|
Train: Palace on Wheels
Train Type: First-Class
Introduction/History:
The Palace on Wheels, with its cream-colored livery, is a joint venture of Indian Railways and the state of Rajasthan’s tourism office. Starting service in 1982, it was India’s first hotel train and has been gaining in popularity ever since. We recommend booking far in advance.
There's never been a better time to visit India! "Visit India 2009" incentives include two-for-one price international air with Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. Travel from April to December 2009 to take advantage of this offer.
Accommodations
The train has 14 air-conditioned compartments with two lower beds. Curtains and bedspreads are silk. Each compartment has a private sink, toilet and shower; the compartments also have stereo speakers with a number of music programs available (and an “off” switch if you want silence), intercom and wall-to-wall carpeting. Each sleeping car has a lounge at one end. Here, breakfast and afternoon tea are served. When we were on board, we got quite attached to our very jolly breakfasts, something all of us said we would miss terribly upon returning home.
The Society's most recent travelers loved the scenery, tours, forts, palaces, train meals and the excellent on-board service. They liked the choice of meals, including Indian cuisine and rated the train very highly for cleanliness, service, value and scenery.
Dining
The restaurant cars serve Continental, Chinese and Indian cuisines. When you’re off the train touring, Indian cuisine buffets are held in magnificent hotels. Overall, the food either on board or off-train is plentiful but not memorable. On-board service is cheerful. Our recent travelers gave on-board service a 10+, the highest possible.
Lounge Cars
The bar is well-stocked and small sofas are welcoming. Drinks are additional.
Other
One way to look at this train is where it goes and what it does––and the spectacular region through which it travels. It is a great way to experience Rajasthan. A few changes––thicker towels, nicer amenities, better food––could vault this train into true luxury service. A few tweaks in the program would make passengers much happier: IRT travelers do not like organized shopping stops. They also like top-notch local guides with excellent English, not always the case on this touring train. But our most recent travelers have given the Palace on Wheels very high marks, stressing the excellent service, which means they are taking our evaluations seriously.
Journeys Available on this Train
to top
|
