Most Luxurious Train: Where to Find the World’s Ultimate Rail Journey
May, 10 2025
If you just think trains are good for daily commutes or slow trips across the countryside, you haven’t seen how some folks travel by rail. The most luxurious trains in the world don’t just get you from A to B—they turn the journey itself into something wild and out of reach for most people. I've got a son who’s obsessed with trains (thanks, Thaddeus), and honestly, some of these rides are so over-the-top that even he’d give up cartoons to hop aboard.
So what’s the deal with luxury trains? Picture butlers, five-star chefs, and private suites with showers that put some hotels to shame. Some carriages are more like rolling palaces than anything else. If you’re chasing the absolute pinnacle of train luxury, you won’t find it in Europe, the U.S., or even Japan’s bullet trains—it’s hiding somewhere a little less obvious, and the level of service is almost ridiculous.
But where exactly is this ultimate luxury train…and what makes it so famous? Let’s cut through the travel brochure fluff. If you want bragging rights for riding the world’s most over-the-top train, you need to know where to look, what to expect, and how to avoid little mistakes people usually make when booking this kind of journey. This isn’t your regular train trip—think exclusive menus, insane wine lists, suites with actual bathtubs, and stops at places most travelers never see.
- What Counts as Luxurious on a Train?
- The World's Most Luxurious Train Unveiled
- Mind-Blowing Features You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
- Famous Routes and Experiences
- What It Really Costs (and How to Book)
- Tips for Making the Most of Your Ride
What Counts as Luxurious on a Train?
So, what really sets a run-of-the-mill train apart from the ones you see in travel magazines? It’s not just velvet seats or a nice dinner cart. On the world’s most luxurious train rides, almost every detail feels custom built to make you forget you’re rolling down a track at all.
The basics for luxury start with space. Most trains cram as many seats as they can into cars, but high-end trains flip that on its head. You're looking at cabins the size of small hotel rooms, sometimes even split-level suites with living rooms, private bathrooms, and real beds. Some let you shut the door and soak in a full-on bathtub while the landscape rolls by. That is nothing like squeezing past strangers just to look for the washroom.
Food is another biggie. Instead of a microwave meal, think full-course dinners cooked onboard by chefs who earned their stripes in famous restaurants. Menus change daily, and top-tier trains serve ingredients that are fresh, local, and sometimes wild—like truffle-stuffed chicken or caviar with vodka pairings. There’s always a bar stocked with rare whiskies and wines you can’t find at your neighborhood shop.
Staffing is on another level. You’ll see more crew per guest than you do at some fancy resorts. Butlers are around to press your shirt before dinner, polish your shoes, or just bring your coffee exactly the way you like it without asking twice.
Let’s put this in perspective. Here’s how some luxury trains stack up compared to standard trains:
| Feature | Standard Train | Luxury Train |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Size | 6-9 sq. meters | Up to 35 sq. meters |
| Private Bathroom | Usually Shared | Yes, Often with Bathtub |
| Crew-to-Guest Ratio | 1:30+ | As low as 1:4 |
| Dining | Pre-packaged snacks | Gourmet multi-course meals |
| Extras | None | Spa, Private Tours, Bars |
And a quick checklist for what to look for when you’re sizing up a luxury train experience:
- Private suites (not just first class seats)
- Personal butler or dedicated attendant
- Onboard fine dining and open bar
- High-end bedding and bathroom amenities
- Exclusive off-train experiences (safaris, tours, etc.)
If a train hits all these marks, you’re not just traveling—you’re getting the good stuff, and you’ll feel it every step of the way.
The World's Most Luxurious Train Unveiled
If you want the title of the world's most luxurious train, you have to look at the Maharajas' Express in India. It’s not just travel—it’s a head-spinning mix of history, personal service, and jaw-dropping comfort, rolled into a moving five-star hotel. This train has stolen awards for years, including “World’s Leading Luxury Train” at the World Travel Awards for seven years straight.
Here’s what puts the Maharajas' Express on another level. This train has 23 carriages that include presidential suites (yep, entire double bed bedrooms, living room, and private bathroom type of fancy), but also deluxe cabins and junior suites. The attention to detail shows up in everything from the polished wooden interiors to the full-size bathtubs in some cabins. You even get a personal valet, which basically means someone is always ready to help you out—any time, day or night.
Let’s look at the jaw-dropping amenities:
- Two restaurants with changing gourmet menus (think lobster one night, authentic Indian the next).
- Dedicated bar and lounge car with top-shelf spirits.
- Multiple cabins with attached private bathrooms (some have tubs, not just showers).
- Full-time butler service in all classes—not just the fanciest suites.
- Wi-Fi (surprisingly strong, despite traveling through rural landscapes).
The train runs several classic routes, but its top-tier "Heritage of India" and "The Indian Panorama" journeys stretch over eight days and seven nights, covering wonders like the Taj Mahal and opulent palaces of Rajasthan. No wonder the price can reach up to $20,000 per person for a Presidential Suite on a week-long trip.
