Palace on Wheels Train
Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage tourist train jointly operated by Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation since 1982, offering 7-night/8-day all-inclusive rail tours through Rajasthan for affluent domestic and international travelers via authorized agent Travelogy India.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersGhaziabad, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Palace on Wheels Train does
Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage tourist train operating in India since 26 January 1982, jointly operated by Indian Railways (a Government of India enterprise) and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). It offers a single core product — a 7-night/8-day all-inclusive rail journey covering approximately 2,411 kilometers across Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. The train consists of 14 saloons, each named and themed after ancient princely states of India, and accommodates 82–86 passengers per departure. It is consistently ranked the No. 4 Luxury Train in the World and has won multiple industry awards including the 2018 PATWA Tourist Train of the Year and a PATA Gold Award.
The core offering is an all-inclusive packaged experience priced between USD 6,048 and USD 24,570 per passenger depending on cabin tier (Presidential Suite, Super Deluxe, Single/Double Occupancy) and season (Peak October–March, Lean April and September). The fare covers accommodation, meals from two restaurants with eight rotating menus, sightseeing tours, monument entrance fees, and curated activities including a camel ride at Jaisalmer, jeep safari at Ranthambore, boat ride at Udaipur, and rickshaw ride at Bharatpur. Onboard amenities include centrally air-conditioned cabins maintained at 22°C, electronic lockers, en-suite bathrooms, 110/230V power, butler service, a bar, library, lounge, and spa with certified professionals. Secondary revenue comes from premium add-ons such as alcohol, spa treatments, laundry, telephone calls, video camera fees, and business car facilities.
Distribution is centralized through Travelogy India Pvt. Ltd., the authorized sales agent operating out of Ghaziabad (Delhi NCR), which manages bookings via palaceonwheelsindia.org, email, WhatsApp, and phone. The train operates weekly on Wednesdays from September to April, targeting affluent domestic travelers and international luxury tourists seeking heritage experiences in Rajasthan. Marketing is conducted through the official website, blog content on destinations, and direct contact channels. The business is a public-private partnership between Indian Railways and RTDC, with Travelogy India as the commercial agent; no venture or private equity funding has been disclosed.
Palace on Wheels Train firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Palace on Wheels Train
- Legal name
- Travelogy India Pvt. Ltd.
- Website
- https://palaceonwheelsindia.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage tourist train jointly operated by Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation since 1982, offering 7-night/8-day all-inclusive rail tours through Rajasthan for affluent domestic and international travelers via authorized agent Travelogy India.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Palace on Wheels Train industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Rail Tourism
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Tour Operators (561520)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tourist/Scenic/Heritage Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Rail Journey Package Tour Operators (THAKADAN), Tourist/Heritage Regional Rail (Commuter-Adjacent) Services (THAIACAJ)
Keywords
Where Palace on Wheels Train is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ghaziabad
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Palace on Wheels Train business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Luxury Train Journey Tickets: Primary revenue from selling tickets for the 7 nights/8 days luxury train journey covering destinations in Rajasthan and North India including Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. Pricing varies by cabin type (Presidential Suite, Super Deluxe, Single/Double Occupancy) and season (Peak October-March, Lean April/September).
- Premium Add-on Services: Additional charges for optional services including alcohol and beverages, spa treatments, laundry/dry cleaning services, telephone calls, video camera fees at monuments, and business car facilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Presidential Suite - Per Cabin |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Super Deluxe - Per Cabin |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Single Occupancy Deluxe Cabin - Per Passenger |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Double Occupancy Deluxe Cabin - Per Passenger |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Palace on Wheels Train product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage tourist train jointly operated by Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation since 1982, offering an all-inclusive 7-night/8-day journey across approximately 2,411 km through Rajasthan and North India. The service provides accommodation in 14 royal-themed coaches, gourmet dining, onboard bar, spa, guided sightseeing at UNESCO World Heritage sites, and curated activities including camel rides, Jeep safaris, boat rides, and rickshaw rides. Tickets are sold directly to consumers through the official website and authorized sales agent Travelogy India Pvt. Ltd.
Product overview
Palace on Wheels is a single luxury tourist train product offering an 8-day, 7-night heritage rail experience through Rajasthan and North India. The comprehensive tour package includes sleeping cabins (Presidential Suite, Super Deluxe, Single/Double Occupancy), fine dining restaurants, onboard bar, spa services, and guided sightseeing at destinations including Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. The train has 14 coaches named after princely states and accommodates up to 82-86 passengers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Palace on Wheels Train Tour An all-inclusive 7-night/8-day luxury heritage train journey covering approximately 2,411 km across Rajasthan and North India, with stops in Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra. The package includes royal-themed cabin accommodation across 14 individually themed coaches, gourmet multi-cuisine dining (Chinese, American, Continental, and Rajasthani with eight rotating menus), bar service, lounge, spa, guided sightseeing tours, entrance fees to palaces and monuments, camel ride at Jaisalmer, Jeep safari at Ranthambore, boat ride at Udaipur, rickshaw ride at Bharatpur bird sanctuary, and onboard butler service. The train operates every Wednesday from September to April, accommodating up to 82-86 guests. Designed for luxury international tourists and affluent domestic travelers seeking premium heritage tourism experiences in India.
