What it’s like to be traveling on a luxury train travel in India, how to pick the right train/itinerary and how to get ready for the experience of a lifetime. Here’s a unique way to experience traveling in India!
India was on my list for years! I didn’t know if I was ready for it, if it would be challenging or if it would be too hard or shocking. I was prepared for the worst. More importantly, I knew I’d have a smooth transition as I was about to experience something special.
When I got an invitation from Incredible India to board the Deccan Odyssey, which is a luxury train in India, I was so happy. There I was, running like a hyperactive kid! I had finally the opportunity to visit India! I would be going on a luxury train for a week discovering Maharashtra. As there was no way I would see enough of India in a week. I was already planning to pursue this journey with my friend Raphael of Journey Wonders.
I was super glad I could take a small break from backpacking and living in Bali for a few weeks! Who would say no to luxury? Taking a luxury trip to India seemed like a great idea.
Let’s take a sneak peek of what it’s like to be traveling on a luxury train trip in India, how to pick the right train/itinerary and how to get ready for the experience of a lifetime.
Luxury Train Travels in India | Photo by @journeywonders
The Deccan Odyssey | Luxury Train Travel India
Going on a luxury train in India is a great way to travel comfortably! You basically get to see the best of a country without wasting time while you’re sleeping.
The Deccan Odyssey offers six different Indian journeys covering different destinations such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan (take a look at these Rajasthan tour packages for more inspiration) and Gujarat. If you didn’t realize it yet, India is a huge country! It can also get tricky as some destinations seem to be close to each other, but in reality, the way to get there can be pretty long! Traveling by train is a smart idea so you can avoid traffic and long bus rides.
You should know that traveling by train in India can also get challenging! There are many classes and perhaps they don’t all suit your “normal standards”. For a smoother transition, going on a trip on a luxury train could be a smart and safe alternative!
What it’s like to be on the Deccan Odyssey, Luxury Train India
Luxury Train Holidays in India | Photo by @journeywonders
I have boarded many trains in my life but I had no idea what to expect from a luxury train. I spent a few minutes looking at the Deccan Odyssey website and still I had no idea how amazing it would turn out to be!
Imagine being on a train and discovering a new destination every day. Every morning musicians and traditional experiences would be waiting to welcome you. You would get to see some of the best places in India without having to pack and unpack every day. This hassle-free luxury trip would definitely be a great experience!
The train provides different types of cabins (single, twin or double) and you have the choice between a deluxe cabin and a presidential suite (which is a lot bigger).
There are also coaches reserved for the spa, restaurants, bar, gym, etc.
All breakfasts and dinners were served on the train as well as some lunches. Of course, depending on your itinerary, this could change. Overall the food was absolutely amazing! Every day we had a different menu which was including appetizer, soup, main and desserts. There were a few options for international cuisine and also an Indian option for every meal. As I was already traveling in Asia for a while my taste buds were pretty content!
The Deccan Odyssey was one of the luxury trains in India that is worth trying out!
Maharashtra Splendor | India Off the Beaten Path Itinerary
The itinerary I was on was the Maharashtra Splendor which visits some of the best destinations of Maharashtra. It’s an 8-day journey and it also takes you to Goa for one day. This itinerary starts and ends in Mumbai.
In this article, you won’t find all the details for every destination covered by this luxury train journeys in India, but don’t worry, you’ll get all the information you need here.
Mumbai
Visiting Mumbai with Trinity Tours – Photo by @journeywonders
Nashik
Luxury Train Journeys India | Photo by @aghilmenon
Aurangabad (Ellora Caves)
Ajanta Caves
Kolhapur
Goa
Sindhudurg
You can check the other journeys available here.
Getting Ready for Your Luxury Train Tour in India
How much does it cost? Is traveling on a luxury train through India super expensive?
Of course, a luxury train means luxury! Prices start at USD$6,100 per cabin. It’s not ideal if you’re a backpacker, but if you have short holidays and you’re looking at spending your money wisely, this could be it!
All your food, non-alcoholic beverages and excursions are included in this price!
It is also recommended to leave a tip at the end of the trip, which should be around USD$150 per person.
Getting Your Tourist Visa for India
To get into India you need a tourist visa (make sure to check the requirements regarding your country). The easiest/fastest way to get it is to get an e-visa which is valid for 60 days (double entry). They do ask a lot of questions and sometimes it isn’t super clear, but if I managed. I’m sure you can too! I’d recommend you take note of the temporary visa application number as I didn’t and I had to fill the whole form twice.
India Packing List
When it comes to packing for India you should keep in mind that appropriate clothing should be light but also conservative. I personally was always wearing t-shirts, long pants or leggings and I was covering my shoulders most of the time. Of course, some places like Goa are a bit more open-minded and are used to seeing a lot of tourists so it can be different in some places. My point is that I’ve seen a lot of girls wearing very light and revealing clothes and then most of them were wondering why they were getting so much unwanted attention.
Here are a few travel packing essentials for India:
- Sarong/scarf to cover your shoulders when visiting temples
- Comfortable shoes/flip-flops
- Sunglasses
- Light and appropriate clothing
- Sunscreen
- Cap/hat
- Camera/tripod
Travel Insurance for India
To board the train it is strongly recommended to have travel insurance. You can find more information about travel insurance here.
Getting a SIM card in India
India was the most complicated place I visited in terms of SIM cards. The best and easiest way to get one is to get it directly at the airport. The reason is simple: they don’t sell SIM cards to foreigners in most places (read 98% of the places). To avoid having to provide many photocopies, addresses and contact information from a local, it’s a lot easier to get it sorted straight at the airport. (And it’s not that expensive!)
Why You Should Travel on a Luxury Train in India at Least Once in your Life
Best Luxury Train in India | Photo by @aghilmenon
It’s not every day that you get to go on a luxury trip. Going a luxury train trip in India was such a cool experience. You get to see a lot of destinations while avoiding packing/unpacking and wasting time. You’re almost constantly on the move which means that you make the most of your time abroad.
If it’s your first time in India it would be a sweet and smooth transition which helps you understand India without having to organize everything yourself! Bonus: it’s super safe!
READ MORE ABOUT INDIA
‣ Backpacking in Kerala, India | One Week in Kerala
‣ First-Time Holi Experience | Best Place to Celebrate Holi in India
‣ Ernakulam to Munnar by Bus | Backpacking in India
BEFORE YOU GO TO INDIA
☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.
☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.
☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.
☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!
☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.
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Disclaimer: Big thanks to Incredible India and the Deccan Odyssey for inviting me on this magical trip! This post may include affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a cute commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
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