India’s oldest luxury heritage train and the one that invented the category for all others that followed, the Palace on Wheels has been running since 1982. It was the first train in India to reimagine railway travel not as a means of getting from point A to point B but as the journey itself — a rolling palace where Rajasthan’s greatest sights come to you on a schedule designed so you can sleep between cities and wake up somewhere entirely different.
Now in its 44th season of operation, the Palace on Wheels remains the defining reference point for royal rail travel in India, operated jointly by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and M/S Easy Toll Solutions Ltd in consortium with M/S Cube Construction Engg Ltd. The route — Delhi → Jaipur → Sawai Madhopur → Chittorgarh → Udaipur → Jaisalmer → Jodhpur → Bharatpur → Agra → Delhi — covers the essential Rajasthan and Agra itinerary in 7 nights and 8 days with no tourist managing logistics, transport, or meal planning.
Palace on Wheels Ticket Price 2026 — Official Fare
2025–26 Season (Valid until April 2026) — INR Rates (Indian Nationals)
| Cabin Category | Rate | Occupancy |
| Deluxe Cabin — Double Occupancy | ₹80,000 per person per night | 2 persons sharing |
| Deluxe Cabin — Single Occupancy | ₹1,23,100 per person per night | 1 person alone |
| Super Deluxe Cabin | ₹2,25,300 per cabin per night | Per cabin (same rate for 1 or 2 persons) |
| Presidential Suite | ₹2,87,800 per cabin per night | Per cabin (same rate for 1 or 2 persons) |
Total journey cost (7 nights):
- Deluxe Double: approximately ₹5,60,000 per person
- Deluxe Single: approximately ₹8,61,700 per person
- Super Deluxe (per cabin): approximately ₹15,77,100
- Presidential Suite (per cabin): approximately ₹20,14,600
2025–26 Season — USD Rates (Foreign Nationals)
| Category | Lean Season (Sept / April) | Peak Season (Oct–March) |
| Deluxe Double (per person, full journey) | USD 6,048 | ~USD 6,832 |
| Deluxe Single (per person) | ~USD 8,650 | ~USD 9,800 |
| Super Deluxe (per cabin) | ~USD 14,400 | ~USD 16,200 |
| Presidential Suite (per cabin) | ~USD 18,900 | ~USD 21,600 |
Exact USD figures vary slightly across authorised booking agents — always confirm current tariff at thepalaceonwheels.org or with an authorised operator.
Additional Charges
- GST: 5% charged extra on all fares
- Christmas / New Year surcharge: 10% additional on journeys departing December 23, December 30 (and equivalent dates in the 2026–27 season)
- Indian Rupee tariff: Applicable only for Indian passport holders; available on request through authorised agents
Children’s Fares
| Age | Charge |
| Below 5 years | Free — must share a bed with an adult; no extra bed provided |
| 5 to 12 years | 50% of adult fare |
| Above 12 years | Full adult fare |
Age proof certificate required at time of ticket issuance for children.
Palace on Wheels — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Operated By | RTDC + Easy Toll Solutions + Cube Construction Engg Ltd |
| Official Website | thepalaceonwheels.org |
| Launched | 1982 — India’s first luxury heritage train |
| Route | Delhi → Jaipur → Sawai Madhopur → Chittorgarh → Udaipur → Jaisalmer → Jodhpur → Bharatpur → Agra → Delhi |
| Journey Duration | 7 Nights / 8 Days |
| Departure Station | Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi |
| Operating Season | September to April (no departures May–August) |
| Total Cabins | 39 Deluxe + 2 Super Deluxe + 1 Presidential Suite |
| Approximate Capacity | ~80 passengers per departure |
| Starting Price (Lean, Double) | ₹80,000/night/person (INR) / USD 6,048 total journey |
| Peak Season Premium | ~10% higher than lean season |
| GST | +5% on total fare |
| Children below 5 | Free (bed sharing with adult) |
| Children 5–12 years | 50% of adult fare |
| Minimum Departure | Subject to minimum 15–17 cabin bookings |
What’s Included in the Fare
The Palace on Wheels fare is one of the most genuinely all-inclusive packages in Indian luxury travel:
- 7 nights accommodation in chosen cabin category
- All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — served in the onboard restaurants
- Non-alcoholic beverages including tea, coffee, and mineral water throughout
- Two private air-conditioned vehicle transfers in Delhi (arrival from and departure to chosen Delhi point)
- Air-conditioned coaches for all sightseeing at every destination
- English-speaking professional guide throughout the journey
- Monument and park entrance fees at all scheduled destinations
- Cultural programmes at relevant stops
- One camel ride at Jaisalmer
- One shared jeep safari at Ranthambhore National Park
- One boat ride at Udaipur
- One rickshaw ride at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Super Deluxe and Presidential Suite additional benefit: Sightseeing and excursions at all destinations are provided by exclusive private car with a dedicated English-speaking guide, rather than the shared coach arrangement for Deluxe cabin guests. The Ranthambhore safari remains on a sharing basis for all categories.
