Palace on Wheels Train: Route, Itinerary, Price & Booking Guide 2026
🌟 What Is Palace on Wheels train?
Palace on Wheels train is India’s first luxury heritage tourist train, launched on 26 January 1982 by Indian Railways in collaboration with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) to promote tourism and royal travel. It was modelled on the personal coaches once used by Maharajas, Nizams and British Viceroys, bringing the grandeur of princely India onto steel tracks.
Over the decades it has become one of the world’s best luxury train journeys, often touted among the top five in the world.
🚆 The Journey: 7 Nights & 8 Days of Royalty
The classic Palace on Wheels itinerary typically covers about 7 nights/8 days, beginning and ending in New Delhi (Safdarjung Railway Station). It meanders through Rajasthan’s most majestic forts, palaces, wildlife areas and cultural cities — and even includes iconic Agra! (thepalaceonwheels.org)
Route Overview of Palace on wheels train
📍 New Delhi → Jaipur → Sawai Madhopur → Chittorgarh → Udaipur → Jaisalmer → Jodhpur → Bharatpur → Agra → New Delhi (thepalaceonwheels.org)
- Jaipur – The Pink City with Amber Fort, City Palace & Hawa Mahal
- Sawai Madhopur – Gateway to Ranthambore National Park
- Chittorgarh – Legendary forts & Rajput valor
- Udaipur – City of Lakes and palaces
- Jaisalmer – Golden city in the desert
- Jodhpur – The Blue City and Mehrangarh Fort
- Bharatpur – Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary
- Agra – Taj Mahal & Mughal legacy
Every morning you wake up in a new destination, ready for guided sightseeing and cultural experiences — all seamlessly organised. (thepalaceonwheels.org)
👑 Luxury On Board
The Palace on wheels train itself is like a moving palace:
✨ Regal cabins inspired by royal saloons
🍽️ Fine dining with Indian, Rajputana & international cuisine
🍷 Lounge & bar cars to unwind with fellow travellers
💆 Spa services and personalised butler service
🎶 Cultural performances and off-train excursions at each stop
🚍 Sightseeing via dedicated A/C coaches when off-train
Each coach is named and themed after the princely states, giving a unique glimpse into India’s royal heritage.
📅 Seasonal Operation & Booking Tips
- The Palace on wheels train usually runs during October–March each year (it doesn’t operate in the monsoon/lean season). (Navbharat Times)
- Tickets and packages are sold as inclusive tours — sightseeing, meals, accommodations and transport all included. (POW)
- It’s a premium experience, so prices are high compared to regular trains — often a significant amount per cabin depending on season and occupancy. (Navbharat Times)
If you’re dreaming of experiencing India’s royal past in a glorious, old-world way (with modern comforts), Palace on Wheels is an unforgettable way to do it!
Perfect 👍 Let’s do both — a day-by-day itinerary and a clear cost breakdown for
Palace on Wheels 🚆👑
🗓️ Palace on Wheels train: Day-by-Day Itinerary (7 Nights / 8 Days)
Day 1 – New Delhi (Departure)
- Check-in at Safdarjung Railway Station
- Royal welcome with garlands & music 🎶
- Welcome drink + onboard briefing
- Dinner onboard as the train departs for Jaipur
Day 2 – Jaipur (Pink City)
- Breakfast onboard
- Visit Amber Fort (elephant/jeep ride subject to availability)
- City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal
- Lunch at a heritage hotel
- Evening cultural program & shopping
- Dinner onboard
Day 3 – Sawai Madhopur & Chittorgarh
- Early morning Ranthambore National Park safari 🐯
- Lunch onboard
- Afternoon visit to Chittorgarh Fort (UNESCO site)
- Light & sound show / cultural experience
- Dinner onboard
Day 4 – Udaipur (City of Lakes)
- Boat ride on Lake Pichola ⛵
- Visit City Palace & Jag Mandir
- Lunch at a lakeside palace hotel
- Free time for leisure & photography
- Dinner onboard
Day 5 – Jaisalmer (Golden City)
- Visit Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli
- Lunch onboard
- Evening desert safari on sand dunes 🐪
- Cultural folk dance + barbecue dinner in desert setting
Day 6 – Jodhpur (Blue City)
- Visit Mehrangarh Fort
- Jaswant Thada
- Lunch at heritage venue
- Shopping at local markets
- Dinner onboard
Day 7 – Bharatpur & Agra
- Morning visit to Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary 🦜
- Lunch onboard
- Drive to Agra
- Sunset visit to Taj Mahal 🤍
- Dinner onboard
Day 8 – New Delhi (Arrival)
- Breakfast onboard
- Arrival at Safdarjung Railway Station
- Royal farewell 👋
💰 Palace on Wheels train : Cost Breakdown (Indicative)
Prices vary by season & cabin type. Below is a realistic average range.
