Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper likely to launch on October 31, offering faster overnight travel between the two cities; check operating days, arrival and departure times, stops, timetable and other details

The Varanasi-New Delhi corridor is expected to get a Sleeper Vande Bharat Express from October 31, offering passengers a new overnight travel option between the two cities. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw are likely to flag off the service, TOI reported. The train is expected to operate six days a week, with services suspended on Saturdays.

Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Sleeper timetable

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

• Prayagraj Junction: 5 minutes
• Kanpur Central: Halt duration not specified in the proposed schedule provided.

It is important to note that the timetable and halts mentioned above are provisional and have not been officially confirmed by the Railways. The final schedule and stoppages are expected to be announced soon.

How often will the Vande Bharat Sleeper run?

The proposed service is expected to operate six days a week, with no service on Saturdays.

How are fares calculated for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains?

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. Under this pricing structure, a journey of 1,000 km would cost approximately Rs 2,400 before taxes. Vaishnaw also said that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains do not offer Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets.

The fare structure ranges from Rs 2.40 to Rs 3.80 per km, which the Railways said is lower than the 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.

Mumbai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Sleeper to launch on November 1

India’s second Vande Bharat Sleeper service, connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru, is set to begin operations 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.

The train will cover the 1,118-km distance in around 16 hours, reducing travel time by nearly eight hours, Somanna said in a post on X.

The service will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches with 823 berths, offering passengers an overnight travel option between the two cities.