The Rajasthan Royal Train, better known as the Palace on Wheels, offers an unforgettable ride through the majestic landscapes of Rajasthan. Ranked as the 4th best luxury train in the world, it blends a regal atmosphere with the breathtaking beauty of India.
Departing from New Delhi every Wednesday evening and returning the following Wednesday morning, the train covers over 3,000 kilometers in just 7 Nights/8 Days. It takes you deep into the heart of the desert, giving you a chance to experience a world once ruled by kings and queens.
The train features 39 Deluxe Cabins and 2 Super Deluxe Cabins, accommodating up to 82 passengers in total. Onboard, every moment feels like a luxurious tribute to the royal past, as you glide through sand dunes and grand palaces.
HISTORY
The concept behind India’s first luxury train, the Rajasthan Royal Train (Palace on Wheels), remains the same as when it first started: passengers travel overnight in comfortable air-conditioned chambers, and during the day, enjoy pre-arranged group sightseeing tours in air-conditioned buses.
Historically, these luxurious coaches were once used by the rulers of princely states like Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the British Viceroy. After India’s independence, the coaches were set aside and remained unused for nearly 25 years. In 1981-82, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways revived these coaches, transforming them into a special heritage train that offers visitors a memorable way to explore Rajasthan.
The name “Palace on Wheels” reflects the royal heritage of the train’s original carriages. Over time, the coaches have seen upgrades while maintaining their royal charm. In the late 1980s, the original saloons used by the Maharajas were replaced by meter-gauge coaches with air-conditioned cabins and shared bathrooms. By 1996, with the introduction of broad-gauge tracks, all cabins on the train were upgraded to include private attached bathrooms.
In September 2017, the Palace on Wheels introduced new and more spacious carriages. Today, guests can choose between Deluxe or Super Deluxe Cabins, enhancing their luxurious journey aboard this legendary train.
Facilities of Palace on wheels Luxury Train
The Palace on Wheels offers a unique luxury travel experience, blending overnight journeys in air-conditioned sleeping chambers with daytime sightseeing tours in comfortable AC buses. Among the top Palace on Wheels facilities are the well-appointed cabins, fine dining, and attentive service, all of which contribute to an unforgettable journey. Here are some key highlights and details about the train’s services:
Key Highlights:
- 39 Deluxe Cabins and 2 Super Deluxe Cabins
- Restaurant Cars with Bar Lounges
- A dedicated Spa Car for relaxation
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the train
- Personalized service with an exclusive butler for every guest
More Details:
- Electric Supply: The train offers 110/230 AC volt power with multiple plug points in both cabins and bathrooms. Depending on your devices, you may need to bring your own adaptors.
- Laundry Service: Available on select days, ensuring a convenient stay.
- Storage: The cabins have limited storage, so guests are advised to bring soft-top luggage similar in size to what’s accepted by international airlines.
- Air Conditioning: The entire train is centrally air-conditioned, and the temperature is maintained at a comfortable 22°C.
- Smoking Policy: Smoking is strictly prohibited on board.
This combination of luxury, comfort, and attention to detail makes the Rajasthan Royal Train a standout experience for travelers exploring India.
Palace on Wheels Ticket Price
The Palace on Wheels ticket price includes a luxurious experience, but it’s important to note additional charges and policies:
- GST Tax: A 5% GST is added on top of the tariff by the Government of India.
- Christmas and New Year Surcharge: An extra 10% surcharge applies for departures during these holidays.
- Children’s Pricing:
- Children under 5 years: 15% of the tariff.
- Children aged 5 to 12 years: 75% of the tariff.
Important Note:
- The Indian Rupee tariff is only applicable for Indian passport holders and is available upon request.
Additional Information:
- The Palace on Wheels train tour will only operate if at least fifteen cabins are booked.
- In the event the operator cancels the scheduled departure, a full refund for the train journey will be provided.
- The current train tour operator, Easy Toll Solution and Cube Construction (a joint collaboration with RTDC), is required to give at least 15 days’ notice if a scheduled departure is canceled.
These details ensure transparency and help travelers understand the costs involved in their journey aboard the Palace on Wheels.
