Jaipur: Palace on Wheels will kick off its new season on Sept 9 with 77 guests, with the luxury train entering the season on the back of a healthy recovery in passenger traffic and strong advance bookings. The train will be flagged off from Safdarjung Railway Station, New Delhi, marking the beginning of its 2026-27 season.Bhagat Singh, operator of the luxury train, said, “The first four tours have already been sold out. Initial bookings have raised our expectations of another robust year.” The optimism follows a significant turnaround last season. In FY2025-26, the Palace on Wheels operated 23 trips and carried 938 passengers, compared with 646 in 2024-25, a 45% increase. The train had attracted 802 passengers in 2023-24. “The growth came despite a difficult international travel environment, with Middle East tensions, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and wider global economic uncertainty affecting high-end international travel,” added Singh.The operator also began actively pursuing corporate charters and incentive travel to reduce its dependence on foreign travellers. Ahead of the new season, the train has undergone extensive refurbishment. Giving details of the refurbishments, they said six rooms have been fitted with specially designed marble flooring featuring intricate inlay work, brass and other metal detailing. German silver work and metal craftsmanship have also been added to the walls.The train will continue to offer curated cultural experiences at its destinations, including traditional welcomes and performances in Jaipur, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. With international travel showing signs of resilience and the operator widening its market to include corporate and domestic high-end travellers, the management expects the new season to build on last year’s 45% growth.
