How Much Does Maharaja Express Cost?

Published on October 9, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

India’s flagship luxury train, the Maharajas’ Express, is run for IRCTC and operates four routes across North and Central India during the cooler months, with cabins that feel more like boutique hotel rooms than rail berths, and prices that reflect the all-inclusive positioning.

Packages vary by route. The operator publishes per-person, double-occupancy fares in both USD and INR, and agents mirror those rates along with rules on GST, holiday surcharges, and cancellation. You will see typical price bands for 3–4 night and 6–7-night journeys, plus what “all-inclusive” actually includes so you can budget accurately. Check the published fares to match your dates and cabin type.

Article Insights

• Deluxe Cabin entries are $4,900 for 3 nights and $7,800–$8,200 for 6–7 nights in 2025–2026.
• Junior Suite is $5,300 on 3 nights and $10,000–$10,400 on 6–7 nights.
• Suites price at $8,000 on 3 nights and $14,500 on weeklong routes.
• Presidential Suite stands at $13,600 for 3 nights and $25,000 for 6–7 nights.
• GST is extra, commonly 5%, and festive weeks may add $500 per person, as many agent pages note.
• XE’s mid-market table shows 1 USD ≈ ₹88.74 as of Sep 24, 2025 for quick conversions.

How Much Does Maharaja Express Cost?

Maharaja Express cost starts from $4,900 for a 3-night Deluxe Cabin up to $25,500 for 6–7 nights per person for a Presidential Suite.

Fares for the 2025–2026 season start at $4,900 per person for the 3-night Treasures of India in a Deluxe Cabin, rising to $7,800–$8,200 for the 6-night Indian Panorama or Heritage of India in the same cabin, with Junior Suites at $10,000–$10,400, Suites at $14,500, and the Presidential Suite at $25,000 per person on peak routes. Single supplements apply and are substantial on higher categories.

Indian-rupee tariffs are published alongside USD. Mid-market exchange rates move, so convert with a current source when planning. As of September 24, 2025, 1 USD ≈ ₹88.74 on XE’s table, which is useful for back-of-the-envelope checks when a quote is issued in INR.

The base fare is per person on twin sharing. Solo travelers pay the listed single-supplement for their chosen cabin, and festive departures can carry a $500 per-person supplement labeled “Signature Journey” or “holiday” on many agent pages. GST is extra on top of the fare.

2025–2026 published fares (USD, per person, twin share)

For a 7-day, 6-night journey such as “The Indian Splendour,” ticket prices for foreign passport holders start at around $7,800 per person for a Deluxe Cabin. Prices increase for upgraded cabin types, with Junior Suites costing approximately $10,000, Suites priced at about $14,500, and the opulent Presidential Suite upwards of $25,000. Single supplements to use a cabin alone range from roughly $5,900 to $25,000 depending on the room class. See rates from Orient Rail Journeys and Travelogy India.

Other notable itineraries such as “The Heritage of India” and “The Indian Panorama,” both 7-day, 6-night journeys covering over 2,700 kilometers, have similar pricing with slight variations reflecting differences in route and experiences. Shorter trips, like the 4-day, 3-night “The Treasures of India,” have lower prices starting around $4,900 for a Deluxe Cabin to about $13,600 for the Presidential Suite. Browse the official price list or this additional fare page for date-by-date clarity.

Pricing is subject to seasonal fluctuations and currency exchange rates, as well as availability, with early bookings recommended for best pricing and cabin selection. Guests enjoy lavish amenities, including personalized butler service, gourmet cuisine, and access to exclusive off-train experiences. You can also cross-check the current tariff before you lock flights and hotels.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Example A, short route, shoulder date. Two adults take Treasures of India in a Deluxe Cabin at $4,900 each. Add 5% GST on the fare where applicable and a possible $500 holiday supplement per person if your departure falls on Christmas or New Year weeks. Your rail total lands near $10,290–$11,290 for the couple before incidentals.

Example B, weeklong Rajasthan circuit, Junior Suite, peak season. Two adults book Indian Panorama at $10,000 each. If a festive supplement of $500 is triggered, your couple fare is $21,000 before GST. Using the XE mid-market for a cross-check, that’s about ₹18.6 lakh for the pair as of late September 2025. Seats sell out fast.

Also read our articles about the cost of traveling on the Rocky Mountaineer, California Zephyr, or Napa Valley Wine Train.

Example C, Presidential Suite splurge. A single traveler on Heritage of India pays the listed Presidential rate ($25,000) and the same figure as single supplement in 2025–2026. With GST and any holiday supplement layered on top, the final rail bill can clear $26,250–$27,000+ before extras and flights.

Example D, family of three. If two adults share a Junior Suite and add an extra bed where allowed or book a second cabin, expect pricing to follow the adult per-person fares with child policies from the operator. Agents publish child rules, and the booking team will quote precisely based on age and cabin layout. For terms, review the conditions page.

Cost Breakdown

What your fare covers: accommodation in a private cabin with en-suite bathroom, all onboard meals, soft drinks, and house brands of Indian wines, beer, and spirits, guided off-train excursions with entrance fees and transport, butler service, and station porterage. These inclusions are consistent across routes, as outlined in the train’s inclusions list.

What is extra: GST on the fare, premium alcoholic beverages beyond house brands, laundry, telephone or Wi-Fi where available, some optional tours, and gratuities. The train, and several agents, present gratuities as discretionary, with suggestions often shared during or before the journey.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Seasonality shifts pricing and availability. October through March is peak for North India weather and festival calendars, so fares tend to be at their rack levels and supplements or limited-time specials are rarer. Shoulder dates at the fringes of the season can carry more flexibility.

