FX.co ★ Top luxury trains in the world

Maharajas' Express, Mumbai-Delhi

The Maharajas` Express offers finest luxury travel experience in India. The exterior part of this deluxe train is decorated with golden crowns. Police officers escort passengers to the train. Buying the ticket for the 8-day journey on the Maharajas` Express is comparable to the purchase of a car. To justify such a pricing policy, British travel firm Cox & Kings provided the train with everything that turns it into a 5-star hotel on wheels. There is finely carved wooden furniture, water filtration plant, terry bathrobes, Internet, and satellite television. Moreover, passengers on the Maharajas' Express have their own butler and other service staff.

Ticket price: $6,840

Golden Eagle, Moscow-Vladivostok

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express offers exclusive 2-week journey. An ordinary train passes this route twice as faster, but speed is not the thing that matters here. It is not just a trip from place A to place B, it is kind of a land cruise. At night the train passes cities, allowing passengers to see the landscapes of Central Russia, Siberia, Mongolia and the Far East in the daylight.

Depending on the size, the passenger cabins are divided into Gold and Silver class. Each one has the en-suite shower room, wardrobe and a double bed. The restaurant car is decorated with exclusive carpets and mirrors. Passengers can go to a beauty salon, massage room or gym.

Ticket price: from $15,895.

Venice Simplon Orient Express, Paris-Istanbul

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is arguably the world's most famous luxury train, immortalized by Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. This is a step back into the nostalgic past of the 1920's. French cuisine is served only in silver or crystal tableware. Starched tablecloths on tables and the pianist playing jazz add to the atmosphere. There is a dress code on the train with jeans not suitable at any time. Cabins are beautifully decorated in mahogany and velvet.

Ticket price: $1,000-1,400 per day.

Rovos Rail, South Africa

The route of the train lies through the whole South Africa diagonally. The only difference from the rest trains is that its deluxe suites have a lounge area and en-suite bathroom. The wood-panelled rebuilt sleeper coaches remodelled and refurbished to mint condition offer every modern convenience and comfort. All the suites have Victorian furniture, personal safes, and private mini-bars. The room service is available 24 hours a day.

Past passengers include Nelson Mandela, Mia Farrow, Margaret Thatcher and Kylie Minogue.

Ticket price: from $970.

Royal Scotsman, Scotland

Passengers of the Royal Scotsman enjoy views of the moors and pine forests with green hills on their way to Scotland from Edinburgh. It carries a maximum of just 36 passengers. Each sleeping cabin has its own private bathroom with shower, wash-basin and toilet. There is a separate cabin for storing Scottish liqueurs and malt whiskeys.

Ticket price: $1,700-$2,000 per day.

The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan is an Australian passenger train service between Adelaide and Darwin. The 2,979km tour takes three days. There are three classes on the train: Gold, red and Platinum services. They differ in inclusion of the continental breakfast and dinner and bathroom. In addition to gourmet dishes, there is also Australia's exotic local fare, like saltwater barramundi fish and grilled kangaroo fillet. If you need to cross Australia fast and comfortably, there is no better option.

Ticket price: $700-$2,000.

Eastern and Oriental Express, Southeast Asia

The Eastern and Oriental Express operates six routes. Thus, it can run the whole week through Thailand or 4 days from Bangkok to Singapore. Passengers can enjoy fine dining, and spectacular views. Daily continental breakfast is served in cabin.

Ticket price: from $2,560.