Five Train Journeys That Redefine Luxury Travel Across the World
Experience five of the world’s most luxurious train journeys, featuring private suites, gourmet dining, and personalised service from Europe to India and Japan.
Nov 1, 2025
There are holidays where you rush from one place to another, and then there are journeys like these, where time slows down and the journey itself becomes the destination. These trains redefine luxury travel. Think intimate suites that feel like private hotel rooms, world-class dining prepared on board, personal stewards who remember how you take your coffee and views so beautiful they feel unreal. Here are five train experiences that prove there is something magical about travelling slowly.
Venice Simplon Orient Express, Europe
The Venice Simplon Orient Express is European romance brought to life. Every carriage has been restored to its 1920s glory, with polished wood, art deco accents, and soft lighting that feels straight out of a classic film. Dinner is a multi-course ritual served on fine china while a pianist plays in the bar car and a personal steward takes care of every detail. Journeys between cities like Paris, Venice, and Vienna start around USD 5,100 (about ₹4.25 lakh), and Grand Suites can cross USD 10,000 (₹8.5 lakh and above), turning a simple train ride into an unforgettable chapter of your life.
Maharajas Express, India
The Maharajas Express is India’s most extravagant train, and it truly lives up to its name. The moment you step on board, you are greeted by interiors inspired by royal palaces, silk-lined suites, personalised dining, and a dedicated butler. The routes explore Rajasthan, allowing guests to visit forts, palaces, and royal estates with private access. Pricing can go up to USD 26,000 (around ₹21.7 lakh) per person, placing it among the world’s most premium rail journeys.
Golden Eagle Trans Siberian, Russia and Central Asia
The Golden Eagle takes one of the longest rail routes on the planet and transforms it into a luxurious expedition. Guests enjoy en suite cabins, a beautiful lounge car where evenings end with champagne and stories, and a dining experience that evolves with the regions the train passes through. The Imperial Suite comes with a king-sized bed, heated floors, and private lounge seating. Journeys start around USD 17,500 (approximately ₹14.6 lakh) for an eleven-day adventure.
Train Suite Shiki Shima, Japan
The Train Suite Shiki Shima is refined, minimal, and incredibly serene, almost like staying in a contemporary ryokan that just happens to move. Suites use natural materials like cypress and textured washi paper, and the panoramic windows turn the passing scenery into a living artwork. Some suites even feature Japanese-inspired tatami lounge spaces. Prices begin around USD 4,900 (roughly ₹4.1 lakh) for shorter routes across eastern Japan.
Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland
The Belmond Royal Scotsman feels like a private country house that travels through the Scottish Highlands. Cabins are clad in warm mahogany, menus celebrate local produce, and evenings are reserved for whisky tastings or stargazing from the open-air observation deck. With only around 40 guests on board, the experience feels personal and incredibly exclusive. Prices start at about USD 7,825 (around ₹6.5 lakh) per person, and the train even includes a dedicated spa carriage where guests can book massages while the landscape rolls by.
These trains remind us that true luxury is not about distance covered or speed. It is about presence. It is the quiet joy of sipping a drink as the world passes by your window, the pleasure of a perfectly cooked meal enjoyed without hurry, and the thrill of waking up somewhere new without ever touching an airport. Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys are the ones that ask you to slow down.