Rajasthan's Palace On Wheels Train, Where Tickets Sell For Rs 14 Lakh, Sees Empty Seats Due To Iran War

For many foreign travellers to India, the Palace on Wheels has long been one of the most appealing ways to explore Rajasthan - a relaxed journey through deserts, forts and historic cities, enjoyed from comfortable, luxury coaches that bring the state's royal past to life.

But this season, the famed Indian luxury train has struggled to fill its cabins, due to a slowdown in international travel. Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing war involving the US and Iran, and instability across parts of the Middle East have impacted global travel, including India's premium travel experiences.

Since 1982, when foreign tourist inflow to destinations like Jaisalmer began gaining momentum, the train has played a central role in promoting Rajasthan as a luxury travel destination. As the season comes to an end, the drop in bookings on the Palace on Wheels has emerged as a worrying sign for Rajasthan's tourism sector.

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Poor Bookings Leading To Cancellation Of Scheduled Trips

The luxury train's final journey of the season to Jaisalmer, completed on Sunday, carried only 30 passengers - well below its capacity of 84, reported The Times of India. Two trips scheduled after this were cancelled in advance due to poor bookings.

Operational rules require at least 14 cabins to be booked for a trip to run, but several scheduled journeys this season failed to reach even 10 bookings, making cancellations unavoidable.

In total, out of 32 planned departures between September and April, 10 trips were cancelled this season, leaving tourism operators concerned about mounting losses.

A Rare Setback In The Luxury Train's History

In its 43 years of operation, this is only the second time that nearly one-third of the Palace on Wheels' scheduled journeys have been cancelled in a single season.

Global unrest has now affected the train's operations for two years in a row. Last season, prolonged conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war and the Russia-Ukraine crisis also led to the cancellation of 10 journeys.

The train's struggles have continued since the COVID-19 pandemic, after which its popularity has steadily declined.

Although services resumed in December 2022 and the train was privatised in 2023, with refurbished interiors and amenities exceeding five-star standards, these upgrades have not been enough to revive foreign tourist interest.

High ticket prices - ranging from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 21 lakh - have also contributed to the dip in demand.

Tour operator I. V. Singh said that global uncertainty continues to shape travel decisions. "Earlier, the Palace on Wheels operated at around 70 to 80 per cent occupancy. This season, the final trip barely reached about 26 per cent," he said, quoted The Times of India, adding that foreign travellers remain hesitant to undertake international travel amid ongoing conflicts.

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Impact Of Fewer Luxury Train Bookings On Rajasthan Tourism

The reduced passenger numbers have had broader consequences for Rajasthan's tourism economy. Local folk artists, who traditionally perform for visitors arriving on the luxury train, have seen fewer opportunities, affecting their incomes. Hotels, guides and small businesses across heritage cities like Jaisalmer have also felt the slowdown.