Some things only a train journey can make us experience that no amount of air travel can ever come close to. Well, apart from the delays that test our patience in both kinds of journeys, Indian trains have always been great connectors that not only promise the view outside the window but can make a five course meal feel like a minor miracle as you pass through the scenic beauty of the Aravallis.
There is a reason why travelling by train treats moving from one place to the other like a weaving thread. It connects you to a landscape that no other form of transport can promise. It threads through the very heart of the scenery without giving you a moment's rest from looking away and at your phone. Not only that, some trains offer a little more than the true beauty at sight, its private saloons lined with silk and teak, personal butlers, menus drawn from royal kitchens, and itineraries that trace the old routes of maharajas. Some of these trains are living museums. Others are bold reinventions, with spa cars, curated excursions and cabins that rival the finest suites in the country.
Here is our pick of the IRCTC rail journeys worth clearing a week for. Think of them as a way to slow down, look out of the window, and let India come to you.
While you may not exactly experience the journey to Darjeeling quite like the three American brothers in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, you can for sure enjoy your train journey with India's premier historic mountain railway experience in Darjeeling which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train runs from New Jalpaiguri (NJP) up to Darjeeling (with popular short joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghum) and covers about 78 km over roughly 7.5 hours for the full route, or a 40-minute steam train run for the Darjeeling–Ghum loop.
Why the train calls for one of the most joyful train journeys is because it features historic B-class steam locomotives, signature Z-reverse maneuvers, the famous Batasia Loop spiral, and panoramic views of Mount Kanchenjunga and lush tea gardens.
Cost: Standard tickets range around ₹1,105 to ₹1,300 for one-way journeys, though specialty charter or private steam dining experiences are also available through
Often described as the most luxurious train in India, the Maharajas' Express as the same suggests evokes the romance of the country quite like no other. Onboarding the Express is enough to evoke the royal past in the present. With spacious cabins, attentive service to make you feel luxed out, and menus that combine Indian and International flavours with finesse, The Maharajas' Express journeys a carefully curated route which includes landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s Amber Fort and Varanasi’s sacred ghats. It is as though one is watching the landscape shift from the comfort of a moving palace.
Cost: Ticket prices for the Maharajas' Express range from approximately ₹5,16,750 to ₹26,13,000 per person on twin sharing, depending on the chosen itinerary and cabin tie like the Presidential suite and the number of days booked.
The Palace on Wheels is India's premier luxury heritage train, launched on January 26, 1982, through a collaboration between the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways. Operating only through the months of September to April, the train journey not only offers an Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Spa, personal butler (Khidmatgar) service per coach, Wi-Fi, and medical assistance, across it several different cabin options, the train considers bookings well over 6 months in advance.
Cost: For the 2026–2027 season, a 7-night / 8-day ticket on the Palace on Wheels starts at ₹5,20,128 per person on a twin-sharing basis during the lean season, and goes up to ₹21,13,020 for the Presidential Suite during peak winter months.
Booking Tip: Aim for mid-train coaches. Request cabins near the center of the train to minimize track noise, vibration, and the walking distance to the Sheesh Mahal and Swarn Mahal dining cars.
The Golden Chariot blends royal heritage aesthetics with modern five-star hospitality to showcase the cultural, architectural, and natural landmarks of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Goa.
The train features 44 air-conditioned cabins across 18 coaches, named after dynasties that ruled southern India (such as Kadamba, Hoysala, and Vijayanagar). Every cabin includes a private en-suite bathroom, Wi-Fi, and bespoke furnishings and offers two themed restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, serve a mix of authentic South Indian delicacies and international cuisine in settings adorned with traditional Mysore artwork as well as spa options.
Cost: Ticket prices for the Golden Chariot start at ₹3,31,500 per person on a twin-sharing basis for the shorter 3-night journey. For the longer 5-night itineraries, fares start at ₹4,87,500 per person, excluding 5 per cent GST.
