Palace on Wheels doesn't charge every guest the same rate. If you're searching for the cost in India, there's an important distinction to understand before you compare prices: which currency you pay depends on your nationality, not on where you happen to be booking from.
The Core Rule: Who Pays INR, Who Pays USD
INR pricing applies only to guests holding a valid Indian passport or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card. Every other guest is quoted the USD rate, regardless of where they currently live or book from.
This means an Indian citizen living abroad can usually still qualify for INR pricing with a valid Indian passport or OCI card, while a foreign national living in India would still be quoted in USD. It's nationality and passport status that determines the rate, not residency or booking location.
Why the Two-Tier Pricing Exists
This isn't unique to Palace on Wheels — many Indian heritage sites, monuments, and RTDC-run attractions apply a similar domestic-versus-foreign pricing structure, often at a significant multiple between the two rates. Palace on Wheels follows the same convention: it was launched as a joint venture between Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, and RTDC pricing across its properties commonly reflects this split.
Current INR Rates (2026-27 Season)
Peak season (October–March):
- Double Occupancy Deluxe: ₹83,936 per person, per night (₹5,87,552 total)
- Single Occupancy Deluxe: ₹129,086 per person, per night (₹9,03,602 total)
- Super Deluxe: ₹215,000 per cabin, per night (₹15,05,000 total)
- Suite: ₹236,328 per cabin, per night (₹16,54,296 total)
- Presidential Suite: ₹301,860 per cabin, per night (₹21,13,020 total)
Lean season (September and April):
- Double Occupancy Deluxe: ₹74,304 per person, per night (₹5,20,128 total)
- Single Occupancy Deluxe: ₹114,208 per person, per night (₹7,99,456 total)
- Super Deluxe: ₹202,100 per cabin, per night (₹14,14,700 total)
- Suite: ₹226,094 per cabin, per night (₹15,82,658 total)
- Presidential Suite: ₹277,178 per cabin, per night (₹19,40,246 total)
Current USD Rates (2026-27 Season)
Peak season (October–March):
- Double Occupancy Deluxe: $976 per person, per night ($6,832 total)
- Single Occupancy Deluxe: $1,501 per person, per night ($10,507 total)
- Super Deluxe: $2,500 per cabin, per night ($17,500 total)
- Suite: $2,748 per cabin, per night ($19,326 total)
- Presidential Suite: $3,510 per cabin, per night ($24,570 total)
Lean season (September and April):
- Double Occupancy Deluxe: $864 per person, per night ($6,048 total)
- Single Occupancy Deluxe: $1,328 per person, per night ($9,296 total)
- Super Deluxe: $2,350 per cabin, per night ($16,450 total)
- Suite: $2,629 per cabin, per night ($18,403 total)
- Presidential Suite: $3,223 per cabin, per night ($22,561 total)
These figures cover the 2026-27 season only. Check current Palace on Wheels rates for the 2027-28 season and every cabin class side by side, since rates are revised periodically by the operator.
Per Cabin vs. Per Person — Read This Before Comparing Rates
Not every rate above is calculated the same way, in either currency. Super Deluxe, Suite, and Presidential Suite rates are quoted per cabin — that single figure covers the full cabin for up to two guests sharing. Deluxe cabins work differently: the rate is per person, so a couple booking a Double Occupancy Deluxe cabin pays that per-person figure twice, not once. Always check whether a quoted rate is "Per Cabin" or "Per Person" before comparing two options against each other.
What Both Rates Include
Regardless of which currency you're quoted in, the fare covers the same inclusions: 7 nights of accommodation, all meals, guided excursions at all 8 destinations, monument entry fees, the Ranthambore safari, onboard cultural entertainment, and 24-hour butler service. Neither rate is a stripped-down version of the other — the difference is purely the pricing tier you qualify for, not what's included.
GST and Other Charges
A 5% GST is charged extra, as applicable, on top of the published rate in either currency. A 10% surcharge also applies to departures over the Christmas and New Year period. Factor both into your budget regardless of whether you're quoted in INR or USD.
How to Confirm Your Rate Before Booking
Because the INR rate depends on passport and OCI status rather than anything visible on a booking form by default, it's worth confirming directly with an authorized booking agent which rate applies to your specific situation — particularly for mixed groups where some travelers hold Indian passports or OCI cards and others don't, since each guest in the same group may be quoted differently.
Contact our team with your nationality and passport details, and we'll confirm the exact applicable rate — in the correct currency — before you book.
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