Luxury Train Travel in India: Experience Royalty on Rails

I didn’t expect to fall in love with train travel again — but I did.

A few weeks ago, I packed my bags, left the chaos of my daily routine behind, and boarded one of India’s finest luxury trains. And honestly? I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again.

There’s something incredibly nostalgic, cinematic, and honestly healing about luxury train travel in India. You’re not rushing through terminals or dragging suitcases through crowded streets. You’re gliding. Floating, almost. Past fields, forts, sleepy towns, palaces, rivers, and everything in between — all while sitting in what feels like your own royal suite.

🚂 So, what is luxury train travel in India really like?

In one word: magical.

I hopped aboard the Deccan Odyssey, and from the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was in for something different. The floors were polished. The staff greeted me like I was royalty (seriously, where else do you get a personal butler?!). My room was spotless — a mix of vintage charm and hotel-style comfort. Clean bathroom. Cozy bed. Windows so wide I could literally lie back and watch India roll by.

That’s the thing about luxury train travel in India — you’re not just going to a destination. You’re experiencing everything between the destinations. And it’s slow, in the best possible way.

🌅 Mornings on the train feel different

I don’t even usually like mornings. But here? I’d wake up to the soft rhythm of the train moving. Slide open the curtains. Golden sunlight spilling onto the countryside. There’d be chai waiting in the lounge or breakfast in the dining car — eggs, parathas, fruit, whatever I felt like. Fresh, hot, and served with a smile.

And every day was a new story. One morning I was in a quiet hill town. The next day, I was walking through ancient caves. Then Goa. Then Jaipur. Each place had something beautiful to offer, but returning to the train after each adventure? That felt like coming home.

🍷 Nights were something else entirely

The sun would set and suddenly, the entire train would change its mood. Lamps glowing in the hallway. Guests dressed up for dinner. People chatting in the bar over cocktails. The luxury train travel in India scene is elegant without being stiff — it’s friendly, laid-back, and surprisingly warm. No dress codes or weird rules. Just good vibes and better company.

I remember one evening — we were passing through rural Maharashtra, and the sky outside was turning pink and lavender. I was sitting in the lounge with my wine, watching farmers walk home through fields of mustard. Nothing fancy was happening… but it felt like one of the most luxurious moments of my life.

🛤️ What makes luxury train travel in India so special?

It’s hard to explain, but it’s that in-between feeling. You’re not in a hotel. You’re not in an airplane. You’re somewhere suspended in time — moving, but still. Watching, but feeling.

Luxury train travel in India gives you:

• Space to breathe. No rushing. No security checks. No loud announcements.

• Views that change every hour. Mountains. Forests. Cities. Temples.

• Unreal comfort. Beds you can sink into. Bathrooms you actually want to use.

• People who care. The service? Impeccable. Every single person onboard is kind, thoughtful, and quietly brilliant at what they do.

You could spend hours just watching the world go by — and that is the adventure.

🎒 Who is this for?

Not just for “luxury” people. Not just for foreigners. I met honeymooners, solo travelers, a couple celebrating 30 years of marriage, and even a mom-daughter duo who had been saving up for this trip for months.

Luxury train travel in India by Deccan Odeyssey is for anyone who loves beauty, silence, slowness, culture — and doesn’t mind being treated like royalty.

If you love history, storytelling, and a bit of soul in your travel — this is 100% for you.

📍 The journeys? Each one is better than the last

Here’s the cool part — there are multiple curated routes. You can pick depending on what kind of vibe you’re after:

• Want to explore forts, palaces, and desert cities? There’s a route for that.

• Interested in temples, caves, beaches, and spirituality? Done.

• Just want to see a mix of India’s greatest hits without packing and repacking every day? Easy.

No early wake-up calls. No switching hotels. You unpack once. That’s the true luxury.

💡 Final thoughts from someone who’s lived it

If you’re considering luxury train travel in India, here’s my advice: don’t overthink it. Just do it. This isn’t just a vacation. It’s something that stays with you.

It’s the only kind of travel where your journey is just as beautiful as your destination. Where you feel seen, looked after, and held — not just moved from place to place.

If you want a travel experience that feels like stepping into a film, if you want to slow down and really see India, then this is it. Luxury train travel in India isn’t about ticking off tourist spots. It’s about falling in love with the journey itself.

And honestly? I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

💛 P.S. – Book that ticket. You won’t regret it. Because sometimes, the train doesn’t just take you somewhere new — it brings you back to yourself.