The Journal
Spain's Belle Époque or India's Royal Age? Palace on Wheels vs Al Ándalus
Heritage on two railways
Both trains are love letters to a golden age of rail. The Palace on Wheels revives the princely saloons of the Maharajas across Rajasthan; the Al Ándalus glides through southern Spain in belle-époque carriages, some built in the 1920s–30s for European royalty.
Where they roam
The Palace on Wheels runs a fixed seven-night loop from Delhi through Rajasthan and Agra. Al Ándalus tours the cities of Andalusia and central Spain — think Seville, Córdoba, Granada and beyond — through olive groves and whitewashed towns.
Character
Al Ándalus is all Andalusian romance: flamenco, sherry and Moorish palaces. The Palace on Wheels is princely India: forts, deserts, a tiger safari and the Taj Mahal. Both pair heritage interiors with modern comfort and all-inclusive touring.
Which to choose?
Choose by destination — the sun-warmed south of Spain, or the royal heart of India. If you love the idea of both, they make a wonderful pair of journeys. Learn more about Al Ándalus at alandalustrain.com, or plan your Indian week on our itinerary page.