Route prestige and cabin mix matter. Itineraries that include the Taj, Jaipur, Ranthambore and Udaipur are in heavy demand, pushing Deluxe Cabin entries into the $7,800–$8,200 band for weeklong journeys, while the 3-night program is the entry point under $5,500. Suites add space and lounge areas at a consistent $14,500 band across 6-night routes.

Alternative Products or Services

If you want a luxury train at a lower headline rate, Golden Chariot in South India publishes $3,160 for a 3-night Glimpses of Karnataka and $4,740–$5,000 for 5-night routes, with single supplements published and GST extra. Journeys run through Karnataka with Goa extensions.

Deccan Odyssey, positioned as a premier West-India product, lists per-cabin pricing that works out to $13,300 for a Deluxe Cabin on twin share and $20,000 for a Presidential Suite for 7 nights, plus 5% GST. Comparing inclusions and routing helps determine value relative to Maharajas’ Express.

Ways to Spend Less

Book shoulder dates that avoid major festivals and Western holiday periods. Many agents also publish occasional stay-pay or value-add promotions, though the core USD fares tend to be stable in peak months. Watching departure calendars early can unlock the route you want at the base rate.

Choose a Deluxe Cabin rather than a suite, then spend on private touring in one or two cities. Deluxe often delivers the same core dining and excursion program at thousands less than a suite, especially on 6–7-night runs. Bundle pre or post hotels and airport transfers with an agent if they can improve total value.

Expert Insights & Tips

IRCTC highlights the four set itineraries, all with guided excursions. First-timers who want the Taj plus Rajasthan classics often pick Indian Panorama or Indian Splendour, while repeat visitors might choose Heritage of India for more spread. Read the day-by-day on the IRCTC tourism site to match your pace and interests.

Onboard norms are smart casual, with dressier evenings optional, and cabin location can help motion-sensitive guests. Tipping is discretionary, and several experienced sellers suggest a pooled envelope at journey’s end, commonly around $125–$250 per guest for a full week, though practices vary. For a flavor of the experience, browse the train profile at Luxury Train Club.

Total Cost of Ownership

Door-to-door budgets for U.S. travelers should add Indian e-visa fees, round-trip international flights to Delhi or Mumbai, pre or post hotels, airport transfers, and discretionary shopping. The rail ticket will dominate the bill, yet the small adds can move the total by several hundred dollars. See general planning info on IRCTC.

Use live INR-USD conversion when paying balances in rupees and note that mid-market rates differ from card processor rates. If you see a USD quote and an INR figure on the same pro forma, ask which one will be charged and how GST is itemized on the final invoice as of your payment date.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Holiday supplements are real, usually $500 per person on select departures, and they stack on top of the published fare. Optional experiences, like premium temples at night or specialty dining off train, can be offered at extra cost and are settled onboard or with the agent.

Laundry, premium bar brands, satellite phone or data where provided, and camera fees at monuments are not part of the base package on most quotes. If you want to avoid surprises, ask your seller to list inclusions, exclusions, and known surcharges in writing.

Warranty, Support & Insurance Costs

Trip-cancellation and interruption insurance is wise for non-refundable luxury rail fares. Many agents point out that once you are within 45–60 days of departure, cancellation penalties accelerate, so insure deposits and balances accordingly and keep medical and evacuation cover active. Review the operator’s terms and conditions.

Financing & Payment Options

Booking policies typically require either full payment close in, or a deposit well ahead of departure. One IRCTC-affiliated PSA-IA agent publishes 25% at booking 90 days out with the balance due 75 days out, and full payment if you are inside 59 days. Bank fees and FX differences are on the traveler.

Credit cards are widely accepted by agents and onboard with surcharges at times. If you want to use card points for pre/post hotels, book those separately so the rail invoice stays clean with base fare, GST, any holiday supplement, and optional tours line-itemed. Check onboard amenities and policies via the facilities page.

Seasonal & Market-Timing Factors

Weather shapes comfort and demand. October through March is cool and dry on most routes, so plan earlier and expect fewer promotions. April and September fringes can be warmer with more fluid availability. Stick to your preferred season, then pick the route.

Market dynamics across India’s luxury trains also matter. Competing products like Palace on Wheels and Golden Chariot publish their own tariffs and run weekly departures, which can nudge booking patterns, especially for guests flexible on region or looking for shorter runs.

Answers to Common Questions

What is the typical per-night price by cabin type?

On weeklong routes the Deluxe Cabin averages about $1,100–$1,200 per night, Junior Suite about $1,500, Suite about $2,000, and the Presidential Suite about $3,500–$4,000 per night based on the published totals. Check your exact departure for any holiday supplement.

Are beverages and excursions included in the ticket price?

Yes, onboard meals, soft drinks, and house brands of Indian wines, beer, and spirits are included, as are guided excursions with monument entry fees and transport. Premium brands and some optional activities are extra.

How big are single supplements, and can they be reduced?

Supplements are published per itinerary and cabin, often several thousand dollars on suites. Solo travelers can sometimes trim the bill by switching to Deluxe Cabin dates with better availability or by working with an agent during shoulder weeks.

What is the best season-to-value ratio?

Edges of the operating season tend to have more flexibility, while October to March commands the highest demand and few specials. Compare the four set routes against your must-see list, then weigh weather and crowd levels.

How flexible are cancellation and refund policies?

Expect steep penalties close to departure. A PSA-IA agent publishes a scale of 25% at 60+ days, 50% at 45–59 days, and 100% inside 44 days for FIT bookings, with different rules for groups. Always confirm on your invoice.