Cabin Tariff (Per Person for Full Journey)
| Cabin Type | Approx Cost (USD) | Approx Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Occupancy | $8,000 – $9,000 | ₹6.6 – ₹7.5 lakh |
| Double Occupancy | $5,500 – $6,500 | ₹4.5 – ₹5.5 lakh |
(High season: Dec–Jan | Lower season: Oct, Mar)
What’s INCLUDED in Palace on Wheels train ✅
✔ Luxury cabin accommodation
✔ All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
✔ Tea, coffee & mineral water
✔ Guided sightseeing & entry fees
✔ Jungle safari at Ranthambore
✔ Cultural programs & folk shows
✔ Butler service & A/C transport
✔ Taxes & onboard services
What’s NOT Included in Palace on wheels train❌
✖ Alcoholic beverages 🍷
✖ Spa & personal laundry
✖ Tips / gratuities
✖ Travel insurance
✖ Flights to/from Delhi
🎯 Is Palace on Wheels Worth It?
Best for:
- Luxury travelers
- Foreign tourists
- History & heritage lovers
- Special occasions (honeymoon, anniversary)
Not ideal if:
- You’re on a tight budget
- You prefer flexible, self-planned travel
let’s go deeper into the magic, mechanics, and legacy of the
Palace on Wheels 👑🚆
🏰 The Royal Legacy (Why It’s Special)
- Palace on Wheels is India’s first luxury heritage train, inspired by the private coaches of Maharajas, Nizams, and British Viceroys.
- Launched to showcase Rajasthan’s royal past with modern, five-star hospitality.
- Frequently listed among the world’s most luxurious train journeys.
🚆 Train Design & Coaches of Palace on Wheels train
- 14 guest coaches, each themed after a princely state (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, etc.).
- Spacious cabins with attached bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi (select zones), and classic décor.
- Personal butler per coach—think hotel service on rails.
Onboard Facilities on Palace on Wheels train
- 🍽️ Two restaurants serving Indian, Rajasthani & Continental cuisine
- 🍷 Lounge & bar car
- 💆 Spa & wellness services
- 📚 Library / sitting lounge
- 🧳 Laundry & housekeeping
🗺️ Route & Destinations (What You See)
A perfectly curated sweep of North India’s highlights:
- Jaipur (Amber Fort, City Palace)
- Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore safari)
- Chittorgarh (Rajput valor & fort)
- Udaipur (lakes & palaces)
- Jaisalmer (desert culture & dunes)
- Jodhpur (Mehrangarh Fort)
- Bharatpur (bird sanctuary)
- Agra (Taj Mahal)
You sleep on the train, explore by day, and dine like royalty by night.
🍽️ Dining Experience at Palace on Wheels train
- Meals are table-served, not buffet—plated, elegant, and curated.
- Menus rotate daily with local specialties (dal baati churma, laal maas) plus international options.
- Special dietary needs (veg/vegan/gluten-free) handled with advance notice.
🎭 Cultural Immersion
- Folk dances, classical music, and heritage shows at select stops.
- Evening palace dinners and desert BBQs under the stars.
- Guided tours led by expert historians (English-speaking).
🗓️ Season & Operations
- Runs October to March (best weather).
- Weekly departures (usually Wednesday nights from New Delhi).
- Limited seats → early booking recommended (3–6 months).
💰 Pricing Snapshot (What You’re Paying For)
- Premium pricing reflects all-inclusive luxury:
- Accommodation, meals, sightseeing, entry fees
- Safaris, cultural programs, transport, guides
- Alcohol, spa, tips, and flights are typically extra.
🎯 Who Should Choose It?
Perfect for
- Luxury travelers & honeymooners
- International tourists
- History & culture lovers
- Special occasions (anniversary, milestone trips)
Palace on Wheels train, not ideal if
- You want a budget or DIY trip
- You prefer flexible, last-minute travel
🆚 How It Compares
- Vs Maharajas’ Express: Palace on Wheels is more classic & heritage-focused; Maharajas’ Express is ultra-modern luxury.
- Vs Golden Chariot: Palace on Wheels covers North India icons; Golden Chariot focuses on South India.
🔍 Quick FAQs
Is it safe? Yes, Palace on Wheels —high security, vetted excursions.
Dress code? Smart casual by day; elegant evenings encouraged.
Kids allowed? Yes, but best enjoyed by adults.
Photography? Allowed almost everywhere (check monument rules).
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Best Luxury Trains in India 2026 | Royal Rail Journeys Guide
