Most Expensive Train Fare: The World's Priciest Luxury Rail Journeys
Jul, 26 2025
Ever wondered just how much money you could splash on a train ticket if money was no object? Think flying first class is the height of luxury travel? Trains have quietly claimed their own slice of the decadent travel pie, with experiences so lavish they make even five-star hotels look basic. The most expensive train fares in the world aren’t just about getting from A to B—they’re a rolling palace, a playground for those who want privacy, pampering, and pleasure while the world glides by their window. The price tags are jaw-dropping, sure, but what do you actually get for all that cash?
The Reigning Champion: Maharajas’ Express and Its Pricey Fame
The Maharajas’ Express, often called India’s answer to the Orient Express, doesn’t just top lists because it’s flashy. This train has bagged awards seven years in a row for “World’s Leading Luxury Train” from the World Travel Awards, and not for nothing. A single round trip on its most extravagant itinerary, “The Indian Splendour,” can cost up to $26,000 USD per person for a week in the jaw-dropping Presidential Suite. That’s more than some folks in Auckland pay for a car. What do you get for that price? You’re whisked through Rajasthan and beyond, stopping off at wonders like the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s forts, and tiger reserves, all while sleeping in rooms that look like they belong to, well, a Maharaja. There’s a butler for every suite, two fine-dining restaurants, an onboard bar, a lounge, and an entire spa car.
Let’s get specific. The train boasts just 43 cabins that can carry up to 84 passengers, so you’re not jostling for elbow room. The Presidential Suite covers an entire carriage—bedroom, living room, bathroom, and even a private attendant. Expect marble bathrooms, handwoven carpets, and staff who seem to know what you want before you do. While the journey is—you guessed it—ridiculously scenic, it’s the train itself that steals the show for many folks.
Here’s a fun table showing the cost breakdown for 2025 as published by Indian Railways:
| Cabin Type | Price (USD, per person, 7 nights) |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Cabin | $6,120 |
| Junior Suite | $9,820 |
| Suite | $13,800 |
| Presidential Suite | $26,070 |
That’s nearly $3,700 per night in the Presidential Suite. Who needs a penthouse hotel room when you’ve got one that moves? The attention to detail here would make the Queen blush—think gold-embossed menus and 24/7 butler service. Is it worth it? That depends on whether you value rare, old-world luxury, and if you have the change to spare.
Riding the Rails of Excess: Other Contenders for Priciest Train Ride
The Maharajas’ Express isn’t the only train with a sky-high price tag. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the original European luxury train, has been running glamourous trips since the 1920s. It’s where Agatha Christie set her famous murder mystery. A three-night journey from Paris to Istanbul can set you back roughly $22,000 USD if you want the top suite—complete with an actual, proper bathtub, free-flowing champagne, and your own personal steward. This train screams vintage glamour. The restored art deco carriages make you feel like you’re living in a classic film. It’s not just about the room, though—the route through the Alps and the Balkans is straight out of a travel brochure, and the multi-course dinners are legendary (pack something fancy).
Getting away from Europe, Japan’s Train Suite Shiki-shima has been called “the hotel in the sky, but on rails.” This super-modern wonder runs just 34 passengers at a time and features futuristic suite layouts, panoramic windows, a massive lounge car, and local seasonal cuisine prepared by top chefs. Its top fares hit $11,000 USD per person for four days, according to East Japan Railway Company’s bookings published earlier this year. Trains here focus on serenity—the whole thing feels like a rolling zen garden crossed with a grand hotel. You get views of Mount Fuji, volcanic lakes, and cherry blossoms, all while not having to so much as touch your luggage.
Australia’s The Ghan, which crosses the heart of the Outback, has ultra-premium Platinum Service cabins that can cost $6,200 NZD per person for a four-day trip. What’s unique about The Ghan? Well, the train covers an insane distance—almost 3,000 km from Darwin to Adelaide. You get off-train excursions like camel rides or Aboriginal food foraging tours, and Platinum guests get double beds, ensuite bathrooms, all-inclusive fine dining, and private transfers. A Kiwi who took the Platinum journey last year told me, “It was the first time I’d ever loved jetlag—because I didn’t have any.”
