It left Bengaluru on October 24 with every seat taken, and that tells you plenty about the mood around luxury travel in India right now. The Golden Chariot, Karnataka’s palace on wheels, is back for the 2026-27 season, and its first journey sold out before it even pulled out of the station.
The opening Pride of Karnataka trip carried 75 guests, looked after by nearly 60 staff. The train can take up to 80 guests in 40 cabins. Karnataka has 13 journeys planned for the season, running on Saturdays through to March 2027.
Three routes, one starting point
Every journey starts and ends in Bengaluru. Guests sleep on the train and step off by day for guided excursions, with no packing and unpacking between hotels.
The three itineraries cover different slices of South India:
- Glimpses of Karnataka, 3 nights and 4 days: Bandipur, Mysuru and Hampi. The shortest and cheapest way to try the train.
- Pride of Karnataka, 5 nights and 6 days: Bandipur, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikkamagaluru, Hampi, Pattadakal and Aihole, ending in Goa. Wildlife, royal heritage, temples, coffee estates and the coast in a single trip.
- Jewels of South, 5 nights and 6 days: Mysuru, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Kochi and Kumarakom. This one stretches beyond Karnataka into Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Bandipur brings wildlife, Mysuru brings palaces, Hampi brings UNESCO-listed ruins, and Chikkamagaluru brings coffee country.
What the fare covers, and what it does not
Fares start at Rs 2,80,450 per person for a deluxe cabin on twin sharing on the Glimpses of Karnataka journey, excluding taxes, according to the fare details published this week. The five-night journeys are listed at Rs 4,20,680 per person on the same deluxe, twin-sharing basis. Some other published listings for the 2026-27 season quote higher figures, Rs 3,31,500 for the short journey and Rs 4,87,500 for the five-night journeys, excluding 5 percent GST, with a 20 percent discount on selected departures. The difference appears to come down to cabin category and departure, so confirm the final payable amount on the official booking channel before paying.
The fare covers the cabin, meals, selected beverages, guided sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches, monument entry fees and planned off-train dining. Taxes and optional tours are extra, and special dates may carry a supplement. Bookings are taken through the Golden Chariot website, IRCTC offices and authorised agents, with an advance payment needed to reserve a cabin.
What has changed on board this season
Between May and August 2026 the train was in the Mysuru workshop for maintenance. The exterior was refreshed, the kitchen modernised, and the cabins refitted with new furnishings, smart TVs and Wi-Fi, plus double-bed and twin-bed options and a cabin for guests with disabilities.
The interiors draw on South Indian Dravidian architecture, with wooden decor and detailed carving. Safety systems were upgraded too. On board are two restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, the Madira lounge bar, and the Arogya Spa and Fitness Centre, offering Ayurvedic therapies.
The train is operated by IRCTC. Launched in 2008, it was discontinued for a period, relaunched in 2024, and has been rebuilding demand since. A sold-out opening journey is the strongest early signal yet that the relaunch is finding its audience.
Who this trip suits
This suits travellers who want South India’s big heritage sites without long drives between them, families with older parents, and visitors who want a structured introduction to the south.
It suits independent travellers less well: the itinerary is fixed and the days are full. Before booking, check the exact fare including GST, the cancellation terms, and whether the discount on selected departures applies to your date.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Golden Chariot run in 2026-27?
The season began on October 24, 2026 and runs until March 2027, with departures generally on Saturdays from Bengaluru.
What is the starting fare?
Fares start at Rs 2,80,450 per person for a deluxe cabin on twin sharing on the three-night Glimpses of Karnataka journey, excluding taxes. Five-night journeys cost more, and final fares vary by cabin and departure.
Which places does the train cover?
Depending on the itinerary: Bandipur, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikkamagaluru, Hampi, Pattadakal, Aihole and Goa on Pride of Karnataka, and Mysuru, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Kochi and Kumarakom on Jewels of South.
What is included in the fare?
The cabin, meals, selected beverages, guided sightseeing, monument entry fees and planned off-train dining. Taxes and optional tours are extra.
How do I book?
Through the official Golden Chariot website, IRCTC offices or authorised agents. Check availability and the final fare, including taxes, before confirming.
The Golden Chariot has always sold a simple idea: see a lot of South India without ever changing hotels. This season, with refreshed cabins and a spa on board, that idea is being tested again.
