Vande Bharat Sleeper is not offering some features passengers are used to on regular trains: No Tatkal, no RAC, no waiting list and fixed fares; check all the rules before booking

The newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are expected to make long-distance overnight journeys more comfortable, but passengers should be aware of a few important booking rules before planning their trips. Indian Railways has kept some features of the regular reservation system out of these premium services. Tatkal bookings will not be permitted, ticket prices will not follow a dynamic fare system, and passengers will be able to book only confirmed berths. Here is a look at the reservation rules, coach configuration and berth availability on Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

As per an NDTV report, passengers will not be able to book Vande Bharat Sleeper tickets under the Tatkal quota, which is generally used for last-minute travel. All tickets must be booked through the regular reservation system. The trains will also not follow the flexi-fare or dynamic pricing system, meaning fares will remain fixed and will not increase closer to the date of travel or with rising demand. Passengers will therefore need to plan their journeys and book tickets in advance.

The report also stated that Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will offer only confirmed berths, with no Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility or waitlisted tickets. Unlike conventional trains, where passengers can book RAC or waitlisted tickets and wait for a berth to become available, travellers on these services will have to secure a confirmed berth at the time of booking. Passengers should therefore check seat availability and plan their journeys in advance, particularly during holidays and peak travel periods.

The fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper train has a 16-coach configuration, with accommodation across three classes. It offers a total of 823 berths, comprising 611 in AC 3-Tier, 188 in AC 2-Tier and 24 in AC First Class. The arrangement is designed to cater to passengers looking for different levels of comfort on overnight journeys. With all coaches air-conditioned, the train combines multiple accommodation categories within a single service.

Indian Railways has also made provisions for special berth reservations on Vande Bharat Sleeper services. In the AC 3-Tier class, six berths have been earmarked for women passengers. A further 21 berths have been allocated for railway employees travelling on duty passes. These allocations form part of the reservation arrangements for the service, alongside the regular booking system available to passengers.

Indian Railways has introduced three pairs of Vande Bharat Sleeper Express services as part of the network's initial rollout. These connect Howrah with Kamakhya (Guwahati), New Delhi with Varanasi Cantt (Kashi), and Mumbai CSMT with SMVT Bengaluru. The routes mark the beginning of the Vande Bharat Sleeper network, with further expansion expected in the coming years. Passengers planning to travel on these services should keep the booking restrictions and berth availability rules in mind before making reservations.