What’s NOT Included
Liquor and alcoholic beverages (available on board at additional cost), tips, laundry, telephone calls, video camera fees, travel insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
The 7-Night Itinerary
Day 1 — New Delhi (Evening Departure)
Boarding at Safdarjung Railway Station in the evening. Guests are welcomed with a garland and the traditional tilak ceremony on the platform. Dinner is served on board as the train departs toward Jaipur.
Day 2 — Jaipur, the Pink City
Morning arrival. Sightseeing covers Amber Fort (the dramatic hilltop palace complex of the Kachhwaha Rajputs), City Palace, Jantar Mantar (UNESCO World Heritage astronomical observatory), and Hawa Mahal. Return to the train for departure toward Sawai Madhopur.
Day 3 — Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore National Park)
Early morning shared jeep safari into Ranthambhore — India’s most celebrated tiger reserve and one of the best-managed wildlife areas in the country. Tiger sightings are most reliable between November and February. The old Ranthambhore Fort, visible from within the reserve, adds a historical dimension to the wildlife experience.
Day 4 — Chittorgarh
India’s largest fort by area, spread across 700 acres of a dramatic mesa. The towers, palaces, Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame), Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory), and reservoirs within the fort tell the story of Rajput resistance across multiple sieges — by Alauddin Khilji in 1303, by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1534, and by Akbar in 1568. The fort is both an architectural wonder and a site of profound historical weight.
Day 5 — Udaipur, City of Lakes
Boat ride across Lake Pichola — the defining Udaipur experience. From the lake, the Lake Palace hotel (built as a pleasure palace by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1746) appears to float on the water. City Palace tour, Jagdish Temple, and the lakeside haveli-lined waterfront complete the Udaipur itinerary.
Day 6 — Jaisalmer, the Golden City
Camel ride in the Thar Desert dunes outside the city. Jaisalmer Fort — a living medieval fortification still inhabited today, one of only two such in the world — and the ornate Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli with their elaborate sandstone facades. Sunset at the Sam Sand Dunes.
Day 7 — Jodhpur, the Blue City
Mehrangarh Fort — arguably the most dramatically situated fort in Rajasthan, rising sheer from a rocky outcrop with sheer 36-metre walls. The view of the blue-painted old city from the fort ramparts is one of the defining visual experiences of Rajasthan travel. Umaid Bhawan Palace (the world’s largest private residence built in the 20th century, partially open to visitors).
Day 8 — Bharatpur → Agra → Delhi (Arrival)
Rickshaw ride through the Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great birdwatching destinations, with over 370 bird species recorded. Then to Agra for the Taj Mahal visit. The train returns to Delhi by evening.
Cabin Categories — What You Get
Deluxe Cabins (39 Cabins)
The train’s 14 residential carriages are each named after a former Rajputana princely state: Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Dholpur, Dungerpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Kota, Sirohi, and Udaipur. Each carriage has three deluxe cabins.
Each cabin features a large bed (convertible between double and twin configuration on request), writing desk, sitting area, chairs, attached private bathroom, air conditioning, and access to a personal butler. The decor is themed around the precious stone after which the cabin is named — rich textiles, carved woodwork, and period-appropriate ornamentation give each cabin the feeling of a private compartment in a maharaja’s personal train.
Cabin size is approximately 8 by 9 feet — compact by hotel room standards but comfortable for a train cabin, with thoughtful use of space for storage and movement.
Super Deluxe Cabins — Diamond and Emerald (2 Cabins)
Two named super deluxe cabins — Diamond and Emerald — each with double queen-size beds, significantly more floor space than the deluxe cabins, and upgraded furnishings. The super deluxe experience begins from the platform itself: guests are greeted by a personal attendant (Khidmatgar) who guides them to their suite and remains their dedicated point of contact throughout the journey.
Super Deluxe guests receive exclusive private car sightseeing at all destinations rather than the shared deluxe coach used by Deluxe cabin guests.
The cabin rate is per cabin regardless of occupancy — making it particularly good value for two persons travelling together compared to two separate deluxe single occupancy bookings.
