Through forests, Western Ghats, along the Arabian Sea & into Goa: Bengaluru gets new Vande Bharat route connecting Karnataka's scenic coastal gems

Indian Railways is set to introduce a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka and Goa, strengthening rail connectivity between the three regions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to flag off the new service on November 13, 2026. The new Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will connect several important destinations, including Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapura, Murdeshwar, Gokarna and Karwar. The service is expected to benefit tourists, business travellers, students and regular passengers travelling between Karnataka and Goa.

According to a press release issued by South Western Railway on November 11, two inaugural special trains will operate on November 13, ahead of the commencement of regular services from November 15.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express: When will regular services begin?

The regular Vande Bharat Express service between Yesvantpur in Bengaluru and Madgaon in Goa will commence on November 15, 2026, from both ends.


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The train will operate six days a week. Train number 26655 will run from Yesvantpur to Madgaon, except Wednesdays, while train number 26656 will operate from Madgaon to Yesvantpur, except Thursdays.

The new service will cover a distance of approximately 671 km, connecting Bengaluru with important coastal destinations in Karnataka and Goa.

Vande Bharat Express inaugural special trains: Date and timings

Two inaugural special Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on November 13, 2026. Train number 06512 will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 1:30 pm and reach Madgaon at 2:55 am the following day. It will stop at Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Sakleshpur, Subrahmanya Road, Kabakaputtur, Mangaluru Junction, Udupi, Kundapura, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Murdeshwar, Gokarna Road and Karwar.

The second inaugural special, train number 06213, will depart from Mangaluru Junction at 1:30 pm on November 13 and arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at 9 pm the same day. Its scheduled stops include Kabakaputtur, Subrahmanya Road, Sakleshpur, Hassan and Shravanabelagola.

Both inaugural special trains will comprise 16-car Vande Bharat rakes.

Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express: Route and stoppages

The regular Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will cover several important destinations across Karnataka before reaching Goa.

The train will stop at the following stations:

• Shravanabelagola
• Hassan
• Sakleshpur
• Subrahmanya Road
• Kabakaputtur
• Mangaluru Junction
• Udupi
• Kundapura
• Mookambika Road Byndoor
• Murdeshwar
• Gokarna Road
• Karwar

The service will provide rail connectivity to popular destinations such as Udupi, Kollur (Mookambika), Murdeshwar, Gokarna, Karwar and Madgaon.

Bengaluru to Goa Vande Bharat Express: Train 26655 timings

Train number 26655 will depart from Yesvantpur Junction at 7:35 am and reach Madgaon at 8:55 pm on the same day.

Here is the complete schedule of the Bengaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express:

Station	Arrival	Departure
Yesvantpur	—	7:35 am
Shravanabelagola	9:03 am	9:05 am
Hassan	9:38 am	9:40 am
Sakleshpur	10:20 am	10:22 am
Subrahmanya Road	12:40 pm	12:42 pm
Kabakaputtur	1:25 pm	1:27 pm
Mangaluru Junction	3:05 pm	3:15 pm
Udupi	4:20 pm	4:22 pm
Kundapura	4:38 pm	4:40 pm
Mookambika Road Byndoor	5:20 pm	5:22 pm
Murdeshwar	6:00 pm	6:02 pm
Gokarna Road	7:00 pm	7:02 pm
Karwar	7:45 pm	7:47 pm
Madgaon	8:55 pm	—

Goa to Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express: Train 26656 timings

In the return direction, train number 26656 will depart from Madgaon at 8:20 am and reach Yesvantpur Junction at 9:15 pm on the same day.

The train will stop at Karwar, Gokarna Road, Murdeshwar, Mookambika Road Byndoor, Kundapura, Udupi, Mangaluru Junction, Kabakaputtur, Subrahmanya Road, Sakleshpur, Hassan and Shravanabelagola.

Its complete schedule is as follows:

Station	Arrival	Departure
Madgaon	—	8:20 am
Karwar	9:03 am	9:05 am
Gokarna Road	9:48 am	9:50 am
Murdeshwar	11:00 am	11:02 am
Mookambika Road Byndoor	11:20 am	11:22 am
Kundapura	11:48 am	11:50 am
Udupi	12:18 pm	12:20 pm
Mangaluru Junction	1:50 pm	2:00 pm
Kabakaputtur	2:43 pm	2:45 pm
Subrahmanya Road	3:28 pm	3:30 pm
Sakleshpur	5:30 pm	5:32 pm
Hassan	6:13 pm	6:15 pm
Shravanabelagola	6:43 pm	6:45 pm
Yesvantpur	9:15 pm	—

Bengaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express: Coach composition

The new Vande Bharat Express will have a 16-coach configuration comprising Executive Chair Car and Chair Car coaches. The train is designed to offer passengers a modern and comfortable travel experience.

The introduction of the service is expected to improve connectivity between Bengaluru, Karnataka's coastal districts and Goa, while providing a convenient rail travel option for tourists and regular commuters.

Existing Madgaon-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express to be discontinued

With the introduction of the new Yesvantpur-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express, Indian Railways will discontinue the existing Madgaon-Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express.

Train numbers 20645 and 20646 will cease operations from November 15, 2026, in both directions, according to South Western Railway.

The new service is expected to strengthen rail connectivity along the coastal and Western Ghats corridor, making travel between Bengaluru, coastal Karnataka and Goa more convenient.