India's Most Expensive Train

It is considered to be the ultimate ride on rails.The Royale Indian Rail Tours offers one of the most luxurious train journeys across India 's most beautiful locales. The Maharajas' Express is one of the six luxury trains in India that promises to offer the best in travel, traditional food and hospitality.

The fares for this luxurious travel range from Rs 212,000 ($4,725) for a single cabin to Rs 900,000 ($17,500) for the presidential suite for a 7-day trip on a'classical journey'. The 'Classical India' tour (7 days/6 nights) starts from Delhi and passes through Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Bandhavgarh, Varanasi, and Lucknow, before returning to Delhi.

For a 'Princely India' trip (8 days/7 nights), it costs Rs 243,000 ($5,400) for single accommodation, Rs 321,000 ($7,140) for double occupancy and Rs 900,000 ($17,500) for the presidential suite. This particular trip starts from Mumbai and passes through Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, and finally ends at New Delhi.

The train criss-crosses through some of the most beautiful locales in the country offering a panoramic view of India's countryside. The Royal India tour (8 days/7 nights) takes you from Delhi to Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Vadodara, before winding up at Mumbai.

The train chugs along the majestic ghats, deserts, lush green fields, scenic villages and rivers of western and north India.

The Maharaja Express redefines luxury travel with five-star hotel hospitality and high-tech modern amenities all along the journey.

The pan-India super luxury has a total of 23 coaches with a passenger capacity of 84. It has five deluxe cars each with four cabins, six junior suite cars with three cabins; two suite cars with two cabins each and finally the presidential suite that occupies an entire compartment. Every cabin has large panoramic windows, individual temperature controls, the first of its kind in India.

It also has LCD televisions, DVD players, direct dial telephone, electronic safe deposit box and internet facilities to make the journey an unforgettable experience.

The train is operated by Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd (RIRTL), a joint venture between Cox and Kings (India) Ltd and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

A royal banquet for passengers, the Maharajas' Express has two fine dining restaurants that seat 42 persons at a time. Wine and beer are complimentary. A bar with the choicest collection of house wines also offers beer and spirits along with snacks that are complimentary for every passenger.  There's also a lounge-cum-bar with comfortable club armchairs. The deluxe cabin is decked up in lavish style.

The Maharajas' Express also houses a high-end boutique, featuring exquisite and unique creations. The tour package includes guided train excursions at different places. The fare includes entrance fees at various sight seeing places, camera fee, transport and services of a guide, complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water on board and porterage at stations.

The Maharajas' Express is comprehensively insured for fire, earthquake, theft and terrorism. All guests are covered under an umbrella insurance cover.