The Golden Chariot train, Karnataka’s own luxury train, is back on the rails for the 2026–27 season with refreshed cabins, a new spa and three journeys that start and end in Bengaluru. Run by IRCTC, the train left on its first trip of the season on 24 October 2026 and runs until March 2027.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip: the three routes, current fares, departure dates, what the fare includes, life on board and how to book. It also tells the train’s story, from its 2008 launch to this year’s upgrade.
Golden Chariot train at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) |
| Starts and ends | Bengaluru |
| Season | October 2026 to March 2027 |
| Journeys | Pride of Karnataka, Jewels of South, Glimpses of Karnataka |
| Duration | 3 nights / 4 days or 5 nights / 6 days |
| Capacity | Up to 80 guests in 40 cabins |
| Fare | From Rs 2,80,450 per person (deluxe cabin, twin sharing, taxes extra) |
| Official website | goldenchariot.org |
| Source: goldenchariot.org (IRCTC) and IRCTC’s 2026–27 announcement, checked 25 October 2026. | |
What’s new on the upgraded Golden Chariot
IRCTC refurbished the train ahead of the 2026–27 season. The main changes are:
- Redesigned cabins with new furnishings and décor, smart TVs and Wi-Fi.
- A choice of double-bed or twin-bed cabins, plus cabins designed for guests with disabilities.
- Better safety systems, including improved surveillance and fire safety across the coaches.
- Arogya Spa and Fitness Centre, alongside the Madira lounge bar and two restaurants.
Golden Chariot train routes and itineraries
The Golden Chariot runs three journeys. Each one starts and ends in Bengaluru, with guided day trips at every stop and nights spent on board.
| Journey | Duration | Route (starts and ends in Bengaluru) |
|---|---|---|
| Pride of Karnataka (with Goa) | 5 nights / 6 days | Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysuru – Halebidu – Chikkamagaluru – Hampi – Pattadakal & Aihole – Goa – Bengaluru |
| Jewels of South | 5 nights / 6 days | Bengaluru – Mysuru – Hampi – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur & Chettinad – Kochi – Kumarakom – Bengaluru |
| Glimpses of Karnataka | 3 nights / 4 days | Bengaluru – Bandipur – Mysuru – Hampi – Bengaluru |
| Source: goldenchariot.org (IRCTC). Stops can change with railway timings and local conditions. | ||
Pride of Karnataka (5 nights / 6 days)
The flagship journey and the best pick if you want to see Karnataka in one trip. It combines a wildlife safari at Bandipur National Park, the palaces of Mysuru, Hoysala temples at Halebidu, coffee country in Chikkamagaluru, the ruins of Hampi, and the Chalukyan temples of Pattadakal and Aihole, before ending with a stop in Goa.
Jewels of South (5 nights / 6 days)
This journey crosses into Tamil Nadu and Kerala. After Mysuru and Hampi, it heads to the shore temples of Mahabalipuram, the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the mansions of Chettinad, and then Kochi and the Kumarakom backwaters.
Glimpses of Karnataka (3 nights / 4 days)
A shorter, less expensive taster covering Bandipur, Mysuru and Hampi. It suits travellers who want the Golden Chariot experience without committing a full week.
Stops may change based on railway timings and local conditions. Check the itinerary sent with your booking confirmation.
Golden Chariot train fares for 2026–27
Fares are per person for a deluxe cabin on twin sharing. Government taxes are extra.
| Journey | Duration | Deluxe cabin (per person, twin sharing) |
|---|---|---|
| Pride of Karnataka (with Goa) | 5 nights / 6 days | Rs 4,20,680 |
| Jewels of South | 5 nights / 6 days | Rs 4,20,680 |
| Glimpses of Karnataka | 3 nights / 4 days | Rs 2,80,450 |
| Source: goldenchariot.org (IRCTC), checked 25 October 2026. Government taxes extra. Fares are revised from time to time; confirm before booking. | ||
IRCTC revises rupee fares from time to time, and a supplement may apply on special dates such as Christmas and New Year. IRCTC has also announced discounts on selected 2026–27 departures. Confirm the current fare and any offer on goldenchariot.org before you book.
