The Luxury Train journeys in India

This luxury train service has gained popularity amongst travellers for its air-conditioned and comfortable coaches, which assure one of a relaxed ride. The train’s coaches have been fully restored and come complete with wood panelling, offering you a glimpse into a bygone era when you travel. Comfortable travel and scenic visual pleasures are both part of this memorable train ride. A choice of soft drinks & snacks, clean and hygienic toilets and Wi-Fi are just some of the facilities provided on the train to make your journey a memorable one. What’ more, you even get a butler service to assist you during all aspects of your journey!

The luxury trains will each give you a different dimension of the maharaja experience. These are the Palace on Wheels, the Golden Chariot, the Deccan Odyssey Train and the Royal Orient Train. Then there is the Fairy Queen Train and the Heritage on Wheels to round off your experience.

PALACE ON WHEELS: The Palace on Wheels was the first of four luxury trains on Indian Railways. It was launched to promote tourism in Rajasthan and has been highly popular since its launch. It is one of the top ten luxury trains in the world and following its success another luxury train is being launched on the same circuit.

The concept of the Palace on Wheels was derived from the royal background of the coaches, which were originally meant to be the personal Railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of the princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India.

THE DECCAN ODYSSEY: is a special train modeled on the Palace on Wheels to boost tourism on the Konkan route. The route starts in Mumbai (Bombay) and travels to Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Belgaum, Kolhapur, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Ajanta-Ellora, and then back to Mumbai.

It is a venture of the Maharashtra Government and Ministry of Railway, Government of India Indian Railways. In addition to being a train that touches tourist spots, this aims to be a complete 5-star hotel on wheels, with two restaurants and a bar, a sauna, business centre and other such amenities on board.

In 2004, the Maharashtra government stopped its run of the Deccan Odessey, citing poor response, but may restart it after the 2005 monsoons.

HERITAGE ON WHEELS: Heritage on Wheels is yet another initiative by the Indian Railways to bring tourists closer to Indian culture. In association with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, the Indian Railways have launched this luxury tourist train.

MAHAPARINIRVAN SPECIAL TRAIN: The Mahaparinirvan Express is a special tourist train that takes passengers on a spiritual tour through Buddhist India, where Buddhism originated more than 2,500 years ago.

The Mahaparinirvan Express is operated by Indian Railways using carriages from a Rajdhani Express train. This is a fully air conditioned train offering three different classes of travel (first class, two tier, and three tier). It's far from opulent, unlike India's luxury tourist trains, but then again pilgrimages aren't normally associated with luxury! Passengers are greeted with garlands, provided with luggage assistance, and given a welcome gift of a Buddhist guidebook. Security guards are present on the train, and tours are fully guided.

GOLDEN CHARIOT: he Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi. The 19 coaches on the train are colored purple and gold, and sport the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion. The Golden Chariot operates weekly and had its maiden commercial run on March 10, 2008.

THE FAIRY QUEEN: 1855, The year when the majestic Fairy Queen rolled out for the erstwhile East Indian Railway. For the first time after 1908, the Fairy Queen rolled again on Feb. 1st, 1997 from Delhi to Alwar. The steam engine is the oldest working engine in the world. Finding its pride of place in the Guinness Book of World Records and also capturing the National Tourism Award, this prestigious pristine beauty that graces the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, is steaming once again.