The Palace on Wheels Itinerary
The Palace on Wheels itinerary offers a week-long luxury train journey through Rajasthan’s most iconic destinations. Starting from Delhi, the train travels to Jaipur, where guests explore the Amber Fort and City Palace. Next, it heads to Sawai Madhopur for a safari at Ranthambore National Park, followed by a stop at Chittorgarh to witness the majestic fort. In Udaipur, guests experience the city’s stunning lakes and palaces. The journey continues to Jaisalmer and Jodhpur for sightseeing, before visiting Bharatpur and the Taj Mahal in Agra, returning to Delhi on the seventh day.
07 Nights / 08 Days
Embark on a regal adventure through Rajasthan, a land steeped in history, culture, and grandeur. The Rajasthan Royal Train, famously known as the Palace on Wheels, offers guests a journey fit for royalty, showcasing the mystical beauty of Rajasthan’s treasure-filled landscapes.
Day 1 (Wednesday): New Delhi Departure
- Reporting Time: 4:30 PM at Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi.
- Welcome Ceremony: Guests are greeted with a traditional Rajasthani welcome, including garlanding, tikka, and turban, followed by check-in formalities for the ‘Week in Wonderland’ train tour.
- Photo Opportunity: Enjoy time for a photo shoot with the Palace on Wheels staff, dressed in traditional attire.
- Cabin Briefing: Your personal attendant will escort you to your saloon cabin and provide a briefing on the cabin facilities.
- Welcome Drink: Relax at the Bar Lounge and enjoy a complimentary drink before the train departs at 6:30 PM.
- Dinner: Served onboard as you begin your royal journey through Rajasthan.
This experience on the Palace on Wheels offers the perfect start to a week of luxury, culture, and adventure, traveling through the heart of Rajasthan like the Maharajas once did.
Day 2 (Thursday): Jaipur, The Pink City
Your day in Jaipur begins with breakfast onboard the Rajasthan Royal Train, followed by a grand, royal welcome with elephants at the Jaipur Railway Station. The day unfolds with visits to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
- St. Albert Museum: Start your tour by exploring this famous museum, known for its rich collection of artifacts.
- City Palace: Visit the Pink City’s royal palace, showcasing the grandeur of Rajasthani architecture.
- Jantar Mantar: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient sun observatory offers fascinating insights into astronomical instruments.
After a brief photo stop at the stunning Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the tour continues with an excursion to the Amber Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Amber Fort: Enjoy an exciting elephant ride up the steep pathways to the fort.
- Lunch at 1135 AD Restaurant: Dine at this boutique restaurant, located within the fort, offering a regal experience.
After lunch, explore the Amber Fort Palace, a beautifully preserved 16th-century structure with expansive courtyards, showcasing a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
- Local Market Visit: At around 5 PM, visit Jaipur’s bustling markets, where you can shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Return to the Palace on Wheels by 6 PM, as the train departs for its next destination. Dinner will be served onboard, allowing you to relax and reflect on your day in the Pink City.
Day 3 (Friday Early Morning): Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve
Start your day with an early morning wake-up call at 6:30 AM at a forest lodge, and prepare for an exciting jungle safari in Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Board a 15-seater canter to explore one of India’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries, known for its rich history and diverse wildlife.
- Wildlife Safari: This reserve is home to Bengal tigers, panthers, sloth bears, pythons, marsh crocodiles, and an array of deer and bird species. It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a chance to witness these animals in their natural habitat.
Return to the Sawai Madhopur Railway Station after your safari, and the Rajasthan Royal Train departs by 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served onboard as the journey continues.
Day 3 (Friday Afternoon): Chittorgarh Hill Fort
By 4:00 PM, the train arrives at Chittorgarh Railway Station. From there, you will proceed to the magnificent Hill Fort of Chittorgarh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans a vast plateau. This ancient fort, dating back to the 11th century, is the largest in India and steeped in heroic tales of Rajasthan’s history.
- Exploration: Wander through the vast fort complex, visiting its ancient palaces, temples, and towers that echo the grandeur of the Rajput era.
In the evening, enjoy a Sound & Light show at the fort, bringing the stories of Chittorgarh’s glorious past to life.
After the program, return to the Palace on Wheels for dinner onboard. The train departs after midnight, heading to its next destination.