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train is the dedicated semi-luxury tier of the Bharat Gaurav fleet. It bridges the gap between standard pilgrim trains and ultra-luxury palaces on wheels, accommodating roughly 150 to 268 passengers per trip and includes two dedicated rail restaurants serving freshly prepared multi-cuisine vegetarian meals from a modern flameless kitchen, built-in shower cubicles and sensor taps, while cabins come equipped with foot massagers, electronic safes, and individual infotainment systems.
Taking the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train offers a unique way to experience India's vast cultural and spiritual landscapes without the logistical stress of planning a multi-city trip. It is designed to act as a moving hotel that blends convenience, comfort, and curated sightseeing.
Cost: The tickets for these trains cost from ₹79,285 to ₹1,58,850.
Destinations by Signature Circuit
Shri Ramayan Yatra (17–18 Days)
North & Central India: Ayodhya, Nandigram, Sitamarhi, Buxar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Shringverpur, and Chitrakoot.
Nepal: Janakpur (cross-border excursion via Jaynagar).
West & South India: Nashik, Hampi, and Rameshwaram.
North East Discovery (15 Days)
Assam: Guwahati (Kamakhya Temple), Sivasagar, Jorhat (tea gardens), and Kaziranga National Park.
Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar.
Nagaland: Dimapur and Kohima.
Tripura: Unakoti, Agartala, and Udaipur (Tripura Sundari Temple).
Meghalaya: Shillong and Cherrapunji.
Sapta Jyotirlinga Mahayatra (11–12 Days)
Madhya Pradesh: Ujjain (Mahakaleshwar) and Omkareshwar.
Gujarat: Dwarka (Nageshwar) and Veraval (Somnath).
Maharashtra: Aurangabad (Grishneshwar), Pune (Bhimashankar), and Nashik (Trimbakeshwar).
Divine East Temple Tour (10 Days)
Uttar Pradesh & Bihar: Varanasi and Gaya.
Jharkhand: Jasidih (Baidyanath Dham).
West Bengal: Kolkata and Gangasagar.
Odisha: Puri (Jagannath Temple), Konark (Sun Temple), and Bhubaneswar.
Garvi Gujarat & Heritage Circuits (8–10 Days)
Gujarat: Kevadia (Statue of Unity), Champaner, Somnath, Dwarka, Nageshwar, Ahmedabad, Modhera (Sun Temple), and Patan (Rani ki Vav).
Ambedkar Circuit / Buddhist Trails (8–10 Days)
Key Stops: New Delhi, Mhow (birthplace of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar), Nagpur (Deekshabhoomi), Sanchi, Sarnath, Gaya (Bodh Gaya), Rajgir, and Nalanda.
Running fully inclusive for 7 nights 8 days, the Deccan Odyssey starts from Mumbai and unspools the Western Deccan before journeying back to Mumbai. The cabins are spread thinly with just 4 deluxe cabins to a car and two suites to a car along with laundry service, dinning cars, bar lounge and a spa every day on board. Each day you step off at a fort, a cave temple or a vineyard before moving on to the next adventure.
The itineraries vary by season. The Indian Odyssey, which covers Western India, leaves on 7 November, 12 December, 9 January, 30 January, 13 March and 24 April this season. The Heritage Odyssey, a more history-minded loop, runs through the winter from 21 November, with later sailings on 5 December, 2 January, 27 February and 17 April. Maharashtra Splendor and the Cultural Odyssey, which leans on vineyards and coastal cities, round out the calendar
Cost: The Deccan Odyssey costs roughly between ₹7.8 lakh to ₹16.8 lakh with additional 5 per cent GST for a standard 7-night / 8-day journey during the 2026–2027 season.
India's Buddhist Circuit Special trades butlers for stillness and for fraction of the grand luxury liners. Leaving from Delhi's Safdarjung station in the afternoon, boarding at 1pm, it covers Gaya, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sarnath and more. The all-inclusive seven-night, eight day journey offers special discounts from IRCTC during December to March on select departures
Cost: The tickets for the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train costs roughly between ₹76905 to ₹96000 for AC cabins (First and Second Tier) and coupes with in-room lockers