Stays, Rail & Wellness7 min readPublished 24 June 2026
Hero photograph: Aswin Krishna Poyil / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
India's luxury trains are moving palaces — you dine, sleep and travel in royal comfort while the country unrolls outside the window, waking each morning in a new city. The two great names, the Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas' Express, both deliver this, but they differ in route, register and price, and the right one depends on the journey you want.
What is the difference between the two trains?
The Palace on Wheels is the classic. It runs a set week-long Rajasthan circuit — Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ranthambore and Agra — evoking the private carriages of the former princely states, and offers superb value for a first royal rail experience.
The Maharajas' Express is the grander, more contemporary option: larger cabins including opulent presidential suites, more expansive dining, and a choice of itineraries across Northern and Central India. It sits at the very top of the luxury-rail market and has the awards to match.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Palace on Wheels for a focused, well-priced Rajasthan loop that captures the romance of heritage rail. Choose the Maharajas' Express for the largest suites, the finest on-board service, and a broader sweep of India beyond Rajasthan alone.
Either can be woven into a wider journey — a few days of palaces before you board, a tiger reserve or the Taj afterwards. Elevated India secures the right cabin on the right departure and composes the land portions around it, so the train becomes the centrepiece of a complete itinerary rather than a standalone trip.
Questions, Answered
What is the difference between Palace on Wheels and Maharajas' Express?
The Palace on Wheels runs a classic week-long Rajasthan circuit and offers excellent value. The Maharajas' Express is larger and grander, with bigger cabins and presidential suites, more elaborate dining, and a choice of itineraries across Northern and Central India at the very top of the luxury-rail market.
Are India's luxury trains worth it?
For travellers who want the journey itself to be the experience, yes. You unpack once and wake in a new city each day in royal comfort, with guided excursions included. Elevated India books the right cabin and departure and builds the surrounding land itinerary around it.
Journeys That Take You There
