- Palace on Wheels will operate in May for the first time in its 45-year history
- Luxury heritage train to run a special six-day journey from May 20 to 25
- High demand prompts rare summer run despite extreme Rajasthan heat
Rajasthan's luxury train, Palace on Wheels, has long been regarded as one of India's most prestigious rail experiences. Now, in a historic move, the heritage train will run during the month of May for the first time since its launch 45 years ago. Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, confirmed the development to the Indian Express. "Yes, the train will operate in May. This will be the first time it is running during the month. Earlier, services were not scheduled in May due to the heat. However, this time, there has been significant demand, which is why the train will run,” he said.
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Palace On Wheels is a joint initiative between Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Indian Railways (IR). The service typically operates from September to April.
Photo Credit: www.palaceonwheels.com
“May in Rajasthan is not for the faint-hearted. With temperatures soaring past 42 degrees Celsius and the tourist tide at its yearly ebb, most operators choose to wait for September and resume operations then. A leading nationalised bank has booked the entire Palace on Wheels for an exclusive journey. In a time when global financial markets have been rattled by international tensions and economic uncertainty, the choice of a nationalised bank to invest in a full-train charter speaks powerfully of institutional confidence in India's domestic travel ecosystem," read the statement.
Route And Luxury Services
The Palace on Wheels will run a special six-day trip from May 20 to 25 from Delhi's Safdarjung station. Stops include
- Durgapura
- Chittorgarh
- Bikaner
- Chanderia
- Sawai Madhopur
- Udaipur
- Rana Pratap Nagar
- Berach
- Jaisalmer
- Marwar Junction
- Phulera
It will operate as train 00290 under the Bharat Gaurav policy, as per NWR notification NWR/CHG/10/2026.
The 22-coach train features 14 saloon coaches, two restaurant-cum-bar cars, one Super Deluxe saloon, along with kitchen, staff and spa cars. Each air-conditioned cabin includes a private bathroom, premium toiletries, Wi-Fi, a telephone, a locker and climate control. A personal Khidmatgar serves every guest 24/7.
