Comparison Between Palace on Wheels And Maharajas Express Train
One of an enduring ways to discover and enjoy India multiplicity is “luxury Train Ride”, right, but, a frequent question that mostly confuses travelers on taking decision is “Which luxury train in India is best Palace on Wheels or Maharajas Express?”
Literally speaking 90 per cent of people have no information about three other luxury train options named Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels which also offer splendid journeys on prominent part of India.
Well on about other luxury trains we will discuss later, what’s say, here let’s do a concise comparison between Palace on Wheels and Maharajas Express Train and clear our confusion:
1. Introduction
Introduced on 26th January, 1982 “Palace on Wheels” is the first luxury train in India operated by Indian Railways in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” which was introduced in 2010 is a good venture of the Indian Railway which beaten all the flaws faced in previous luxury trains.
Also Read: Top 5 Luxury Trains in India
2. Itineraries
Palace on Wheels Train itinerary start and end from the Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi and takes the major destinations of Rajasthan such as Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” which start and end its tour from New Delhi / Mumbai connect it guests not to the famous locations and tourist towns across North-West and Central India but its five precisely designed itineraries Gems of India, Treasures of India, Heritage of India, Indian Splendor and Indian Panorama is a perfect combination of world heritage sites, wildlife, art, culture and royalty.
Find here :
Read On: 5 Reasons! Why Visit Jaipur with Palace on Wheels Train
3. Fare
Money is always an important issue while traveling to any place and same is follow on choosing the luxury trains also. So here let’s have a look on the fare of both, the fare of Palace on Wheels for a 7 Nights journey is around USD 6615 only.
Palace on Wheels Tickets Price For Foreign Passport Holders
Palace on Wheels Tickets Price For Indian Nationals
Whereas the cheapest fare for the Maharajas’ Express, Treasures of India (3 Nights / 4 Days) package in Deluxe Cabin of Maharajas Express is around USD 4,650 per person.
Maharajas Express Ticket Price For Foreign Passport Holder
Maharajas Express Ticket Price For Indian Nationals
4. Accommodation
“Palace on Wheels” has two types of Cabins: Deluxe Cabin and Super Deluxe Cabin.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” has 4 Cabin types named Deluxe Cabins, Junior Suites, Suites and Presidential Suite.
Find here: Accommodation of Palace on Wheels
5. Facilities and Services
“Palace on Wheels” has state-of-the-art spa, two kitchen cars cum restaurants (Maharaja and Maharani), bar-cum-lounge with assorted wines, gymnasium, full-fledged library, souvenirs shop and all modern-day facilities like internet, satellite TV connection, channel music, public address system, running hot & cold water, shower, attached toilets, intercom, wall to wall carpeting, laundry service, separate safe and uniformed Khidmatgars.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” score more points in terms of facilities and features, except two kitchen cars cum restaurants (Mayur Mahal and Rang Mahal), bar with varied wines, full-fledged library and all modern-day facilities like internet, porters, butlers, electricity, telephone calls, bed and bath Linen, hot water, safe, hair dryers etc.
Maharaja Express has pneumatic suspension system for sound sleep, RFID door locks, fire alarms, CCTV cameras in public areas, on board water filtration plant, Maharajas transport, guides, Lounge, Observation Car and Treasure Chest and last but not least drinks in Swarovski Crystal and the food in gold plated cutlery is truly be a best royal experience.
Explore: Why choosing a luxury train for traveling is the convenient one in India?
6. Highlights
“Palace on wheel” don’t take it guests to several historical as well as cultural monuments, forts and palaces like Amber Fort, Chittorgarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and the beautiful Taj Mahal but its activity like camel ride in Jaisalmer deserts , boat ride on Lake Pichola, gala lunches in palaces and forts grounds, barbecue dinner amidst sand dunes, cultural shows, sound and light show, local market tour are sure to be an experience of lifetime.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” also don’t take it guests to historically and cultural important heritage sites of India but its innumerable activities like sun downer cocktails and barbecues in sand dunes, gala breakfast and lunches in palaces and forts grounds, participation in evening Aarti ritual at bathing Ghats of Ganges, cultural show, private shopping tour, puppet show, experience royalty as an audience or participant of Elephant Polo Match and much more exhilarating activities in seven tours make journey memorable.
Also Read: Feel like Royals with Luxury Trains of India
7. Awards
“Palace on Wheels” which has voted the 4th “Best Luxury Train in the World” by a global travel magazine Conde Nast, earned one more “PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award” in Heritage & Culture category. Despite this, this train also took the limelight of the world media including BBC, MTV, MDR of Germany, National Geographic and several others.
Whereas “Maharajas’ Express” which is famous for one of the most luxurious trains in the world has been recipient of so many accolades and prestigious “World Travel Award” in the category of “World’s Leading Luxury Train” for seven continuous years from 2012 to 2018 & Also a winner of seven star luxury hospitality & Lifestyle awards 2022.
View the photo gallery of Maharajas Express
So whatever you choose to explore the beauty and grandeur of “Incredible India” through luxury train is truly an experience of a lifetime and worth every penny that you spent. As “Palace on Wheels” and “Maharajas’ Express” has already started its seasonal journey (2023 - 2024), so it is advisable to book your tickets through authorized agents to escape from any problems.
For complete updated information about facilities available on board, detailed itineraries, cost of journeys, departure dates, destination details and booking, you can log on to the website, if you think I am adoring these sites without booking, so no, it was actually my personal wonderful experience, as really these sites explained me all acutely and in detail and made my trip splendid and captivating.
Also Read: Top 2 Luxury Train of India for Signature Journeys
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