The Palace on Wheels, Rajasthan’s iconic luxury train, is all set to resume operations from September 17, with a completely revamped interior. Known for offering a royal travel experience, the train has been upgraded with crores of rupees spent on interiors, including Mexican fabric, mirror ‘tikri’ work, veneer wood, and golden embellishments. Each coach has been given a theme based on popular tourist destinations, creating an immersive royal ambience. (News18 Hindi)
The Palace on Wheels offers the comfort and charm of a 5-star hotel on tracks. With only 2,400 passengers accommodated in a season, demand remains high despite the expensive fare. A VIP cabin for two is priced at Rs 23 lakh, while other cabins range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 16 lakh. A complete tour aboard the train costs around Rs 1 crore and lasts for 8 days and 7 nights, covering Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. (News18 Hindi)
Bookings have already crossed 300 cabins for the upcoming season, with overwhelming interest from international travellers, particularly from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and Europe. NRIs have booked the highest number of seats this year, reinforcing the train’s appeal as a luxurious way to explore Rajasthan. Many travellers wait an entire year just for a chance to travel in the Palace on Wheels. (News18 Hindi)
This season, several new features have been added to enhance the royal feel, including oil-free meals, custom menus, spa services, and luxury geysers. The restaurants inside the train have been renamed ‘Sheesh Mahal‘ and ‘Swarn Mahal‘, maintaining the regal theme. The culinary experience now includes dishes like Palak Chupa Rustam, Roasted Broccoli, Veg Musakka, Spanish Corn, Sabz Ratnagiri, and traditional Rajasthani Thalis. (News18 Hindi)
A new trend on the Palace on Wheels this year is destination weddings. Several couples have already booked the train to tie the knot while travelling through Rajasthan. The package starts at Rs 6 lakh per person, and the wedding journey can last between 4 to 7 days. The idea of getting married in a moving royal train is gaining popularity, especially among NRIs and elite families. (News18 Hindi)
Among the luxury trains in India, the Palace on Wheels is the second most expensive after the Maharajas’ Express. It is followed by other luxury rail experiences like the Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot. Most passengers include international tourists, celebrities, and high-profile business people. The average daily fare is about Rs 1 lakh per person, which increases based on the journey’s duration. (News18 Hindi)
This year, the refurbished Palace on Wheels will complete 35 round trips during the travel season. With enhanced interiors, premium service, and a blend of heritage and hospitality, the train continues to be a symbol of India’s royal legacy on rails. (News18 Hindi)
