Maharajas' Express — Ultra-Luxury Train of India

Maharajas' Express is the pinnacle of luxury rail travel in India — and one of the most expensive train journeys in the world. Operated by IRCTC, it has won the "World's Leading Luxury Train" award at the World Travel Awards multiple years running, competing against the Orient Express, Rovos Rail, and the Blue Train.

This is not a train for regular travelers. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience priced accordingly.

The Five Itineraries

Maharajas' Express operates five different circuits, each lasting 4–7 nights:

Itinerary	Duration	Key Stops	Season
Indian Splendour	7 nights	Delhi–Agra–Ranthambore–Jaipur–Bikaner–Jodhpur–Udaipur–Mumbai	Oct–Apr
Heritage of India	7 nights	Mumbai–Udaipur–Jodhpur–Bikaner–Jaipur–Ranthambore–Agra–Delhi	Oct–Apr
Indian Panorama	7 nights	Delhi–Agra–Ranthambore–Jaipur–Bikaner–Jodhpur–Udaipur–Mumbai	Oct–Apr
Treasures of India	4 nights	Delhi–Agra–Ranthambore–Jaipur–Delhi	Oct–Apr
Gems of India	4 nights	Delhi–Agra–Ranthambore–Jaipur–Delhi	Oct–Apr

The train operates October through April only. Summer months are too hot for Rajasthan tourism, and monsoon brings logistical challenges.

Cabin Categories

This is where Maharajas' Express separates itself from every other Indian train:

Category	Size	Fare/Night (approx.)	Features
Deluxe Cabin	134 sq ft	$800–1,200	Twin/double bed, attached bath, LCD TV
Junior Suite	186 sq ft	$1,500–2,200	Living area, bathtub, sofa
Suite	236 sq ft	$2,200–3,500	Separate living room, premium amenities
Presidential Suite	442 sq ft	$4,000–5,500	Two bedrooms, dining area, private lounge

The Presidential Suite is the size of a small apartment — on a train. It has its own dining table, a bathtub with gold fittings, and a personal butler. There are only 2 Presidential Suites on the entire train.

Food and Dining

Two restaurant cars — Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal — serve world-class cuisine:

• Breakfast: Elaborate buffet with Indian and continental options
• Lunch: Multi-course meal, often at a heritage hotel or palace during the day's excursion
• Dinner: Sit-down 5-course dinner on the train. Indian and international menus rotate daily. Chefs prepare Rajasthani, North Indian, and continental cuisine to fine-dining standards.
• Bar (Safari Bar): Premium spirits, wines, and cocktails. Included in most packages.

The food quality is genuinely comparable to a 5-star hotel. The chefs are recruited from top hospitality backgrounds, and the presentation matches the train's luxury positioning.

What's Included

The per-night rate covers:

• All accommodation


• All meals and beverages (including alcohol on most packages)


• Guided sightseeing tours with expert guides


• Entry fees to all monuments and attractions


• Safari charges (Ranthambore)


• Cultural performances and entertainment


• Butler service (24/7 for suites)


• Transfers between train and sightseeing locations

Not included: International travel to/from India, travel insurance, personal shopping, and spa services.

The Experience

Maharajas' Express isn't really a train journey — it's a curated luxury vacation that happens to use a train as accommodation. Every detail is managed:

Morning: Wake up in your suite. A butler brings bed tea. Breakfast in the restaurant car or your cabin. The train is parked at the day's destination. Daytime: Guided tours of forts, palaces, and landmarks. Lunch at a heritage property. Afternoon free time or additional activities (camel safari, elephant ride, boat ride depending on location). Evening: Return to the train. Cocktails at the Safari Bar. Cultural program (folk musicians, classical dancers). 5-course dinner. Night: The train moves overnight to the next destination while you sleep in your cabin.

Maharajas' Express vs Palace on Wheels

Feature	Maharajas' Express	Palace on Wheels
Luxury level	Ultra-luxury (5-star+)	Luxury (4-star)
Price (per night)	$800–5,500	$400–800
Cabin size	134–442 sq ft	~120 sq ft
Cuisine	Fine dining	Good hotel level
Butler service	Yes (suites)	Limited
Itinerary variety	5 circuits	1 circuit
Award recognition	Multiple World Travel Awards	Well-known but fewer awards
Target audience	Ultra-affluent, international	Affluent tourists

Maharajas' Express is 2–3x the price of Palace on Wheels. The upgrade gets you larger cabins, better food, more personalized service, and a more refined overall experience. Whether that's worth the premium depends on your budget and expectations.

Who Should Consider Maharajas' Express?

• International travelers wanting India's finest luxury train experience
• Couples celebrating milestone occasions (golden anniversaries, once-in-a-lifetime trips)
• Corporate groups or incentive travel
• Anyone who has taken Palace on Wheels and wants to level up
• Luxury travel collectors who've done the Orient Express or Rovos Rail

Booking

Book through the official Maharajas' Express website or authorized travel agents. Peak season (November–February) sells out months in advance. Early booking (6–12 months ahead) is recommended for the Presidential Suite.

The Maharajas' Express won't appear on regular train booking platforms. For regular Indian train schedules and booking, use indianrail.app. For luxury train bookings, go through IRCTC's dedicated luxury train division.