https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Maharajas%27_ExpressMaharajas' Express - Revision history2026-07-31T07:15:24ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Maharajas%27_Express&diff=148956&oldid=prev2409:4063:4089:4F09:79D8:C268:47EA:6822 at 18:02, 4 July 20212021-07-04T18:02:12Z<p></p>
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{{Infobox train<br />
| background = maroon<br />
| name = ''Maharajas' Express''<br />
| image = Maharaja-express-logo.png<br />
| imagesize = 150px<br />
| caption = Logo of the ''Maharajas' Express''<br />
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| service = <br />
| manufacturer = <br />
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| family = Luxury Trains<br />
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| operator = [[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation|IRCTC]]<br />
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| yearconstruction = <br />
| yearservice = {{start date and age|df=yes|2010|3}}<br />
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{{ad|date=August 2018}}<br />
The '''''Maharajas' Express''''' is a [[Luxury train|luxury tourist train]] owned and operated by [[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation]](IRCTC). It runs on 4 routes covering more than 12 destinations across North-West and Central India, mainly centered on [[Rajasthan]] between the months of October and April.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-maharajas.com|title=Maharajas' Express Introduction}}</ref><br />
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The Maharajas' Express was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" Seven times in a row at The [[World Travel Awards]] in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldtravelawards.com/profile-30649-maharajas-express |title=World's Leading Luxury Train Award}}</ref> Maharajas' Express also received the first runner up award in the Specialist Train Operators Category at Conde Nast Travelers Reader Choice Travel Award in 2011.<br />
<br />
==History==<br />
The luxury train service was started in March 2010. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd.,<ref name="maharajatoi">{{cite news|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/03/33878/royal-rails-on-board-the-maharajas-express.html|title=For Rs 1 lakh a day, travel like a maharaja|last=Ghosh|first=Dwaipayan|date=5 October 2009<!--, 11:45&nbsp;am IST-->|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 October 2009|location=India}}</ref> had signed a joint venture to set up a company called Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. (RIRTL) to oversee the functioning and management of the Maharaja Express. This joint venture was terminated on 12 August 2011 and the train is now being operated exclusively by IRCTC.<ref name="High Court Verdict">{{cite news|url=http://www.weeklyvoice.com/business-news/cox-kings-lose-franchise-to-maharaja-express/|title=Cox & Kings Lose Franchise To Maharaja Express|work=[[The Weekly Times]]|access-date=8 September 2014|location=India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908134605/http://www.weeklyvoice.com/business-news/cox-kings-lose-franchise-to-maharaja-express/|archive-date=8 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />
[[File:Maharaja Express.jpg|thumb|Maharajas' Express halted at a railway station in Rajasthan and two ladies wearing traditional rajasthani dress, passing by.]]<br />
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==Facilities==<br />
The Maharajas' Express train has amenities such as [[Wi-Fi]], attached bathroom, dining cars, bar, lounge and souvenir shop. Larger cabins have roll-top baths and spacious sitting rooms.<br />
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==Carriages==<br />
The train comprises 23 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Accommodation is available in 14 guest carriages with total passenger capacity of 84. The train also has a lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar, two dining cars and a dedicated bar car. An on-board souvenir boutique offers tat for passengers. The train is also equipped with a water filtration plant.<ref name="TGRJ">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/great-train-journeys/10792418/The-Maharajas-Express-Great-Train-Journeys.html |title= Great Rail Journeys|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref><br />
[[File:Maharajas' Express Train.jpg|thumb|Maharajas' Express arriving at the railway station]]<br />
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=== Guest cabins ===<br />
23 carriages with 14 individual cabins provide seating and sleeping capacity for 84 guests. There are 20 Deluxe Cabins, 18 Junior Suites, 4 Suites and a Presidential Suite offering 5-star equivalent accommodation. Both the Suites and the Presidential suite has a bathtub in the toilet, in addition to the bath cubicle.<ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
