12 Best Luxury Train Journeys in the World — Ranked

6. The Palace on Wheels: Rajasthani Splendor and Desert Romance

The Palace on Wheels stands as India's original luxury train experience, offering passengers an enchanting journey through Rajasthan's desert landscapes while providing accommodations that rival the state's most magnificent palaces and heritage hotels. This extraordinary train, designed to evoke the opulent lifestyle of Rajasthan's former maharajas, features carriages decorated with traditional Rajasthani artistry, including hand-painted frescoes, mirror work, and luxurious fabrics that create an atmosphere of royal grandeur throughout the journey. Each saloon aboard the Palace on Wheels represents a different former princely state, with unique décor and furnishings that reflect the distinct cultural heritage and artistic traditions of various Rajasthani kingdoms, creating a mobile museum of Indian royal culture. The train's dining cars serve as venues for exceptional culinary experiences, where master chefs prepare traditional Rajasthani cuisine alongside international dishes, using authentic spices and cooking methods that have been passed down through generations of royal kitchens. The journey encompasses Rajasthan's most spectacular destinations, including Jaipur's Pink City, Udaipur's lake palaces, Jaisalmer's golden fortress, and Bharatpur's renowned bird sanctuary, with expertly guided excursions that provide deep insights into the region's history, culture, and natural heritage. Evening entertainment aboard the train features traditional Rajasthani music and dance performances, including folk dances and puppet shows that celebrate the state's rich cultural traditions. The train's bar car, designed to resemble a royal durbar hall, serves as a gathering place where passengers can enjoy premium spirits and wines while sharing stories of their adventures through India's most romantic and culturally rich state.