Indian Railways has introduced two new Vande Bharat Sleeper train services connecting Mumbai-Bengaluru and Delhi-Varanasi, with inaugurations scheduled for October 31 and November 1, 2026, respectively.
Train routes, stops, and journey times
The Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper departs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and arrives at Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) in Bengaluru, covering a distance of nearly 1,000 kilometers. The route includes stops at Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Guntakal, and Anantapur. It completes the journey in approximately 15 hours and 45 minutes.
The Delhi-Varanasi service operates overnight between Varanasi and New Delhi via Prayagraj and Kanpur. Train number 27421 leaves Varanasi
at 8:50 pm, halting at Prayagraj Junction at 10:35 pm and Kanpur Central at 12:40 am, before arriving in New Delhi at 5:55 am the following day. The return train, 27422, departs New Delhi at 9:40 pm, reaching Prayagraj at 4:45 am and Varanasi at 6:45 am.
Train timings, frequency, and trainsets
The Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper is scheduled to leave CSMT Mumbai at 8:10 pm and reach SMVT Bengaluru at 11:55 am the next day. The return service departs Bengaluru at 7:50 pm and arrives in Mumbai at 11:55 am. Both trains are expected to operate six days a week, with the Delhi-Varanasi route
running every day except Saturdays.
Two Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets have been proposed for the Mumbai-Bengaluru route. Operational details remain provisional pending official confirmation.
Fare structure and international comparison
Fares for the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are calculated per passenger per kilometer, ranging from Rs 2.40 to Rs 3.80, excluding GST. For instance, the third AC (3AC) class fare is Rs 2.40 per kilometer, resulting in an approximate Rs 2,400 fare for the 1,000 km Mumbai-Bengaluru journey.
Indian Railways states these fares are lower than comparable services in countries such as China, Japan, and France, where per-kilometer rates range from Rs 7 to Rs 20.
Fares remain among the lowest globally.
Reservation policies and passenger quotas
The Vande Bharat Sleeper trains do not offer Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets; waiting list passengers receive confirmation only if confirmed ticket holders cancel their bookings.
Reservation quotas allocate lower berths for senior citizens, females above 45 years, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, along with their attendants. The number of such berths per coach varies by class: six to seven lower berths in Sleeper class, four to five in 3AC, and three to four in 2AC.
Quotas for persons with disabilities also apply across mail and express trains, including premium services.
Onboard facilities, catering, and speed
The Mumbai-Bengaluru
Vande Bharat Sleeper train has completed trial runs at speeds up to 160 km/h. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is working to finalize the onboard catering menu, which will feature regional cuisine options.
The trains are intended to provide faster overnight travel alternatives, benefiting business travelers, students, pilgrims, and tourists on these key routes.
India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper train began operations on January 17, 2026, between Howrah and Kamakhya, covering that distance in around 14 hours.
Official statements and policy context
Union minister for railways Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined details of fares, reservations, and services for the new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains
in a Lok Sabha session. Indian Railways also emphasizes operating multiple train categories to cater to diverse socio-economic segments.
The introduction of these trains aims to expand the premium overnight train network and provide alternatives to air travel between major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.