LCD televisions, eco-friendly toilets, direct dial phones, DVD player, internet, individual climate control and electronic safes are available in each guest cabin.<ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
<br />
There are 5 carriages in the category of Deluxe Cabins, a total of 20 cabins accommodating 40 passengers (there are 12 Twin bed cabins and 8 double bed cabins). There are a total of 18 cabins in the category of Junior Suites, accommodating 36 passengers (there are 12 Twin bed Cabins and 6 Double bed cabins). Additionally, there are four Suites available, having large separate sitting and sleeping areas. A Presidential suite built on an entire rail carriage, incorporating a separate sitting-cum-dining room, a master bedroom and bathroom with shower and bathtub, a twin bedroom and bathroom with shower. The Maharajas' Express Presidential Suite is the first such a rail carriage of its kind in the world for commercial use.<ref name="MET">{{cite web|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/maharajas-express-luxury-train/ |title= Rail Technology|work=Railway Technology}}</ref><br />
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=== Dining and bar coaches ===<br />
The train has two dining cars designed for full fine dining service, each with a seating capacity of 42 guests at a time so that all the guests dine together. The train has a state of the art kitchen car designed to provide a range of cuisines. The restaurants are named Rang Mahal and Mayur Mahal. Mayur Mahal (the Peacock restaurant) has peacock feather theme in its décor. Restaurant menus include traditional Indian cuisines along with Continental, Chinese and International cuisines.<ref name="MET"/><br />
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A dedicated bar carriage, the Rajah Club, offers wines, liqueurs, spirits and beers along with snacks and starters and a lounge cum bar called the Safari bar equipped with a multilingual library and board games offers a casual lounge experience. The tariff includes drinks on board, the drinks served in the bar are IMFL ( Indian Manufactured foreign Liquor)<br />
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== Itineraries ==<br />
{|{{Railway line header|collapse=yes<br />
{{BS-header|Maharaja Express - The Heritage of India}}<br />
{{BS-table}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFa||[[Mumbai]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Udaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jodhpur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Bikaner]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Ranthambore]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Agra]]}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFe||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{|{{Railway line header|collapse=yes<br />
{{BS-header|Maharaja Express - The Indian Panorama}}<br />
{{BS-table}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFa||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Ranthambore]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Fatehpur Sikri]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Agra]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Orcha]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Khajuraho]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Varnasi]]}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFe||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{|{{Railway line header|collapse=yes<br />
{{BS-header|Maharaja Express - Treasures of India}}<br />
{{BS-table}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFa||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Agra]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Ranthambore]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFe||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
{|{{Railway line header|collapse=yes<br />
{{BS-header|Maharaja Express - The Indian Splendour}}<br />
{{BS-table}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFa||[[Delhi]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Agra]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Ranthambore]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Bikaner]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Jodhpur]]}}<br />
{{BS|BHF||[[Udaipur]]}}<br />
{{BS|KBHFe||[[Mumbai]]}}<br />
}}<br />
|}<br />
<br />
In the year 2012, IRCTC introduced five new journeys<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldwiderailjourneys.com/train/maharaja-express/journeys|title=5 Journeys of Maharajas' Express|website=[[Worldwide Rail Journeys]]}}</ref><ref name="TGRJ" /> of the Maharajas' Express, of which two are short-term Golden Triangle (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) tours and rest three are week-long pan-Indian voyages.<br />
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===Heritage of India ===<br />
