Here is the list of the 10 most luxurious and expensive trains in the world. Travel in a hygienic setting, along the railways.
1. Maharajas’ Express, India
Once upon a time there was India, the land of the Maharajas, a magical place of kingdoms and kings, where cultures flourished and developed side by side. That’s why we think this luxurious train couldn’t have a better name.
The Maharajas’ Express has been specially designed to give you a taste of India’s rich heritage and culture, with 5 amazing rail journeys, covering over 12 awe-inspiring destinations in North West and Central India, between October and April.
Launched in 2010, the Maharajas’ Express has already been voted “the world’s first luxury train” five times in a row, and it probably won’t stop there.
This fascinating train aims to redefine executive travel, with 23 superb cars: 14 exquisite guest cars, with a total capacity of 84 passengers, two elegant dining cars, a magnificent lounge car called the Rajah Club with a private bar , a dedicated bar car, as well as generator cars and store cars.
With prices starting at $2,910 for a cabin ticket for a trip exploring India’s treasures, and going all the way up to $23,700 for a trip exploring India’s heritage in a presidential suite, the Maharajas’ Express is the most luxurious train in the world.
2. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, Russia
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime, across the vastness of Siberia. The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express will give you arguably the greatest train journey in the world, an epic 15-day journey crossing two continents and seven different time zones!
The famous Trans-Siberian Railway runs like a ribbon of steel through mysterious Russia, crossing the Urals to connect the west, to Moscow, to the east, to Vladivostok.
You will also make a stop in Mongolia and its capital Ulaan Bataar, and you will discover many majestic sites along the way, such as the immense Lake Baikal.
In terms of service, food and accommodation, you can expect the very best aboard this luxurious train, which features a beautifully appointed bar car and lounge car , two charming dining cars and various other amenities. Prices for a trip on this luxurious train are well over $2,000 per night.
3. Royal Scotsman, Scotland
The Royal Scotsman is a magnificent train, to put it mildly. A small venue that could only accommodate 36 passengers, this amazing train will take you on an unforgettable journey through the Highlands, allowing you to see some of Scotland’s most important sights along the way, in unparalleled style and luxury five stars.
The train is also operated by Belmond – not surprisingly – and consists of ten incredible cars: two dining cars, five ceremonial cars, a crew car, a nice observation car and even a great SPA car.
Traversing landscapes of pine-covered mountains and still-reflecting lochs, The Royal Scotsman will also impress you with its world-class cuisine and thrilling excursions offered daily.
Your luxurious private cabin will make you want to stay inside all day, but the observation car, which has been converted from a Pullman kitchen wagon, and Scotland’s most unique spa, will make your totally pleasant days on board. Pricing for a trip on this lavish train starts at $2,216 per night.
4. Venice Simplon Orient Express, Europe
This train belonging to the famous luxury company LVMH, is endowed with a timeless elegance, this luxury private train usually connects London to Venice, but it also connects from time to time some of the most important destinations in Europe.
The classic London-Venice line operates once or twice a week, with stops in Paris, Zurich, Innsbruck and Verona, but a few times a year the Venice Simplon Orient Express also travels to Istanbul via Budapest and Bucharest, or to Rome, Berlin, Stockholm or Copenhagen.
Most of the cars in the VSOE date from the 1920s or 1930s, giving you an authentic and unique experience that will last six days if you choose the classic route and cost you $1,900 per night.
Also operated by Belmond Ltd, this renowned luxury train takes train travel to the next level, with lavish accommodation, incredible food, world-class service and bespoke amenities.
5. Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Operated by Belmond Ltd, a company synonymous with luxury and excellence, this beautiful train crosses Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, in a wonderful journey that lasts four days and three nights.
The Eastern & Oriental Express runs from Singapore’s Woodlands to Bangkok’s Hua Lamphon, stopping at Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and Kanchanaburi.
The luxurious train waiting for you was built in 1972 in Japan, but its interior has been modernized several times for more comfort over the years.
It includes two magnificent dining cars, two bar cars, a library car, a lounge car and a charming open-air observation car that will make your trip to Southeast Asia totally special. The full trip from Bangkok to Singapore costs around $2,690.
6. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
In case you don’t already know, Rocky Mountaineer is actually a Canadian rail company that operates on four rail lines crossing British Columbia, Alberta, and the US state of Washington.
Founded in 1990, this family business has quickly become the largest privately owned tourist train company in the world, currently serving more than 1.7 million travelers across its routes.
All Rocky Mountaineer trains are as beautiful as each other, which is why the company has won the award for the world’s best rail travel experience seven times, but you have to see them with your own eyes.
The trains only run during the day to allow passengers to see all they want and the price depends on the route, but is around $1,600 per night; a full trip can take up to 12 days.
7. Pride of Africa
We travel from Pretoria, South Africa to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania as this magical train connects all these beautiful countries, covering a total distance of around 3000km in around nine days. The Pride of Africa train service is run by a family business called Rovos Rail, established in 1989, and offers many other unique journeys in Africa.
But this luxurious train journey is by far the company’s best deal, as it crosses the beautiful African safari and gives you all the amenities to make your journey truly special, in the royal suites, dining cars or smoking lounge. . The Pride of Africa train has a capacity of 72 passengers and will cost you $2,075 per night.
8. Blue Train, South Africa
As you can see in this picture, the Blue Train is… well it’s blue. It connects two of South Africa’s most important cities, Cape Town and Pretoria, over a total distance of approximately 1,600 km.
It is also one of the most luxurious trains in the world, with butler service, two charming lounge cars (one for smokers, the other for non-smokers), an observation car, as well as fully carpeted soundproof compartments, with your own bathroom.
Interior of the Blue Train : Overall, the services offered by the Blue Train are comparable to those of a five-star hotel. The full trip from Cape Town to Pretoria takes 27 hours and will cost you around $1,217 per night. This luxury train is apparently capable of accommodating either 52 people or 80 people.
9. Palace on Wheels, India
This famous Indian train service was revived in 2009 after a major refurbishment, with new decor, a slightly different route and a fine dining experience. The train that awaits you is made up of 23 superb carriages that can accommodate up to 104 people.
Each of these carriages is named after a former Rajput state, and all four cabins come with luxurious amenities and even Wi-Fi.
Inside the Palace on Wheels: The lounges are more than breathtaking, showcasing the cultural aesthetic of each state, through furniture, paintings and decorative elements, which were designed by renowned interior designer Monica Khanna.
The Palace on Wheels has two lovely restaurants, a bar with a lounge, and even a spa, so there’s plenty to do on board. The trip lasts eight days and seven nights and departs from New Delhi to cross the country before returning to the capital. The price of the whole trip, with all the luxury, is 5,390 dollars.
10. Indian Pacific, Australia
This iconic passenger rail service runs from Sydney on the Pacific Ocean across Australia to Perth on the Indian Ocean, making it one of the few transcontinental trains in the world, and covers an incredible total distance of 4,352 km.
The Indian Pacific train made its first trip in 1970 and has never stopped running since, using the longest stretch of straight line railway in the world at 478 km.
Interior of the Indian Pacific: If you go all the way, a trip from Sydney to Perth takes exactly 65 hours, but there are four classes to choose from, called Red Service Day-Nighter, Sleeper, Gold Service and Platinum.
The Platinum option, introduced in 2008 as a premium class, will cost you $1,198 per night, but you’ll get in-cabin breakfast, restaurant and lounge access, and a bathroom. complete with shower, toilet and sink.
