Extravagant Global Train Excursions with High-End Amenities
Experience the charm of a bygone era with luxury train travel, offering a unique and exclusive way to connect multiple destinations. This opulent mode of transport provides a single check-in and check-out experience, making it an appealing option for travellers seeking a hassle-free journey.
The Royal Canadian Pacific, with its 24-metre steel carriages, acts as a moving monument of a bygone age, first deployed between 1916 and 1931. The train takes passengers on scenic routes through the wilds of Canada, including the Spiral Tunnels of the Rockies.
In India, the Deccan Odyssey, the Maharaja Express, and the Palace on Wheels offer a taste of the country's rich history and culture. The Deccan Odyssey covers a route from Delhi to Mumbai via Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, and the Ellora Caves, with cabins inspired by palace chambers and comprehensive spa facilities. The Maharaja Express, the most award-winning luxury train, features presidential suites and personal butler service, while the Palace on Wheels offers a palace-inspired design and travels through Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Agra.
The Pride of Africa train, which travels from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, is fully booked until 2027, demonstrating the growing popularity of luxury train travel. The Eastern and Oriental Express, running from Singapore to Bangkok, features a teak-floored observation car with an open side, providing breathtaking views of the landscapes.
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express ventures deep into the belly of Eurasia and the mysterious surroundings of Mongolia, offering imperial suites with underfloor heating, a small library, and two large windows. This train travels much of the Silk Road, offering a journey through history.
Service on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express begins with a complimentary bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey. The Golden Chariot, operating in India, offers packages from $5,100 to $6,500 per person, making luxury rail travel more accessible.
The appeal of luxury train travel lies in avoiding the hassle of multiple hotel check-ins and waiting through airport formalities. It offers a rare taste of exclusivity for those willing to pay for this top-end option.
The resurgence of luxury train travel is being observed worldwide, with Saudi Arabia set to launch the region's first five-star luxury train, the Dream of the Desert, in 2026. This train could offer the most luxurious surroundings ever seen on rail tracks, with 34 luxury suites for the 1,300km journey from Riyadh to Qurayyat.
India has emerged as a vibrant market for luxury train travel, with Vivek Menon of Dubai-based Deira Travel reporting a surge in Dubai residents looking to book holidays aboard luxury trains. The Dream of the Desert, if it follows the trend, could be another feather in India's cap in the world of luxury train travel.
