Golden Chariot luxury train secures first-ever full booking for new season

UPDATE - follow-up to Golden Chariot revamped, fully booked for the first time: The luxury tourist train Golden Chariot is operating with all 75 seats fully booked for the first time since its relaunch, with passengers embarking on its Pride of Karnataka route. Tourism Department Secretary V. Ram Prasath Manohar stated that all seats are taken and the priority is to keep this demand going across the season. The train has planned 13 luxury journeys this season, including seven under the Pride of Karnataka itinerary, three under Glimpses of Karnataka, and three under Jewels of Karnataka.

Upgrades and Route

The train starts its journey from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station and heads to Mysuru, covering destinations like Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Mysuru Palace, Halebeedu, Chikkamagalur, Hampi, and Goa before returning to Bengaluru on day six. Rooms now feature both a living room and a bedroom. The food menu includes multi-cuisine, Jain, and gluten-free options across two onboard restaurants named Ruchi and Nalapaka, alongside an onboard bar called Madira. The kitchen now features a combi oven, high-capacity induction systems, and a water purification plant.

Staff and Leadership

The service team has over 60 members who received training to treat guests from different states and countries, and individual cabins are provided for service providers. Karnataka Tourism Minister K. J. George said the objective is to offer world-class hospitality while showcasing the diversity of the State and positioning the train well in tourism markets. The train was originally launched in 2008, stopped in 2018, and brought back by the current government in 2024 after earlier seasons saw low demand.

Context

Luxury tourist trains combine high-end hospitality with heritage rail travel to attract affluent domestic and international travelers to regional destinations. Revamping older tourist routes with updated amenities and dietary options is a common strategy used by state tourism bodies to revive interest in heritage assets.