New Delhi: The Golden Chariot luxury tourist train, operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), has been revamped for the 2026–27 tourism season, introducing upgraded accommodation, diversified food options and improved hospitality services. In a significant development, the train has recorded a full booking for its first journey under the Pride of Karnataka itinerary, with all 75 seats occupied.
The inaugural journey will depart from Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station in Bengaluru on Saturday. The passengers include travellers from different parts of India as well as international visitors, including guests from Spain, a senior KSTDC official said.
V. Ram Prasath Manohar, Secretary of the Karnataka Tourism Department, said the complete booking was an encouraging beginning for the season. The tourism department aims to maintain the demand throughout the year.
“We have 75 seats and all of them have been booked for the first time. The full booking for the first journey is an encouraging start. Our priority now is to sustain this demand across the season,” Manohar said.
The tourism department has planned 13 luxury journeys for the 2026–27 season, covering three itineraries: Pride of Karnataka, Glimpses of Karnataka and Jewels of Karnataka.
Golden Chariot 2026–27 Season: 13 Luxury Journeys Planned
The Golden Chariot will operate 13 journeys during the season, offering travellers curated experiences across Karnataka and other destinations.
The planned journeys include:
- Pride of Karnataka: Seven journeys.
- Glimpses of Karnataka: Three journeys.
- Jewels of Karnataka: Three journeys.
The itineraries are designed to showcase Karnataka’s cultural heritage, historical monuments, wildlife, natural landscapes and tourism attractions while providing a luxury travel experience.
The full booking for the inaugural journey is a positive development for the train, which experienced limited demand during its 2024 and 2025 operating seasons.
Read also: Train Reaches Rowghat for First Time Since Independence as Chhattisgarh Opens Two Rail Lines
Golden Chariot Train Itinerary: Destinations Covered in Six Days
The Pride of Karnataka itinerary combines wildlife experiences, heritage tourism, historic sites and coastal attractions. The six-day journey will begin in Bengaluru and take passengers through several prominent destinations before returning to the city.
- Day 1: Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Day 2: Mysuru Palace and Srirangapatna
- Day 3: Halebidu and coffee estates in Chikkamagaluru
- Day 4: Hospet and Hampi
- Day 5: Goa
- Day 6: Return to Bengaluru
The journey will begin at KSR Railway Station in Bengaluru before heading towards Mysuru and other destinations. Passengers will experience wildlife tourism at Bandipur, explore the royal heritage of Mysuru and visit the historic sites of Srirangapatna and Halebidu.
The itinerary also includes the coffee estates of Chikkamagaluru, the heritage attractions of Hampi and a visit to Goa before the train returns to Bengaluru on the sixth day.
By combining destinations across different tourism categories, the itinerary aims to provide domestic and international visitors with a comprehensive experience of South India’s cultural and natural diversity.
Golden Chariot Revamp: Redesigned Rooms and Improved Facilities
As part of the 2026–27 season revamp, the Golden Chariot’s guest accommodation has been redesigned to improve comfort and provide a more spacious experience.
The rooms now feature a separate living area and bedroom, replacing the earlier layout that primarily consisted of bedrooms. The changes are intended to enhance the onboard experience for passengers travelling on the luxury train.
The upgrades also cover food preparation facilities, dining services and staff training, with a focus on meeting the expectations of premium domestic and international tourists.
Multi-Cuisine Menu Introduced With Jain and Gluten-Free Options
The onboard food menu has been diversified and expanded into a multi-cuisine offering based on feedback from previous guests.
The train’s two onboard restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, will serve a wider range of food options, including Jain and gluten-free meals. These additions are intended to accommodate passengers with different dietary preferences and requirements.
The onboard bar, Madira, will also offer alcoholic beverages.
In addition to changes in the menu, the kitchen has been modernised with upgraded equipment to improve food preparation and service. The improvements include:
- A combi oven for versatile cooking.
- High-capacity induction systems.
- An upgraded reverse osmosis (RO) water purification plant.
A senior KSTDC official said the kitchen improvements were part of the broader effort to enhance food quality and onboard services.
Staff Training and Hospitality Services Upgraded
The Golden Chariot’s revamp also includes improvements in hospitality and service delivery. Staff members have undergone training to better serve guests from different Indian states and other countries.
Individual cabins have been provided for service personnel, while more than 60 members are expected to work in the train’s service team.
The staffing and training measures are aimed at improving passenger comfort and ensuring a consistent standard of service throughout the journey.
According to the tourism department, the objective is to provide an international-standard hospitality experience while showcasing Karnataka’s tourism attractions.
Golden Chariot Ticket Prices for the 2026–27 Season
The published price chart lists different fares for the train’s itineraries. The prices for Pride of Karnataka and Jewels of South are higher than those for Glimpses of Karnataka.
- Pride of Karnataka: ₹4,87,500 ($5,000) per person.
- Jewels of South: ₹4,87,500 ($5,000) per person.
- Glimpses of Karnataka: ₹3,31,500 ($3,400) per person.
The fares reflect the premium positioning of the luxury tourist train. Travellers should confirm the applicable fare, inclusions, taxes and itinerary details with the official booking authority before making a reservation.
Golden Chariot: From Launch in 2008 to Relaunch in 2024
The Golden Chariot was launched in 2008 as a luxury rail tourism initiative to showcase Karnataka’s heritage, wildlife and cultural attractions. The service was discontinued in 2018 before being relaunched in 2024.
However, the 2024 and 2025 seasons witnessed limited demand. The complete booking of all 75 seats for the first journey of the 2026–27 season therefore marks a notable development for the train’s revival.
The tourism department now aims to sustain passenger demand across all 13 planned journeys and strengthen the Golden Chariot’s position in the premium tourism market.
Karnataka Tourism Focuses on Domestic and International Travellers
Karnataka Tourism Minister K. J. George said the initiative aims to combine luxury hospitality with carefully planned tourism experiences.
“Our objective is to offer world-class hospitality while showcasing the diversity of Karnataka through a carefully curated journey and position the Golden Chariot strongly in domestic and international premium tourism markets,” George said.
With redesigned accommodation, an expanded food menu, upgraded kitchen equipment and enhanced staff training, the Golden Chariot is seeking to attract more premium travellers from India and abroad.
The full booking for its first 2026–27 journey offers an encouraging start. The key challenge for the tourism department will be to maintain this interest throughout the season and build sustained demand for the remaining journeys.
Read also: Indian Railways Boosts Coal Loading by 22.5% in October, Dispatches 87 More Rakes Daily
