The Journal
India's Great Luxury Trains, Compared: Which Journey Is for You?
Four trains, four characters
India runs several world-class luxury trains, and choosing between them comes down to where you want to go and what you want the journey to feel like. Here is how the four best-known compare.
Palace on Wheels
The original (since 1982) and the icon. A fixed seven-night Rajasthan-and-Agra loop, intimate scale, strong heritage character and excellent value. The definitive first luxury-train journey in India.
Maharajas' Express
Launched by IRCTC in 2010 and India's most opulent (and priciest) train, with several multi-region itineraries and the largest suites — including a whole-carriage Presidential Suite.
Deccan Odyssey
A Maharashtra Tourism train based in Mumbai, offering varied routes across Maharashtra, the Konkan coast and even Rajasthan, in cobalt-blue coaches.
The Golden Chariot
South India's luxury train, showcasing Karnataka's temples and ruins — Mysore, Hampi, Badami — and often Goa, from a base in Bengaluru.
The short answer
For the classic, best-value week in royal Rajasthan, the Palace on Wheels is hard to beat. Compare fares and the itinerary, or read our head-to-head with the Maharajas' Express.