Two Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains to Debut on Delhi-Varanasi and Mumbai-Bengaluru Corridors

Indian Railways will add two premium overnight Vande Bharat Sleeper trains. The Delhi-Varanasi service begins on October 31, and the Mumbai-Bengaluru service on November 1. Both are marketed as faster alternatives to existing overnight services.

Vande Bharat sleeper services on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes in next one week Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and more Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper trains: Routes, timings, fares and key details 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

The inaugural Vande Bharat Sleeper, Howrah-Kamakhya, was flagged off on January 17, 2026 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After high occupancy, the rail ministry approved additional sleeper sets for the two new corridors.

Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper trains: Routes, timings, fares and key details

• Delhi <-> Varanasi: Approx. 760 km; ministry estimates about 9.2 hours, roughly three hours less than the Rajdhani Express. Reported timetable: 9 h 30 m, departures at 8:50 pm from Varanasi (27421) and 9:40 pm from New Delhi (27422).

New Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Launch, Train Timings And More

• Mumbai <-> Bengaluru: 1,118 km; projected journey around 16 hours, shaving nearly eight hours off the fastest existing service. Another source lists 15 h 45 m, a reduction of about six hours 20 minutes versus the Udyan Express.

Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and more

Both run six days a week; Delhi-Varanasi skips Saturdays, Mumbai-Bengaluru skips a Monday from Bengaluru and a Tuesday from Mumbai (provisional).

Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and more

Each train has 16 fully air-conditioned coaches with 823 berths (First AC, Second AC, Third AC). Features highlighted in a video by Akshay Malhotra include:

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

• Opaque privacy glass on cabin doors.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

• Individual reading lights, charging points and water-bottle holders.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

• Ergonomically cushioned berths and non-slip steps.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

• Improved suspension, noise-reduction and an emergency talk-back system.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said fares are Rs 2.40–Rs 3.80 per km by class. Third AC is Rs 2.40 per km, so a 1,000-km trip costs about Rs 2,400 before GST. He noted these rates are lower than the Rs 7–20 per km charged in China, Japan and France.

Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and more

In FY 2024-25, Indian Railways gave passenger fare subsidies of Rs 60,239 crore, an average concession of 43 %. The sleeper services do not offer Reservation-Against-Cancellation tickets; waiting-list passengers receive confirmed seats only after cancellations.

Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper trains: Routes, timings, fares and key details

Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna announced the Mumbai-Bengaluru launch as a “Diwali gift” for Karnataka and Maharashtra, emphasizing the eight-hour time saving. The BJP framed the service as a festive offering.

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

Railway officials say the final timetable, exact stoppages and train numbers will be confirmed before regular operations.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

Akshay Malhotra’s walkthrough shows the privacy glass, individual lighting, charging facilities, non-slip steps and cushioned berths designed for overnight comfort, underscoring the focus on passenger experience.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

• Launch dates: Economictimes lists Mumbai-Bengaluru inauguration on Nov 1, IndiaTimes cites Oct 31.

Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to cut travel time on Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi routes: Check launch dates, timings, stops and more

• Travel times: Economictimes: 16 h; IndiaTimes: 15 h 45 m.

Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper trains: Routes, timings, fares and key details

• Stoppages: Proposed Delhi-Varanasi halts include Prayagraj, Kanpur Central, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, pending official confirmation.

1st look inside Delhi–Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper: Opaque cabin window, softer berths & features that may make passengers ecstatic

Railway authorities will release the definitive schedule, train numbers and fare circulars in the coming weeks, after which ticket booking will open.

Mumbai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper trains: Routes, timings, fares and key details