For some context, here’s a quick table comparing Maharajas’ Express to two other contenders—The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe) and the Seven Stars in Kyushu (Japan):
| Train | Country | Max Price (Suite, 7 days) | No. of Cars | Private Butler? | Signature Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharajas' Express | India | $20,000 | 23 | Yes | Presidential Suite, full-size bathtubs, all-inclusive |
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Europe | $16,000 | 17 | Yes | Iconic Art Deco, historic routes |
| Seven Stars in Kyushu | Japan | $12,000 | 7 | Yes | Handcrafted suites, stunning landscapes |
So yeah—the Maharajas’ Express doesn’t just win on price or bling, but on that full package of exclusive comfort, personal service, and wild routes. If you ever land a ticket, you’re getting possibly the finest—and most unforgettable—train ride out there.
Mind-Blowing Features You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
We’re talking about a train experience where the perks hit just shy of ridiculous. The Eastern & Oriental Express, the Maharajas’ Express, and Japan’s Seven Stars all make headlines, but it’s the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that takes the cake for next-level rail luxury today—no contest. Think private cabins that look like something out of a 1920s movie, and you’re only halfway there.
Let’s get into the crazy details you’ll only find on luxury train journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express:
- Suites with Personal Stewards: Forget making your own bed. Your steward (in a tuxedo, no less) handles everything. Need a midnight snack? Done. Want a bubble bath drawn? No problem.
- Michelin-Level Dining: Every meal is made to order by actual Michelin-starred chefs. The dinner menu changes with each country the train passes through. And yes, you’ll eat caviar—served on monogrammed plates.
- Bar Car That Never Sleeps: This isn’t your average snack trolley. There’s a full cocktail menu, live piano, and bartenders who mix drinks better than some five-star hotels.
- Vintage Cabins with Modern Perks: Think of real crystal, Art Deco fittings, yet behind the scenes there’s WiFi and climate control. It’s old school meets new school, and it works.
- Spa Treatments On Board: On some routes, you can book a massage or facial without leaving your carriage. You won’t see this on regular trains—or even most luxury hotels on tracks.
Check out these numbers: the world record for cabins with private marble bathrooms on a train belongs to the Maharajas’ Express—20 suites, all with showers. The average price per night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a whopping $3,000 (and that’s for a standard cabin, not even a suite!).
| Feature | Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Maharajas’ Express | Seven Stars (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Suites with Bath | Yes (2023 update: Grand Suites have full baths) | All 20 suites | 14 suites (showers) |
| Michelin-Star Chef Menus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Full Bar with Live Music | Yes | Yes (themed nights) | Yes (lounge car) |
| Spa/Massage On Board | Not standard, but available on some charters | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Steward/Butler 24-7 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The nostalgia is real, but the tech is sneaky. These trains hide climate controls, heated floors, and even windows treated to prevent glare—stuff you won’t spot unless you geek out on details. CNN Travel nailed it when they said:
“A night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express isn’t just a journey—it’s an experience that rewrites what you think is possible on rails.”
For families or couples, ask if your suite can open into the one next door. A lot of people miss out on this easy upgrade because they don’t ask at booking. If you’re ever going to splurge on a sleeping car, you might as well do it somewhere you get your own bathtub and butler. That’s not easy to beat.
Famous Routes and Experiences
When it comes to wow-factor, some routes just blow the others out of the water. If you want the ultimate experience of riding the most luxurious train, you have to look at what journeys they actually cover—and let’s just say, you’re not just shuttling between cities. These trips are all about once-in-a-lifetime views and exclusive experiences you can’t replicate with a plane ticket.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) keeps popping up for good reason. Its classic route from London to Venice is a crowd-pleaser, but folks also rave about special journeys to Istanbul, Paris, and Vienna. Each one has that old-school glamour—the kind of stuff you see in movies, but real. Passengers chow down on caviar, enjoy pianists in the bar car, and pull into train stations that look like they’ve jumped out of the pages of history books.
Then you’ve got the Maharajas’ Express in India, which feels like a palace on wheels. The signature "Heritage of India" route takes you from Mumbai to Delhi, stopping at places like Udaipur and Jaipur. You’re not just staring out windows—you hop off for private tours to the Taj Mahal, ride elephants, and dine in old forts. It’s a total experience, and there’s even butler service that will probably ruin regular travel for you forever.
A couple of other big players? The Eastern & Oriental Express runs between Bangkok and Singapore, rolling past rice fields, temples, and the River Kwai—tours and gourmet meals are just the start. The Royal Scotsman brings Scotland’s Highlands to your window with stops at castles, whisky tastings, and private salmon fishing (fancy, but actually fun). Last but not least, South Africa’s Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town mixes Big Five safaris with champagne breakfasts.
