The Palace on Wheels sounds exactly like what it is—grand, unapologetically royal, and designed to evoke a lifestyle most people only encounter through history books or cinema. It is India’s original luxury heritage train, and despite the dramatic name, it remains one of the most structured and efficient ways to explore Rajasthan at scale.
Recently, Explurger travel creator Aditya Sharma experienced this iconic journey, documenting the route, onboard life, and destinations across Rajasthan and Agra. His journey reflects what first-time travelers can realistically expect from the Palace on Wheels—luxury, yes, but also discipline, planning, and immersion.
This guide breaks down everything a traveler needs to know before boarding: what the train is, how it works, what the itinerary looks like, what it costs, and whether it is actually worth it.
What Exactly Is the Palace on Wheels?
The Palace on Wheels train, launched in 1982, is India’s most iconic luxury train, run by Rajasthan Tourism and Indian Railways. It recreates the experience of royal travel across Rajasthan and adjoining regions, using coaches inspired by the personal rail saloons of former princely states. Think Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur—not just as destinations, but as moving architectural references.
This is not a sightseeing train where you hop on and off randomly. The Palace on Wheels operates on a fixed itinerary, typically a 7-night, 8-day journey, covering Rajasthan and Agra. You sleep on the train, eat on the train, and return to it every night like it’s your moving haveli.
At a conceptual level, it is heritage tourism on rails. At a practical level, it is one of the most organized ways to see Rajasthan without negotiating a single taxi fare.
Boarding the Palace on Wheels: Where the Journey Actually Begins
The journey starts in New Delhi, usually from Safdarjung Railway Station. Boarding the palace on wheels is not chaotic, which in India already feels suspiciously luxurious. They roll out an actual red carpet for your reception, provide welcome drinks and serenade you with music, entertainment and more, including garlands and turban tying. This entire ceremony usually unfolds around 4:00 PM, well ahead of the train’s 6:30 PM departure, and that timing matters. Your luggage is efficiently handled, and you are escorted to your cabin with a Khidmatgaar, your personal attendant who takes care of all your needs and wants.
Cabins and Facilities: What You Actually Get on Board
When you step into the palace on wheels for real, the first question people want answered is: “Is the cabin worth it?” The short answer: yes—but let’s break down what that means without pretension.
The train has three cabin categories that cover most traveller profiles: Deluxe Cabins, Super Deluxe, and the Presidential Suite. All cabins are air-conditioned and have attached bathrooms with showers, some even have saloons! Every coach is named after a princely state of Rajasthan, tying your physical space to the region you’re traversing.
The train doesn’t just stop at cabins. You get:
- Two dining cars (Maharaja and Maharani) with full meals throughout the itinerary.
- A lounge bar to unwind after long sightseeing days.
- A spa car for massage and Ayurvedic treatments.
- Wi-Fi (limited but useful), newspapers, magazines, and doctor-on-call services.
- Wheelchair assistance, souvenirs, laundry service, and basic medical aid.
The Itinerary: The 7 Nights / 8 Days Route
Here’s the itinerary you’ll see again and again in booking calendars—because the route is precise and fixed for every week the train runs. You don’t get to customize it like a holiday package; that’s the point. You board, you follow the sequence, and the logistics happen for you.
Day 1 — New Delhi
Boarding at Safdarjung Railway Station in the late afternoon (around 4:30 PM check-in), you experience the welcome described earlier, settle into your cabin, and depart by around 6:30 PM.
Day 2 — Jaipur
Your first full day is in Jaipur, the Pink City. The itinerary usually includes Amber Fort, City Palace, and local markets—good architecture, good photo ops, and a clear introduction to Rajasthani history and city planning. This circuit is reliable, methodical, and focused on delivering historical landmarks, wildlife pockets, and sensory variety without you having to stress about a thing (except the money).
Day 3 — Sawai Madhopur & Chittorgarh
This is one of the more physically engaging days. In the morning, you head to Ranthambore National Park for a safari (console yourself: tiger sightings are not guaranteed but are the dream), then continue to Chittorgarh Fort—one of Rajasthan’s biggest and most historically complex forts.
Day 4 — Udaipur
The train heads southwest to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. Expect boat rides on Lake Pichola and visits to iconic palaces and heritage sites—a nice counterpoint to the rugged forts of the previous day.