Day 4 (Saturday): Udaipur, the City of Lakes
The Rajasthan Royal Train arrives in Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes, by 8:00 AM. After enjoying breakfast onboard, your day begins with a visit to the 17th-century City Palace Complex, an architectural marvel with its eleven Mahals, balconies, towers, and cupolas.
- Crystal Gallery: Explore this unique collection of crystal artifacts belonging to the Maharana of Udaipur.
- Boat Ride on Lake Pichola: After the palace tour, enjoy a peaceful boat ride around the iconic Lake Palace Hotel, located on a small island in Lake Pichola.
- Lunch: Savor a royal lunch at the majestic Fatehprakash Palace Hotel, renowned for its regal ambiance.
In the afternoon, you’ll have time for shopping followed by a visit to Saheliyon Ki Bari, the beautifully manicured royal gardens. Return to the train by 3:00 PM, as it departs for the next destination. Dinner is served onboard.
Day 5 (Sunday): Jaisalmer, Oasis in the Desert
After breakfast, the train reaches Jaisalmer by 9:30 AM. Begin your tour with a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. This 15th-century fort rises 100 meters above the town and glows golden in the sunlight.
- Walking Tour: Stroll through the living fort complex, entering through massive gates into the grand courtyard.
- Patwon ki Haveli: Visit one of the largest and most intricately carved mansion houses, a five-story architectural gem.
- Jain Temples: Nearby, explore the 15th-century Jain Temples, adorned with intricate carvings and housing a library with some of India’s oldest manuscripts.
Lunch is served at a luxurious 5-star hotel, after which you can return to the train for a brief rest. At 4:30 PM, embark on an excursion to the Sam Sand Dunes in the Thar Desert, where you’ll enjoy a camel ride as the sun sets over the dunes.
- Cultural Program & Dinner: In the evening, experience a lively cultural program followed by dinner at a 5-star hotel. Return to the train by 10:00 PM, and it departs for the next adventure.
Day 6 (Monday): Jodhpur, Heart of Marwar
The Rajasthan Royal Train arrives in Jodhpur at 8:00 AM. After breakfast onboard, you’ll begin exploring the city with a visit to the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, built in the 16th century. The fort, perched 125 meters above Jodhpur, offers stunning views of the city.
- Fort Tour: Walk through the series of gateways designed to thwart enemy attacks, and explore the royal apartments with their breathtaking architecture.
- Museum: Inside the fort complex, the museum showcases an impressive collection of royal attire and medieval weaponry.
- Jaswant Thada: Visit the nearby marble cenotaphs, a memorial for the royal family.
- Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum: Explore the museum at this 20th-century palace, displaying personal artifacts of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Lunch will be served at the Hanwant Mahal Boutique Restaurant. Afterward, return to the train by 3:30 PM, and it departs for the next destination. Dinner is served onboard.
Day 7 (Tuesday Early Morning): Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
The train reaches Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary at 6:30 AM. Begin your day with a cycle rickshaw ride through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to over 375 bird species. You’ll have the chance to see both local and migratory birds from places like Sri Lanka, Europe, Siberia, China, and Tibet.
Return to the train for breakfast, and it departs by 8:45 AM.
Day 7 (Tuesday Noon): Agra, City of the Taj Mahal
Arriving at Agra at 10:30 AM, the tour starts with a visit to the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the seat of power for the Mughal Empire.
- Lunch at ITC Mughal Hotel: After the fort visit, enjoy a luxurious meal at this renowned hotel.
- Taj Mahal: Visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, admired for its flawless white marble architecture. You’ll have time to marvel at this incredible symbol of love before enjoying some free time for shopping.
Return to the train for dinner onboard, and the journey continues.
Day 8 (Wednesday): New Delhi Return
The Palace on Wheels arrives back in New Delhi at Safdarjung Railway Station by 5:30 AM. After an early breakfast, check out by 7:15 AM, marking the end of your unforgettable journey.
Note:
- The on-board management reserves the right to alter the tour timings to accommodate local logistics.
- Restaurants and hotels mentioned for off-board meals may change depending on availability.
Deep Mala is a passionate blog writer who crafts engaging content on various topics, blending creativity and insight to inform, inspire, and entertain her readers.