Golden Chariot departure dates for 2026–27
All departures are on Saturdays. These are the dates IRCTC has announced so far:
| Departure date | Day | Journey |
|---|---|---|
| 24 October 2026 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka (inaugural run of the season; departed) |
| 31 October 2026 | Saturday | Glimpses of Karnataka |
| 19 December 2026 | Saturday | Glimpses of Karnataka |
| 26 December 2026 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka |
| 2 January 2027 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka |
| 30 January 2027 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka |
| 6 February 2027 | Saturday | Glimpses of Karnataka |
| 20 February 2027 | Saturday | Jewels of South |
| 27 February 2027 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka |
| 13 March 2027 | Saturday | Pride of Karnataka |
| Source: IRCTC announcement for the 2026–27 season. More departures may be added; check goldenchariot.org for the full schedule. | ||
What the fare includes
The Golden Chariot is sold as an all-inclusive package. Your fare covers:
- Your cabin for the whole journey
- All meals on board
- Selected beverages
- Guided sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches
- Entry fees to monuments on the itinerary
- Planned off-train dining
Not included: government taxes, optional tours listed in the itinerary, and any supplement for special dates.
Life on board: cabins, dining and wellness
The train carries up to 80 guests in 40 cabins, each with an attached bathroom. The interiors draw on the art and architecture of the dynasties that once ruled the region.
- Dining: two restaurants, Ruchi and Nalapaka, serve South Indian regional dishes as well as international food.
- Lounge: the Madira lounge bar is the train’s social space.
- Wellness: the Arogya Spa and Fitness Centre offers treatments and a gym.
How to book the Golden Chariot train
- Go to the official website, goldenchariot.org, and choose a journey and departure date.
- Fill in the booking form with the number of guests and your choice of twin or double-bed cabin.
- Pay a 20% advance by card, UPI or EMI to reserve your cabin.
- Pay the balance 30 days before departure (60 days if you book through an agent).
- Receive your confirmation email, e-ticket and boarding instructions.
You can also book through IRCTC offices and authorised IRCTC agents.
A short history of the Golden Chariot
The Golden Chariot was Karnataka’s answer to Rajasthan’s Palace on Wheels. It took six years to get from idea to rails and has since made two comebacks.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) |
| Starts and ends | Bengaluru |
| Season | October 2026 to March 2027 |
| Journeys | Pride of Karnataka, Jewels of South, Glimpses of Karnataka |
| Duration | 3 nights / 4 days or 5 nights / 6 days |
| Capacity | Up to 80 guests in 40 cabins |
| Fare | From Rs 2,80,450 per person (deluxe cabin, twin sharing, taxes extra) |
| Official website | goldenchariot.org |
| Source: goldenchariot.org (IRCTC) and IRCTC’s 2026–27 announcement, checked 25 October 2026. | |
Is the Golden Chariot worth it?
The Golden Chariot is an expensive way to travel, but it removes the hard parts of a heritage trip across South India: no hotel changes, no long road journeys and no queues at monuments. It suits travellers who want comfort and a guided experience, couples marking a special occasion and visitors with limited time. If you prefer to travel independently or on a budget, KSTDC’s road tours cover many of the same places for far less.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Golden Chariot train?
The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that runs multi-day journeys from Bengaluru to heritage sites, wildlife parks and beaches across Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Guests sleep on board, and day excursions are arranged at each stop.
Who operates the Golden Chariot train?
IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation), the tourism arm of Indian Railways, runs the train. Karnataka’s tourism department built and ran it from 2008 and handed it to IRCTC in 2020.
How much does the Golden Chariot train cost in 2026–27?
IRCTC’s official website lists a deluxe cabin at Rs 4,20,680 per person for the 5-night Pride of Karnataka and Jewels of South journeys, and Rs 2,80,450 per person for the 3-night Glimpses of Karnataka. Fares are on twin sharing, taxes are extra, and rates are revised from time to time.
What routes does the Golden Chariot train cover?
There are three journeys. Pride of Karnataka covers Bandipur, Mysuru, Halebidu, Chikkamagaluru, Hampi, Pattadakal, Aihole and Goa. Jewels of South covers Mysuru, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Chettinad, Kochi, and Kumarakom. Glimpses of Karnataka covers Bandipur, Mysuru and Hampi.
Where does the Golden Chariot train start?
All three journeys start and end in Bengaluru. When the train resumed in December 2024 it departed from Yesvantpur (Yeshwanthpur) railway station; your booking confirmation will give the boarding details.
When does the Golden Chariot run?
The train runs in the cooler months, from October to March. Departures for the 2026–27 season are on Saturdays, starting 24 October 2026 and running until March 2027.
What does the Golden Chariot fare include?
The fare covers your cabin, all meals, selected beverages, guided sightseeing in air-conditioned coaches, monument entry fees and planned off-train dining. Government taxes and optional tours are extra, and special dates such as Christmas and New Year may incur a supplement.
How do I book the Golden Chariot train?
Book on the official website, goldenchariot.org, or through IRCTC offices and authorised IRCTC agents. You can reserve a cabin with a 20% advance and pay the balance 30 days before departure (60 days if you book through an agent).