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Experience My India

Palace on Wheels

Luxury Trains

Palace on Wheels is India's original heritage luxury train, a Rajasthan Tourism initiative running a fixed weekly-season loop from Delhi through Rajasthan's main cities and back, typically over seven nights and eight days. It runs a published winter-to-spring departure season, and fares are set by the operator and confirmed on enquiry rather than published here.

Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 13 Sept 2026

Government-approved operatorApproved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • Best seasonWinter-to-spring season, broadly
  • IncludedHotels, sightseeing and meals
  • Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
  • We check live cabin availability before you commit
  • Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm ISTA named specialist, the same person from first reply to departure.
  • No payment to start planningYou receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.

Itinerary

  1. Board in Delhi

    Step 1

    • Departures leave from Delhi on the operator's published weekly schedule for the season.

  2. Rajasthan loop

    Step 2

    • The train stops at each city overnight or by day, with off-train guided excursions to forts and palaces included.

  3. Agra extension

    Step 3

    • Most routes include a stop at Agra for the Taj Mahal before returning to Delhi.

  4. Return to Delhi

    Step 4

    • The loop closes back where it started, typically eight days after departure.
Abandoned stone temple in lush forest landscape at Ranthambore ParkStep 1 · Board in Delhi
Abandoned stone temple in lush forest landscape at Ranthambore Park

For reference only. The final plan is confirmed in your written quote.

Highlights

  • Travellers whose main interest is Rajasthan specifically, and who want the classic, most established version of the royal-train experience rather than the newest or most premium option.
  • Launched in the 1980s using former royal and Viceregal carriages, Palace on Wheels was India's first luxury tourist train and remains the most closely associated with Rajasthan's royal-heritage theme.
  • Its route typically loops from Delhi through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Bharatpur and Agra before returning to Delhi, over seven nights.
  • Cabins carry a heritage decor theme, and the fare typically bundles meals, onboard entertainment and guided excursions at each stop.

Full description

Launched in the 1980s using former royal and Viceregal carriages, Palace on Wheels was India's first luxury tourist train and remains the most closely associated with Rajasthan's royal-heritage theme. Its route typically loops from Delhi through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Bharatpur and Agra before returning to Delhi, over seven nights.

Cabins carry a heritage decor theme, and the fare typically bundles meals, onboard entertainment and guided excursions at each stop.

Includes

  • Cabin accommodation
  • Meals
  • Onboard entertainment
  • Guided excursions at each stop

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Gratuities
  • Monument entry fees not covered by the package

Price

Experience My India quotes this trip in INR after confirming your dates, hotel category and group size. The written quote names every hotel and inclusion, and nothing is charged until you approve it.

Important information

Palace on Wheels

Know before you go

  • Book ahead, especially for winter departures, when demand is highest.

Duration and season

Seven nights and eight days is the established route length. It runs a winter-to-spring season, broadly September to April, with weekly departures during the season — exact dates are confirmed against the current calendar.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

  • Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
  • No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.

Who it suits

  • Travellers whose main interest is Rajasthan specifically, and who want the classic, most established version of the royal-train experience rather than the newest or most premium option. It suits couples and small groups happy with a fixed, all-in-one Rajasthan loop rather than a custom itinerary.

Honest cautions

  • This is a fixed loop, not a customisable route — check the stop list matches what you want to see before booking.
  • Off-train excursions involve walking and, at some forts, steps; comfortable footwear helps.

How booking works

  1. Send an enquiry

    Dates, who is travelling and how you like to travel. Two fields to start.

  2. We check availability

    Hotels, guides and permits for your dates, with honest alternatives if something is full.

  3. Price and hotels named

    Every hotel and inclusion is named before you pay anything.

  4. Written quote in INR

    One document, no hidden lines, valid for the dates it quotes.

  5. You approve

    Change anything you like. Nothing is charged until you say yes.

  6. A named specialist runs it

    The same person from first reply to departure, Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST.

Your trip designer

Gurudutt Kaushal

Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur

Gurudutt Kaushal founded Experience My India and set the two rules every trip here runs on: hotels and guides are named before you pay, and a human replies within four hours. Your itinerary is designed by one of the 35+ destination specialists on his team and checked against our vetting standard.

About GuruduttMeet our founderHow we vet

Trust and protection

  • Ministry of Tourism approved

    Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • Registered business

    GSTIN 09BZFPM8067A1Z9

  • 4.3 / 5 on Tripadvisor

    Independent guest reviews

  • No payment to start

    A written quote first; charged in INR only after you approve.

Why book with Experience My India

  • Government-approved operator

    Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

  • 500+ vetted local guides

    35+ destination specialists plan every trip by hand.

  • Human help, every day

    Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST · +91 73022 65809

  • No payment until you approve

    You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.

How we vet every guide, stay and routeIndia e-Visa: who needs one and how to applyHave a specialist design this trip

Frequently asked questions

What is the Palace on Wheels route?

A loop from Delhi through Rajasthan's main cities — typically Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh and Bharatpur — with a stop at Agra, returning to Delhi over seven nights.

How is it different from the Maharajas' Express?

Palace on Wheels is the older, Rajasthan-specific train with a fixed loop; the Maharajas' Express is newer, more premium in positioning, and its routes can extend beyond Rajasthan. Both are booked by enquiry against a seasonal calendar.

What is included in the fare?

Typically cabin accommodation, meals, onboard entertainment and guided excursions — we confirm the current season's exact inclusions once we have your dates.

How far ahead should I book?

Several months ahead for winter departures, which are the most in demand.

Request a quote

Tell us your dates and we will check availability on the current Palace on Wheels departure calendar.

Ask on WhatsApp
  • We check live cabin availability before you commit
  • Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
  • No payment to start planning

Customer reviews

No reviews for this experience yet — we publish guest reviews after each trip.

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