The most luxurious journeys through Asia
Luxury train travel in Asia was pioneered by trains like the Eastern & Oriental Express, which debuted in the early 1990s. Tracing routes through Southeast Asia’s rainforests, ancient temples, and cities, the Eastern & Oriental Express set the standard for luxury on rails.
Similarly, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu, launched in 2013, redefined rail travel with its intimate journeys through the cultural and natural wonders of Kyushu. India’s Maharajas’ Express, inspired by the grandeur of its princely past, showcases the subcontinent’s regal history with itineraries that traverse UNESCO World Heritage sites, royal palaces, and wildlife reserves. These trains not only provide unmatched comfort and fine dining but also evoke the romance of travel, allowing passengers to relive the glamour of a bygone era.
Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train
The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, offers an unparalleled luxury rail experience through Southeast Asia. This sleeper train traverses some of the region’s most captivating landscapes, with journeys through Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos. Popular itineraries include the classic Bangkok to Singapore route, where you’ll marvel at lush rainforests, rice paddies, and cityscapes, and the more immersive “Fables of the Peninsula,” which takes you to lesser-known destinations with curated off-train excursions.
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Everything we do is customised and designed especially for you – our valued customer – based on your exact personal requirements. Each member of our team is widely travelled. This means you get access to first-rate travel insights and the best possible advice from our team of luxury travel experts.
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Luxury is at the heart of the Eastern & Oriental Express experience. The train features exquisitely designed cabins, complete with en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, and teakwood finishes that evoke the golden age of travel. Enjoy fine dining prepared by world-class chefs, featuring both local flavors and international cuisine served in elegant dining cars. The observation car, with its open-air platform, offers a perfect space to soak in panoramic views, while the bar car sets the scene for evening cocktails accompanied by live music. This is the most luxurious way to explore Asia.
Seven Stars in Kyushu: Japan’s Pinnacle of Luxury Rail Travel
The Seven Stars in Kyushu is an exquisite journey through Japan’s southern island. This train, known for its unparalleled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, takes you on curated itineraries to explore Kyushu’s breathtaking landscapes, cultural highlights, and hot springs. Highlights include the 4-day/3-night tour, which weaves through picturesque towns like Yufuin and Kagoshima, with stops at iconic sites such as Mount Aso and Beppu’s famous hot spring baths.
The train features only seven carriages, ensuring exclusivity, with each suite and deluxe room showcasing handcrafted woodwork, shoji screens, and plush bedding. Gourmet meals served in the dining car highlight Kyushu’s finest ingredients, from fresh seafood to locally sourced wagyu beef, prepared by master chefs. The Seven Stars in Kyushu elevates train travel into an art form, offering a harmonious blend of Japan’s cultural heritage and modern sophistication.
The Maharajas’ Express: India’s Crown Jewel of Luxury Rail Travel
The Maharajas’ Express is the pinnacle of luxury rail journeys in India. This award-winning train takes you on curated itineraries across India, including the iconic “Heritage of India” tour, which visits regal destinations like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. Other standout routes include the “Treasures of India” and “Gems of India”, which condense India’s highlights into shorter, yet equally immersive, journeys. Each itinerary is thoughtfully designed, combining cultural landmarks, bustling cities, and off-train excursions to royal palaces, wildlife reserves, and ancient temples.
The train features elegantly designed cabins with en-suite bathrooms and a decor reminiscent of India’s royal past. Passengers enjoy fine dining in opulent restaurants serving both traditional Indian delicacies and international cuisine, paired with premium wines. The train’s lounge and bar cars provide a refined space to relax, socialize, or sip on handcrafted cocktails. Personalized service ensures every guest feels like royalty, making the Maharajas’ Express not just a mode of transport but a regal journey through India’s history.
Luxury Train Travel in Asia: A Journey Through Elegance and Heritage
Luxury train travel in Asia began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by the global fascination with opulent rail journeys that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. One of the earliest examples was the Eastern Bengal Railway in British India, which catered to colonial elites traveling between Calcutta and Darjeeling. However, the modern concept of luxury rail travel in Asia truly gained prominence with the launch of iconic like the Eastern & Oriental Express in 1993, which revolutionized rail tourism in Southeast Asia. This train, inspired by the glamour of European luxury railways such as the Orient Express, set new standards for comfort and exclusivity, opening the door for other luxury rail experiences across the continent, including Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu (2013) and India’s Palace on Wheels (1982). These services combined cultural exploration with world-class amenities, creating a distinct travel niche that continues to thrive today.
Planning a luxury train trip through Asia?
Booking a luxury train journey with us ensures a seamless and personalized experience from start to finish. Whether you dream of exploring Southeast Asia aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express, soaking in Japanese elegance on the Seven Stars in Kyushu, or reliving India’s royal past on the Maharajas’ Express, we’ll craft the perfect itinerary tailored to your preferences. Let us handle the details, so you can sit back and enjoy a journey filled with opulence and culture
