Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels to Run in May for the First Time in 45 Years

Rajasthan’s iconic luxury train, Palace on Wheels, is set to operate in May for the first time in its 45-year history, marking an unusual summer run for one of India’s most famous heritage tourism products. The special journey will take place from May 20 to May 25, 2026, starting and ending at Delhi Safdarjung railway station.

The Palace on Wheels was launched in 1982 as a joint initiative of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways. It is widely regarded as India’s first luxury heritage train and is designed to recreate the royal travel experience of Rajasthan through palace-style cabins, fine dining, guided excursions and curated cultural hospitality.

The decision to run the train in May is significant because the Palace on Wheels usually operates during the main tourism season from September to April. Rajasthan’s intense summer heat generally keeps luxury tourist train operations away from May, but North Western Railway has confirmed that this year’s run is being organised due to strong demand.

According to the Indian Express report, a leading nationalised bank has booked the entire train for an exclusive charter journey. The booking is being seen as a sign of confidence in India’s domestic luxury travel market, especially at a time when premium tourism is increasingly being driven not only by foreign visitors but also by Indian institutions, corporate groups and high-end domestic travellers.

For the May 2026 charter, the Palace on Wheels will run as train number 00290 under Indian Railways’ Bharat Gaurav Train Policy. The special six-day circular journey will cover around 2,610 km and pass through major destinations and railway points including Delhi Safdarjung, Durgapura, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Berach, Rana Pratap Nagar, Udaipur, Chanderia, Marwar Junction, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Phulera, Ringus, Narnaul, Rewari and back to Delhi Safdarjung.

The train is expected to depart from Delhi Safdarjung on May 20 at 6:30 pm and return to Delhi Safdarjung on May 25 at around 8 pm. The itinerary includes important Rajasthan tourism destinations such as Sawai Madhopur, known for Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. The special route differs from the regular Palace on Wheels 7-night, 8-day itinerary, which typically includes Delhi, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Agra and back to Delhi.

The rake will comprise 22 coaches, including saloon coaches, a super deluxe saloon coach, restaurant-cum-bar coaches, kitchen cars, staff cars, service cars and a spa car. The official Palace on Wheels platform describes the train as a premium luxury experience with air-conditioned cabins, attached bathrooms, restaurants, bar facilities, guided tours, cultural experiences and curated heritage travel.

The Palace on Wheels has long been associated with Rajasthan’s royal tourism identity. Its coaches are inspired by the princely states of Rajasthan, and the travel experience is built around forts, palaces, desert landscapes, wildlife, traditional cuisine and cultural performances. For international tourists, it has been one of India’s most recognisable luxury rail journeys. For Indian travellers, it represents a premium way to experience Rajasthan’s heritage circuit without shifting hotels every night.

The special May run also comes at a time when luxury and experiential tourism are gaining fresh attention in India. Travellers are increasingly looking for curated, high-comfort journeys that combine heritage, hospitality and convenience. Luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels fit into this trend because they offer the charm of slow travel with hotel-style services, guided excursions and access to multiple destinations in one trip.

The move could also help Rajasthan Tourism test demand for off-season luxury travel. Summer has traditionally been a low-tourist period in Rajasthan because of extreme temperatures, but exclusive charters, corporate bookings and closed-group travel may create new opportunities for niche operations even outside the peak season. If such runs succeed, luxury train tourism could become more flexible and less dependent on the traditional foreign-tourist calendar.

The first May run of Palace on Wheels is therefore more than a timetable change. It is a symbolic moment for India’s luxury rail tourism sector. A train built around royal nostalgia is now adapting to new travel patterns, domestic demand and charter-based tourism. For Rajasthan, it reinforces the enduring power of heritage as an economic asset. For Indian Railways and RTDC, it shows that the Palace on Wheels remains a flagship tourism brand even after four and a half decades.

Sources:
https://palaceonwheels.rajasthan.gov.in/
https://palaceonwheels.rajasthan.gov.in/frequently-asked-questions.html