Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and moreET OnlineLast Updated: Oct 27, 2026, 12:12:00 AM ISTSynopsis

Two new Vande Bharat sleeper trains are planned to connect Delhi to Varanasi and Mumbai to Bengaluru. The Mumbai-Bengaluru service will operate from November 1, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava. The Delhi-Varanasi train will follow a similar launch timeline, with both services aiming to reduce travel times significantly. Proposed schedules indicate overnight departures and arrivals for both routes. Fares for these services are based on a per-kilometer pricing structure.

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Loading...×Two Vande Bharat sleeper trains connecting Delhi with Varanasi and Mumbai with Bengaluru are set to expand Indian Railways’ premium overnight services. The Mumbai-Bengaluru service is scheduled for launch on November 1, while the Delhi-Varanasi service is also expected to be introduced around the same time.

The new trains are expected to reduce journey times on both routes. The Delhi-Varanasi service is projected to complete the journey in around 9.2 hours, compared with approximately 12 hours on the Rajdhani Express. The Mumbai-Bengaluru train is expected to cover the distance in about 16 hours, against nearly 22 hours on the existing fastest sleeper service cited in reports.

However, passengers should note that some train timings, stoppages and operating details remain provisional and await official confirmation.

Read more: Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper likely to launch on October 31, offering faster overnight travel between the two cities; check operating days, timings, stops and other details

Vande Bharat Sleeper launch dates

The Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat sleeper service is scheduled to begin on November 1, coinciding with Karnataka Rajyotsava. Union minister of state for railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna announced the launch on Thursday. The BJP has described the service as a “Diwali gift” for people in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

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According to Somanna, the train will cover the 1,118-km route in around 16 hours, cutting travel time by nearly eight hours.

The Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat sleeper is also expected to be launched on October 31. The final launch details and regular operating schedule are subject to official confirmation.

Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper timetable

The proposed schedule for the Delhi-Varanasi service includes overnight travel, with departures in the evening and arrivals the following morning.

Varanasi to New Delhi: Train No. 27421

• Departure from Varanasi: 8.50 pm
• Arrival at Prayagraj Junction: 10.35 pm
• Departure from Prayagraj Junction: 10.40 pm
• Arrival at Kanpur Central: 12.40 am
• Arrival at New Delhi: 5.55 am the next day

New Delhi to Varanasi: Train No. 27422

• Departure from New Delhi: 9.40 pm
• Arrival at Prayagraj Junction: 4.45 am the next day
• Departure from Prayagraj Junction: 4.50 am
• Arrival at Varanasi: 6.45 am

Proposed halts

The proposed schedule lists Prayagraj Junction as a five-minute stop. The halt duration at Kanpur Central has not been specified in the available schedule.

These timings, train numbers and stoppages are provisional and have not been officially confirmed by Indian Railways. Passengers should check the final schedule before making travel plans.

Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper timetable and route

The Mumbai-Bengaluru service is expected to operate under train numbers 27651 and 27652, although these numbers remain unconfirmed.

According to earlier reports, the proposed schedule is as follows:

Bengaluru to Mumbai

• Departure from KSR Bengaluru: 10 pm
• Arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai: around 1.50 pm the following day

Mumbai to Bengaluru

• Departure from CSMT: 10.30 pm
• Arrival at Bengaluru: approximately 2.50 pm the following day

The train is expected to pass through several stations across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Proposed stops include Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur and Kalyan.

The timings, train numbers and stoppages are tentative. The Railways is expected to announce the final schedule and route details before regular operations begin.

How often will the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains run?

Both services are expected to operate six days a week, according to the proposed schedules.

The Delhi-Varanasi service is expected to remain unavailable on Saturdays. For the Mumbai-Bengaluru service, reports citing DD News indicate that the train will not depart Bengaluru on Mondays, while the Mumbai-bound service will not run on Tuesdays.

These operating days remain subject to official confirmation.

How are Vande Bharat Sleeper fares calculated?

Vande Bharat Sleeper fares are calculated on a per-passenger, per-kilometre basis, according to a written reply by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha in March.

For AC 3-tier travel, the fare is Rs 2.40 per km, excluding GST. At this rate, a 1,000-km journey would cost approximately Rs 2,400 before taxes.

The overall fare structure ranges from Rs 2.40 to Rs 3.80 per km, depending on the applicable class. Vaishnaw also said Vande Bharat Sleeper trains do not offer Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets.

In the same reply, the minister compared the fares with estimated rates of Rs 7 to Rs 20 per km for comparable services in countries such as China, Japan and France.

Indian Railways provided passenger fare subsidies worth Rs 60,239 crore in 2024-25, translating into an average concession of 43% for passengers, according to the minister.
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( Originally published on Oct 26, 2026 )Read More News onVande Bharat Sleeper trainDelhi Varanasi Vande Bharat SleeperMumbai Bengaluru Vande Bharat SleeperVande Bharat Sleeper launch dateVande Bharat Sleeper timetableVande Bharat Sleeper train routesVande Bharat Sleeper stoppagesVande Bharat Sleeper ticket fareVande Bharat Sleeper train timingsVande Bharat Sleeper ticket booking

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Read More News onVande Bharat Sleeper trainDelhi Varanasi Vande Bharat SleeperMumbai Bengaluru Vande Bharat SleeperVande Bharat Sleeper launch dateVande Bharat Sleeper timetableVande Bharat Sleeper train routesVande Bharat Sleeper stoppagesVande Bharat Sleeper ticket fareVande Bharat Sleeper train timingsVande Bharat Sleeper ticket booking

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