In South Africa, Rovos Rail has “Pride of Africa,” where the most luxurious Royal Suites cost around $7,800 USD per person for a five-night trip from Pretoria to Cape Town. Each Royal Suite is half a carriage, with Victorian bathtubs and full-size double beds. The real flex here is in the details: actual wood-burning fireplaces and cigars after dinner, while you’re rolling past giraffes and zebras.
Spoiler alert: Many luxury trains include fares that cover everything—meals, drinks, guided tours, entertainment, even airport transfers. So, the sticker price isn’t just a ticket; it’s your total experience wrapped in velvet and vintage brass.
Why Pay So Much? The Obsession with Ultra-Luxury Train Travel
Spending tens of thousands on a train ride might sound nuts—until you look at who’s actually booking these journeys. You’ll find business moguls who want total privacy (and can’t stand airports), retirees celebrating a big milestone, and yes, even honeymooners who want that Instagrammable “we’re living our best life” shot. There’s something different about luxury trains compared to even the most exclusive resorts. On a private train, your view changes constantly. You can eat caviar while rolling past medieval castles or wild elephants instead of just staring at four hotel walls.
The best part? Nobody’s rushing you off at the next stop. Time slows down. You form friendships over dinner, swap stories with strangers, and maybe—just maybe—see scenery that you’d otherwise never have the time or patience to drive through yourself. Trains like the Maharajas’ Express or Venice Simplon-Orient-Express turn travel itself into the vacation.
According to Mark Smith, founder of The Man in Seat 61,
“There’s nothing else like a night spent in the rarefied luxury of a world-class train. It’s nostalgia and adventure all rolled into one—a reminder that travel can be as much about the journey as the destination.”That's part of the appeal—the romance of old-school travel, updated with today’s obsession for comfort and Instagram moments. When you’re spending thousands per night, you want the works, and these trains work overtime to deliver just that.
Some tips if you’re thinking about booking one of these luxury behemoths: Book very early—cabins on the best journeys can sell out more than a year ahead. Aim for shoulder season if you want more breathing room and slightly lower fares. Pack formal wear if the train is big on dress codes, and don’t be afraid to ask for special requests. These companies thrive on making passengers happy—think gluten-free kaiseki in Japan or vegan Indian feasts on the Maharajas’ Express.
Is It Worth the Splurge? Who Actually Pays—and How to Max Out the Experience
It’s easy to write off these prices as over-the-top, but a growing crowd believes the experience is genuinely worth the ticket. Luxury train journeys have exploded in popularity in the last decade according to Virtuoso, a leading global travel agency network. The secret? It’s a mashup of nostalgia, slow travel, and all-inclusive pampering. Frequent travelers—especially folks who’ve done it all—say trains offer a rare sense of escapism. Unlike cruises, where you’re trapped with thousands, trains like Shiki-shima or Rovos Rail keep things private and intimate.
If you’re lucky (or loaded) enough to consider booking, you can sometimes score discounts by booking multi-journey packages or by snapping up last-minute cancellations. First-timers should check what’s actually included. The fares often cover fine dining meals, top-shelf alcohol, sightseeing tours, airport transfers, and tips. If you have expensive tastes—think rare whiskies or spa treatments—not all extras are always free, so read the fine print. Some trains run themed journeys like wine-tasting trips or wildlife safaris, which may bump up the fare but add a layer of unforgettable experiences.
Here are a few hacks if you’re tempted:
- Sign up for the operator’s newsletter—sometimes loyal customers get pre-sale access or insider deals.
- Book through a travel advisor specializing in luxury rail, as they get perks not listed online.
- Go for a suite, not a regular cabin, if you can shoulder the cost. The differences are massive—think personal guides, your own driver at every stop, or even a private cooking class onboard.
- Don’t over-pack; most trains offer laundry and you’ll want space for souvenirs.
- Be ready to mix and mingle—some of the best stories come from fellow passengers, not just the scenery.
The most expensive train fare isn’t always about price alone—it’s about what the journey gives back. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime splurge: unforgettable sights, absolute comfort, and a fresh take on luxury you can’t get elsewhere. You’re not just buying a bed on wheels; you’re buying the thrill of being somewhere in motion, silk sheets sliding beneath you as mountains and cities drift by. If you’re the sort who loves stories more than souvenirs, and if your bank account can handle it, a luxury train ride is a ticket into travel’s golden age—one that refuses to fade out, even in 2025.