Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Palace Tours is an official authorized booking partner for the Palace on Wheels and has sold the journey for decades. You can confirm fares, departures and availability and book direct here, with worldwide support. (The train itself is owned by Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.)

The Palace on Wheels is a 7-night, 8-day round trip from New Delhi through Rajasthan and Agra: Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore), Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra (the Taj Mahal), returning to Delhi.

The season runs September to April, departing every Wednesday from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi. See our departures and reserve early — each journey is limited to 82 guests.

Your cabin with private bathroom, all meals, tea/coffee and bottled water, daily guided sightseeing and monument entry fees, air-conditioned coaches for excursions, an English-speaking guide and both Delhi transfers. Excluded: 5% GST, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, laundry, gratuities and a 10% surcharge on Christmas/New Year departures.

There are 36 Deluxe cabins, 3 Super Deluxe, 2 Suites and 1 Presidential Suite across 14 air-conditioned coaches, each named after a former princely state of Rajputana. Every cabin has an en-suite bathroom, individual climate control, Wi-Fi and round-the-clock attendant (Khidmatgar) service.

Reserve online via our booking engine or contact our worldwide team by phone, WhatsApp or email. We welcome guests from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and worldwide and can assist with itinerary questions, single or double occupancy and special requirements.

Comfortable daywear and walking shoes for excursions, something smart for dinners, and seasonal layers — Rajasthan mornings can be cool from December to February. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are recommended for desert and fort visits.

Most international travellers require an Indian visa, available as an e-Visa for many nationalities. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months. Our team can advise on current requirements for your country.

No. The fare covers all meals, tea, coffee and bottled water, but alcoholic beverages are charged separately and are available from the Swarn Mahal bar and with dinner. Spa treatments, laundry and gratuities are also not included.

You can book direct through this site — the Book Now button opens our secure reservation system — or contact our team on +1 786-408-0610 (toll free 800-724-5120) or bookings@palaceonwheels.net. Palace Tours is an official authorized booking partner, so you reserve at the official tariff with personal support.

The season runs September to April, avoiding the Indian summer. October to March offers the most comfortable weather — warm days and cool evenings — and is ideal for sightseeing, desert excursions and the Ranthambore safari. December and January are coolest, so pack a few warm layers.

Comfortable daywear and walking shoes for excursions, smart-casual attire for dinners, and seasonal layers (a jacket for December–February mornings). Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat for desert and fort visits, any personal medication, and a power adapter for Indian sockets.

Yes. You can book a cabin on single occupancy (single fares are shown on our Fares page), and the intimate 82-guest capacity, shared dining and guided excursions make it easy and safe to travel solo while meeting fellow guests.

The Day 3 jeep safari enters Ranthambore National Park, one of India's best tiger reserves, but sightings of wild tigers can never be guaranteed. Even without a tiger you'll likely see deer, antelope, crocodile, abundant birdlife and the park's atmospheric lakes and ruins.

Two restaurants — the Maharaja and Maharani cars — serve Rajasthani, Mughlai, North Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine, with a daily-changing menu. Vegetarian, Jain, gluten-free and other dietary requirements are catered with advance notice.

Wi-Fi and individual climate control are provided in every cabin. As the train travels through remote desert and rural Rajasthan, mobile and internet connectivity can vary along the route, which is part of the charm of disconnecting.

Both are luxury trains in India. The Palace on Wheels is the original (running since 1982), focused on a fixed 7-night Rajasthan-and-Agra circuit at a more accessible price, with an intimate 82-guest capacity and a strong heritage character. The Maharajas' Express runs varied multi-region itineraries at a higher price point.

Reservations are confirmed with a deposit, with the balance due before travel; exact deposit and cancellation terms vary by season and cabin and are provided at the time of booking. Contact our reservations team for the current policy for your chosen departure.