travelers marvel at the marble perfection of the Taj Mahal, tour Jaipur’s Amber Fort, and sip champagne as the sun sets over Udaipur’s lakes.
In Jodhpur, visitors experience an exclusive royal feast in the Mehrangarh Fort, complete with traditional performances. The voyage culminates in Mumbai—a fitting finale to a week of indulgence.
3. The Indian Panorama (8 Days / 7 Nights)
Route: Delhi → Jaipur → Ranthambore → Fatehpur Sikri → Agra → Gwalior → Khajuraho → Varanasi → Delhi
This tour takes you beyond Rajasthan into the spiritual and artistic heart of India. You’ll explore the sensual temples of Khajuraho, the hallowed ghats of Varanasi, and the mediaeval palaces of Gwalior.
At sunrise, the Taj Mahal sparkles like liquid gold, and by sunset, the Ganges glimmers under a thousand lamps—moments that stay long after the tour ends.
4. Treasures of India (4 Days / 3 Nights)
Route: Delhi → Agra → Ranthambore → Jaipur -> Delhi
Perfect for travelers seeking a shorter but equally lavish experience, this itinerary spans the Golden Triangle with royal flair.
Highlights include an intimate sight of the Taj Mahal, a tiger safari in Ranthambore, and a royal gala dinner in Jaipur’s City Palace. Every day is an immersion in luxury.
5. The Southern Sojourn (8 Days / 7 Nights)
Route: Mumbai → Goa → Hampi → Mysore → Cochin → Kumarakom → Trivandrum
For those who prefer to explore the southern beauty of India, this route provides a blend of history, nature, and coastal luxury. Visit the UNESCO ruins of Hampi, the palaces of Mysore, and the backwaters of Kerala—all while experiencing the unrivalled comfort of the Maharaja Express.
Unforgettable Experiences Along the Way
Every stop on the
Maharaja Express itinerary is more than a sightseeing tour—it’s a customised royal experience. Guests are treated to special palace feasts, champagne brunches overlooking the Taj Mahal, elephant polo bouts, and more.
Here are some highlights from the various journeys:
Private Gala Dinner at City Palace, Jaipur - Dine like royalty amidst chandeliers and frescoes, entertained by Rajasthani musicians.
Champagne Breakfast at Taj Khema, Agra - Watch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal as you sip sparkling wine.
Jodhpur Fort Feast - Enjoy an intimate banquet within the walls of Mehrangarh Fort, with panoramic views of the Blue City.
Desert Sundowner in Bikaner - Camel caravans, bonfires, and folk dances under the desert sky.
Boat Ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur — Glide past floating palaces as evening colours the sky in tones of gold.
Aarti Ceremony in Varanasi - Witness a thousand oil lamps illuminating the sacred Ganges—a spiritual spectacle unlike any other.
Each excursion is meant to offer authenticity with exclusivity, generating memories that last a lifetime.
Life Onboard: Where Every Moment Feels Royal
Between destinations, life aboard the Maharaja Express is just as wonderful.
Guests begin their mornings with sumptuous breakfasts while the countryside floats past. Afternoons may bring spa sessions, wine tastings, or storytelling evenings conducted by cultural experts. The devoted staff—trained to perfection—anticipates your every need, from turndown chocolates to freshly made masala chai.
Evenings generally end with cocktails in the Safari Bar, where visitors from around the world share tales of adventure while the beat of the rails hums softly underfoot. It’s both personal and majestic—a floating castle that flows with the grace of time.
Sustainability Meets Heritage
Despite its splendour, the Maharaja Express is also a paradigm of sustainable luxury. The train incorporates eco-friendly technologies, minimizes waste, and promotes local communities by procuring produce and crafts regionally.
This balance between indulgence and prudence means that the magic of India’s royal legacy can be experienced without sacrificing its future.
Practical Details: Planning Your Maharaja Adventure Booking and Season
The Maharaja Express operates from October to April, avoiding the high summer heat. Journeys are limited and book up months in advance, especially for the Presidential Suite.
Tickets can be ordered through the official Maharaja Express website or authorized luxury travel partners.
Dress Code
While there’s no formal dress code, smart casuals are preferred during the day, and beautiful evening clothes for dinners and gala events. Many visitors like adopting the regal theme with traditional Indian dress for special occasions.
Cost
Fares vary by trip and cabin type.
As of 2025, costs range around from USD 3,850 per person for shorter journeys (Deluxe Cabin) to USD 26,000 for the full Presidential Suite experience.
While unquestionably pricey, few experiences in the world offer such unrivalled access, service, and cultural immersion.
Why the Maharaja Express is the Crown Jewel of Luxury Travel
In a world preoccupied with speed, the Maharaja Express promotes the art of leisurely, meaningful travel. It’s not about reaching destinations quickly—it’s about relishing every time between them.
You wake up to mist-covered fields, dine as palaces glide past your window, and sleep in the embrace of royal grandeur. Every daybreak delivers a new chapter of India’s story, and every night concludes in velvet silence.
It’s an experience that merges legacy, indulgence, and discovery—not in shards, but as a continuous tapestry of beauty.
Final Reflections: A Journey Beyond Time
As the Maharaja Express glides into its final station, most travelers experience a mix of amazement and nostalgia. In just a few days, you’ve spanned states, centuries, and worlds.
You’ve dined in palaces, observed ancient customs, and watched India unfurl in all its colors—from desert gold to emerald forest. More than a vacation, the Maharaja Express is a living story of India’s royal soul—one that encourages you to step inside and write your own chapter.
So when you’re ready to experience the spirit of India—not through the lens of a tourist, but as a guest of royalty—step aboard the Maharaja Express.
Because in the field of luxury travel, this isn’t simply a journey. It’s a legend on rails.
