Indian Railways has started two new Vande Bharat Sleeper train services connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru, and Delhi and Varanasi. The Mumbai-Bengaluru train connects Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai to Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru and began operations on October 31, 2026. The Delhi-Varanasi service started on November 1, 2026.
Schedules and Route Details for Mumbai-Bengaluru and Delhi-Varanasi
The Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper train covers approximately 1,000 km in 15 hours and 45 minutes, departing CSMT Mumbai at 8:10 pm daily except one unspecified day, and arriving at SMVT Bengaluru at 11:55 am the following day. Its return journey leaves Bengaluru at 7:50 pm and
arrives in Mumbai at 11:55 am next morning. This service passes through Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal, and Anantapur.
The Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper overnight train operates six days a week except Saturdays. Train 27421 departs Varanasi at 8:50 pm, halts at Prayagraj Junction at 10:35 pm (5-minute halt) and Kanpur at 12:40 am before reaching New Delhi at 5:55 am. The return service, train 27422, departs New Delhi at 9:40 pm, arrives at Prayagraj at 4:45 am (5-minute halt), and reaches Varanasi by 6:45 am.
Fare Structure and Pricing
Ticket fares for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains range between Rs 2.40 and Rs
3.80 per passenger per kilometre, excluding GST. For the air-conditioned third-class (3AC), the fare is Rs 2.40 per km, making an indicative 1,000 km journey cost Rs 2,400 excluding GST. According to Indian Railways, these fares are substantially lower than comparable services in nations such as China, Japan, and France, where rates range from Rs 7 to Rs 20 per km.
Reservation Policies and Eligibility
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains operate without Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets. Passengers on the waiting list receive confirmed seats only if confirmed bookings are cancelled. Reservation quotas designate lower berths for senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 and
above, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and their attendants. The sleeper class offers six to seven designated lower berths per coach, 3AC class four to five, and 2AC class three to four lower berths, depending on coach composition.
Onboard Amenities and Operational Trials
Onboard food services for the Mumbai-Bengaluru train are being finalised with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), with regional cuisines planned. The Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets have completed trial runs reaching speeds up to 160 kmph. Two trainsets are proposed for this route to maintain service frequency six days a week.
The first Vande Bharat Sleeper train was launched
on January 17, 2026, on the Howrah-Kamakhya route by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new Mumbai-Bengaluru and Delhi-Varanasi services extend the network to key economic and cultural corridors in India, aiming to provide faster, comfortable overnight rail travel for business travellers, professionals, students, pilgrims, and tourists.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided details on the fares, timetables, and reservation arrangements in the Lok Sabha, underscoring Indian Railways’ commitment to affordable and efficient overnight train connectivity between major cities.