To compare just how far these luxury trains go, here’s a handy table. The blockbusters cover huge distances, cross borders, and hit famous attractions—sometimes in under a week:
| Train | Main Route | Distance (km) | Signature Experiences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | London – Venice | ~1,600 | Fine dining, bar cars, art deco cars, Paris stop |
| Maharajas’ Express | Mumbai – Delhi | ~2,500 | Taj Mahal, palaces, onboard butlers, cultural tours |
| Eastern & Oriental Express | Bangkok – Singapore | ~2,030 | River Kwai, on-board spa, guided excursions |
| Royal Scotsman | Edinburgh – Highlands | ~1,000 | Castles, whisky tasting, outdoor activities |
| Rovos Rail | Pretoria – Cape Town | ~1,600 | Safari stops, historic hotels, luxury suites |
Best part? These trips are usually all-inclusive: meals, drinks, excursions, and even little surprises like bedroom gifts. If you want to live it up and come home with stories nobody else can match, picking any of these famous routes is a solid bet.
What It Really Costs (and How to Book)
The thing about splurging on the luxury train experience? It’s never cheap, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal. People want bragging rights and unforgettable memories—and the price tag makes sure you’re getting both.
Let’s cut to the chase: for the world’s most luxurious ride, the Maharajas’ Express in India often comes up as the top dog. Prices for the Presidential Suite on a week-long journey can hit $23,700 per person (yep, you read that right). Even entry-level cabins start from around $3,500 for shorter trips. The famed Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe is also up there, ringing in at $7,000+ per person for a classic London to Venice run in a Suite. Want to upgrade to the jaw-dropping Grand Suite? That'll be over $19,000 for just a couple of nights. Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu is the hardest to book, with tickets going from $4,000 to over $14,000 per person for four-day itineraries—and often booked out by lottery.
| Train | Duration | Starting Price (USD) | Top Suite Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharajas’ Express | 7 days | $3,500 | $23,700 |
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | 2 days | $7,000 | $19,000 |
| Seven Stars in Kyushu | 4 days | $4,000 | $14,000 |
The prices cover pretty much everything: food, drinks, guided excursions, and bump-free transfers. Tips and extra alcohol—not always included—can add a bit to the final cost, so check before you splurge on that second bottle of vintage bubbly.
Now, booking… It definitely pays to be early. Trains like the Maharajas' and Seven Stars in Kyushu get snatched up months (sometimes years!) ahead. Here's how it works:
- Go Direct: Check the official train website for dates and routes. If you see your chosen date is sold out, don’t give up—waiting lists open up, and last-minute cancellations do happen.
- Use a Specialist Agent: High-end travel agents have the inside track. They know about schedules, waiting lists, upgrades, and secret deals. Plus, they’ll handle all the paperwork and local red tape.
- Lottery or Ballot Systems: Especially in Japan, demand massively outpaces supply. You put your name down for the dates you want, and if you’re lucky, you score a ticket a few months ahead of departure.
- Check Cancellation Policies: Plans can change. Some trains let you rebook or get a refund minus a fee if you can’t make it.
Booking tip: Try to travel at the start or end of the season. The scenery’s still great, but prices may dip a bit and availability goes up. And never underestimate the power of calling the booking office; sometimes a real human can pull strings a website just can’t.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Ride
If you’re dropping serious cash on the luxury train experience, you want to get every bit of value (and bragging rights) you can. These aren’t everyday trips, so the small details matter—and a little prep goes a long way.
- Book Early and Double-Check the Carriages: Most top-tier trains like the Maharajas' Express or the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express sell out months ahead, especially for top suites. Pick your cabin carefully—on some trains, the best views are only on one side.
- Hit Every Onboard Experience: Don’t just hang out in your suite. Some trains offer wine tastings, cooking demos with celebrity chefs, or special themed dinners. Check the daily schedule and set reminders on your phone.
- Dress for Dinner (But Stay Comfortable): A lot of luxury trains expect you to dress up for dinner. It’s less about being fancy and more about tradition. A blazer or nice dress goes a long way, but don’t bring your stiffest shoes—those train corridors are narrow and the ride can rock.
- Don’t Sleep Through the Best Parts: Some train routes pass by wild scenery you can’t get from a regular road trip. Ask staff when the highlights are coming up and have your camera ready. On the Belmond Royal Scotsman, the highlands look unreal at sunrise.
- Chat Up the Staff: Some of the best stories and tips come from the folks actually working the train. They know hidden details about every stop, and sometimes you even get a secret snack or drink just for showing interest.
- Try Everything On the Menu: The good ones always rotate dishes and drinks—don’t just play it safe. On the Eastern & Oriental Express, for example, they rotate dishes daily and source local favorites as you cross country borders.
Check this cheat sheet before you board so you’re ready for anything:
| Prep Step | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Confirm your cabin and dietary preferences | Some need days to prepare special meals |
| Arrive an hour early | No-stress check-in plus welcome drinks |
| Bring layered clothing | Train AC can swing from toasty to freezing |
| Download the train’s daily schedule | Activities and scenic timings shift last minute |
| Tip in local currency | Staff really appreciate small cash thank-yous |
It’s easy to get caught up in just snapping photos or posting to social, but don’t—the best moments show up when you’re just soaking it all in. Remember, this is a trip most people only dream about. Make it count.