Luxury Trains in India
India offers some superb trains for a memorial trip on some unique trains where you can travel like royalty
These special trains are:
-
Palace on Wheels Train - Travel like royalty!
-
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
-
The Deccan Odyssey
-
The Fairy Queen train
Palace on Wheels
The Palace on wheels is a luxury train that offers a 7 day package for travelers to visit India travelling in ultimate luxury.
The 7 day tour allows travelers to sleep in luxurious rooms on the train during the night and sightsee in the day.
Palace on Wheels train has 14 fully air-conditioned deluxe coaches, each a combination of 4 twin bedded chambers.
The luxury train offers facilities, which include channel music, intercom, attached toilets, running hot and cold water, shower, wall-to-wall carpeting and other amenities.
Places Covered by the Palace on Wheels train are:
Delhi - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Sawai Madhopur -
Chittaurgarh, Udaipur – Bharatpur and Agra.
The price includes the cost of travel, meals, sightseeing tours and entrance fee to monuments. Prices for 2011 and 2012 and additional details are given below.
The
photographs show the sleeping area and bar on the train. In case you
are wondering the hefty price of the ticket does not include drinks
and you have to pay for them. Guests pay extra for video cameras,
liquor and laundry services. The mineral water is free or shall I
say included in the price of the ticket.
During Christmas and New Year there is a 10% additional charge added on.
If you wish to travel on the Palace of Wheels then you need to make a reservation way ahead of time. I am told that the train is sold out for the next several months. Contact a travel agent well in advance to ensure you get reservations.
The Palace on Wheels train leaves New Delhi on Wednesdays at 4 pm and returns to New Delhi after the tour on Tuesday at 6 am.
Palace on Wheels train prices for 7 day tour.
All
Prices in US $ Per Person Per Night Single / Double / Triple
Sharing
| Type | Prices Sept. 2011 & April 2012 |
Prices Oct. 2011 till March 2012 |
Prices Dec. 21 & Dec. 28, 2011 |
| Single Occupancy | 3500.00 / per person | 4689.00 / per person | 10% Extra |
| Double Occupancy | 2625.00 / per person | 3500.00 / per person | 10% Extra |
| Triple Occupancy | 2380.00 / per person | 3150.00 / per person | 10% Extra |
The Heritage on Wheels Train
The Heritage on Wheels train has now been discontinued. The alternative to tour the Indian State of Rajasthan in luxury by train is now is a train named Royal Rajasthan on Wheels. Information on this train is provided below.
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels luxury train has 13 deluxe coaches named after the famous palaces of Rajasthan: Hawa Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Surya Mahal, Moti Mahal, Sukh Mahal, Jal Mahal, Padmini Mahal, Kishori Mahal, Phool Mahal, Jogi Mahal, Kumbha Palace, Umaid Palace, Lalgarh Palace.
Rajasthan on Wheels has 39 deluxe saloons and 2 super-deluxe saloons on the train. Accommodation is available based on Single or Double occupancy.
The train travels to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra. The windows of the train are the largest in any running train in India to offer the visual delight while travelling on the train.
The tour departs on Sunday from Delhi at 18:30 hrs. and returns the following Sunday.
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels fare for Season: October 2011 to March 2012
| Saloon | Price in USD | Description (per night) |
|---|---|---|
| Super Deluxe Saloon (Suite) | USD 1600 | Per Suite, Per Night |
| Deluxe Saloon (Twin Sharing) | USD 590 | Per Person, Per Night |
| Deluxe Saloon (Single Occupancy) | USD 825 | Per Person, Per Night |
Tariff is inclusive of travel, catering, conducted sightseeing, entrance fee at monuments, palaces, parks, cultural programs, camel ride at Jaisalmer, boat ride at Udaipur, rickshaw ride at Bharatpur.
THE DECCAN ODYSSEY
This luxury train covers the Indian State of Maharashtra and offers a tour of 7 Nights / 8 Days. The places covered by this train are:
Mumbai, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Goa, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ellora, Tadoba, Ajanta and Nashik.
Tickets for the Deccan Odyssey train:
| Accommodation Type | Sept 2011 - April 2012 | Oct 2011 - March 2012 |
| Deluxe Cabin | ||
| Single occupancy | US $ 500 | US $650 |
| Double occupancy | US $ 390 | US $500 |
| Triple occupancy | US $ 315 | US $ 425 |
| Presidential suite | ||
| Single occupancy | US $ 750 | US $ 950 |
| Double occupancy | US $ 650 | US $ 800 |
| Triple occupancy | US $ 300 | US $ 370 |
April to September.
Single occupancy per night high season S$650 October to March Single occupancy US $ 3395.
This train does not operate during the months of May to September. For more information or reservations contact your travel agent.
The
Fairy Queen Train
This is also a special train for tourists. The Fairy Queen train is the oldest running vintage locomotive in the world and was built in the year 1855. This train is also mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records.
This special train has 50 first class seats and a pantry car for onboard catering. The Fairy Queen train offers a 1 Night / 2 Day tour. The tour includes a visit to the Siliserh Palace and the Alwar Museum. Also included in the tour is a jungle safari in an open jeep at the famous Sariska Tiger Reserve.
INDIA ON WHEELS tour is also offered in India as a luxury travel option wherein passengers are offered a 17 Night / 18 Day tour. Travel is in luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels and the Deccan Odyssey and by luxury bus and also includes a flight between New Delhi and Mumbai.
The places covered in this tour are: Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Agra, Jaigadh, Ganapatipule, Ratangiri - Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, Swantwadi - Goa, Kolhapur, Pune, Aurangabad - Ajanta & Nasik.
The cost of this tour is from US $7500 to US $ 9000 per person (single occupancy) depending on the dates of travel.
For more information or reservations contact a travel agent of your choice.