Two Vande Bharat Sleeper services are planned for the Delhi–Varanasi and Mumbai–Bengaluru routes, with launches expected around October 31 and on November 1, 2026, respectively. Both are intended to shorten overnight journeys, although their regular schedules and stops have yet to be confirmed.
Key Takeaways
- The Mumbai–Bengaluru launch is scheduled for November 1; the Delhi–Varanasi launch is expected around October 31.
- Proposed departure times, stops and operating days remain subject to confirmation.
- Sleeper fares range from Rs 2.40 to Rs 3.80 per passenger per kilometre, depending on class.
Vande Bharat Sleeper launch plans
Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna announced the November 1 launch for the Mumbai–Bengaluru service. The train is expected to cover the 1,118-kilometre route in about 16 hours, compared with nearly 22 hours for the fastest existing service.
The Delhi–Varanasi service is expected to launch around October 31, but its final launch details and regular operating schedule remain subject to official confirmation. Its journey time is projected at around 9.2 hours, compared with approximately 12 hours on the Rajdhani Express.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Varanasi to New Delhi | Proposed departure at 8:50 p.m.; arrival at 5:55 a.m. the next day. |
| New Delhi to Varanasi | Proposed departure at 9:40 p.m.; arrival at 6:45 a.m. the next day. |
| Bengaluru to Mumbai | Proposed departure at 10 p.m.; arrival at about 1:50 p.m. the next day. |
| Mumbai to Bengaluru | Proposed departure at 10:30 p.m.; arrival at about 2:50 p.m. the next day. |
Proposed overnight timetables and stops
The proposed Delhi–Varanasi timetable includes a five-minute stop at Prayagraj Junction. Kanpur Central is listed on the Varanasi-to-New Delhi journey, but its halt duration has not been specified.
The Mumbai–Bengaluru route is expected to pass through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, with proposed stops including Anantapur, Guntakal, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Solapur and Kalyan. Both services are expected to run six days a week, but operating days have not been confirmed.
The following departure and arrival times are provisional and should be checked before making travel plans.
Fare structure and ticket limitations
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha in March that Vande Bharat Sleeper fares are calculated per passenger per kilometre. AC 3-tier travel costs Rs 2.40 per kilometre excluding GST, while the overall rate varies by class up to Rs 3.80 per kilometre.
At the AC 3-tier rate, a 1,000-kilometre journey would cost about Rs 2,400 before taxes. Vaishnaw also said the trains do not offer Reservation Against Cancellation tickets.
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