Companies that use Palace on Wheels Train
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Palace on Wheels Train technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Palace on Wheels Train partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Indian RailwayscoreIndian Railways operates the Palace on Wheels train in partnership with Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. The train was introduced in 1982 by Indian Railways to promote luxury tourism in India, specifically showcasing the heritage and culture of Rajasthan.
- Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC)coreRTDC partnered with Indian Railways to introduce Palace on Wheels in 1982 as a luxury tourist train to promote tourism in Rajasthan. RTDC continues to be involved in the operation and promotion of the train service.
- Travelogy India Pvt. Ltd.coreTravelogy India is the authorized and official sales agent for Palace on Wheels (RTDC), operating the official booking website and handling customer inquiries, reservations, and tour operations. Recognized member of Indian Association of Tour Operators and approved by Govt. of India Ministry of Tourism.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Palace on Wheels Train competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian luxury scenic rail operator offering multi-day all-inclusive itineraries with premium cabin tiers. Comparable in pricing model, target customer (international HNW), and scale (~80+ guests per departure).
- Deccan Odyssey: Indian luxury tourist train operated on a similar commercial structure, serving heritage destinations in Maharashtra and Goa. Competes for the same pool of luxury inbound tourists seeking rail-based heritage experiences in India.
- Rovos Rail: Privately operated South African luxury heritage train offering multi-day itineraries with vintage wood-paneled carriages. Direct peer for heritage luxury rail experiences targeting international HNW travelers.
- Eastern & Oriental Express: Belmond-operated luxury train in Southeast Asia offering similar cabin categories, dining, and bar product. Direct competitor in the Asia-Pacific luxury rail segment for international luxury travelers.
- The Blue Train (South Africa): South African luxury scenic rail service comparable in scale, all-inclusive pricing model, and 5-star onboard product. Direct peer for global luxury rail benchmarking and tourist cross-shopping.
- Royal Rajasthan on Wheels: Government-operated luxury tourist train serving Rajasthan and North India with a comparable heritage-themed product and overlapping itinerary. Closest head-to-head competitor within the same regulatory and partnership structure.
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Belmond): Iconic luxury heritage train operated by Belmond across Europe. Closest global comparable in terms of vintage carriages, premium pricing, and heritage positioning; competes for the same international HNW luxury rail traveler.
- Golden Chariot: Luxury tourist train operating in South India, offering comparable cabin categories, dining, and sightseeing inclusions. Direct competitor for the India luxury rail tourist within a different geographic circuit.
- Maharaja Express: Operated by IRCTC and RTDC, India's newest luxury tourist train covering similar Rajasthan and North India heritage destinations. Direct competitor offering more modern carriages, longer itineraries, and competing for the same HNW international and domestic luxury traveler segment.
Broad incumbents
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC): State-owned tourism and catering arm of Indian Railways that operates Maharaja Express and adjacent luxury rail products. Functions as both regulator of Indian luxury rail and direct competitor via its own luxury train brands.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Palace on Wheels Train social profiles
Digital presencePalace on Wheels Train financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Palace on Wheels Train leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Palace on Wheels Train funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Palace on Wheels Train M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Palace on Wheels Train
What does Palace on Wheels Train do?
Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage tourist train jointly operated by Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation since 1982, offering an all-inclusive 7-night/8-day journey across approximately 2,411 km through Rajasthan and North India. The service provides accommodation in 14 royal-themed coaches, gourmet dining, onboard bar, spa, guided sightseeing at UNESCO World Heritage sites, and curated activities including camel rides, Jeep safaris, boat rides, and rickshaw rides. Tickets are sold directly to consumers through the official website and authorized sales agent Travelogy India Pvt. Ltd.
Is Palace on Wheels Train a public or private company?
Palace on Wheels Train is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Palace on Wheels Train founded?
Palace on Wheels Train was founded in 1982. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Palace on Wheels Train based?
Palace on Wheels Train is headquartered in Ghaziabad, India, in the Asia region.
How does Palace on Wheels Train make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Luxury Train Journey Tickets are the primary driver. The others are premium Add-on Services.
Who are Palace on Wheels Train's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rocky Mountaineer, Deccan Odyssey, Rovos Rail, Eastern & Oriental Express, The Blue Train (South Africa), Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Belmond), Golden Chariot and Maharaja Express. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Palace on Wheels Train have an API?
No public API is recorded for Palace on Wheels Train.
What industry is Palace on Wheels Train in?
Palace on Wheels Train's product category is Luxury Rail Tourism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFADAG, Tourist/Scenic/Heritage Passenger Rail Operators, with a secondary code of THAKADAN, Rail Journey Package Tour Operators. Its NAICS code is 487 and its SIC code is 4700.