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days <ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
<br />
Destinations Covered: Mumbai – Ajanta – Udaipur – Jodhpur – Bikaner – Jaipur – Ranthambore – Agra - New Delhi<br />
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===Treasures of India ===<br />
Duration: 3 nights / 4 days <ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
<br />
Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Delhi<br />
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===Indian Panorama ===<br />
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days <ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
<br />
Destinations Covered: Delhi – Jaipur – Jodhpur - Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – Lucknow – Delhi<br />
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===The Indian Splendour ===<br />
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days <ref name="TGRJ" /><br />
<br />
Destinations Covered: Delhi – Agra – Ranthambore – Jaipur – Bikaner – Jodhpur – Udaipur – Balasinor – Mumbai<br />
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==Awards and recognition==<br />
*Voted World Leading Luxury Train at World Travel Award 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018<ref name="WTA 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/z-more/accolades/maharajas-express-wins-worlds-leading-luxury-train-award-2012.html |title=World Travel Awards 2012 |publisher=Global Travel Media |access-date=22 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120083312/http://www.eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/z-more/accolades/maharajas-express-wins-worlds-leading-luxury-train-award-2012.html |archive-date=20 January 2013 }}</ref><br />
*1st Runner up in the Specialist Train Operators Category at Condé Nast Travellers Reader Choice Awards 2011{{cn|date=December 2016}}<br />
*Adjudged Best Luxury Train at CNBC Travel Awards 2010<ref name="Awards">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2C9zewF3GM |title=Awards won by Maharajas' Express|publisher=Maharajas Express|access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref><br />
*2016 [[Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards]] at [[Marbella]], [[Spain]] in the Seven Star Experience Sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/422900/indian-railways-irctc-maharajas-express-recieves-seven-star-luxury-hospitality-and-lifestyle-award-take-this-royal-slideshow-trip/ |title=Maharajas' Express receives 'Seven star luxury hospitality and lifestyle award': Take this royal slideshow trip |date=18 October 2016 |work=The Financial Express|access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/travel/travel-buzz/story/irctc-maharajas-express-indian-railways-travel-india-tourism-lifetr-347036-2016-10-17 |title=IRCTC's Maharajas' Express gets Seven Star Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Award|date=17 October 2016|last=Tiwari|first=Siddharatha|work=India Today|access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-railways-maharajas-express-awarded-7-star-rating-is-the-most-luxurious-train-in-the-world-263776.html |title=Indian Railways' Maharajas' Express Awarded 7 Star Rating, Is The Most Luxurious Train in the World!|date=18 October 2016|last=Tiwari|first=Shewali|access-date=2019-11-17}}</ref><br />
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==Gallery==<br />
[[File:Maharajas' Express.jpg|thumb|A view of Maharaja's Express]]<br />
[[File:World's leading luxury train.jpg|thumb|Interior of Maharaja's Express]]<br />
[[File:Indische Luxus Zugs.jpg|thumb|Luxury Beds in the Maharaja's Express]]<br />
[[File:Maharaja Express Índia.jpg|thumb|Foreign tourists at The Maharaja's Express]]<br />
[[File:Maharajas' Express - Mayur Mahal, dining (4809207224).jpg|thumb|Dining at Maharaja's Express]]<br />
[[File:Maharajas' Express Train.jpg|thumb|Decks of The Maharaja's Express (night view)]]<br />
[[File:Maharaja Express.jpg|thumb|The Maharaja's Express halted on A Railway station of [[Rajasthan]]]]<br />
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== See also ==<br />
{{colbegin}}<br />
*[[Fairy Queen (locomotive)| Fairy Queen]]<br />
*[[Palace on Wheels]]<br />
*[[Royal Orient]]<br />
*[[Deccan Odyssey]]<br />
*[[Mahaparinirvan Express]]<br />
*[[Golden Chariot]]<br />
*[[Royal Rajasthan on Wheels]]<br />
{{colend}}<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
{{commons category|Maharajas' Express}}<br />
* {{ website|https://www.the-maharajas.com/}}<br />
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{{Indian Luxury Trains}}<br />
{{Indian Railways}}<br />
{{Udaipur}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Luxury trains in India]]<br />
[[Category:Transport in Udaipur]]<br />
[[Category:Rail transport in Rajasthan]]<br />
[[Category:2010 establishments in India]]</div>2409:4063:4089:4F09:79D8:C268:47EA:6822