# All Aboard the Maharajas' Express, India's Most Luxurious Train > Step aboard the Maharajas' Express, the train that delivers a royal way to travel through India's most scenic corners. Here's what awaits you on board. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/vse-na-bort-maharajas-express-samoho-roskoshnoho-poezda-yndyy/ - Language: en - Published: 2025-02-07 - Categories: Culture, Historic Sites, Hotels, India, Animal Rides, Food & Drinks --- From Jaipur to Jodhpur, the northern Indian region of Rajasthan is famous for its ancient forts, opulent palaces and gleaming marble monuments. But why stop there? The "Land of Kings" offers yet another regal way to travel: the Maharajas' Express. Widely regarded as India's most luxurious train, this stately hotel on wheels rolls through the countryside on the eight-day "Heritage of India" route, stopping at key destinations such as Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park and the Taj Mahal. "The romance of this journey, I would recommend it to anyone for travelling somewhere like (India), because you get to see so many places," says Joanna Newman, a passenger from England. "You feel like you're a part of it. You're not flying over it, you're not driving through it, you're just here." ## A Royal Experience Winding through Rajasthan's sun-scorched desert landscape, the Maharajas' Express sets out to make guests feel like royalty. Instead of cramped quarters, travelers find plush interiors, an onboard chef and a staff-to-guest ratio of roughly 3:4. Beyond the attentive service, the train also serves up a sumptuous Indian aesthetic. ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-26-1-2024.jpg) The dining cars, for instance, are adorned with peacock motifs and rich fabrics, while the bedrooms come dressed in golden-hued drapery and linens. Even with the striking interiors and attention to detail, first-time train travelers will notice a few drawbacks. "There are a few quirks to traveling by train," says Newman. "Getting used to sleeping at night (can be tricky because of) the different movements, the stops and starts of the train." ## A Hotel on Wheels ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-26-2-2024.jpg) Even so, traveling by rail brings far more upsides than downsides. For one, you get to see a range of destinations without repacking your bags every few days. It's also a better way to get to know fellow travelers and build a rapport with the staff, a chance you might miss when hopping from hotel to hotel. As for the guest rooms, cabins start at a cozy 112 square feet, each fitted with modern amenities such as LCD TVs, king-size beds and en-suite bathrooms. The Presidential Suite, meanwhile, stretches across an entire rail car, complete with two bedrooms, a private living room, a bathroom and regal decor. And with 23 carriages serving 88 guests, including two dining cars, two bars and a lounge, the Maharajas' Express offers plenty of room to unwind and relax. But running what is essentially a hotel on wheels comes with its own logistical headaches. "India's railway network is the largest in the world. Operating this kind of luxury train across such a vast network is a big challenge for us," says Hemmond Kumar, the train's general manager. "Leaving the station on time, getting everyone on board... it's a big task." ## On the Menu ![](/storage/image/prev/september-article-image-26-3-2024.jpg) Naturally, serving world-class cuisine is essential to the royal experience. Luckily, the train has chef John Stone on board, who specializes in French cuisine but whips up a wide range of local and international dishes for guests. "From a very early age, I was fascinated by train travel," says Stone. "I still vividly remember that even at night, when you couldn't see anything out the window, I would still keep looking out of it." For Stone, cooking on a moving train was a challenge at first. "I remember, on the very first day, the train actually switched from track A to track B. There was a little turn, and all my pots and pans went flying..." Stone adds. "But now I know exactly when we're about to change tracks and where the turns are, so I hold on to my pots and pans." ## The Right Track The "Heritage of India" route, running from Mumbai through Rajasthan to Delhi, is one of the most popular journeys. The route includes a day in the "Pink City" of Jaipur, known for its salmon-colored buildings, heritage crafts and the stunning Amber Fort. The trip also features stops in the Thar Desert and small villages, where travelers can try camel safaris or traditional folk dances. And that's just one of the train's seven routes. Heading south, by contrast, would be an entirely different experience. The eight-day "Southern Jewels" route, for example, departs from Mumbai before crossing some of southern India's most beautiful sights. The route takes in the seventh-century temples of Mahabalipuram near the Bay of Bengal, the temple complexes of ancient Hampi, the beaches of Goa and Ratnadurg Fort in Ratnagiri. "All my life I dreamed of coming to India," says guest Greg Newman. "Trains have this wonderful ability to take you somewhere overnight and wake you up the next morning in a different city... without ever noticing you'd moved."