Day 5 — Jaisalmer
Into the desert now. In Jaisalmer, the itinerary often includes tours of the massive sandstone fort and a camel safari at sunset or dinner under the stars—this is where the idea of travelling India starts to feel cinematic.
Day 6 — Jodhpur
Day six moves to Jodhpur, the Blue City. Mehrangarh Fort dominates the skyline, and the itinerary typically includes its museum and nearby palaces, followed by local markets.
Day 7 — Bharatpur & Agra
First up in the morning is Keoladeo National Park (a UNESCO birding site) in Bharatpur, then on to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. This is your architectural climax, and yes—it’s packed into one long day.
Day 8 — Back to New Delhi
You arrive back at Safdarjung early in the morning, usually around 7:30 AM. Breakfast is served before check-out.
Tickets and Pricing: What It Costs
Let’s be honest: the palace on wheels ticket price isn’t cheap, even in the lean season. But it’s also not an airline ticket with hidden costs—the fare bundles almost all major expenses into one package.
Seasonal Pricing
Fares change by season:
- High Season (October–March): Highest demand.
- Lean Season (September & April): Lower fares.
- Peak Season (December) adds a surcharge.
Typical Cabin Tariffs (Indicative)
For the 2025–27 seasons:
- Deluxe Cabin (single occupancy): ~USD 10,507 / ~₹8,61,700
- Deluxe Cabin (double per person): ~USD 6,832 / ~₹5,60,000
- Super Deluxe Cabin: ~USD 19,236 / ~₹15,77,100
- Presidential Suite: ~USD 24,570 / ~₹20,14,600
(All figures exclude 5% GST; peak dates like Dec 24/31 may add ~10% more)
The fare generally includes: your cabin, all meals, guided excursions, entrance fees at many sites, and local transport at stops. Drinks, tips, laundry, and personal items are extra.
If you’re a traveller who likes pacing and a single-source logistics setup, this pricing—while steep—replaces a stack of hotels + local guides + intercity transport costs with one consolidated itinerary.
What’s Still Worth Knowing
Here’s the part that actually improves your experience:
Boarding and scheduling matter: They give you exact times for check-in/check-out at Safdarjung so you’re not stuck guessing.
Meals and cuisines are structured: Two dining cars serve Indian and continental menus; they are not Michelin stars, but they’re reliably better than most long-distance rail food.
Service is personal: The khidmatgar attendant system isn’t theatrical—it’s efficient and actually useful when you’re off on a day tour and return exhausted.
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Explurger Content Creator Aditya Sharma’s Experience aboard Palace on Wheels
After wrapping up the journey, he shared with the Explurger how exciting the trip was and how smoothly the app blended into his travel flow. From logging places in real time to turning everyday stops into a clean, mapped travelogue, the features felt intuitive and effortless—exactly how travel tech should be.
What stood out for him was the community side of Explurger. Seeing fellow travelers exploring similar routes, discovering places through shared Explurge-ins, and engaging beyond just likes made the experience feel more social and real. For a creator constantly on the move, Explurger became less about posting and more about staying connected to the journey—and the people who love traveling just as much.
How It Compares to Other Luxury Trains
India has several luxury trains now, including Royal on Wheels train, Maharaja on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, and The Golden Chariot. Each has its merits. What keeps the palace on wheels distinct is its legacy. It was the first. It set the template. Others refined it, but this remains the reference point.
So… Should You Get Onboard the Palace on Wheels?
The Palace on Wheels is not about pretending you’re a maharaja for a week. If that’s what you’re chasing, you’ll miss the point. What this journey really offers is access to regions, stories, and architectural legacies that are otherwise scattered across maps, hotel bookings, and long road journeys. It compresses a vast cultural landscape into a single, coherent experience, without stripping it of context.
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If you’ve got the money, there’s really no other bother, trust me, you’ll have the time of your life!
As seen through Explurger creator Aditya Sharma’s journey, the Palace on Wheels delivers exactly what it promises: a curated, heritage-rich way to experience Rajasthan without compromise.
FAQs About Palace on Wheels
2. Is Palace on Wheels running now?
Yes, the palace on wheels operates seasonally, typically between September and April. Schedules are updated annually. Check their website here https://palaceonwheels.rajasthan.gov.in/
3. Can Indians travel in Palace on Wheels?
Yes. Indian travelers can and do travel on the palace on wheels, and domestic participation has increased in recent years.