Presidential Suite (1 Suite)
The most exclusive accommodation on the train — a full carriage converted into a presidential suite with a sitting room, bedroom, premium bathroom fittings, and dedicated full-time butler service. At ₹2,87,800 per night (approximately ₹20,14,600 for 7 nights), the Presidential Suite is priced at a level where the two persons sharing it make the per-person cost comparable to the Super Deluxe cabin at significantly more space and service.
Presidential Suite guests receive private vehicle sightseeing at every destination with a dedicated personal guide — the highest level of customisation available on the Palace on Wheels.
On-Board Facilities
Two restaurant cars: “The Maharaja” and “The Maharani” serve all three daily meals, alternating between Indian (Rajasthani), continental, and Chinese menus. Regional specialties are incorporated at relevant points — dal baati churma around Rajasthan, Mughal-era cooking near Agra.
Bar and lounge: A well-stocked bar serving wine, spirits, and cocktails (Indian and international) at additional cost. The lounge is the social hub of the train — where passengers gather between destinations, share travel notes, and form the easy friendships that are a consistent feature of multi-day train travel.
Ayurvedic spa: Available on board for massages and treatments during the overnight travel segments between cities.
Indoor games: Chess, playing cards, Chinese checkers, carom board, and crossword puzzles available in the lounge.
Medical support: First aid on board; a doctor available on call and present at each destination for one hour.
How to Book Palace on Wheels
Official website: thepalaceonwheels.org
Authorised booking agents:
- Orient Rail Journeys: orientrailjourneys.com
- Royal Indian Trains: thepalaceonwheels.com
- Palace on Wheels India: palaceonwheelsindia.org
Booking process:
- Select departure date, cabin category, and number of passengers
- Submit passport copies of all passengers
- Pay advance deposit (25% or as specified by agent)
- Balance payment due 60 days before departure
- Travel documents and boarding instructions issued approximately 2 weeks before departure
Minimum departure condition: The train operates subject to minimum 15–17 cabin bookings per departure. If this minimum is not met, the operator may cancel the departure and issue full refunds for the train journey only.
Cancellation Policy
| Timing | Charge |
| More than 120 days before travel | 10% deduction |
| 89–120 days before | 25% deduction |
| 60–89 days before | 25% deduction |
| Less than 60 days | 100% forfeited |
| No-show | 100% forfeited |
Name changes and journey amendments are treated as cancellations. A processing fee of USD 100 per person applies on refunds for foreign nationals.
Best Time to Book
October to February (Peak Season): The ideal Rajasthan travel period. Clear skies, temperatures between 15°C and 30°C, maximum animal activity at Ranthambhore (November to February is best for tiger sightings). Book 4 to 6 months in advance for peak season departures — the train’s limited capacity (80 passengers) means popular dates fill early.
September and April (Lean Season): Lower fares and fewer fellow passengers. September sees Rajasthan transitioning from monsoon, which can add a lush quality to the desert landscape. April is warmer (temperatures approaching 40°C) but still manageable.
December 23 and December 30 departures: 10% surcharge applies; book even further in advance as Christmas and New Year departures are the most sought-after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Palace on Wheels ticket price in 2026?
A: 2025–26 season (Indian nationals): Deluxe double ₹80,000/person/night (≈₹5,60,000 for 7 nights); Deluxe single ₹1,23,100/person/night; Super Deluxe ₹2,25,300/cabin/night; Presidential Suite ₹2,87,800/cabin/night. All +5% GST. Foreign nationals start at USD 6,048 per person (lean season, double). Verify 2026–27 tariff at thepalaceonwheels.org.
Q2. What does the fare include?
A: All accommodation, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, all sightseeing with guide, monument entrance fees, camel ride (Jaisalmer), jeep safari (Ranthambhore), boat ride (Udaipur), rickshaw ride (Bharatpur), and two Delhi transfers.
Q3. How long is the Palace on Wheels journey?
A: 7 nights and 8 days, Delhi to Delhi. No segment or shorter bookings are available.
Q4. When does Palace on Wheels operate?
A: September to April annually. No departures from May through August. The 2026–27 season begins in September 2026.
Q5. How is Palace on Wheels different from Maharajas’ Express?
A: Both are luxury heritage trains covering Rajasthan. Palace on Wheels (RTDC, since 1982) is the pioneer — starting at ₹80,000/person/night for Indian nationals or USD 6,048 total for the lean season double. Maharajas’ Express (IRCTC, since 2010) starts at USD 4,900 for its shortest journey but runs up to USD 26,800 for the Presidential Suite on longer routes. Maharajas’ Express has won World Travel Awards; Palace on Wheels has the deeper heritage lineage.
